In 1908, a book was
published known as The Kybalion. This book is ripe with knowledge of mental
mastery techniques that have major potential for the use in sales and marketing
(as is known by some).
The book is a condensed
introduction to Hermetic Philosophy and is based around the seven hermetic
principles. These principles (as listed below, from the Kybalion itself) have
the profound ability to provide one with techniques of self mastery. I have
used my understanding of the principles listed below in my own work as a
salesman and marketing professional (and beyond) and said principles can be
seen manifest in my well documented "Destroy Your Printer Contest" series.
I present these principles
below as an invitation to those open minded individuals who already understand
the power of words, emotions and intent in the hopes to provide further
enlightenment for your own sales and marketing endeavors.
I would go on to say that
while these principles are very powerful, they can and have been used by some
for selfish and ill-gotten rewards. I would highly recommend using this
knowledge to help others rather than to manipulate them (as some people have
done). Either way, you will see a return on investment in both physical and
psychological terms and the intent behind your use of this knowledge will come to
back you whether good or ill.
Indeed one will reap what is
sown...
The content below bears much esoteric/metaphysical ideology but can be read and used from a purely practical/psychological perspective.
I. 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 theSubstantial
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 to-day 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.
II. 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.
III. 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 sceptre of power,” says one of the old
writers.
IV. 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.
V. 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.
VI. 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.
VII. 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.
