In that place where fall the footsteps of the Masters, the ears of those ready for their teachings open wide. The lips of wisdom are closed except to the ears of understanding. When the ears of the student are ready to hear then comes the lips to fill them with wisdom. In essence, God is unknowable. However, they must hospitably receive, and treat the report of reason with respect. Under, and behind, the Universe of time, space and change, is ever to be found the substantial reality — the Fundamental Truth. That which is the Fundamental Truth is beyond true naming, but is in All. While all is in the All, it may also be equally true that the All is in all. To them who truly understand this has come great knowledge.
The Possession of knowledge, unless accompanied by a manifestation and expression in action, is like the hoarding of precious metals — a vain and foolish thing. We intend knowledge, like wealth, for use. This Law of Use is sweeping, and they who violate it must suffer because of their conflict with natural forces.
The half-wits, recognizing the comparative reality of the Universe imagine that they may defy Her Laws. Such are vain and presumptuous fools, and they are broken against the rocks and torn asunder by the elements because of their folly. Those who are truly wise, knowing the nature of the Universe, use Law against law; the higher against the lower, and by the art of Alchemy transmute that which is undesirable into that which is worthy, and thus triumphs. Mastery consists not in abnormal dreams, visions and fantastic imaginings or living, but in using the higher forces against the lower — escaping the pains of the lower plane by vibrating on the higher. Transmutation, not presumptuous denial, is the gift of the Master.
Mind (as well as elements) may be transmuted from state to state, degree to degree, condition to condition, pole to pole, vibration to vibration. Nothing escapes the Principle of Cause and Effect, but there are many planes of causation, and one may use the Laws of the higher to overcome the Laws of the lower. To change your mood or mental state, change your vibration. To destroy an undesirable rate of mental vibration, put into operation, the Principle of Polarity and concentrate upon the opposite pole to that which one desire to suppress. Kill out the undesirable by changing its polarity. Rhythm may also be neutralized by an application of the art of Polarity.
The Sages serve on the higher, but rule on the lower plane. They obey the Laws coming from above them, but on their own plane and those below them they rule and give order. Yet, in so doing they form a part of the Principle instead of opposing it. The Sages fall in with the Law, and by understanding Her movements, they operate Her instead of being Her slave. Just as the skilled swimmer turns this way and that way, going and coming as they will, instead of being as the log which is carried here and there — so it is with the Sage as compared with the simpleton. Yet, both swimmer and log, simpletons and wise, are subject to the Law. They who understand this are well on the road to Mastery.
The principles of truth are seven. To know them, understand them, is to possess the Magic Keys before whose touch all the Doors of the Temple fly open.
The All is mind. The Universe is mental. The infinite mind of Nature is the womb and tomb of the Universe. Within the God mind, mortal children are at home. They do not orphan one in the Universe.
Nature creates in Her mind countless universes, which exist for eons of time and space. Yet, the creation, evolution, decline and death of a million such universes, is the time of a twinkling of an eye. The Universe is mental - held in the mind of God. They may transmute mind from state to state, degree to degree, condition to condition, pole to pole, vibration to vibration. True Hermetic transmutation is a mental art.
Nothing rests. Everything moves. Everything vibrates.
Everything flows, out and in. Everything has its tides, all things rise and fall. The pendulum-swing are manifest in everything. The measure of the swing to the right is the measure of the swing to the left. Rhythm compensates.
Everything is dual. Everything has its pair of opposites. Like and unlike are the same. Opposites are identical in degree. Extremes meet. All truths are but half-truths, and all gods are but half-gods. They may reconcile all paradoxes.
Gender is in everything. Everything has their masculine and feminine principle. Gender is manifest on all planes
As above, so bellow. As bellow, so above.
Every cause has its effect. Every effect has its cause. Everything happens according to according to Law. Chance is but a name for Law not yet recognized. There are many planes of causation, but nothing escapes the Law.