CHAPTER 1. THE HERMETIC PHILOSOPHY

"The lips of wisdom are closed, except to the ears of Understanding"--The Kybalion.

From old Egypt have come the fundamental esoteric and occult teachings
which have so strongly influenced the philosophies of all races, nations and
peoples, for several thousand years. Egypt, the home of the Pyramids and
the Sphinx, was the birthplace of the Hidden Wisdom and Mystic Teachings.
From her Secret Doctrine all nations have borrowed. India, Persia, Chaldea,
Medea, China, Japan, Assyria, ancient Greece and Rome, and other ancient
countries partook liberally at the feast of knowledge which the Hierophants
and Masters of the Land of Isis so freely provided for those who came
prepared to partake of the great store of Mystic and Occult Lore which the
masterminds of that ancient land had gathered together.
In ancient Egypt dwelt the great Adepts and Masters who have never been
surpassed, and who seldom have been equaled, during the centuries that
have taken their processional flight since the days of the Great Hermes. In
Egypt was located the Great Lodge of Lodges of the Mystics. At the doors of
her Temples entered the Neophytes who afterward, as Hierophants,
Adepts, and Masters, traveled to the four corners of the earth, carrying with
them the precious knowledge which they were ready, anxious, and willing
to pass on to those who were ready to receive the same. All students of the
Occult recognize the debt that they owe to these venerable Masters of that
ancient land.
But among these great Masters of Ancient Egypt there once dwelt one of
whom Masters hailed as "The Master of Masters." This man, if "man" indeed
he was, dwelt in Egypt in the earliest days. He was known as Hermes
Trismegistus. He was the father of the Occult Wisdom; the founder of
Astrology; the discoverer of Alchemy. The details of his life story are lost to
history, owing to the lapse of the years, though several of the ancient
countries disputed with each other in their claims to the honor of having
furnished his birthplace--and this thousands of years ago. The date of his
sojourn in Egypt, in that his last incarnation on this planet, is not now
known, but it has been fixed at the early days of the oldest dynasties of Egypt--long before the days of Moses. The best authorities regard him as a
contemporary of Abraham, and some of the Jewish traditions go so far as to
claim that Abraham acquired a portion of his mystic knowledge from
Hermes himself.
As the years rolled by after his passing from this plane of life (tradition
recording that he lived three hundred years in the flesh), the Egyptians
deified Hermes, and made him one of their gods, under the name of Thoth.
Years after, the people of Ancient Greece also made him one of their many
gods--calling him "Hermes, the god of Wisdom." The Egyptians revered his
memory for many centuries-yes, tens of centuries-- calling him "the Scribe of
the Gods," and bestowing upon him, distinctively, his ancient title,
"Trismegistus," which means "the thrice-great"; "the great-great"; "the
greatest-great"; etc. In all the ancient lands, the name of Hermes
Trismegistus was revered, the name being synonymous with the "Fount of
Wisdom."
Even to this day, we use the term "hermetic" in the sense of "secret";
"sealed so that nothing can escape"; etc., and this by reason of the fact that
the followers of Hermes always observed the principle of secrecy in their
teachings. They did not believe in "casting pearls before swine," but rather
held to the teaching "milk for babes"; "meat for strong men," both of which
maxims are familiar to readers of the Christian scriptures, but both of which
had been used by the Egyptians for centuries before the Christian era.
And this policy of careful dissemination of the truth has always
characterized the Hermetics, even unto the present day. The Hermetic
Teachings are to be found in all lands, among all religions, but never
identified with any particular country, nor with any particular religious sect.
This because of the warning of the ancient teachers against allowing the
Secret Doctrine to become crystallized into a creed. The wisdom of this
caution is apparent to all students of history. The ancient occultism of India
and Persia degenerated, and was largely lost, owing to the fact that the
teachers became priests, and so mixed theology with the philosophy, the
result being that the occultism of India and Persia has been gradually lost
amidst the mass of religious superstition, cults, creeds and "gods." So it was
with Ancient Greece and Rome. So it was with the Hermetic Teachings of the Gnostics and Early Christians, which were lost at the time of
Constantine, whose iron hand smothered philosophy with the blanket of
theology, losing to the Christian Church that which was its very essence and
spirit, and causing it to grope throughout several centuries before it found
the way back to its ancient faith, the indications apparent to all careful
observers in this Twentieth Century being that the Church is now struggling
to get back to its ancient mystic teachings.

But there were always a few faithful souls who kept alive the Flame, tending
it carefully, and not allowing its light to become extinguished. And thanks to
these staunch hearts, and fearless minds, we have the truth still with us. But
it is not found in books, to any great extent. It has been passed along from
Master to Student; from Initiate to Hierophant; from lip to ear. When it was
written down at all, its meaning was veiled in terms of alchemy and
astrology so that only those possessing the key could read it aright.

This was made necessary in order to avoid the persecutions of the theologians of the
Middle Ages, who fought the Secret Doctrine with fire and sword; stake,
gibbet and cross. Even to this day there will be found but few reliable books
on the Hermetic Philosophy, although there are countless references to it in
many books written on various phases of Occultism. And yet, the Hermetic
Philosophy is the only Master Key which will open all the doors of the Occult Teachings!

In the early days, there was a compilation of certain Basic Hermetic
Doctrines, passed on from teacher to student, which was known as "THE
KYBALION," the exact significance and meaning of the term having been
lost for several centuries. This teaching, however, is known to many to
whom it has descended, from mouth to ear, on and on throughout the
centuries. Its precepts have never been written down, or printed, so far as
we know. It was merely a collection of maxims, axioms, and precepts, which
were non-understandable to outsiders, but which were readily understood
by students, after the axioms, maxims, and precepts had been explained
and exemplified by the Hermetic Initiates to their Neophytes.

These teachings really constituted the
basic principles of "The Art of Hermetic
Alchemy," which, contrary to the general belief, dealt in the mastery of
Mental Forces, rather than Material Elements-the Transmutation of one kind of Mental Vibrations into others, instead of the changing of one kind of
metal into another. The legends of the "Philosopher's Stone" which would
turn base metal into Gold, was an allegory relating to Hermetic Philosophy,
readily understood by all students of true Hermeticism.

In this little book, of which this is the First Lesson, we invite our students to
examine into the Hermetic Teachings, as set forth in THE KYBALION, and as
explained by ourselves, humble students of the Teachings, who, while
bearing the title of Initiates, are still students at the feet of HERMES, the
Master. We herein give you many of the maxims, axioms and precepts of
THE KYBALION, accompanied by explanations and illustrations which we
deem likely to render the teachings more easily comprehended by the
modern student, particularly as the original text is purposely veiled in
obscure terms.
The original maxims, axioms, and precepts of THE KYBALION are printed
herein, in italics, the proper credit being given. Our own work is printed in
the regular way, in the body of the work.
We trust that the many students to whom we now offer this little work will
derive as much benefit from the study of its pages as have the many who
have gone on before, treading the same Path to Mastery throughout the
centuries that have passed since the times of HERMES TRISMEGISTUS--the
Master of Masters--the Great-Great. In the words of "THE KYBALION":
"Where fall the footsteps of the Master, the ears of those ready for his
Teaching open wide."--The Kybalion.
"When the ears of the student are ready to hear, then cometh the lips to fill
them with Wisdom."--The Kybalion.

So that according to the Teachings, the passage of this book to those ready
for the instruction will attract the attention of such as are prepared to
receive the Teaching.
And, likewise, when the pupil is ready to receive the truth, then will this little
book come to him, or her. Such is The Law.

CHAPTER 2. THE SEVEN HERMETIC PRINCIPLES

"The Principles of Truth are Seven; he who knows these, understandingly,
possesses the Magic Key before whose touch all the Doors of the Temple fly
open."--The Kybalion.

The Seven Hermetic Principles, upon which the entire Hermetic Philosophy
is based, are as follows:
1. The Principle of Mentalism.
2. The Principle of Correspondence.
3. The Principle of Vibration.
4. The Principle of Polarity.
5. The Principle of Rhythm.
6. The Principle of Cause and Effect.
7. The Principle of Gender.

These Seven Principles will be discussed and explained as we proceed with
these lessons. A short explanation of each, however, may as well be given at
this point.

1. The Principle of Mentalism
"THE ALL IS MIND; The Universe is Mental."--The Kybalion.
This Principle embodies the truth that "All is Mind." It explains that THE ALL
(which is the Substantial Reality underlying all the outward manifestations
and appearances which we know under the terms of "The Material
Universe"; the "Phenomena of Life"; "Matter"; "Energy"; and, in short, all
that is apparent to our material senses) is SPIRIT which in itself is
UNKNOWABLE and UNDEFINABLE, but which may be considered and
thought of as AN UNIVERSAL, INFINITE, LIVING MIND. It also explains that
all the phenomenal world or universe is simply a Mental Creation of THE
ALL, subject to the Laws of Created Things, and that the universe, as a
whole, and in its parts or units, has its existence in the Mind of THE ALL, in
which Mind we "live and move and have our being."

This Principle, by establishing the Mental Nature of the Universe, easily explains all of the varied mental and psychic phenomena that occupy such a large portion of
the public attention, and which, without such explanation, are non-
understandable and defy scientific treatment.

An understanding of this great Hermetic Principle of Mentalism enables the individual to readily grasp the laws of the Mental Universe, and to apply the same to his well-being and advancement.
The Hermetic Student is enabled to apply intelligently the great Mental Laws, instead of using them in a haphazard manner.

With the Master-Key in his possession, the student may unlock the many doors of the
mental and psychic temple of knowledge, and enter the same freely and
intelligently. This Principle explains the true nature of "Energy," "Power,"
and "Matter," and why and how all these are subordinate to the Mastery of
Mind.

One of the old Hermetic Masters wrote, long ages ago: "He who grasps the truth of the Mental Nature of the Universe is well advanced on The Path to Mastery." And these words are as true today as at the time they
were first written.
Without this Master-Key, Mastery is impossible, and the student knocks in vain at the many doors of The Temple.

2. The Principle of Correspondence

"As above, so below; as below, so above."--The Kybalion.

This Principle embodies the truth that there is always a Correspondence
between the laws and phenomena of the various planes of Being and Life.
The old Hermetic axiom ran in these words: "As above, so below; as below,
so above." And the grasping of this Principle gives one the means of solving
many a dark paradox, and hidden secret of Nature. There are planes beyond
our knowing, but when we apply the Principle of Correspondence to them
we are able to understand much that would otherwise be unknowable to us.

This Principle is of universal application and manifestation, on the various
planes of the material, mental, and spiritual universe--it is an Universal Law.
The ancient Hermetists considered this Principle as one of the most
important mental instruments by which man was able to pry aside the
obstacles which hid from view the Unknown. Its use even tore aside the Veil of Isis to the extent that a glimpse of the face of the goddess might be caught.

Just as a knowledge of the Principles of Geometry enables man to measure distant suns and their movements, while seated in his observatory, so a knowledge of the Principle of Correspondence enables Man to reason intelligently from the Known to the Unknown. Studying the monad, he
understands the archangel.

3. The Principle of Vibration

"Nothing rests; everything moves; everything vibrates."--The Kybalion.

This Principle embodies the truth that "everything is in motion"; "everything
vibrates"; "nothing is at rest"; facts which Modern Science endorses, and
which each new scientific discovery tends to verify. And yet this Hermetic
Principle was enunciated thousands of years ago, by the Masters of Ancient
Egypt.

This Principle explains that the differences between different manifestations of Matter, Energy, Mind, and even Spirit, result largely from varying rates of Vibration. From THE ALL, which is Pure Spirit, down to the
grossest form of Matter, all is in vibration--the higher the vibration, the
higher the position in the scale.

The vibration of Spirit is at such an infinite
rate of intensity and rapidity that it is practically at rest--just as a rapidly moving wheel seems to be motionless.
And at the other end of the scale, there are gross forms of matter whose vibrations are so low as to seem at rest.

Between these poles, there are millions upon millions of varying degrees of vibration. From corpuscle and electron, atom and molecule, to worlds and universes, everything is in vibratory motion.
This is also true on the planes of energy and force (which are but varying degrees of vibration); and also on the mental planes (whose states depend upon vibrations); and
even on to the spiritual planes.

An understanding of this Principle, with the
appropriate formulas, enables Hermetic students to control their own
mental vibrations as well as those of others.

The Masters also apply this Principle to the conquering of Natural phenomena, in various ways. "He who understands the Principle of Vibration, has grasped the scepter of power,"
says one of the old writers.

4. The Principle of Polarity

"Everything is Dual; everything has poles; everything has its pair of opposites;
like and unlike are the same; opposites are identical in nature, but different in
degree; extremes meet; all truths are but half-truths; all paradoxes may be
reconciled."--The Kybalion.

This Principle embodies the truth that "everything is dual"; "everything has
two poles"; "everything has its pair of opposites," all of which were old
Hermetic axioms. It explains the old paradoxes, that have perplexed so
many, which have been stated as follows:

"Thesis and antithesis are identical
in nature, but different in degree"; "opposites are the same, differing only in
degree"; "the pairs of opposites may be reconciled"; "extremes meet";
"everything is and isn't, at the same time"; "all truths are but half-truths";
"every truth is half-false"; "there are two sides to everything," etc., etc., etc.

It explains that in everything there are two poles, or opposite aspects, and
that "opposites" are really only the two extremes of the same thing, with
many varying degrees between them. To illustrate: Heat and Cold, although
"opposites," are really the same thing, the differences consisting merely of
degrees of the same thing.

Look at your thermometer and see if you can
discover where "heat" terminates and "cold" begins! There is no such thing
as "absolute heat" or "absolute cold"--the two terms "heat" and "cold"
simply indicate varying degrees of the same thing, and that "same thing"
which manifests as "heat" and "cold" is merely a form, variety, and rate of
Vibration. So "heat" and "cold" are simply the "two poles" of that which we
call "Heat"--and the phenomena attendant thereupon are manifestations of
the Principle of Polarity. The same Principle manifests in the case of "Light
and Darkness," which are the same thing, the difference consisting of
varying degrees between the two poles of the phenomena.

Where does "darkness" leave off, and "light" begin? What is the difference between
"Large and Small"? Between "Hard and Soft"? Between "Black and White"?
Between "Sharp and Dull"? Between "Noise and Quiet"? Between "High and
Low"? Between "Positive and Negative"? The Principle of Polarity explains
these paradoxes, and no other Principle can supersede it. The same Principle
operates on the Mental Plane.

Let us take a radical and extreme example--
that of "Love and Hate," two mental states apparently totally different. And
yet there are degrees of Hate and degrees of Love, and a middle point in
which we use the terms "Like or Dislike," which shade into each other so
gradually that sometimes we are at a loss to know whether we "like" or
"dislike" or "neither." And all are simply degrees of the same thing, as you
will see if you will but think a moment. And, more than this (and considered
of more importance by the Hermetists), it is possible to change the vibrations of Hate to the vibrations of Love, in one's own mind, and in the minds of others.
Many of you, who read these lines, have had personal experiences of the involuntary rapid transition from Love to Hate, and the
reverse, in your own case and that of others.

And you will therefore realize
the possibility of this being accomplished by the use of the Will, by means of
the Hermetic formulas.
"Good and Evil" are but the poles of the same thing, and the Hermetist understands the art of transmuting Evil into Good, by
means of an application of the Principle of Polarity. In short, the "Art of Polarization" becomes a phase of "Mental Alchemy" known and practiced
by the ancient and modern Hermetic Masters.

An understanding of the Principle will enable one to change his own Polarity, as well as that of others, if he will devote the time and study necessary to master the art.

5. The Principle of Rhythm

"Everything flows, out and in; everything has its tides; all things rise and fall;
the pendulum-swing manifests in everything; the measure of the swing to the
right is the measure of the swing to the left; rhythm compensates."--The
Kybalion.

This Principle embodies the truth that in everything there is manifested a
measured motion, to and fro; a flow and inflow; a swing backward and
forward; a pendulum-like movement; a tide-like ebb and flow; a high-tide
and low-tide; between the two poles which exist in accordance with the
Principle of Polarity described a moment ago.

There is always an action and a reaction; an advance and a retreat; a rising and a sinking. This is in the affairs of the Universe, suns, worlds, men, animals, mind, energy, and
matter.

This law is manifest in the creation and destruction of worlds; in the rise and fall of nations; in the life of all things; and finally in the mental states of Man
(and it is with this latter that the Hermetists find the understanding of the Principle most important). The Hermetists have grasped this Principle, finding its universal application, and have also discovered certain means to
overcome its effects in themselves by the use of the appropriate formulas
and methods.

They apply the Mental Law of Neutralization. They cannot annul the Principle, or cause it to cease its operation, but they have learned
how to escape its effects upon themselves to a certain degree depending
upon the Mastery of the Principle. They have learned how to USE it, instead
of being USED BY it.

In this and similar methods, consist the Art of the Hermetists. The Master of Hermetics polarizes himself at the point at which
he desires to rest, and then neutralizes the Rhythmic swing of the pendulum
which would tend to carry him to the other pole. All individuals who have
attained any degree of Self-Mastery do this to a certain degree, more or less
unconsciously, but the Master does this consciously, and by the use of his
Will, and attains a degree of Poise and Mental Firmness almost impossible of
belief on the part of the masses who are swung backward and forward like a
pendulum.

This Principle and that of Polarity have been closely studied by
the Hermetists, and the methods of counteracting, neutralizing, and USING
them form an important part of the Hermetic Mental Alchemy.

6. The Principle of Cause and Effect

"Every Cause has its Effect; every Effect has its Cause; everything happens
according to Law; Chance is but a name for Law not recognized; there are
many planes of causation, but nothing escapes the Law."--The Kybalion.

This Principle embodies the fact that there is a Cause for every Effect; an Effect from every Cause. It explains that: "Everything Happens according to Law"; that nothing ever "merely happens"; that there is no such thing as
Chance; that while there are various planes of Cause and Effect, the higher dominating the lower planes, still nothing ever entirely escapes the Law.

The Hermetists understand the art and methods of rising above the ordinary
plane of Cause and Effect, to a certain degree, and by mentally rising to a
higher plane they become Causers instead of Effects.

The masses of people are carried along, obedient to environment; the wills and desires of others stronger than themselves; heredity; suggestion; and other outward causes moving them about like pawns on the Chessboard of Life.
But the Masters, rising to the plane above, dominate their moods, characters, qualities, and powers, as well as the environment surrounding them, and become Movers
instead of pawns. They help to PLAY THE GAME OF LIFE, instead of being
played and moved about by other wills and environment.

They USE the Principle instead of being its tools. The Masters obey the Causation of the
higher planes, but they help to RULE on their own plane. In this statement
there is condensed a wealth of Hermetic knowledge--let him read who can.

7. The Principle of Gender

"Gender is in everything; everything has its Masculine and Feminine Principles;
Gender manifests on all planes."--The Kybalion.

This Principle embodies the truth that there is GENDER manifested in everything--the Masculine and Feminine Principles ever at work. This is true not only of the Physical Plane, but of the Mental and even the Spiritual Planes. On the Physical Plane, the Principle manifests as SEX, on the higher
planes it takes higher forms, but the Principle is ever the same. No creation, physical, mental or spiritual, is possible without this Principle. An understanding of its laws will throw light on many a subject that has
perplexed the minds of men. The Principle of Gender works ever in the direction of generation, regeneration, and creation.

Everything, and every person, contains the two Elements or Principles, or this great Principle, within it, him or her.
Every Male thing has the Female Element also; every Female contains also the Male Principle. If you would understand the
philosophy of Mental and Spiritual Creation, Generation, and Re-generation, you must understand and study this Hermetic Principle.

It contains the solution of many mysteries of Life. We caution you that this Principle has no
reference to the many base, pernicious and degrading lustful theories, teachings and practices, which are taught under fanciful titles, and which are a prostitution of the great natural principle of Gender. Such base revivals of the ancient infamous forms of Phallicism tend to ruin mind, body and
soul, and the Hermetic Philosophy has ever sounded the warning note
against these degraded teachings which tend toward lust, licentiousness,
and perversion of Nature's principles.

If you seek such teachings, you must
go elsewhere for them--Hermeticism contains nothing for you along these
lines. To the pure, all things are pure; to the base, all things are base.

CHAPTER 4. THE ALL

"Under, and back of, the Universe of Time, Space and Change, is ever to be found The Substantial Reality--the Fundamental Truth."--The Kybalion.

"Substance" means: "that which underlies all outward manifestations; the essence; the essential reality; the thing in itself," etc. "Substantial" means: "actually existing; being the essential element; being real," etc. "Reality" means: "the state of being real; true, enduring; valid; fixed; permanent;
actual," etc.

Under and behind all outward appearances or manifestations, there must always be a Substantial Reality. This is the Law.
Man considering the Universe, of which he is a unit, sees nothing but change in matter, forces, and mental states. He sees that nothing really IS, but that everything is
BECOMING and CHANGING. Nothing stands still-everything is being born,
growing, dying-the very instant a thing reaches its height, it begins to
decline--the law of rhythm is in constant operation--there is no reality,
enduring quality, fixity, or substantiality in anything-- nothing is permanent
but Change.

He sees all things evolving from other things, and resolving into other things--constant action and reaction; inflow and outflow; building up and tearing down; creation and destruction; birth, growth and death.
Nothing endures but Change. And if he be a thinking man, he realizes that all
of these changing things must be but outward appearances or manifestations of some Underlying Power--some Substantial Reality.

All thinkers, in all lands and in all times, have assumed the necessity for
postulating the existence of this Substantial Reality. All philosophies worthy of the name have been based upon this thought. Men have given to this Substantial Reality many names-some have called it by the term of Deity (under many titles).

Others have called it "The Infinite and Eternal Energy" others have tried to call it "Matter"--but all have acknowledged its
existence. It is self-evident it needs no argument.
In these lessons we have followed the example of some of the world's
greatest thinkers, both ancient and modern--the Hermetic. Masters--and have called this Underlying Power--this Substantial Reality--by the Hermetic
name of "THE ALL," which term we consider the most comprehensive of the
many terms applied by Man to THAT which transcends names and terms.

We accept and teach the view of the great Hermetic thinkers of all times, as
well as of those illumined souls who have reached higher planes of being,
both of whom assert that the inner nature of THE ALL is UNKNOWABLE.
This must be so, for naught by THE ALL itself can comprehend its own
nature and being.
The Hermetists believe and teach that THE ALL, "in itself," is and must ever
be UNKNOWABLE.

They regard all the theories, guesses and speculations of the theologians and metaphysicians regarding the inner nature of THE ALL, as but the childish efforts of mortal minds to grasp the secret of the Infinite.
Such efforts have always failed and will always fail, from the very nature of
the task. One pursuing such inquiries travels around and around in the labyrinth of thought, until he is lost to all sane reasoning, action or conduct, and is utterly unfitted for the work of life.
He is like the squirrel which
frantically runs around and around the circling treadmill wheel of his cage,
traveling ever and yet reaching nowhere--at the end a prisoner still, and
standing just where he started.

And still more presumptuous are those who attempt to ascribe to THE ALL the
personality, qualities, properties, characteristics and attributes of
themselves, ascribing to THE ALL the
human emotions, feelings, and
characteristics, even down to the pettiest qualities of mankind, such as jealousy, susceptibility to flattery and praise, desire for offerings and worship, and all the other survivals from the days of the childhood of the race.

Such ideas are not worthy of grown men and women, and are rapidly
being discarded.
(At this point, it may be proper for me to state that we make a distinction
between Religion and Theology--between Philosophy and Metaphysics.
Religion, to us, means that intuitional realization of the existence of THE
ALL, and one's relationship to it; while Theology means the attempts of men
to ascribe personality, qualities, and characteristics to it; their theories
regarding its affairs, will, desires, plans, and designs, and their assumption of the office of '' middle-men'' between THE ALL and the people.

Philosophy, to us, means the inquiry after knowledge of things knowable and thinkable;
while Metaphysics means the attempt to carry the inquiry over and beyond
the boundaries and into regions unknowable and unthinkable, and with the
same tendency as that of Theology.

And consequently, both Religion and
Philosophy mean to us things having roots in Reality, while Theology and
Metaphysics seem like broken reeds, rooted in the quicksands of ignorance,
and affording naught but the most insecure support for the mind or soul of
Man.

We do not insist upon our students accepting these definitions--we
mention them merely to show our position. At any rate, you shall hear very
little about Theology and Metaphysics in these lessons.)

But while the essential nature of THE ALL is Unknowable, there are certain truths connected with its existence which the human mind finds itself compelled to accept.
And an examination of these reports form a proper subject of inquiry, particularly as they agree with the reports of the Illumined on higher planes. And to this inquiry we now invite you.

"THAT which is the Fundamental Truth--the Substantial Reality--is beyond true
naming, but the Wise Men call it THE ALL."--The Kybalion.
"In its Essence, THE ALL is UNKNOWABLE."--The Kybalion.
"But, the report of Reason must be hospitably received, and treated with
respect."--The Kybalion.

The human reason, whose reports we must accept so long as we think at all, informs us as follows regarding THE ALL, and that without attempting to remove the veil of the Unknowable:

(1) THE ALL must be ALL that REALLY IS. There can be nothing existing
outside of THE ALL, else THE ALL would not be THE ALL.

(2) THE ALL must be INFINITE, for there is nothing else to define, confine,
bound, limit; or restrict THE ALL. It must be Infinite in Time, or ETERNAL,--it
must have always continuously existed, for there is nothing else to have
ever created it, and something can never evolve from nothing, and if it had
ever "not been," even for a moment, it would not "be" now,--it must continuously exist forever, for there is nothing to destroy it, and it can never "not-be," even for a moment, because something can never become nothing. It must be Infinite in Space--it must be Everywhere, for there is no
place outside of THE ALL--it cannot be otherwise than continuous in Space,
without break, cessation, separation, or interruption, for there is nothing to
break, separate, or interrupt its continuity, and nothing with which to "fill in
the gaps." It must be Infinite in Power, or Absolute, for there is nothing to
limit, restrict, restrain, confine, disturb or condition it--it is subject to no
other Power, for there is no other Power.

(3) THE ALL must be IMMUTABLE, or not subject to change in its real nature,
for there is nothing to work changes upon it nothing into which it could
change, nor from which it could have changed. It cannot be added to nor
subtracted from; increased nor diminished; nor become greater or lesser in
any respect whatsoever. It must have always been, and must always remain,
just what it is now--THE ALL--there has never been, is not now, and never
will be, anything else into which it can change.

THE ALL being Infinite, Absolute, Eternal and Unchangeable it must follow
that anything finite, changeable, fleeting, and conditioned cannot be THE
ALL. And as there is Nothing outside of THE ALL, in Reality, then any and all
such finite things must be as Nothing in Reality. Now do not become
befogged, nor frightened--we are not trying to lead you into the Christian
Science field under cover of Hermetic Philosophy. There is a Reconciliation
of this apparently contradictory state of affairs. Be patient, we will reach it in time.

We see around us that which is called "Matter," which forms the physical
foundation for all forms. Is THE ALL merely Matter? Not at all! Matter cannot
manifest Life or Mind, and as Life and Mind are manifested in the Universe,
THE ALL cannot be Matter, for nothing rises higher than its own source--
nothing is ever manifested in an effect that is not in the cause--nothing is
evolved as a consequent that is not involved as an antecedent. And then
Modern Science informs us that there is really no such thing as Matter--that
what we call Matter is merely "interrupted energy or force," that is, energy
or force at a low rate of vibration. As a recent writer has said "Matter has
melted into Mystery." Even Material Science has abandoned the theory of
Matter, and now rests on the basis of "Energy."

Then is THE ALL mere Energy or Force? Not Energy or Force as the materialists use the terms, for their energy and force are blind, mechanical things, devoid of Life or Mind.

Life and Mind can never evolve from blind
Energy or Force, for the reason given a moment ago: "Nothing can rise higher than its source--nothing is evolved unless it is involved--nothing manifests in the effect, unless it is in the cause. "
And so THE ALL cannot be mere Energy or Force, for, if it were, then there would be no such things as Life and Mind in existence, and we know better than that, for we are
Alive and using Mind to consider this very question, and so are those who claim
that Energy or Force is Everything.

What is there then higher than Matter or Energy that we know to be
existent in the Universe? LIFE AND MIND! Life and Mind in all their varying
degrees of unfoldment! "Then," you ask, "do you mean to tell us that THE
ALL is LIFE and MIND?" Yes! and No! is our answer. If you mean Life and
Mind as we poor petty mortals know them, we say No! THE ALL is not that!
"But what kind of Life and Mind do you mean?" you ask.
The answer is "LIVING MIND," as far above that which mortals know by
those words, as Life and Mind are higher than mechanical forces, or matter--
INFINITE LIVING MIND as compared to finite "Life and Mind." We mean that
which the illumined souls mean when they reverently pronounce the word:
"SPIRIT!"
"THE ALL" is Infinite Living Mind--the Illumined call it SPIRIT!

CHAPTER 5. THE MENTAL UNIVERSE

"The Universe is Mental--held in the Mind of THE ALL."--The Kybalion.

THE ALL is SPIRIT! But what is Spirit? This question cannot be answered, for the reason that its definition is practically that of THE ALL, which cannot be explained or defined. Spirit is simply a name that men give to the highest conception of Infinite Living Mind--it means "the Real Essence"--it means
Living Mind, as much superior to Life and Mind as we know them, as the
latter are superior to mechanical Energy and Matter. Spirit transcends our understanding, and we use the term merely that we may think or speak of THE ALL.

For the purposes of thought and understanding, we are justified in
thinking of Spirit as Infinite Living Mind, at the same time acknowledging
that we cannot fully understand it. We must either do this or stop thinking
of the matter at all.

Let us now proceed to a consideration of the nature of the Universe, as a
whole and in its parts. What is the Universe? We have seen that there can be
nothing outside of THE ALL. Then is the Universe THE ALL? No, this cannot
be, because the Universe seems to be made up of MANY, and is constantly
changing, and in other ways it does not measure up to the ideas that we are
compelled to accept regarding THE ALL, as stated in our last lesson. Then if
the Universe be not THE ALL, then it must be Nothing--such is the inevitable
conclusion of the mind at first thought. But this will not satisfy the question,
for we are sensible of the existence of the Universe.

Then if the Universe is neither THE ALL, nor Nothing, what Can it be? Let us examine this question.
If the Universe exists at all, or seems to exist, it must proceed in some way
from THE ALL--it must be a creation of THE ALL. But as something can never come from nothing, from what could THE ALL have created it. Some philosophers have answered this question by saying that THE ALL created
the Universe from ITSELF--that is, from the being and substance of THE ALL.

But this will not do, for THE ALL cannot be subtracted from, nor divided, as we have seen, and then again if this be so, would not each particle in the Universe be aware of its being THE ALL--THE ALL could not lose its
knowledge of itself, nor actually BECOME an atom, or blind force, or lowly living thing.

Some men, indeed, realizing that THE ALL is indeed ALL, and also recognizing that they, the men, existed, have jumped to the conclusion that they and THE ALL were identical, and they have filled the air with
shouts of "I AM GOD," to the amusement of the multitude and the sorrow of sages.
The claim of the atom that: "I am Man!" would be modest in comparison.

But, what indeed is the Universe, if it be not THE ALL, not yet created by THE
ALL having separated itself into fragments? What else can it be-- of what
else can it be made? This is the great question. Let us examine it carefully.

We find here that the "Principle of Correspondence" (see Lesson I.) comes
to our aid here. The old Hermetic axiom, "As above so below," may be pressed into service at this point. Let us endeavor to get a glimpse of the workings on higher planes by examining those on our own. The Principle of
Correspondence must apply to this as well as to other problems.

Let us see! On his own plane of being, how does Man create? Well, first, he
may create by making something out of outside materials. But this will not
do, for there are no materials outside of THE ALL with which it may create.
Well, then, secondly, Man pro-creates or reproduces his kind by the process
of begetting, which is self-multiplication accomplished by transferring a
portion of his substance to his offspring. But this will not do, because THE ALL cannot transfer or subtract a portion of itself, nor can it reproduce or multiply itself--in the first place there would be a taking away, and in the
second case a multiplication or addition to THE ALL, both thoughts being an absurdity.

Is there no third way in which MAN creates? Yes, there is--he CREATES MENTALLY! And in so doing he uses no outside materials, nor does he reproduce himself, and yet his Spirit pervades the Mental Creation.
Following the Principle of Correspondence, we are justified in considering that THE ALL creates the Universe MENTALLY, in a manner akin to the process whereby Man creates Mental Images.

And, here is where the report of Reason tallies precisely with the report of the Illumined, as shown by their teachings and writings.
Such are the teachings of the Wise Men. Such was the Teaching of Hermes.
THE ALL can create in no other way except mentally, without either using material
(and there is none to use), or else reproducing itself (which is also impossible).

There is no escape from this conclusion of the Reason, which, as we have said, agrees with the highest teachings of the Illumined. Just as you, student, may create a Universe of your own in your mentality, so does
THE ALL create Universes in its own Mentality. But your Universe is the
mental creation of a Finite Mind, whereas that of THE ALL is the creation of
an Infinite. The two are similar in kind, but infinitely different in degree. We shall examine more closely into the process of creation and manifestation as we proceed. But this is the point to fix in your minds at this stage:
THE UNIVERSE, AND ALL IT CONTAINS, IS A MENTAL CREATION OF THE ALL.
Verily indeed, ALL IS MIND!

"THE ALL creates in its Infinite Mind countless Universes, which exist for aeons
of Time--and yet, to THE ALL, the creation, development, decline and death of
a million Universes is as the time of the twinkling of an eye."--The Kybalion.
"The Infinite Mind of THE ALL is the womb of Universes."--The Kybalion.

CHAPTER 6. THE DIVINE PARADOX

"The half-wise, recognizing the comparative unreality of the Universe, imagine that they may defy its Laws--such are vain and presumptuous fools, and they are broken against the rocks and torn asunder by the elements by reason of their folly.
The truly wise, knowing the nature of the Universe, use Law against laws; the higher against the lower; and by the Art of Alchemy transmute that which is undesirable into that which is worthy, and thus triumph.
Mastery consists not in abnormal dreams, visions and fantastic imaginings or living, but
in using the higher forces against the lower--escaping the pains of the lower planes by vibrating on the higher.
Transmutation, not presumptuous denial, is
the weapon of the Master."--The Kybalion.

This is the Paradox of the Universe, resulting from the Principle of Polarity which manifests when THE ALL begins to Create--hearken to it for it points the difference between half-wisdom and wisdom.

While to THE INFINITE ALL, the Universe, its Laws, its Powers, its life, its Phenomena, are as things witnessed in the state of Meditation or Dream; yet to all that is Finite, the Universe must be treated as Real, and life, and action, and thought, must be based thereupon, accordingly, although with an ever understanding of the Higher Truth.

Each according to its own Plane and Laws. Were THE ALL to imagine that the Universe were indeed Reality, then woe to the Universe,
for there would be then no escape from lower to higher, divineward--then
would the Universe become a fixity and progress would become impossible.

And if Man, owing to half-wisdom, acts and lives and thinks of the Universe as merely a dream (akin to his own finite dreams) then indeed does it so become for him, and like a sleep-walker he stumbles ever around and
around in a circle, making no progress, and being forced into an awakening at last by his falling bruised and bleeding over the Natural Laws which he ignored.
Keep your mind ever on the Star, but let your eyes watch over your footsteps, lest you fall into the mire by reason of your upward gaze.

Remember the Divine Paradox, that while the Universe IS NOT, still IT IS.
Remember ever the Two Poles of Truth the Absolute and the Relative.
Beware of Half-Truths.

What Hermetists know as "the Law of Paradox" is an aspect of the Principle
of Polarity.
The Hermetic writings are filled with references to the appearance of the Paradox in the consideration of the problems of Life and Being.
The Teachers are constantly warning their students against the error of omitting the "other side" of any question. And their warnings are particularly directed to the problems of the Absolute and the Relative, which perplex all students of philosophy, and which cause so many to think and act
contrary to what is generally known as "common sense."
And we caution all students to be sure to grasp the Divine Paradox of the Absolute and
Relative, lest they become entangled in the mire of the Half-Truth.
With this in view this particular lesson has been written. Read it carefully!

The first thought that comes to the thinking man after he realizes the truth
that the Universe is a Mental Creation of THE ALL, is that the Universe and all that it contains is a mere illusion; an unreality; against which idea his instincts revolt. But this, like all other great truths, must be considered both from the Absolute and the Relative points of view.

From the Absolute viewpoint, of course, the Universe is in the nature of an illusion, a dream, a phantasmagoria, as compared to THE ALL in itself. We recognize this even in
our ordinary view, for we speak of the world as "a fleeting show" that comes and goes, is born and dies--for the element of impermanence and change, finiteness and unsubstantiality, must ever be connected with the idea of a created Universe when it is contrasted with the idea of THE ALL, no
matter what may be our beliefs concerning the nature of both. Philosopher,
metaphysician, scientist and theologian all agree upon this idea, and the
thought is found in all forms of philosophical thought and religious conceptions, as well as in the theories of the respective schools of
metaphysics and theology.

So, the Hermetic Teachings do not preach the unsubstantiality of the Universe in any stronger terms than those more familiar to you, although their presentation of the subject may seem somewhat more startling.
Anything that has a beginning and an ending must be, in a sense, unreal and untrue, and the Universe comes under the rule, in all schools of thought.

From the Absolute point of view, there is nothing Real except THE ALL, no
matter what terms we may use in thinking of, or discussing the subject.

Whether the Universe be created of Matter, or whether it be a Mental Creation in the Mind of THE ALL--it is unsubstantial, non-enduring, a thing of time, space and change.
We want you to realize this fact thoroughly, before you pass judgment on the Hermetic conception of the Mental nature of the
Universe. Think over any and all of the other conceptions, and see whether this be not true of them.

But the Absolute point of view shows merely one side of the picture--the other side is the Relative one. Absolute Truth has been defined as "Things as the mind of God knows them," while Relative Truth is "Things as the highest reason of Man understands them." And so while to THE ALL the Universe
must be unreal and illusionary, a mere dream or result of meditation,--nevertheless, to the finite minds forming a part of that Universe, and viewing it through mortal faculties, the Universe is very real indeed, and must be so considered.

In recognizing the Absolute view, we must not make the mistake of ignoring or denying the facts and phenomena of the Universe
as they present themselves to our mortal faculties--we are not THE ALL, remember.
To take familiar illustrations, we all recognize the fact that matter "exists" to
our senses--we will fare badly if we do not. And yet, even our finite minds understand the scientific dictum that there is no such thing as Matter from a scientific point of view--that which we call Matter is held to be merely an
aggregation of atoms, which atoms themselves are merely a grouping of
units of force, called electrons or "ions," vibrating and in constant circular
motion.

We kick a stone and we feel the impact--it seems to be real, notwithstanding that we know it to be merely what we have stated above.
But remember that our foot, which feels the impact by means of our brains, is likewise Matter, so constituted of electrons, and for that matter so are our brains. And, at the best, if it were not by reason of our Mind, we would not know the foot or stone at all.

Then again, the ideal of the artist or sculptor, which he is endeavoring to reproduce in stone or on canvas, seems very real to him. So do the characters in the mind of the author; or dramatist, which he seeks to
express so that others may recognize them. And if this be true in the case of
our finite minds, what must be the degree of Reality in the Mental Images created in the Mind of the Infinite? Oh, friends, to mortals this Universe of
Mentality is very real indeed--it is the only one we can ever know, though we
rise from plane to plane, higher and higher in it. To know it otherwise, but
actual experience, we must be THE ALL itself. It is true that the higher we
rise in the scale--the nearer to "the mind of the Father" we reach--the more
apparent becomes the illusory nature of finite things, but not until THE ALL
finally withdraws us into itself does the vision actually vanish.
So, we need not dwell upon the feature of illusion. Rather let us, recognizing
the real nature of the Universe, seek to understand its mental laws, and
endeavor to use them to the best effect in our upward progress through life, as we travel from plane to plane of being.

The Laws of the Universe are none the less "Iron Laws" because of the mental nature. All, except THE ALL, are bound by them.
What is IN THE INFINITE MIND OF THE ALL is REAL in a degree second only to that Reality itself which is vested in the nature of
THE ALL.

So, do not feel insecure or afraid--we are all HELD FIRMLY IN THE INFINITE MIND OF THE ALL, and there is naught to hurt us or for us to fear.

There is no Power outside of THE ALL to affect us. So we may rest calm and secure.
There is a world of comfort and security in this realization when once attained. Then "calm and peaceful do we sleep, rocked in the Cradle of the Deep"--resting safely on the bosom of the Ocean of Infinite Mind, which is THE ALL. In THE ALL, indeed, do "we live and move and have our being."

We do not live in a world of dreams, but in an Universe which while relative,
is real so far as our lives and actions are concerned. Our business in the
Universe is not to deny its existence, but to LIVE, using the Laws to rise from
lower to higher--living on, doing the best that we can under the
circumstances arising each day, and living, so far as is possible, to our
biggest ideas and ideals.

The true Meaning of Life is not known to men on this plane if, indeed, to any--but the highest authorities, and our own intuitions, teach us that we will make no mistake in living up to the best that is in us, so far as is possible, and realising the Universal tendency in the same direction in spite of apparent evidence to the contrary.
We are all on The Path--and the road leads upward ever, with frequent resting places.

Read the message of The Kybalion--and follow the example of "the wise"--avoiding the mistake of "the half-wise" who perish by reason of their folly.

Hi, Does the Kybalion end here?