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The Kybalion (1908) by Three Initiates

Master Key Society・163 minutes read

The Kybalion delves into Hermetic teachings, revealing ancient wisdom on mastering mental forces and understanding universal laws. Hermetists use mental transmutation, polarity, rhythm, and other principles to achieve self-mastery and influence the world around them.

Insights

  • The Kybalion, published in 1908, aims to reconcile various occult teachings and provide a master key for understanding arcane truths.
  • Hermes Trismegistus, the "Master of Masters," is central to Hermetic teachings, influencing global occult knowledge.
  • Hermetic teachings, originating in ancient Egypt, have influenced religions worldwide, acting as a reconciler of divergent views.
  • Hermetic philosophy, centered on mental mastery, is considered a master key to unlocking all occult teachings.
  • The Seven Hermetic Principles, including Mentalism, Correspondence, Vibration, Polarity, Rhythm, Cause and Effect, and Gender, underpin Hermetic teachings.
  • Understanding mental transmutation through vibration principles is crucial in Hermetic philosophy, emphasizing the power of the mind.
  • The principle of polarity, rhythm, cause and effect, and gender are fundamental aspects of Hermetic teachings, aiding in mastering mental states and influencing one's environment.

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Recent questions

  • What is The Kybalion and its purpose?

    The Kybalion is a book on Hermetic philosophy published in 1908 by the Yogi Publication Society in Chicago. It aims to reconcile various occult teachings and provide a master key for students to understand arcane truths.

  • Who is Hermes Trismegistus and his influence?

    Hermes Trismegistus, revered as the "Master of Masters," is central to Hermetic teachings, originating in ancient Egypt. His teachings have influenced occult knowledge worldwide, acting as a reconciler of divergent views.

  • How have Hermetic teachings been preserved?

    The Hermetic teachings have been closely guarded over centuries, with a few initiates passing down the wisdom orally to those ready to receive it. This seclusion and reticence policy aimed to avoid persecution and keep the teachings veiled in secrecy.

  • What are the Seven Hermetic Principles?

    The Seven Hermetic Principles are Mentalism, Correspondence, Vibration, Polarity, Rhythm, Cause and Effect, and Gender. These principles form the foundation of Hermetic philosophy, explaining the nature of the universe and mental transmutation.

  • How do Hermetists achieve mastery over mental states?

    Hermetists achieve mastery over mental states through mental transmutation, changing mental conditions using various formulas based on Hermetic principles. By understanding mentalism, polarity, and vibration, they can influence their own mental states and those of others.

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Summary

00:00

"The Kybalion: Hermetic Wisdom Revealed"

  • The Kybalion, a book on Hermetic philosophy, was published in 1908 by the Yogi Publication Society in Chicago.
  • The purpose of the book is to reconcile various occult teachings and provide a master key for students to understand the arcane truths.
  • Hermes Trismegistus, revered as the "Master of Masters," is central to Hermetic teachings, influencing occult knowledge worldwide.
  • The Hermetic teachings, originating in ancient Egypt, have influenced religions globally, acting as a reconciler of divergent views.
  • Hermes Trismegistus, contemporary with Abraham, is considered the central figure in occultism, with teachings influencing various lands.
  • The Hermetic teachings have been closely guarded over centuries, with a few initiates passing down the wisdom to those ready to receive it.
  • The Hermetists have maintained a policy of seclusion and reticence, avoiding persecution by keeping the teachings veiled in secrecy.
  • The Hermetic teachings have been carefully disseminated to avoid crystallization into a creed, ensuring the essence of the wisdom endures.
  • Throughout history, Hermetic teachings have been preserved by a few faithful souls, passed down orally to avoid persecution and loss.
  • Reliable books on the Hermetic philosophy are scarce due to the need for secrecy and protection from persecution by theologians.

16:17

"Unlocking Occult Teachings: The Hermetic Philosophy"

  • The Hermetic philosophy is considered the master key to unlocking all occult teachings.
  • The Kybalion was a compilation of basic Hermetic doctrines passed down orally for centuries.
  • The teachings of The Kybalion were a collection of maxims, axioms, and precepts explained by Hermetic initiates to their students.
  • Hermetic alchemy focused on mastering mental forces rather than material elements.
  • The legends of the philosopher's stone turning base metal into gold symbolized Hermetic philosophy.
  • The Kybalion invites students to explore Hermetic teachings and principles.
  • The Seven Hermetic Principles are: Mentalism, Correspondence, Vibration, Polarity, Rhythm, Cause and Effect, and Gender.
  • The Principle of Mentalism states that all is mind and the universe is mental.
  • The Principle of Correspondence explains the connection between different planes of existence.
  • The Principle of Vibration states that everything is in motion and vibration, from spirit to matter.

33:50

Mastering Mental Transmutation: Hermetic Principles Revealed

  • The Hermetists understand the law of mental transmutation, which involves changing mental states and conditions through specific methods and formulas.
  • They have mastered the mental law of neutralization, allowing them to escape the effects of universal principles to a certain extent.
  • Hermetists polarize themselves at desired points and neutralize swings of the pendulum to avoid being controlled by principles.
  • The principle of cause and effect is crucial, stating that every cause has an effect and vice versa, emphasizing that everything happens according to law.
  • Hermetists rise above ordinary cause and effect, becoming causers instead of effects, dominating their environment and qualities.
  • The principle of gender is universal, manifesting in everything with masculine and feminine principles, essential for creation and regeneration.
  • Mental transmutation is the art of changing mental states and conditions, akin to mental chemistry, allowing control over material and mental conditions.
  • Mental transmutation is based on the Hermetic principle of mentalism, stating that the universe is mental, enabling control over physical and mental conditions.
  • Hermetists work on the mental plane, transmuting mental conditions using various formulas, influencing their own states and those of others.
  • The Hermetic principle of polarity underlies mental transmutation, allowing the force to be used in different directions based on the principles of polarity.

51:22

"The All: Infinite, Eternal, Unknowable Essence"

  • All things evolve and resolve in a constant cycle of action and reaction, creation and destruction, birth, growth, and death.
  • Thinkers acknowledge an underlying power or substantial reality behind these changing manifestations, referred to by various names like deity, The Infinite and Eternal Energy, or Matter.
  • The Hermetic Masters term this underlying power as The All, which transcends names and terms and is considered unknowable.
  • The inner nature of The All is believed to be beyond comprehension, with efforts to understand it deemed futile and leading to confusion.
  • Religion is seen as an intuitive realization of The All's existence and one's relationship to it, while theology involves attributing human qualities and characteristics to The All.
  • Philosophy focuses on knowable and thinkable things, while metaphysics delves into the unknowable and unthinkable, both rooted in reality.
  • The All is described as infinite, eternal, and unchangeable, with finite, changeable things being distinct from it.
  • Matter is not the sole essence of The All, as it cannot manifest life or mind, leading to the conclusion that The All is not merely matter or energy.
  • The All is identified as infinite living mind, transcending mortal understanding and referred to as spirit by the illumined.
  • The universe is not The All but is created by The All mentally, similar to how man creates mental images, with the principle of correspondence applying to this creation process.

01:09:05

"The All's Mental Creation: Universe and Gender"

  • The All creates mentally, without material, reproducing itself is impossible.
  • The universe and all within it are mental creations of The All.
  • Gender is manifested on all planes of life, not limited to sex.
  • The All is above gender and all other laws, but manifests gender on lower planes.
  • The masculine principle of The All projects its will towards the feminine principle, nature.
  • The universe is generated, created, and exists in the infinite mind of The All.
  • Death is not real, but a birth to a new life on higher planes.
  • The universe is a mental creation of The All, perceived differently by finite minds.
  • The absolute viewpoint sees the universe as unreal, while the relative viewpoint considers it real.
  • The universe is a mental creation, with matter being an aggregation of atoms and units of force.

01:25:45

"Mentalism: The Key to Universal Mastery"

  • The mental images created by artists and authors are very real to them, reflecting the characters and ideals they seek to express.
  • Mortals perceive the universe of mentality as the only reality they can know, progressing through different planes of existence.
  • The laws of the universe, though mental in nature, are iron laws that all, except The All, are bound by.
  • Matter, while understood as electrons and force particles, remains matter to those dwelling on the material plane.
  • The force of electrons is a manifestation of the mind of The All, indicating the purely mental nature of the universe.
  • Masters control matter by applying higher forces, acknowledging the existence and mastery of matter in its relative aspect.
  • The laws of nature, though mental creations, are constant and effective on all planes, requiring the application of higher laws to overcome lower ones.
  • The acceptance of mentalism as the true nature of the universe is the main difference between modern science and Hermetic teachings.
  • Mentalism revolutionizes life by recognizing mental power as a significant force, urging the use and application of resulting laws.
  • Mastery lies in transmutation, not denial, using higher forces against lower ones to rise to higher planes of existence.

01:42:32

"The All: Creation, Evolution, and Correspondence"

  • Micawber is a character that embodies Dickens but is not identical to him.
  • The concept of "The All" is discussed, where everything is within it and it is within everything.
  • Spiritual development is defined as recognizing and manifesting the spirit within oneself.
  • The process of mental creation of the universe is described, involving involution and evolution.
  • The Hermetic teachings emphasize the law of correspondence, stating "As above, so below."
  • The process of evolution involves the awakening of The All and the manifestation of life in higher forms.
  • The question of why The All creates universes is explored, with various explanations deemed inadequate.
  • The idea of The All acting freely without internal or external influence is discussed.
  • The Hermetic teachings suggest that the answer to the question of creation lies within The All.
  • The principle of correspondence is applied to the planes of existence, dividing them into physical, mental, and spiritual planes.

01:59:57

Understanding the Dimensions of Universal Vibrations

  • A plane is not a place or a state, but a degree of dimension in a scale subject to measurement.
  • The fourth dimension, known as the dimension of vibration, is used to determine degrees or planes.
  • Everything in the universe vibrates at different rates and directions, forming degrees of measurement on the scale of vibrations.
  • The higher the rate of vibration, the higher the plane and manifestation of life.
  • The three great planes are not actual divisions but arbitrary terms to aid in the study of universal activity and life.
  • The great physical plane includes all matter, energy, and forces, with matter classified under energy.
  • The seven minor physical planes include Matter A, B, C, Ethereal Substance, Energy A, B, C.
  • The Plane of Ethereal Substance acts as a medium for energy transmission and has seven subdivisions.
  • The Plane of Energy includes heat, light, magnetism, electricity, and higher forms not yet discovered.
  • The Plane of Human Mind comprises manifestations common to man, with subdivisions indicating different levels of intelligence.

02:16:46

"Advanced Beings Influence Spiritual Evolution Universally"

  • Beings on minor planes have seven subdivisions, surpassing humans in life, mind, and form.
  • These beings' life and minds are beyond human comprehension, with forms made of high planes of matter or pure energy.
  • Beings on the great spiritual plane include angels, archangels, demi-gods, masters, adepts, and hierarchies of angelic hosts.
  • The highest beings, akin to gods, influence universal affairs and evolution, intervening under the law of The All.
  • These advanced beings, though god-like, are creations of The All and subject to cosmic processes and laws.
  • Only advanced Hermetists understand the inner teachings on spiritual planes, considered sacred and dangerous for public dissemination.
  • The term "spirit" to Hermetists signifies living power, essence of life, and inner essence, distinct from religious connotations.
  • Spiritual power, as understood by occultists, can be used for both good and evil purposes based on the principle of polarity.
  • Fallen angels and souls seeking selfish power face consequences, with the swing of the pendulum leading them back to material existence.
  • The Hermetic principle of correspondence, "As above, so below," applies universally across physical, mental, and spiritual planes, with vibration being a fundamental aspect of all phenomena.

02:33:29

Mental Transmutation: Mastering Vibrations for Influence

  • The object's journey back to The All, representing absolute spirit, involves a transformation through increased rates and modes of vibration.
  • Vibrations released by objects affect others, leading to phenomena like telepathy and mental influence.
  • Mental states, emotions, and thoughts produce vibrations that can be replicated and controlled through willpower.
  • Mastery over mental states allows individuals to influence others' mental states, akin to producing vibrations at will.
  • The Hermetic teachings delve deeper than modern science, emphasizing mental transmutation through vibration principles.
  • The principle of polarity highlights the existence of opposites that can be reconciled by recognizing varying degrees.
  • Spirit and matter, as well as other opposites, are interconnected through degrees of vibration.
  • The principle of polarity is evident in various aspects, such as temperature, light and darkness, and love and hate.
  • Mental states can be transmuted by changing their polarity, leading to transformations like fear into courage or hate into love.
  • Understanding the principle of polarity aids in mastering mental states, enabling individuals to change their own and others' mental poles for desired outcomes.

02:50:08

Cycle of Rhythm: Universal Law of Balance

  • The principle of polarity establishes that rhythm swings between poles, not to extremes, but in a continuous back-and-forth motion.
  • This principle is evident in all aspects of the universe, from celestial bodies to living beings, showing a cycle of creation, growth, decline, and rebirth.
  • Universes, including our own, go through cycles of creation, peak, decline, and renewal, driven by inner energies.
  • Living beings, movements, philosophies, and nations all follow a pattern of birth, growth, decline, death, and rebirth, showcasing the rhythmic swing of life.
  • The law of rhythm is universal, applying to all aspects of life and human activities, with a constant swing from one pole to the other.
  • The Hermetists understand the principle of rhythm deeply, using it to escape negative mental states by rising to a higher plane of consciousness.
  • By neutralizing the swing of the mental pendulum on the unconscious plane, individuals can avoid being affected by negative emotions and moods.
  • The law of compensation, a part of the principle of rhythm, ensures that swings in one direction are balanced by swings in the opposite direction, maintaining equilibrium.
  • This law applies not only to physical phenomena like the pendulum of a clock but also to mental states, where pleasure is balanced by pain.
  • The Hermetists believe that pleasure is often a compensation for past pain, and mastering the law of compensation can lead to a better understanding of oneself and avoidance of extreme emotional swings.

03:06:34

Cause and Effect in Universal Laws

  • The fall of a die is governed by a law similar to planetary revolutions, with causes leading to effects that can be seen.
  • Multiple causes, such as die position and muscular energy, influence the outcome of a die throw.
  • The law of averages dictates that after numerous die throws, various numbers will appear equally.
  • Cause and effect dictate that under the same circumstances, the same results will occur.
  • Every event is a result of preceding causes, forming a chain of events.
  • The principle of cause and effect applies to all events, with no event creating another but being a link in a chain.
  • The law of polarity suggests that both free will and determinism are partially correct.
  • Most people are influenced by heredity, environment, and emotions, lacking true mastery over their actions.
  • Masters understand and use laws to overcome lower laws, becoming causes instead of effects.
  • The principle of gender, distinct from sex, is present in all phenomena, with the feminine principle being the creative force.

03:23:26

Gender Principles in Energy Creation and Science

  • A feminine corpuscle detaches from a masculine corpuscle to seek union for creating new matter or energy.
  • Detachment and union form the basis of chemical activities, leading to the birth of a new atom.
  • The new atom results from the rapid vibration and circling of feminine particles around masculine energy.
  • Ionization is the process of detachment or separation of feminine electrons.
  • Feminine and masculine electrons' unions manifest various natural phenomena like light, heat, electricity, and magnetism.
  • The masculine principle directs energy towards the feminine principle, initiating creative processes.
  • Both principles are essential for operative energy, with life forms often combining both genders.
  • The Hermetic teachings discuss the operation of gender principles in energy production without scientific proof.
  • Science is progressing towards recognizing gender principles in phenomena like crystal formation and electricity.
  • Mental Gender, as per Hermetic teachings, involves the duality of mind, with the masculine aspect corresponding to the objective mind and the feminine to the subjective mind.

03:40:37

"Unlocking Mental Gender for Psychic Understanding"

  • Mental operations on different planes are similar but vary in degree.
  • The masculine and feminine principles of mind are crucial in understanding mental and psychic phenomena.
  • The feminine principle receives impressions, while the masculine principle gives out or expresses.
  • The feminine principle generates new thoughts and ideas, while the masculine principle focuses on will.
  • Both principles need to be actively employed for original mental creations.
  • Many individuals rely heavily on external influences for their thoughts and ideas.
  • Strong individuals dominate their own minds with willpower, influencing others as well.
  • Personal magnetism and influence stem from the manifestation of mental gender.
  • Understanding mental gender and vibration is crucial for comprehending psychic phenomena.
  • The Hermetic teachings provide a key to unlocking knowledge and understanding various phenomena.

03:57:36

Mastering Mental Power Through Polarization and Transmutation

  • The law of neutralization taught by the Hermetists helps overcome the operation of rhythm in consciousness by rising mentally to a higher plane, causing the mental pendulum to manifest on the lower plane, and polarizing on the higher self to escape the swing backward.
  • By refusing and denying the operation of rhythm, individuals can raise themselves above the ordinary plane of consciousness, allowing the pendulum to swing back without changing polarity, thus attaining self-mastery and mental steadfastness.
  • Through the practice of polarization, Hermetists rise to a higher plane of causation, counter-balancing the laws of lower planes and becoming causes instead of being merely caused, enabling them to escape the influence of external factors and become players in the game of life.
  • The universe being mental, mental transmutation is emphasized as the key to influencing one's environment, with the understanding that mind is the highest power affecting the universe's phenomena, leading to the explanation of miracles and wonder workings as manifestations of mental power.
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