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Kybalion: A Study of the Hermetic Philosophy of Ancient Egypt and Greece
The precepts of Hermetic philosophy remained shrouded in secrecy for more than 2,000 years, clouded by obscure language and dense allegories. This concise guide offers a modern interpretation of the doctrine, distilling its teachings with seven compelling principles that can be applied to self-development in daily life.
223 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 1912
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 1,135 reviews
April 28, 2008
This is NOT a book on magic (as in the description from goodreads). It explains the "science" of spirit or "All-That-Is". It resonated with me, and from it my interest in hermetic philosophy was ignited.
July 2, 2011
This stands as one of the most important books I've read about the nature of reality and the supersensible universe. As with any work intending to teach through words something that is larger and exponentially more complex than language will always require careful study. And though this book is not long by page standards, it requires careful, slow study if one is to get the maximum weight of the material.
If you are unable to let go of the question of whether there is more to the universe than meets the eye, this should be on your reading list. If the idea of supersensible realms of experience do not drive you, or you think the idea of anything that cannot be seen with the objective eye is absurd, save yourself time and don't bother with this.
For me, this may stand as the most important piece of instruction I've received, even though I feel like I understood most of the ideas before. This work neatly organized and illustrated the differences between seemingly similar phenomena like vibration and rhythm, polarity and correspondence, etc. I'd give it 7 stars if I could. ;-)
If you are unable to let go of the question of whether there is more to the universe than meets the eye, this should be on your reading list. If the idea of supersensible realms of experience do not drive you, or you think the idea of anything that cannot be seen with the objective eye is absurd, save yourself time and don't bother with this.
For me, this may stand as the most important piece of instruction I've received, even though I feel like I understood most of the ideas before. This work neatly organized and illustrated the differences between seemingly similar phenomena like vibration and rhythm, polarity and correspondence, etc. I'd give it 7 stars if I could. ;-)
July 20, 2007
this book explains everything. Why study quantum physics when it is all here in a few basic principles. This is my bible.
October 10, 2008
What I learned from this book is that people think I am crazy if I try to talk about this stuff with them hahaha.
June 21, 2024
"The possession of Knowledge, unless accompanied by a manifestation and expression in Action, is like the hoarding of precious metals—a vain and foolish thing. Knowledge, like wealth, is intended for Use. The Law of Use is Universal, and he who violates it suffers by reason of his conflict with natural forces."
—The Kybalion.
2024 Read updates:
As immersive and insightful as the first read.
Profound and thought provoking: This is a piece of the wisdom of the Ancients that transcends Spacetime, the Cosmos and the Infinite Multiverse while also tearing away the veils that lie between the Metaphysical, the Supernatural, the Exoteric, Esoteric and Ephemeral philosophical concepts.
Here are some of the excerpts termed Principles within which Hermes, the Thrice Greatest, the Great Great, endeavored in saving through the ages from the dawn of the human race...
The absolute highest of my recommendation for all occult and esoteric readers. This is the hard meat for Mankind while the milk has been given to the Babes amongst us;
Read I: 2021
Read II: 2022
Read III: 2023
—The Kybalion.
2024 Read updates:
As immersive and insightful as the first read.
The Lips of Wisdom are Sealed Except to the Ears of UnderstandingIt's so slim and packed with insight and wisdom it's simply a crime not to read this...And, in the degree that Man realizes the existence of the Indwelling Spirit immanent within his being, so will he rise in the spiritual scale of life. This is what spiritual development means—the recognition, realization, and manifestation of the Spirit within us. Try to remember this last definition—that of spiritual development. It contains the Truth of True Religion.
Profound and thought provoking: This is a piece of the wisdom of the Ancients that transcends Spacetime, the Cosmos and the Infinite Multiverse while also tearing away the veils that lie between the Metaphysical, the Supernatural, the Exoteric, Esoteric and Ephemeral philosophical concepts.
Here are some of the excerpts termed Principles within which Hermes, the Thrice Greatest, the Great Great, endeavored in saving through the ages from the dawn of the human race...
THE ALL is MIND; The Universe is Mental � The Kybalion.Reading it is akin to having the readers' nictating membrane sliding off to reveal hidden wonders never before imagined possible to conceive of or even perceive; and then combining these insights into an undeniable whole that seems like the rantings of an insane sage and mystic from times bygone.
"Nothing escapes the Principle of Cause and Effect, but there are many Planes of Causation, and one may use the laws of the higher to overcome the laws of the lower."
"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."
"To change your mood or mental state change your vibration. One may change his mental vibrations by an effort of Will, in the direction of deliberately fixing the Attention upon a more desirable state. Will directs the Attention, and Attention changes the Vibration. Cultivate the Art of Attention, by means of the Will, and you have solved the secret of the Mastery of Moods and Mental States."
To destroy an undesirable rate of mental vibration, put into operation the principle of Polarity and concentrate upon the opposite pole to that which you desire to suppress. Kill out the undesirable by changing its polarity.—The Kybalion.
The absolute highest of my recommendation for all occult and esoteric readers. This is the hard meat for Mankind while the milk has been given to the Babes amongst us;
Read I: 2021
Read II: 2022
Read III: 2023
August 11, 2012
Kuddos to the people who aim to give away "secrets", hidden from the layman for centuries, without really giving them! This book is a waste of time. It says too much and doesn't really say anything that you cannot find already in pop culture. My guess is that if your approach in reading it is to discover how to develop magical and telekinetic powers, you are only fooling yourself (truth be told, this is one of those books that led me to where i am today: an atheist, though not a bitter one, thank you very much). If your approach is purely scholarly in the occult, then you'll probably end up giving this book two stars instead of one, as I just did. It has nothing of value, and is way too close to the Law of Attraction-The Secret bullshit. In any case, it's all bollocks!
Finally, I'm appalled at how many people gave 5 stars to this piece of codswallop! If this is a micro of a bigger representation of the world, then there are too many people out there who do not really know how to live their lives; and need bogus authors that cannot even dignify to print their real names on a book to teach them how to live them. Ridiculous.
On the other hand, I find it ludicrous that so many people are drawn to this emtpy literature. I mean, Paulo Coehlo is one of the most prolific and best-paids authors! And his books, while crappy, have been read by millions and can be found and the book section of almost any multinational drugstore. One of my professors compared this phenomenon to the advent of light literature, or its American sister, "lite lit". Do the experiment. Ask people if they read. If they say "yes", aske them what they read. If the start with "The Alchemist", "The Secret", "The DaVinci Code", "Kybalion", or for that matter, the Bible, you already know these people are book illiterate sophists that haven't really had a taste or the chance to try true literature.
Serious literature is not meant to give you any answers. It's meant to raise you even more questions. It's meant to make you think. It doesn't offer you solutions. It gives you more problems to solve. It challenges you.
Finally, I'm appalled at how many people gave 5 stars to this piece of codswallop! If this is a micro of a bigger representation of the world, then there are too many people out there who do not really know how to live their lives; and need bogus authors that cannot even dignify to print their real names on a book to teach them how to live them. Ridiculous.
On the other hand, I find it ludicrous that so many people are drawn to this emtpy literature. I mean, Paulo Coehlo is one of the most prolific and best-paids authors! And his books, while crappy, have been read by millions and can be found and the book section of almost any multinational drugstore. One of my professors compared this phenomenon to the advent of light literature, or its American sister, "lite lit". Do the experiment. Ask people if they read. If they say "yes", aske them what they read. If the start with "The Alchemist", "The Secret", "The DaVinci Code", "Kybalion", or for that matter, the Bible, you already know these people are book illiterate sophists that haven't really had a taste or the chance to try true literature.
Serious literature is not meant to give you any answers. It's meant to raise you even more questions. It's meant to make you think. It doesn't offer you solutions. It gives you more problems to solve. It challenges you.
April 22, 2020
Thời đọc Tên của đóa hồng, tôi đã thấy rất đồng cảm với huynh hung th� Jorge rằng chân lý của nhân loại vốn đã được viết ra t� lâu rồi. Nếu được chọn ra sách đ� gìn gi� muôn đời bởi trong đó bao hàm chân lý vạn vật thì chắc chắn phải có K� thư Kybalion.
Trong 30 năm trải nghiệm và chiêm nghiệm (thông qua cuộc sống, sách v� và thiền định), tôi cũng rút ra được một s� điều. Có những điều khi phát hiện ra cảm giác như mình đại ng�, vô cùng sung sướng. Hôm nay, khi đọc K� thư Kybalion, tôi nhận thấy tất c� những hiểu biết lớn lao nhất bao năm của mình đều đã được đúc kết trong cuốn sách này rồi. Trong sách có một câu mà tôi thấy quá đúng với mình: Môn sinh của triết học Hermetic không nén được mỉm cười khi đọc và nghe v� các "lí thuyết mới". Vâng, những điều là đại ng�, "lí thuyết mới"bừng sáng trong tôi đều đã được viết ra t� lâu rồi.
Ngoài ra, K� thư Kybalion � một s� ch� còn đưa tôi lên một tầng khác mà bản thân tôi chưa nhận ra. Tuy nhiên, tôi không thấy phí phạm 30 năm tìm kiếm bởi tôi tin nếu mình đọc cuốn sách này năm 6 tuổi thì với tôi, nó cũng ch� như một cuốn cẩm nang thông thái nhưng d� quên. Những hành trình trí tu� này, theo bản thân tôi, tôi phải t� đi, t� khai phá và tới thời điểm này, khi thấy nó được đúc kết t� xa xưa, thì ch� có th� nói là mình đã đi đúng đường và đang đúng lúc mắc kẹt thì có người ch� lối.
Đọc K� thư Kybalion, đúng như ba người khai ng� viết lại, có th� thấy triết học bí truyền Ai Cập này là gốc r� (hay trùng hợp) cho tất c� những triết lý v� sau, dù có biến tướng, như triết học phương tây (với khởi đầu là duy tâm), Phân tâm học (tính đa tầng của tâm trí), Thiên chúa (v� thần khí) và đặc biệt là Phật giáo (rất nhiều khái niệm trùng khớp).
Đến phần thực hành (viết rất ít) trong cuốn này thì tôi thấy bản thân đã thực hành trong cuộc sống t� lâu. Và phái thiền của Phật giáo theo tôi là trên một tầng so với thực hành này. Tuy nhiên, không có nghĩa là Phật giáo cao hơn Kybalion. Cuốn sách nh� này rõ ràng mới ch� là một tóm lược. Thật s� rất muốn vừa là Phật t� vừa thành môn đ� Hermetic.
Sau cuốn sách này thì tôi s� tiếp tục tìm hiểu thêm v� Hermetic và vẫn tiếp tục đọc các sách thông thường vì theo tôi, một nền tảng cơ bản bao gi� cũng là cần thiết.
Trong 30 năm trải nghiệm và chiêm nghiệm (thông qua cuộc sống, sách v� và thiền định), tôi cũng rút ra được một s� điều. Có những điều khi phát hiện ra cảm giác như mình đại ng�, vô cùng sung sướng. Hôm nay, khi đọc K� thư Kybalion, tôi nhận thấy tất c� những hiểu biết lớn lao nhất bao năm của mình đều đã được đúc kết trong cuốn sách này rồi. Trong sách có một câu mà tôi thấy quá đúng với mình: Môn sinh của triết học Hermetic không nén được mỉm cười khi đọc và nghe v� các "lí thuyết mới". Vâng, những điều là đại ng�, "lí thuyết mới"bừng sáng trong tôi đều đã được viết ra t� lâu rồi.
Ngoài ra, K� thư Kybalion � một s� ch� còn đưa tôi lên một tầng khác mà bản thân tôi chưa nhận ra. Tuy nhiên, tôi không thấy phí phạm 30 năm tìm kiếm bởi tôi tin nếu mình đọc cuốn sách này năm 6 tuổi thì với tôi, nó cũng ch� như một cuốn cẩm nang thông thái nhưng d� quên. Những hành trình trí tu� này, theo bản thân tôi, tôi phải t� đi, t� khai phá và tới thời điểm này, khi thấy nó được đúc kết t� xa xưa, thì ch� có th� nói là mình đã đi đúng đường và đang đúng lúc mắc kẹt thì có người ch� lối.
Đọc K� thư Kybalion, đúng như ba người khai ng� viết lại, có th� thấy triết học bí truyền Ai Cập này là gốc r� (hay trùng hợp) cho tất c� những triết lý v� sau, dù có biến tướng, như triết học phương tây (với khởi đầu là duy tâm), Phân tâm học (tính đa tầng của tâm trí), Thiên chúa (v� thần khí) và đặc biệt là Phật giáo (rất nhiều khái niệm trùng khớp).
Đến phần thực hành (viết rất ít) trong cuốn này thì tôi thấy bản thân đã thực hành trong cuộc sống t� lâu. Và phái thiền của Phật giáo theo tôi là trên một tầng so với thực hành này. Tuy nhiên, không có nghĩa là Phật giáo cao hơn Kybalion. Cuốn sách nh� này rõ ràng mới ch� là một tóm lược. Thật s� rất muốn vừa là Phật t� vừa thành môn đ� Hermetic.
Sau cuốn sách này thì tôi s� tiếp tục tìm hiểu thêm v� Hermetic và vẫn tiếp tục đọc các sách thông thường vì theo tôi, một nền tảng cơ bản bao gi� cũng là cần thiết.
April 19, 2022
I thought this book was OK. I would be lying if I said this "changed my life" or "everyone needs to read this". This is by no means the be-all/end-all philosophical approach to alter your life...but results may vary for other users.
The book does a good job at listing and explaining the seven Hermetic principles. The principles of:
1. Mentalism
2. Correspondence
3. Vibration
4. Polarity
5. Rhythm
6. Causation
7. Gender
These principles can be applied to anyone from any faith or spiritual background. The book reads well while giving meaningful example and explanations to each principle. While reading I clearly understood the concepts and could apply them to my own life.
I will most likely read this again and my opinion may or may not change. Until then, thanks for reading my review!
The book does a good job at listing and explaining the seven Hermetic principles. The principles of:
1. Mentalism
2. Correspondence
3. Vibration
4. Polarity
5. Rhythm
6. Causation
7. Gender
These principles can be applied to anyone from any faith or spiritual background. The book reads well while giving meaningful example and explanations to each principle. While reading I clearly understood the concepts and could apply them to my own life.
I will most likely read this again and my opinion may or may not change. Until then, thanks for reading my review!
May 15, 2022
Fascinating introduction into Hermetic philosophy, particularly the ancient wisdom of the Kybalion. I really enjoyed the scientific foundations underlying the principles in this book, and the continuity between ideas that leaves pretty much no room for contradiction or paradoxes. Even if you don't agree with the philosophy, you'll have to agree that the way it's been structured is incredibly well-thought out. I will say that while this was good for theoretical learning, there was little in the way of practical application, which is why I knocked a star off. Maybe I'll just have to look into some other Hermeticist works to get into the practical application of these principles.
THE SEVEN HERMETIC PRINCIPLES
I. Principle of Mentalism - “THE ALL IS MIND; The Universe is Mental.�
Gives a working explanation for the existence of the universe and rests on the premise that substance cannot create itself. Also suggests that the Big Bang was the result of mental creation, which may sound hypothetical but actually has some basis in . And if the universe is mental in nature, you have the power to alter reality (bring things into manifestation) by being in full control of your thoughts through a process of mental transmutation.
2. Principle of Correspondence - “As above, so below; as below, so above.�
This principle tells us that everything in the universe acts in accordance with the same laws. This is easy enough to visualize when you know that geometric formulas obtained from the measurement of earthly objects can also be used to calculate the distance of stars and planets in space. The principle of correspondence states similarly, all the Hermetic principles (universal laws) operate on all planes of being - physical, mental, and spiritual. Basically, activity on the mental plane (your thoughts) has the ability to effect changes on the physical and spiritual planes. Thoughts mirror reality; by controlling what you think on the mental plane, you can control what you manifest on the physical plane.
3. Principle of Vibration - “Nothing rests; everything moves; everything vibrates.�
This principle is the basis for string theory in quantum physics, which states that that reality is made up of infinitesimal vibrating strings which are smaller than atoms, electrons or quarks. It tells us that everything in the universe is in constant motion, and that just as all particles of matter manifest varying rates of thermal energy, all mental phenomena (thoughts, emotions, etc) manifest at varying rates of vibration on the mental plane.
4. 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."
There are two sides to every coin; this principle tells us that all extremes are the same in nature but different in degree. For example, there is no such thing as absolute heat or absolute cold. There are only varying degrees of temperature. "Hot" and "cold" are the same thing, only different in degrees. Similarly, this principle can be applied to the mental plane - what is "absolute hate" or "absolute "love"? Are these not two emotions not essentially the same in nature? Knowing that two extremes are in fact the same thing will allow you to shift your mood from one end of the polarity to another; from hate to love, fear to courage, etc. This is what the Hermeticists call mental alchemy.
5. 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."
This principle about the mathematical patterns in the universe, that everything is cyclical and phasic in nature. Stars are born and die, galaxies expand and collapse, empires rise and fall, cities are built and destroyed. Day follows night, sleep follows wakefulness. Everything is in rhythm, following the motion of a pendulum swing that goes one way then the next. Our own emotional states follow the same rhythm, shifting from positive to negative and then back again.
6. The principle of Causation - "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."
This tells us that everything is connected through cause and effect in a great chain of events. Think of phenomena such as butterfly effect, or even what we think of as 'karma'. Nothing is ever manifested in an effect that isn't present in the cause - every thought we think, every action we perform, has both direct and indirect effects on the cosmic chain of events that we observe as reality.
7. The principle of Gender - "Gender is in everything; everything has its masculine and feminine principles; gender manifests on all planes."
Bear in mind the important difference between "sex" and "gender". The former refers to one manifestation of gender on the physical plane, while the latter relates only to the process of creation and genesis. From Newton's first law, we know that an object at rest will stay at rest unless acted on by an external force. We can think of the object at rest as the Feminine principle, which operates in terms of creative energy, generating the ideas and objects that form our world. The Masculine principle is the force, which "wills" the Feminine principle to begin its process of creation. Gender exists in everything; and in our minds both the Masculine and Feminine principles must be duly engaged in order to make the best use of it.
THE SEVEN HERMETIC PRINCIPLES
I. Principle of Mentalism - “THE ALL IS MIND; The Universe is Mental.�
Gives a working explanation for the existence of the universe and rests on the premise that substance cannot create itself. Also suggests that the Big Bang was the result of mental creation, which may sound hypothetical but actually has some basis in . And if the universe is mental in nature, you have the power to alter reality (bring things into manifestation) by being in full control of your thoughts through a process of mental transmutation.
2. Principle of Correspondence - “As above, so below; as below, so above.�
This principle tells us that everything in the universe acts in accordance with the same laws. This is easy enough to visualize when you know that geometric formulas obtained from the measurement of earthly objects can also be used to calculate the distance of stars and planets in space. The principle of correspondence states similarly, all the Hermetic principles (universal laws) operate on all planes of being - physical, mental, and spiritual. Basically, activity on the mental plane (your thoughts) has the ability to effect changes on the physical and spiritual planes. Thoughts mirror reality; by controlling what you think on the mental plane, you can control what you manifest on the physical plane.
3. Principle of Vibration - “Nothing rests; everything moves; everything vibrates.�
This principle is the basis for string theory in quantum physics, which states that that reality is made up of infinitesimal vibrating strings which are smaller than atoms, electrons or quarks. It tells us that everything in the universe is in constant motion, and that just as all particles of matter manifest varying rates of thermal energy, all mental phenomena (thoughts, emotions, etc) manifest at varying rates of vibration on the mental plane.
4. 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."
There are two sides to every coin; this principle tells us that all extremes are the same in nature but different in degree. For example, there is no such thing as absolute heat or absolute cold. There are only varying degrees of temperature. "Hot" and "cold" are the same thing, only different in degrees. Similarly, this principle can be applied to the mental plane - what is "absolute hate" or "absolute "love"? Are these not two emotions not essentially the same in nature? Knowing that two extremes are in fact the same thing will allow you to shift your mood from one end of the polarity to another; from hate to love, fear to courage, etc. This is what the Hermeticists call mental alchemy.
5. 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."
This principle about the mathematical patterns in the universe, that everything is cyclical and phasic in nature. Stars are born and die, galaxies expand and collapse, empires rise and fall, cities are built and destroyed. Day follows night, sleep follows wakefulness. Everything is in rhythm, following the motion of a pendulum swing that goes one way then the next. Our own emotional states follow the same rhythm, shifting from positive to negative and then back again.
6. The principle of Causation - "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."
This tells us that everything is connected through cause and effect in a great chain of events. Think of phenomena such as butterfly effect, or even what we think of as 'karma'. Nothing is ever manifested in an effect that isn't present in the cause - every thought we think, every action we perform, has both direct and indirect effects on the cosmic chain of events that we observe as reality.
7. The principle of Gender - "Gender is in everything; everything has its masculine and feminine principles; gender manifests on all planes."
Bear in mind the important difference between "sex" and "gender". The former refers to one manifestation of gender on the physical plane, while the latter relates only to the process of creation and genesis. From Newton's first law, we know that an object at rest will stay at rest unless acted on by an external force. We can think of the object at rest as the Feminine principle, which operates in terms of creative energy, generating the ideas and objects that form our world. The Masculine principle is the force, which "wills" the Feminine principle to begin its process of creation. Gender exists in everything; and in our minds both the Masculine and Feminine principles must be duly engaged in order to make the best use of it.
February 19, 2013
This book was written in the early 20th century and while it argues the validity of its teachings on the basis of a misinterpreted view of the antiquity of Hermes Trismegistus's writings, it is still interesting and applicable philosophically. Hermeticism in general took a hit when it was realized his writings took place a few centuries into the A.D. time period rather than in the early period of the ancient Egyptian kingdom. He was incorrectly viewed as the father of alchemy, mathematics and other disciplines, and so there was a let down when it was proven his writings took place at a much, much later time.
These authors are presenting a concise introduction to the core principles of Hermeticism, and it serves as a nice introduction to Hermetic philosophy. Their writing style can be a bit juevenille at times, with many of broad-sweeping statements on an idea's importance and bursting into emphatic usage of all CAPS and frequently ending sentences with exclamation points! Also, there are a few too many statements made to the tune of "what modern science has failed to understand" or "as modern scientists have come to understand", that are so horribly vague that it makes the book sound a bit unscholarly. In and around such statements they often slip into a tone of arrogance, which seems to be common behavior when a writer/debator needing to prove a point finds their quiver empty of any detailed intellectual examples and have to resort to "it's so obvious" scoffing, intimidating the reader to acquiesce instead of building up their logic respectfully.
I greatly appreciated the concise, accessible manner in which Hermeticism was discussed in this work. I felt I learned a lot that I'll be able to retain for the future and that owes more to their ability to teach than to my interest in the subject. However, they needed to stay off the court where the big boys (ie, scientists) play. They don't belong there, and it makes them sound like charlatans when they try to argue the scientific superiority of Hermeticism with pockets empty of solid examples. Besides, their writing has merit and philosophical value without trying to elevate themselves to a place where they can make broad-sweeping statements that place science in the backseat of a scholar's search for knowledge.
These authors are presenting a concise introduction to the core principles of Hermeticism, and it serves as a nice introduction to Hermetic philosophy. Their writing style can be a bit juevenille at times, with many of broad-sweeping statements on an idea's importance and bursting into emphatic usage of all CAPS and frequently ending sentences with exclamation points! Also, there are a few too many statements made to the tune of "what modern science has failed to understand" or "as modern scientists have come to understand", that are so horribly vague that it makes the book sound a bit unscholarly. In and around such statements they often slip into a tone of arrogance, which seems to be common behavior when a writer/debator needing to prove a point finds their quiver empty of any detailed intellectual examples and have to resort to "it's so obvious" scoffing, intimidating the reader to acquiesce instead of building up their logic respectfully.
I greatly appreciated the concise, accessible manner in which Hermeticism was discussed in this work. I felt I learned a lot that I'll be able to retain for the future and that owes more to their ability to teach than to my interest in the subject. However, they needed to stay off the court where the big boys (ie, scientists) play. They don't belong there, and it makes them sound like charlatans when they try to argue the scientific superiority of Hermeticism with pockets empty of solid examples. Besides, their writing has merit and philosophical value without trying to elevate themselves to a place where they can make broad-sweeping statements that place science in the backseat of a scholar's search for knowledge.
August 22, 2013
This book changed my entire spiritual view of the universe and strengthened my faith in God, but in new ways. It also helped me understand with greater efficacy the teachings of Jesus Christ. Though the Christ is not mentioned in this text, is was a useful tool in improving my understanding about how he worked the miracles, and the universal laws that govern even God. The principals here are open-ended enough that they may help those from virtually any faith gain greater understanding for the workings of the universe and how they apply to creation.
July 6, 2024
When you read a book that assists or offers a new lens in which to perceive it can be equally refreshing or dangerous---for some. Very minimalistic cover and design being originally published in 1908. Thinking upon what is the sacred truth can cause apprehension in a student or curiosity. There are seven principles---and in what we deem life to be is vibration. According to the Kybalion (all exists in a creamy fluid cadence). Movement is is most certainly telling. Hermes Trismegistus is defined as Hermes thrice great.
"Nothing rests; everything moves; everything vibrates,"
---Three Initiates
The seven principals within are�
August 15, 2013
I first read "The Kybalion" in 1998. It changed the way I recognized spirituality, the principles and the universe. I am reading it again and it is even more enlightening than the first time. These seven hermetic laws, the Principle of Mentalism (Mind), Correspondence (Analogy), Vibration (Nothing rests - everything moves - everything vibrates), Polarity (Duality), 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), Cause and Effect (Karma), and Gender (Gender is in everything - everything has its Masculine and Feminine Principles - Gender manifests on all planes) are meant to be recognized and applied to our lives.
This is was and is one of my favorite books.
This is was and is one of my favorite books.
June 15, 2022
"When the ears of the student are ready to hear, then cometh the lips to fill them with Wisdom � The Kybalion".
Unfortunately, I'm clearly not ready
Unfortunately, I'm clearly not ready
February 13, 2016
I decided to read this book after talking to a fascinating character at a goth club I frequent who reminded me of Gregor Samsa (post transformation) wearing an ascot. I forwardly asked what books he read, as I knew he must be a wizard with a wonderful reading list. He then told me about the Kybalion. After I realized the Kybalion was an in-depth look at the Seven Hermetic Laws that I learned about in Laurie Cabot’s Power of the Witch, I decided to check it out.
I have mixed feelings about this book, although I disliked the pretense that it was written by the mysterious ‘Three Initiates� instead of the more likely author being William Walker Atkinson, an American New Thought author and attorney. Three Initiates indeed! Don’t get me wrong, I love the idea of esoteric teachings passed down in secret mystery cults from the dawn of time as much as the next person, I just also like honesty about what’s in the Kool-Aid I’m about to drink. Check this out: “With the aid of the Kybalion, one may go through any occult library anew, the Old Light from Egypt illuminating many dark pages, and many obscure subjects.� That’s a helluva ballsy claim from a book written by an attorney in the early 20th century. I can just see Brendan Fraser as the lead character in a film adaptation--or maybe Tom Hanks?
The Laws are these:
The Law of Mentalism (The All is Mind, the Universe is Mental)
The Law of Correspondance (As Above, So Below)
The Principle of Vibration (Nothing Rests, Everything is in Motion)
The Principle of Polarity (Everything is Dual)
The Principle of Rhythm (Everything Flows Out and In; Everything has Tides)
The Principle of Cause and Effect –self explanatory, I think
The Principle of Gender- Gender is in everything, everything has Masculine and Feminine Principles
I can see where much of New Age philosophy can be traced to the ideas in these laws, especially around the ‘Law of Vibration� in terms of people ‘raising their vibration� as another term for enlightenment. The Law of Mentalism also reminds me of the idea in Hinduism that Brahma dreamed the Universe into existence and that all the cycles of life, death, and rebirth are part of his dream. The fact that the author also espouses reincarnation is another indicator that these ‘Laws� are a lot of mishmashed ideas from various world religions. This is not to say that I disagree with the Laws, in fact quite the opposite, but more in how the Kybalion presents them in all manner of high-falutin�, overly woo-woo language that makes me roll my eyes.
I have mixed feelings about this book, although I disliked the pretense that it was written by the mysterious ‘Three Initiates� instead of the more likely author being William Walker Atkinson, an American New Thought author and attorney. Three Initiates indeed! Don’t get me wrong, I love the idea of esoteric teachings passed down in secret mystery cults from the dawn of time as much as the next person, I just also like honesty about what’s in the Kool-Aid I’m about to drink. Check this out: “With the aid of the Kybalion, one may go through any occult library anew, the Old Light from Egypt illuminating many dark pages, and many obscure subjects.� That’s a helluva ballsy claim from a book written by an attorney in the early 20th century. I can just see Brendan Fraser as the lead character in a film adaptation--or maybe Tom Hanks?
The Laws are these:
The Law of Mentalism (The All is Mind, the Universe is Mental)
The Law of Correspondance (As Above, So Below)
The Principle of Vibration (Nothing Rests, Everything is in Motion)
The Principle of Polarity (Everything is Dual)
The Principle of Rhythm (Everything Flows Out and In; Everything has Tides)
The Principle of Cause and Effect –self explanatory, I think
The Principle of Gender- Gender is in everything, everything has Masculine and Feminine Principles
I can see where much of New Age philosophy can be traced to the ideas in these laws, especially around the ‘Law of Vibration� in terms of people ‘raising their vibration� as another term for enlightenment. The Law of Mentalism also reminds me of the idea in Hinduism that Brahma dreamed the Universe into existence and that all the cycles of life, death, and rebirth are part of his dream. The fact that the author also espouses reincarnation is another indicator that these ‘Laws� are a lot of mishmashed ideas from various world religions. This is not to say that I disagree with the Laws, in fact quite the opposite, but more in how the Kybalion presents them in all manner of high-falutin�, overly woo-woo language that makes me roll my eyes.
July 11, 2021
Culty schlock written by some Ninteenth Century charlatan. The warning sign is when the book starts off with the admonition that only the enlightened will be able to grasp the secret wisdom contained herein - and those who are skeptical are simply too tainted and asleep to be able to understand ‘the truth�. It’s the false defense of cult members and snake oil salesmen the world over. In fact, this book reeks of the bollocks that would later come to be ‘The Secret� and all of that ‘law of attraction� BS. Skip this and read the Corpus Hermeticum if you’re interested in ancient mystical practices and want them simply narrated ‘as they were�.
February 7, 2023
O livro foi meu primeiro contato com a filosofia hermética. Interessante perceber a influencia que teve em todas as denominações religiosas e/ou espirituais em maior ou menor grau. New age é praticamente uma cópia com variações interpretativas. Algumas coisas do Jung também remetem bastante.
Deu para entender melhor as origens de algumas teorias e doutrinas e acredito que verei com um novo olhar muitas coisas.
Deu para entender melhor as origens de algumas teorias e doutrinas e acredito que verei com um novo olhar muitas coisas.
August 23, 2007
The Kybalion is known as "the master key" for a reason. These are the aphorisms set forth my Hermes Trismegistus, known also as Thoth. I have studied this book over and over, and each time, I get it at a deeper level. In all seriousness, if you only read and study one occult text in your entire life, this should be the one.
February 12, 2023
Apparently, once you’re ready to accept Dz’s teachings, the book appears in your life, not through any coincidence, but almost magically, as if by divine intervention.
Well, in my case, the Universe must have dialled the wrong number, but by gol-ly, I still picked up that phone. A Study of The Hermetic Philosophy of Ancient Egypt and Greece? Well, certainly. Before we bow down to our Chinese Masters, I’m interested to see what the Egyptian Masters had to say.
First of all, the authors inform us that Ancient Egyptians possessed a contemporary [i. e. early 20th century] level of knowledge in physics, chemistry and psychology, as proven by the writings on the ancient stones of Egypt. Which stones, you might ask � if you suffer from an inquisitive turn of mind � and there will be no answer.
In fact, Hermetists, Egyptian or other, had always possessed the full and complete understanding of the universe, except they generally believed other people too stupid to talk to, so they sat on this knowledge, like resentful little assholes.
Over the next dozen or so chapters, Kybalion attempts to explain relatively simple and straightforward concepts, like polarity or gender, through such circular logic, and in such a patronizing tone, you’ll wade waist-deep in a stream of pompous gibberish, until your brain begs you to -
skip �
The formatting of Kybalion doesn’t help. For members of a secret society who kept silent over millennia, the authors sure like to shout a lot; finishing every third sentence with an exclamation mark. The text is full of random capitalizations, sometimes just of the first Letter, sometimes of ENITRE words, in an attempt to come across as more PROFOUND. Here’s the flipside to elective capitalization � most of the time, it has the opposite effect. Even with proper context, you run the risk of eliciting ridicule from your readers.
I’m afraid, my lack of enthusiasm for Kybalion proves, quite poignantly, that I’m not an �(�) elect who had advanced along The Path�. I may never partake in those favourite Hermetic pastimes of abusing exclamation marks in prose, or smiling pityingly at the lowly, uneducated hordes, who don’t understand the TRUTH.
But that is a loss I’m willing to accept.
Oh, and Herbert Spencer was an incarnation of Heraclitus � just throwing it out there. Now, I’m not claiming that he wasn’t. But how can you tell?
Well, in my case, the Universe must have dialled the wrong number, but by gol-ly, I still picked up that phone. A Study of The Hermetic Philosophy of Ancient Egypt and Greece? Well, certainly. Before we bow down to our Chinese Masters, I’m interested to see what the Egyptian Masters had to say.
First of all, the authors inform us that Ancient Egyptians possessed a contemporary [i. e. early 20th century] level of knowledge in physics, chemistry and psychology, as proven by the writings on the ancient stones of Egypt. Which stones, you might ask � if you suffer from an inquisitive turn of mind � and there will be no answer.
In fact, Hermetists, Egyptian or other, had always possessed the full and complete understanding of the universe, except they generally believed other people too stupid to talk to, so they sat on this knowledge, like resentful little assholes.
Over the next dozen or so chapters, Kybalion attempts to explain relatively simple and straightforward concepts, like polarity or gender, through such circular logic, and in such a patronizing tone, you’ll wade waist-deep in a stream of pompous gibberish, until your brain begs you to -
skip �
The formatting of Kybalion doesn’t help. For members of a secret society who kept silent over millennia, the authors sure like to shout a lot; finishing every third sentence with an exclamation mark. The text is full of random capitalizations, sometimes just of the first Letter, sometimes of ENITRE words, in an attempt to come across as more PROFOUND. Here’s the flipside to elective capitalization � most of the time, it has the opposite effect. Even with proper context, you run the risk of eliciting ridicule from your readers.
I’m afraid, my lack of enthusiasm for Kybalion proves, quite poignantly, that I’m not an �(�) elect who had advanced along The Path�. I may never partake in those favourite Hermetic pastimes of abusing exclamation marks in prose, or smiling pityingly at the lowly, uneducated hordes, who don’t understand the TRUTH.
But that is a loss I’m willing to accept.
Oh, and Herbert Spencer was an incarnation of Heraclitus � just throwing it out there. Now, I’m not claiming that he wasn’t. But how can you tell?
March 19, 2022
This is the closest I came to believing in something more powerful than anything I’ve known. In Hermetic philosophy, I found western scientific proofs and reasoning reflecting beautifully on the mental and spiritual phenomena that we find difficult to explain. I have to sleep on it and read it again and again to make better sense of it but I think I’ve finally found my bible.
April 2, 2022
Kybalion is a book of Hermetic philosophy outlining the 7 truths or principles of the universe. The book is great insofar advising you on how to treat your mind and mentality in a way to rise above the lower planes and improve your life. For instance since the universe is above all Mental, you can utilize the principles of vibration and polarity in a way where ‘the advanced Hermetist polarizes himself at the Positive Pole of his Being and by denying the operation of Rhythm, raises himself above its plane of consciousness� Overall it's a book distilling the often not so clear messages of various religions and beliefs.
December 3, 2020
i came to this after reading corpus hermeticum, and i am appalled at the level of difference between the two works. this is just the secret dressed up to look far grander than it really is. it's puerile self-help cloaked as a master-key for all the mysteries of the universe. anybody looking for wisdom here is just essentially looking into a mirror. you would be better served to look anywhere else if hermeticism and the esoteric truly interests you. it has some good lines here and there, but it's largely disappointing for a book proclaiming to be a so-called 'master-key'.
March 22, 2009
More laughable than the religions which it scorns but which pretend to less. It has no respect for the intelligent examination or application of its own tenets; and even as a second-grader I could certainly have traced the path through which its arguments lose their own framework every few pages.
Excerpt p.58: "There are certain truths connected with [THE ALL's:] existence which the human mind finds itself compelled to accept." I found the following "truths" not compelling; the book must take as great liberty with the definition of "human mind" as it does with several even more common terms, such as "philosophy", "theology", "metaphysics", and "universe".
Excerpt p.58: "There are certain truths connected with [THE ALL's:] existence which the human mind finds itself compelled to accept." I found the following "truths" not compelling; the book must take as great liberty with the definition of "human mind" as it does with several even more common terms, such as "philosophy", "theology", "metaphysics", and "universe".
February 8, 2017
Hermetic philosophy has been an interest of mine since I was about 16. I, much like everyone else out there, equated it to the new age definitions of magical thought. Oh was I wrong... This book is so much more. A crash course on how to change your perception without truly giving away any ancient teachings. What really struck me is what you learn from reading this book about yourself. Whether this book is BS or real doesn't matter. What matters is how you look at the world when you finish reading it. It's that simple.
July 13, 2016
Definitivamente no es un libro que pueda ser comprendido solamente por medio del análisis racional y, por tanto, es conveniente leerlo en más de una ocasión y con ciertas distancias temporales para notar cómo la madurez va cambiando las maneras de ver el mundo e interpretar sus expresiones.
January 21, 2023
Good conceptualization, but stylistically, reading this book was like chewing on cardboard.
May 24, 2018
I remember when I first read the Kybalion, I thought that esoteric wisdom would change my life ...
Today this little book came back into my hands, and in truth, the seven principles of the "Hermetic" philosophy are evident to me, I do not know what you think:
1. The principle of mentalism: everything comes from the mind, the universe that exists and everything that is in it by the mind. Maybe others call it spirit, others the being.
2.- As it is above it is below. It indicates that in many states of nature learning how matter and people behave in a situation, so it can be in other levels.
3.- The principle of vibration. Everything vibrates, nothing is static.
4.- The principle of polarity: and the opposites touch, and change from one opposite to another is easy if you know how.
5.- The principle of rhythm: evident its usefulness in many situations.
6. The principle of cause and effect, known in many places as karma.
7.- The generation principle, the masculine and feminine principles that exist in nature.
Interesting to read the book, although complicated if you have no previous idea of these topics.
Today this little book came back into my hands, and in truth, the seven principles of the "Hermetic" philosophy are evident to me, I do not know what you think:
1. The principle of mentalism: everything comes from the mind, the universe that exists and everything that is in it by the mind. Maybe others call it spirit, others the being.
2.- As it is above it is below. It indicates that in many states of nature learning how matter and people behave in a situation, so it can be in other levels.
3.- The principle of vibration. Everything vibrates, nothing is static.
4.- The principle of polarity: and the opposites touch, and change from one opposite to another is easy if you know how.
5.- The principle of rhythm: evident its usefulness in many situations.
6. The principle of cause and effect, known in many places as karma.
7.- The generation principle, the masculine and feminine principles that exist in nature.
Interesting to read the book, although complicated if you have no previous idea of these topics.
December 31, 2012
Tenemos una visión tan absolutista de nuestro entorno, de nuestra realidad, que nos negamos rotundamente al cambio,"pese a que este cambio es una Ley Universal", y el kybalion es como un mapa mental que condiciona nuestra interpretación de las cosas.
No es una verdad, es una semi verdad que debe ir tomada da la mano de la convicción más profunda de nuestro ser, es cambio continuo, no es un enemigo con el cual luchar, sino más bien es fuerza natural, similar al viento. No se puede cambiar la fuerza y el sentido del viento, pero si se “aborda con confianza y espíritu de aprendizaje� se puede ajustar la dirección de las velas de nuestras naves, para llegar a nuestro destino.
No es una verdad, es una semi verdad que debe ir tomada da la mano de la convicción más profunda de nuestro ser, es cambio continuo, no es un enemigo con el cual luchar, sino más bien es fuerza natural, similar al viento. No se puede cambiar la fuerza y el sentido del viento, pero si se “aborda con confianza y espíritu de aprendizaje� se puede ajustar la dirección de las velas de nuestras naves, para llegar a nuestro destino.
September 23, 2013
This book is exactly the way the universe works, and not at all the way it works. To those who have travelled far in their search for the truth, it holds the secrets to everything. To the uninitiated, it is a "tough read." Actually, being written in 1908, it is on the tougher side, but honestly I found the Great Gatsby harder to understand. ALL in all, this book holds the answers few people (and scientists) know to be the truth.
August 18, 2007
This book details a deep and elegant philosophical system which ostensibly dates back to the early Egyptian dynasties, and was first put forth by the legendary Hermes Trismegastus, also known at Thoth. Colorful origins aside, it is a fascinating and internally consistent system for looking at and understanding the universe, both in its material and more numinous manifestations.
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