Kybalion CHAPTER IX

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 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;

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 speed 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 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.

The Kybalion Page 38

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 way. 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 minds of others, producing the desired mental states in them. In

short, be 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."

POLARITY