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 are 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 so-called 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 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 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 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 Universal 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 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 way 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 self-protection. 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 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 part of our students, for
it is really the Basic Principle of the whole Hermetic Philosophy,
and of the Hermetic Art of Mental
Transmutation.