THE KYBALION/PART 9
CHAPTER IX
VIBRATION
"Nothing
rests; everything moves; everything vibrates."—The Kybalion.
The
great Third Hermetic Principle—the Principle of Vibration—embodies the truth
that Motion is manifest in everything in the Universe—that nothing is at
rest—that everything moves, vibrates, and circles. This Hermetic Principle was
recognized by some of the early Greek philosophers who embodied it in their
systems. But, then, for centuries it was lost sight of by the thinkers outside
of the Hermetic ranks. But in the Nineteenth Century physical science
re-discovered the truth and the Twentieth Century scientific discoveries have
added additional proof of the correctness and truth of this centuries-old
Hermetic doctrine.
The
Hermetic Teachings are that not only is everything in constant movement and
vibration, but that the "differences" between the various
manifestations of the universal power are due entirely to the varying rate and
mode of vibrations. Not only this, but that even THE ALL, in itself, manifests
a constant vibration of such an infinite degree of intensity and rapid motion
that it may be practically considered as at rest, the teachers directing the
attention of the students to the fact that even on the physical plane a rapidly
moving object (such as a revolving wheel) seems to be at rest. The Teachings
are to the effect that Spirit is at one end of the Pole of Vibration, the other
Pole being certain extremely gross forms of Matter. Between these two poles are
millions upon millions of different rates and modes of vibration.
Modern
Science has proven that all that we call Matter and Energy are but "modes
of vibratory motion," and some of the more advanced scientists are rapidly
moving toward the positions of the occultists who hold that the phenomena of
Mind are likewise modes of vibration or motion. Let us see what science has to
say regarding the question of vibrations in matter and energy.
In
the first place, science teaches that all matter manifests, in some degree, the
vibrations arising from temperature or heat. Be an object cold or hot—both
being but degrees of the same things—it manifests certain heat vibrations, and
in that sense is in motion and vibration. Then all particles of Matter are in
circular movement, from corpuscle to suns. The planets revolve around suns, and
many of them turn on their axes. The suns move around greater central points,
and these are believed to move around still greater, and so on, ad infinitum.
The molecules of which the particular kinds of Matter are composed are in a
state of constant vibration and movement around each other and against each
other. The molecules are composed of Atoms, which, likewise, are in a state of
constant movement and vibration. The atoms are composed of Corpuscles,
sometimes called "electrons," "ions," etc., which also are
in a state of rapid motion, revolving around each other, and which manifest a
very rapid state and mode of vibration. And, so we see that all forms of Matter
manifest Vibration, in accordance with the Hermetic Principle of Vibration.
And
so it is with the various forms of Energy. Science teaches that Light, Heat,
Magnetism and Electricity are but forms of vibratory motion connected in some
way with, and probably emanating from the Ether. Science does not as yet
attempt to explain the nature of the phenomena known as Cohesion, which is the
principle of Molecular Attraction; nor Chemical Affinity, which is the
principle of Atomic Attraction; nor Gravitation (the greatest mystery of the
three), which is the principle of attraction by which every particle or mass of
Matter is bound to every other particle or mass. These three forms of Energy
are not as yet understood by science, yet the writers incline to the opinion
that these too are manifestations of some form of vibratory energy, a fact
which the Hermetists have held and taught for ages past.
The
Universal Ether, which is postulated by science without its nature being
understood clearly, is held by the Hermetists to be but a higher manifestation
of that which is erroneously called matter—that is to say, Matter at a higher
degree of vibration—and is called by them "The Ethereal Substance."
The Hermetists teach that this Ethereal Substance is of extreme tenuity and
elasticity, and pervades universal space, serving as a medium of transmission
of waves of vibratory energy, such as heat, light, electricity, magnetism, etc.
The Teachings are that The Ethereal Substance is a connecting link between the
forms of vibratory energy known as "Matter" on the one hand, and
"Energy or Force" on the other; and also that it manifests a degree
of vibration, in rate and mode, entirely its own.
Scientists
have offered the illustration of a rapidly moving wheel, top, or cylinder, to
show the effects of increasing rates of vibration. The illustration supposes a
wheel, top, or revolving cylinder, running at a low rate of speed—we will call
this revolving thing "the object" in following out the illustration.
Let us suppose the object moving slowly. It may be seen readily, but no sound
of its movement reaches the ear. The speed is gradually increased. In a few
moments its movement becomes so rapid that a deep growl or low note may be
heard. Then as the rate is increased the note rises one in the musical scale.
Then, the motion being still further increased, the next highest note is distinguished.
Then, one after another, all the notes of the musical scale appear, rising
higher and higher as the motion is increased. Finally when the motions have
reached a certain rate the final note perceptible to human ears is reached and
the shrill, piercing shriek dies away, and silence follows. No sound is heard
from the revolving object, the rate of motion being so high that the human ear
cannot register the vibrations. Then comes the perception of rising degrees of
Heat. Then after quite a time the eye catches a glimpse of the object becoming
a dull dark reddish color. As the rate increases, the red becomes brighter.
Then as the speed is increased, the red melts into an orange. Then the orange
melts into a yellow. Then follow, successively, the shades of green, blue,
indigo, and finally violet, as the rate of sped increases. Then the violet
shades away, and all color disappears, the human eye not being able to register
them. But there are invisible rays emanating from the revolving object, the
rays that are used in photographing, and other subtle rays of light. Then begin
to manifest the peculiar rays known as the "X Rays," etc., as the
constitution of the object changes. Electricity and Magnetism are emitted when
the appropriate rate of vibration is attained.
When
the object reaches a certain rate of vibration its molecules disintegrate, and
resolve themselves into the original elements or atoms. Then the atoms,
following the Principle of Vibration, are separated into the countless
corpuscles of which they are composed. And finally, even the corpuscles
disappear and the object may be said to Be composed of The Ethereal Substance.
Science does not dare to follow the illustration further, but the Hermetists
teach that if the vibrations be continually increased the object would mount up
the successive states of manifestation and would in turn manifest the various
mental stages, and then on Spiritward, until it would finally re-enter THE ALL,
which is Absolute Spirit. The "object," however, would have ceased to
be an "object" long before the stage of Ethereal Substance was
reached, but otherwise the illustration is correct inasmuch as it shows the
effect of constantly increased rates and modes of vibration. It must be
remembered, in the above illustration, that at the stages at which the
"object" throws off vibrations of light, heat, etc., it is not
actually "resolved" into those forms of energy (which are much higher
in the scale), but simply that it reaches a degree of vibration in which those
forms of energy are liberated, in a degree, from the confining influences of
its molecules, atoms and corpuscles, as the case may be. These forms of energy,
although much higher in the scale than matter, are imprisoned and confined in
the material combinations, by reason of the energies manifesting through, and
using material forms, but thus becoming entangled and confined in their
creations of material forms, which, to an extent, is true of all creations, the
creating force becoming involved in its creation.
But
the Hermetic Teachings go much further than do those of modern science. They
teach that all manifestation of thought, emotion, reason, will or desire, or
any mental state or condition, are accompanied by vibrations, a portion of
which are thrown off and which tend to affect the minds of other persons by
"induction." This is the principle which produces the phenomena of
"telepathy"; mental influence, and other forms of the action and
power of mind over mind, with which the general public is rapidly becoming
acquainted, owing to the wide dissemination of occult knowledge by the various
schools, cults and teachers along these lines at this time.
Every
thought, emotion or mental state has its corresponding rate and mode of
vibration. And by an effort of the will of the person, or of other persons,
these mental states may be reproduced, just as a musical tone may be reproduced
by causing an instrument to vibrate at a certain rate—just as color may be
reproduced in the same may. By a knowledge of the Principle of Vibration, as
applied to Mental Phenomena, one may polarize his mind at any degree he wishes,
thus gaining a perfect control over his mental states, moods, etc. In the same
way he may affect the minds of others, producing the desired mental states in
them. In short, he may be able to produce on the Mental Plane that which
science produces on the Physical Plane—namely, "Vibrations at Will."
This power of course may be acquired only by the proper instruction, exercises,
practice, etc., the science being that of Mental Transmutation, one of the
branches of the Hermetic Art.
A
little reflection on what we have said will show the student that the Principle
of Vibration underlies the wonderful phenomena of the power manifested by the
Masters and Adepts, who are able to apparently set aside the Laws of Nature,
but who, in reality, are simply using one law against another; one principle
against others; and who accomplish their results by changing the vibrations of
material objects, or forms of energy, and thus perform what are commonly called
"miracles."
As
one of the old Hermetic writers has truly said: "He who understands the
Principle of Vibration, has grasped the scepter of Power."
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