What is the Kybalion Really About?
“The lips of wisdom are closed, except to the ears of understanding.” Kybalion
So begins the Kybalion, a text published in 1908 and dedicated to Hermes Trismegistus, The Great Great and Master of Masters of Hermeticism. The word Kybalion doesn’t really mean anything and it’s likely that the writers made it up to give it a sense of ancient wisdom or esoteric knowledge.
And it must have worked, because today, the Kybalion is the most well-known and widely read of the Hermetic texts. Let’s take a look at what the Kybalion is, and why it’s become controversial.
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What is the Kybalion?
The Kybalion is a book originally published in 1908, which delves into the essence of the philosophy of Hermeticism. It’s a relatively recent text, with none of the ancient historical and cultural weight of the Corpus Hermeticum or the Emerald Tablet, for instance.
However, what makes it distinct, is that it’s easy to read and understand, with a clear and concise style that makes complex principles accessible. It claims to distil all the hermetic principles and philosophy into one small volume.
Scholars attribute The Kybalion to the pseudonym “The Three Initiates,” which they believe William Walker Atkinson, a New Thought pioneer, used. Known for writing under various pseudonyms, Atkinson explored similar themes in many of his works, including the power of the mind and universal mental laws, much like those presented in The Kybalion.
This is why the Kybalion is controversial and many scholars and practitioners of hermeticism debate its authenticity. We’ll come back to this point later.
What is the Kybalion About?
The Kybalion claims to be a master key with which the reader, “Can open the many inner doors”. But the Three Initiates also says that only a true student will be able to understand and apply the principles. For all others, the teachings will simply appear as words and nothing more.
The book is primarily a collection of teachings related to Hermetic philosophy. It outlines seven fundamental principles: Mentalism, Correspondence, Vibration, Polarity, Rhythm, Cause and Effect, and Gender.
These principles provide a framework for understanding the universe and our interaction with it at a metaphysical level. In addition to the 7 principles, the Kybalion delves into the nature of the universe, the mind, and how we can apply these teachings to gain a deeper understanding of ourselves and the world around us.
The book is not just theoretical but offers practical wisdom, inviting readers to explore these principles in their own lives. It explores the idea that there are universal laws governing everything in the cosmos and that understanding these laws enables one to gain wisdom and power.
As the Kybalion says, “The lips of wisdom are closed, except to the ears of understanding.” This means that the depth and potential transformation these teachings offer are accessible only to those who approach them with an open mind and a willingness to learn.
In this way, “The Kybalion” serves as both a guide and a challenge: to understand the universe at a deeper level and to apply this understanding to our personal and spiritual growth.
Is the Kybalion a Hermetic Text?
But going back to the controversy related to the kybalion, there are some who argue that the kybalion has no hermetic thought but is instead a New Age text. If so, should it be classified as a product of the New Thought Movement, instead of as a Hermetic text?
What’s more, although the text claims to distil Hermetic philosophy, there are some aspects of the Kybalion that aren’t related to hermeticism as at all. A good example of this is the principle of vibration, which doesn’t appear anywhere in ancient Hermetic texts but rather in the philosophy of David Hartley, who lived in the 17 hundreds.
Nicholas Chapel is a scholar and author of the popular essay The Kybalion’s New Clothes, which is a reference to the children’s story the Emperor’s New Clothes. It tells the tale of a pretentious emperor who believes he is wearing a magnificent outfit that is actually non-existent.
Chapel argues that people have elevated The Kybalion to a status it doesn’t rightfully deserve, much like the emperor in the children’s tale.
And just as the emperor’s new clothes was a collective delusion, the acceptance of the Kybalion as a profound Hermetic text might be a similar case of collective overestimation of its authenticity and value in the context of traditional Hermetic teachings.
So, is the kybalion a hermetic text?
This really comes down to perspective and how you would define what it is to be Hermetic. As a modern interpretation of hermetic principles, we could describe the Kybalion as a text influenced by Hermetic philosophy rather than as a direct source of hermetic wisdom. In this sense, it’s not a hermetic text.
What’s the Value of the Kybalion Today?
Despite such critiques, “The Kybalion” continues to hold value for many. It serves as an accessible introduction to Hermetic concepts for newcomers, provides practical wisdom for personal growth, and reflects the historical and cultural context of the early 20th century’s New Thought movement.
It’s one of the most influential books in the realm of esoteric wisdom and possibly the most famous occult text of them all. The Kybalion ends with an up-lifting message of hope and inspiration, showing the reader the power of the mind.
“If the universe is mental, then mind must be the highest power affecting its phenomena. If this be understood, then all the so-called miracles and wonder workings are seen plainly for what they are. The all is mind. The universe is mental.”
And who can argue with that.
Wrapping Up
The Kybalion” may not be a pure Hermetic text in the traditional sense, but it embodies the spirit of Hermetic philosophy in its exploration of universal truths and the power of the mind. Perhaps its greatest contribution is that it made Hermeticism, which is a very heavy and complex subject of study, accessible to everyone.
What’s more, the Kybalion has the ability to inspire, challenge, and guide those on a spiritual journey, seeking a deeper understanding of themselves and the world around them.
