THE KYBALION --- 03 CHAPTER 3. MENTAL TRANSMUTATION

CHAPTER 3. MENTAL TRANSMUTATION

"Mind (as well as metals and elements) may be transmuted,
from state to state; degree to degree; condition to condition;
pole to pole; vibration to vibration. True Hermetic Transmutation
is a Mental Art."--The Kybalion.
As we have stated, the Hermetists were the original alchemists,
astrologers, and psychologists, Hermes having been the founder of these
schools of thought. From astrology has grown modern astronomy; from
alchemy has grown modern chemistry; from the mystic psychology has
grown the modern psychology of the schools. But it must not be
supposed that the ancients were ignorant of that which the modern
schools suppose to be their exclusive and special property. The records
engraved on the stones of Ancient Egypt show conclusively that the
ancients had a full comprehensive knowledge of astronomy, the very
building of the Pyramids showing the connection between their design
and the study of astronomical science. Nor were they ignorant of
Chemistry, for the fragments of the ancient writings show that they were
acquainted with the chemical properties of things; in fact, the ancient
theories regarding physics are being slowly verified by the latest
discoveries of modern science, notably those relating to the constitution
of matter. Nor must it be supposed that they were ignorant of the socalled modern discoveries in psychology--on the contrary, the Egyptians
were especially skilled in the science of Psychology, particularly in the
branches that the modern schools ignore, but which, nevertheless, are
being uncovered under the name of "psychic science" which is perplexing
the psychologists of to-day, and making them reluctantly admit that
"there may be something in it after all."
The truth is, that beneath the material chemistry, astronomy and
psychology (that is, the psychology in its phase of "brain-action") the
ancients possessed a knowledge of transcendental astronomy, called
astrology; of transcendental chemistry, called alchemy; of transcendental
psychology, called mystic psychology. They possessed the Inner
Knowledge as well as the Outer Knowledge, the latter alone being
possessed by modern scientists. Among the many secret branches of
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knowledge possessed by the Hermetists, was that known as Mental
Transmutation, which forms the subject matter of this lesson.
"Transmutation" is a term usually employed to designate the ancient art
of the transmutation of metals--particularly of the base metals into gold.
The word "Transmute" means "to change from one nature, form, or
substance, into another; to transform" (Webster). And accordingly,
"Mental Transmutation" means the art of changing and transforming
mental states, forms, and conditions, into others. So you may see that
Mental Transmutation is the "Art of Mental Chemistry," if you like the
term--a form of practical Mystic Psychology.
But this means far more than appears on the surface. Transmutation,
Alchemy, or Chemistry on the Mental Plane is important enough in its
effects, to be sure, and if the art stopped there it would still be one of the
most important branches of study known to man. But this is only the
beginning. Let us see why!
The first of the Seven Hermetic Principles is the Principle of Mentalism,
the axiom of which is "THE ALL is Mind; the Universe is Mental," which
means that the Underlying Reality of the Universe is Mind; and the
Universe itself is Mental--that is, "existing in the Mind of THE ALL." We
shall consider this Principle in succeeding lessons, but let us see the
effect of the principle if it be assumed to be true.
If the Universe is Mental in its nature, then Mental Transmutation must
be the art of CHANGING THE CONDITIONS OF THE UNIVERSE, along
the lines of Matter, Force and mind. So you see, therefore, that Mental
Transmutation is really the "Magic" of which the ancient; writers had so
much to say in their mystical works, and about which they gave so few
practical instructions. If All be Mental, then the art which enables one to
transmute mental conditions must render the Master the controller of
material conditions as well as those ordinarily called "mental."
As a matter of fact, none but advanced Mental Alchemists have been able
to attain the degree of power necessary to control the grosser physical
conditions, such as the control of the elements of Nature; the production
or cessation of tempests; the production and cessation of earthquakes
and other great physical phenomena. But that such men have existed,
and do exist today, is a matter of earnest belief to all advanced occultists
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of all schools. That the Masters exist, and have these powers, the best
teachers assure their students, having had experiences which justify
them in such belief and statements. These Masters do not make public
exhibitions of their powers, but seek seclusion from the crowds of men,
in order to better work their may along the Path of Attainment. We
mention their existence, at this point, merely to call your attention to the
fact that their power is entirely Mental, and operates along the lines of
the higher Mental Transmutation, under the Hermetic Principle of
Mentalism.
"The Universe is Mental"--The Kybalion.
But students and Hermetists of lesser degree than Masters--the Initiates
and Teachers--are able to freely work along the Mental Plane, in Mental
Transmutation. In fact all that we call "psychic phenomena,"; "mental
influence"; "mental science"; "new-thought phenomena," etc., operates
along the same general lines, for there is but one principle involved, no
matter by what name the phenomena be called.
The student and practitioner of Mental Transmutation works among the
Mental Plane, transmuting mental conditions, states, etc., into others,
according to various formulas, more or less efficacious. The various
"treatments," "affirmations," "denials" etc., of the schools of mental
science are but formulas, often quite imperfect and unscientific, of The
Hermetic Art. The majority of modern practitioners are quite ignorant
compared to the ancient masters, for they lack the fundamental
knowledge upon which the work is based.
Not only may the mental states, etc., of one's self be changed or
transmuted by Hermetic Methods; but also the states of others may be,
and are, constantly transmuted in the same way, usually unconsciously,
but often consciously by some understanding the laws and principles, in
cases where the people affected are not informed of the principles of selfprotection. And more than this, as many students and practitioners of
modern mental science know, every material condition depending upon
the minds of other people may be changed or transmuted in accordance
with the earnest desire, will, and "treatments" of person desiring
changed conditions of life. The public are so generally informed
regarding these things at present, that we do not deem it necessary to
mention the same at length, our purpose at this point being merely to
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show the Hermetic Principle and Art underlying all of these various
forms of practice, good and evil, for the force can be used in opposite
directions according to the Hermetic Principles of Polarity.
In this little book we shall state the basic principles of Mental
Transmutation, that all who read may grasp the Underlying Principles,
and thus possess the Master-Key that will unlock the many doors of the
Principle of Polarity.
We shall now proceed to a consideration of the first of the Hermetic
Seven Principles--the Principle of Mentalism, in which is explained the
truth that "THE ALL is Mind; the Universe is Mental," in the words of
The Kybalion. We ask the close attention, and careful study of this great
Principle, on the part of our students, for it is really the Basic Principle of
the whole Hermetic Philosophy, and of the Hermetic Art of Mental
Transmutation.