THE KYBALION --- 09 CHAPTER 9. VIBRATION

CHAPTER 9. VIBRATION

"Nothing rests; everything moves; everything
vibrates."--The Kybalion.
The great Third Hermetic Principle--the Principle of Vibration--
embodies the truth that Motion is manifest in everything in the
Universe--that nothing is at rest--that everything moves, vibrates, and
circles. This Hermetic Principle was recognized by some of the early
Greek philosophers who embodied it in their systems. But, then, for
centuries it was lost sight of by the thinkers outside of the Hermetic
ranks. But in the Nineteenth Century physical science re-discovered the
truth and the Twentieth Century scientific discoveries have added
additional proof of the correctness and truth of this centuries-old
Hermetic doctrine.
The Hermetic Teachings are that not only is everything in constant
movement and vibration, but that the "differences" between the various
manifestations of the universal power are due entirely to the varying rate
and mode of vibrations. Not only this, but that even THE ALL, in itself,
manifests a constant vibration of such an infinite degree of intensity and
rapid motion that it may be practically considered as at rest, the teachers
directing the attention of the students to the fact that even on the
physical plane a rapidly moving object (such as a revolving wheel) seems
to be at rest. The Teachings are to the effect that Spirit is at one end of
the Pole of Vibration, the other Pole being certain extremely gross forms
of Matter. Between these two poles are millions upon millions of
different rates and modes of vibration.
Modern Science has proven that all that we call Matter and Energy are
but "modes of vibratory motion," and some of the more advanced
scientists are rapidly moving toward the positions of the occultists who
hold that the phenomena of Mind are likewise modes of vibration or
motion. Let us see what science has to say regarding the question of
vibrations in matter and energy.
In the first place, science teaches that all matter manifests, in some
degree, the vibrations arising from temperature or heat. Be an object
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cold or hot--both being but degrees of the same things--it manifests
certain heat vibrations, and in that sense is in motion and vibration.
Then all particles of Matter are in circular movement, from corpuscle to
suns. The planets revolve around suns, and many of them turn on their
axes. The suns move around greater central points, and these are
believed to move around still greater, and so on, ad infinitum. The
molecules of which the particular kinds of Matter are composed are in a
state of constant vibration and movement around each other and against
each other. The molecules are composed of Atoms, which, likewise, are
in a state of constant movement and vibration. The atoms are composed
of Corpuscles, sometimes called "electrons," "ions," etc., which also are
in a state of rapid motion, revolving around each other, and which
manifest a very rapid state and mode of vibration. And, so we see that all
forms of Matter manifest Vibration, in accordance with the Hermetic
Principle of Vibration.
And so it is with the various forms of Energy. Science teaches that Light,
Heat, Magnetism and Electricity are but forms of vibratory motion
connected in some way with, and probably emanating from the Ether.
Science does not as yet attempt to explain the nature of the phenomena
known as Cohesion, which is the principle of Molecular Attraction; nor
Chemical Affinity, which is the principle of Atomic Attraction; nor
Gravitation (the greatest mystery of the three), which is the principle of
attraction by which every particle or mass of Matter is bound to every
other particle or mass. These three forms of Energy are not as yet
understood by science, yet the writers incline to the opinion that these
too are manifestations of some form of vibratory energy, a fact which the
Hermetists have held and taught for ages past.
The Universal Ether, which is postulated by science without its nature
being understood clearly, is held by the Hermetists to be but a higher
manifestation of that which is erroneously called matter--that is to say,
Matter at a higher degree of vibration--and is called by them "The
Ethereal Substance." The Hermetists teach that this Ethereal Substance
is of extreme tenuity and elasticity, and pervades universal space, serving
as a medium of transmission of waves of vibratory energy, such as heat,
light, electricity, magnetism, etc. The Teachings are that The Ethereal
Substance is a connecting link between the forms of vibratory energy
known as "Matter" on the one hand, and "Energy or Force" on the other;
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and also that it manifests a degree of vibration, in rate and mode,
entirely its own.
Scientists have offered the illustration of a rapidly moving wheel, top, or
cylinder, to show the effects of increasing rates of vibration. The
illustration supposes a wheel, top, or revolving cylinder, running at a low
rate of speed--we will call this revolving thing "the object" in following
out the illustration. Let us suppose the object moving slowly. It may be
seen readily, but no sound of its movement reaches the ear. The speed is
gradually increased. In a few moments its movement becomes so rapid
that a deep growl or low note may be heard. Then as the rate is increased
the note rises one in the musical scale. Then, the motion being still
further increased, the next highest note is distinguished. Then, one after
another, all the notes of the musical scale appear, rising higher and
higher as the motion is increased. Finally when the motions have
reached a certain rate the final note perceptible to human ears is reached
and the shrill, piercing shriek dies away, and silence follows. No sound is
heard from the revolving object, the rate of motion being so high that the
human ear cannot register the vibrations. Then comes the perception of
rising degrees of Heat. Then after quite a time the eye catches a glimpse
of the object becoming a dull dark reddish color. As the rate increases,
the red becomes brighter. Then as the speed is increased, the red melts
into an orange. Then the orange melts into a yellow. Then follow,
successively, the shades of green, blue, indigo, and finally violet, as the
rate of sped increases. Then the violet shades away, and all color
disappears, the human eye not being able to register them. But there are
invisible rays emanating from the revolving object, the rays that are used
in photographing, and other subtle rays of light. Then begin to manifest
the peculiar rays known as the "X Rays," etc., as the constitution of the
object changes. Electricity and Magnetism are emitted when the
appropriate rate of vibration is attained.
When the object reaches a certain rate of vibration its molecules
disintegrate, and resolve themselves into the original elements or atoms.
Then the atoms, following the Principle of Vibration, are separated into
the countless corpuscles of which they are composed. And finally, even
the corpuscles disappear and the object may be said to Be composed of
The Ethereal Substance. Science does not dare to follow the illustration
further, but the Hermetists teach that if the vibrations be continually
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increased the object would mount up the successive states of
manifestation and would in turn manifest the various mental stages, and
then on Spiritward, until it would finally re-enter THE ALL, which is
Absolute Spirit. The "object," however, would have ceased to be an
"object" long before the stage of Ethereal Substance was reached, but
otherwise the illustration is correct inasmuch as it shows the effect of
constantly increased rates and modes of vibration. It must be
remembered, in the above illustration, that at the stages at which the
"object" throws off vibrations of light, heat, etc., it is not actually
"resolved" into those forms of energy (which are much higher in the
scale), but simply that it reaches a degree of vibration in which those
forms of energy are liberated, in a degree, from the confining influences
of its molecules, atoms and corpuscles, as the case may be. These forms
of energy, although much higher in the scale than matter, are imprisoned
and confined in the material combinations, by reason of the energies
manifesting through, and using material forms, but thus becoming
entangled and confined in their creations of material forms, which, to an
extent, is true of all creations, the creating force becoming involved in its
creation.
But the Hermetic Teachings go much further than do those of modern
science. They teach that all manifestation of thought, emotion, reason,
will or desire, or any mental state or condition, are accompanied by
vibrations, a portion of which are thrown off and which tend to affect the
minds of other persons by "induction." This is the principle which
produces the phenomena of "telepathy"; mental influence, and other
forms of the action and power of mind over mind, with which the general
public is rapidly becoming acquainted, owing to the wide dissemination
of occult knowledge by the various schools, cults and teachers along
these lines at this time.
Every thought, emotion or mental state has its corresponding rate and
mode of vibration. And by an effort of the will of the person, or of other
persons, these mental states may be reproduced, just as a musical tone
may be reproduced by causing an instrument to vibrate at a certain rate-
-just as color may be reproduced in the same may. By a knowledge of the
Principle of Vibration, as applied to Mental Phenomena, one may
polarize his mind at any degree he wishes, thus gaining a perfect control
over his mental states, moods, etc. In the same way he may affect the
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minds of others, producing the desired mental states in them. In short,
he may be able to produce on the Mental Plane that which science
produces on the Physical Plane--namely, "Vibrations at Will." This power
of course may be acquired only by the proper instruction, exercises,
practice, etc., the science being that of Mental Transmutation, one of the
branches of the Hermetic Art.
A little reflection on what we have said will show the student that the
Principle of Vibration underlies the wonderful phenomena of the power
manifested by the Masters and Adepts, who are able to apparently set
aside the Laws of Nature, but who, in reality, are simply using one law
against another; one principle against others; and who accomplish their
results by changing the vibrations of material objects, or forms of energy,
and thus perform what are commonly called "miracles."
As one of the old Hermetic writers has truly said: "He who understands
the Principle of Vibration, has grasped the scepter of Power."