The Kybalion (Our Ultimate Reality)

[Nick]

When I think of a book that encapsulates much wisdom, I think of The Kybalion by the Three Initiates. It is a study of the hermetic philosophy of ancient Egypt and Greece.

The book is dedicated to Hermes Trismegistus "known to the ancient Egyptians as The Master of Masters". Significantly, there is a quote in the Introduction of the book that states: "The Lips of Wisdom are closed, except to the Ears of Understanding".

So in this forum of the Wisdom of the Ages, this excellent little book is hereby recommended, as it is quite a worthwhile read.

Here is a small quote from the book:

"And, upward and onward along this Scale of Life, everything is moving. All are on the Path, whose end is THE ALL. All progress is a Returning Home. All is Upward and Onward, in spite of all seemingly contradictory appearances."

also

"We are all on The Path - and the road leads upward ever, with frequent resting places."

So if you haven't read The Kybalion you may want to, and whether you have or not, perhaps add a post below.


Nick

[eol007]

Hi Nick,

Following your posts on AP I purchased a copy of the Kybalion and also have an ebook version.

I am now working through FOURTEEN LESSONS In Yogi Philosophy and Oriental Occultism by Yogi Ramacharaka, having miraculously come across a mint 1971 Fowler & Co LTD edition for the princely sum of £1.

Some of the language and occult/scientific comparisons seem archaic to 21st Century eyes, perhaps even more so than with the Kybalion! His analogies regarding bushmen would be considered racist by today's standards (but then so is the Jungle book) Yet all in all it still seems a very fine and worthy investment!

Ramacharaka (AKA William Walker Atkinson???) continually refers to other works including 'The Science of Breath'. I was wondering if you had also studied it as well or any other of his luminous works. What your impressions?

Best wishes,


Stephen

[Nick]

Hi Stephen,

Thanks for mentioning FOURTEEN LESSONS In Yogi Philosophy and Oriental Occultism by Yogi Ramacharaka. I hadn't read it, however I've just ordered a copy from Amazon.com, and I'll look forward to reading/studying its contents.

Description from amazon.com:

"1917. Contents: First Three Principles; Mental and Spiritual Principles; Human Aura; Thought Dynamics; Telepathy, Clairvoyance; Human Magnetism; Occult Therapeutics; Psychic Influence; Astral World; Beyond the Border; Spiritual Evolution; Spiritual Cause and Effect; Yogi Path of Attainment."

The book, from the contents listed above, does look inviting. I'll be sure to give my impressions down the road, after I finish the book.

Glad you've obtained a copy of The Kybalion. Perhaps share your thoughts on that book when you can.  


All the best,
Nick

[eol007]

Hi Nick,

You can download a copy from this site:

http://www.arfalfa.com/YogiPhilosphy/YogiPhilosophy.htm

Best,


Stephen

[eol007]

Hi Nick,

For my part I have found the Kabalion valuable as I felt it has started to enable me to attempt to begin to grasp some the fundamental principles in Hermetic philosophy. I have not studied it religiously, having only read through a couple of times and now using it more as reference work. However I have noticed that my perspective on the rise of thoughts, emotions, events, circumstances etc; has changed: in that on occasion I have come to realise the relationship the seven hermetic principles play on the little old game of life. Although I believe that I had already started do as such anyhow and only as much as my limited awareness, mind and heart could gleam that is    

Although I have been finding the beautiful simplicity of spiritualism a valuable blessing, over the last couple of years felt inspired to explore other fields of thinking and of course feel that am only beginning to grasp the nettle! Obviously it would be a wild stretch of the imagination to view myself as a serious student (ha ha), but I would like to say that I am at least trying to get there! What I have found from personal experience is that often the lesson is played out first and then the material appears later – as if to say ‘Well yes, you did have a spiritual experience, but now it’s time to hone your understanding of it’. I feel that The Kybalion as an aid my understanding of other Hermetic work appeared at just the right time (some good people even more so)!

Has your been awareness or your perception of ‘who and what you are’ and your place in the greater scheme of things changed since you 1st came across this work? If so, do you feel that that it has also helped you on your journey?

Take care,


Stephen

P.S. Were you thinking of starting a discussion or study group on this particular piece of work?

[Nick]

Stephen wrote:

Has your been awareness or your perception of ‘who and what you are’ and your place in the greater scheme of things changed since you 1st came across this work? If so, do you feel that that it has also helped you on your journey?

Thanks for asking, Stephen, and the short answer is that rather than changed, I would say validated what I'd been thinking/feeling in recent years. I've been exploring the spiritual since my teens, and have read and looked into a number belief systems and schools of thought over these many years (I've just turned 56 Nov. 4th). With each spiritual area that I've looked into, I'd say a new layer of learning was added, so that by now (hopefully) I've come to better realize our interconnectedness. It takes someone like me a long time to learn, I guess.

That little book is a gem (and yes, it has helped me on the journey) because it seems to ring true within (just how I felt when reading Adrian's book). Reading/studying these books has reinforced certain important concepts in my mind, such as cause and effect, which I now (finally) have in my awareness as I go about each day here in the physical plane. Every day is a lesson to be learned, and every tough experience a chance to make the proper choice.

It's good to read that you're exploring other fields of thinking, and learning what you can along the way. What's nice is that the internet exists now, and the resources are now so available to explore and discover great books, and places like this forum.


Warm regards,
Nick

[Adrian]

Hello everyone,

Thank you very much indeed for this most interesting and important subject.

I have moved the topic to this forum after a minor rearrangement fo the forum topics; I hope you do not mind  

Best regards,

Adrian.

[natpinero]

For those who would like to read The Kybalion, you can download a free copy from http://digital-daybook.com/eBooks/hermetic/001/

Happy reading.