4
Hermes of Eqypt
EXERPTS from Chapter Four of
Origins and Attributes of Being
Please note that the information about THE ALL and the creation and differing vibrations of life, presented above in this chapter, is derived totally from The Kybalion. In fact, my teacher did not make reference to "THE ALL" and he had not at that time heard of The Kybalion. In fact, he was very interested in seeing my copy. Further, to my best recollection, he did not make reference to the essence of life as vibration; nonetheless, when I presented to him the possibility that the stages of life, as he taught them, could be described in terms of classes or groups of vibrations consistent with The Kybalion, he was encouraging, if not enthusiastic.12 Thus, my personal lessons and the writings of The Kybalion are very consistent and complimentary. I will share in more detail in the next chapter________.
The Mental Bodies
Human Beings first existed as "Mental Bodies" on the "mental plane." Mental Bodies can best be described as a [group or class of vibrations which are a] form or embodiment of Pure Thought. To be more descriptive, Pure Thought is similar to physical thinking or mental understanding, but not at all physical and, thus, far less mechanical13. Nonetheless, in terms of present-day human behavior and experience, the healthy function of a person's Mental Body is manifested through the Attribute of Thinking. On the Earthly journey, it is important for each Human Being to develop Pure Thought by learning to reduce the repetitive and all too often inconsequential "mind chatter" (or circular, mechanical brain processing) that most people believe is "thinking" or "thought." As mind-chatter thinking is eliminated, Pure Thought is more able to manifest and, thus, each Being existing on the physical plane is enhanced and become more spiritual.
While dwelling on the mental plane, Mental Bodies gather experiences that are limited to the bodies (or Attributes) that exist in that specific sphere of matter (world or universe) [the vibrations of the Mental Bodies].
The Astral Bodies
Then, after eons of time and to have yet a "greater experience of themselves," these Mental Bodies created for themselves new bodies called "Astral Bodies." These bodies are designed to enhance experience as separate Beings. Each Astral Body is the housing, clothes or "temple" for a Mental Body and dwells in a new world or universe called the "astral plane."
Astral Bodies can best be described as a [group or class of vibrations which are a] form or embodiment of Pure Emotion. To be more descriptive, Pure Emotion is similar to the emotions and/or physical feelings of the Physical Body, but, again, Pure Emotions are not at all physical and, thus, far less mechanical than the sensations experienced physiologically. Even so, the Astral Body is often referred to as the "Emotional Body," but only in the sense of "Pure Emotion." And, in terms of present-day human behavior and experience, this Astral Body is best represented through the Attribute of Emotion.
Most people erroneously believe that the inconsequential "emotional chatter" (or circular processing of physiological responses) they experience is their "emotions" or "feelings."
On this Earthly journey, it is important for each Human Being to develop Pure Emotion by learning to reduce the repetitive recycling of physiological responses [resulting in the drama of life]. As this emotional chatter is eliminated, Pure Emotion is more able to manifest and, thus, each Being existing on the physical plane is enhanced and become more spiritual.
While dwelling on the astral plane, these Astral Bodies gather experiences there that are limited to that universe or sphere of matter, that is, to the alignment of only those Attributes (or bodies [or vibrations]) which exist cumulatively in that sphere of matter (within themselves and the astral plane), namely [the vibrations of] their Astral Bodies and the full alignment [of these vibrations] with a fully-aligned Mental Body.
The Physical Bodies
Next, after yet another eons of time, while still on their journey ofseparate life experiences and still to have a "greater experience of themselves" as individuals, these Astral Bodies created for themselves Physical Bodies. Each Physical Body houses, or clothes, or is a temple for, its Astral Body and all the Astral Body contains.
Physical Bodies can best be described as a [group or class of vibrations which are a] form or embodiment of Pure Doing. To be more descriptive, Pure Doing is the form of atoms and molecules inherent in the world or universe we as Humans experience today -- physical reality, as you and I know it.
In terms of present-day human behavior and experience, it is important for each Human Being to develop Pure Doing by learning to reduce the repetitive, compulsive, and all too often inconsequential fluster of "physical activity," or "staying busy," and "taking care of business" [the trauma of life], that could otherwise be experienced simply as "Being alive."
The Physical Bodies dwell in a world called the "physical plane" and gather experiences there that are limited to their own sphere of matter: to the alignment of those bodies [or vibrations] which exist cumulatively within themselves and on the physical plane. And, on the physical plane, all is in preparation for the Next World.
Along with these didactic lessons, my teacher taught certain experiential meditations and exercises which could assist the student in reducing and eliminating extraneous mental, emotional, and physical activities and, thus, enhancing Pure Thought, Pure Emotions, and Pure Doings -- Pure Spirit. While exercises were taught to teach skills and confidence, I am sure that my teacher stressed that correct living is the only path. Incorrect living cannot be off set merely by meditations, exercises, or healings.
Except for the exercises and invitations to be about Pure Thought, Pure Emotion, and Pure Doing -- Pure Spirit, my lessons discontinued before we discussed anything of consequence about the next world -- we spent most of our focus on how to live a "purer," more enlightened, or "higher vibration" life on this planet. In doing so, Human Beings would be best prepared for the life after the earthly, physical death.
Reconciliation:
The Kybalion and the Origins of Humankind
As you can see, my teacher did not need to speak directly to vibrations as an essential part of the human or universal experience. Instead, his lessons were much more practical; they were geared to providing the student with a context for day-to-day assistance in eliminating "impure" or extraneous mental, emotional, and physical activities and coming more and more to a sense of Pure Thought, of Pure Emotion, and of Pure Doing -- of Pure Spirit. As we discussed what I had learned from The Kybalion, correlations and consistencies became apparent. Obviously, impure or extraneous mental, emotional, and physical activities can be easily be seen as creating or being caused by dissonant vibrations, at least metaphorically. Further, in terms of "modern" (as well as Hermetic) meditation techniques, the metaphor of vibration continues to be a very practical tool in coming to the "purity" on which my teacher focused.
One of the Hermetic principles taught in The Kybalion has been of major assistance in integrating my teacher's lessons with the teachings in The Kybalion. This Principle is known as "The Principle of Correspondence." Again, to quote The Kybalion:
"As above, so below; as below, so above." -- The Kybalion
...There are planes beyond our knowing, but when we apply the Principle of Correspondence to them we are able to understand much that would otherwise be unknowable to us. ... The ancient Hermetists considered [this] Principle as one of the most important mental instruments... Just as a knowledge of the Principles of Geometry enables [one] to measure distant suns and their movements, while seated in [the] observatory, so a knowledge of the Principle of Correspondence enables [Humankind] to reason intelligently from the Known to the Unknown. Studying the [amoeba, or the most simple form of life], [the student] understands the archangel.(29 and 30)
Thus, I have used the latter principle to allow some license in connecting the two paradigms in to one Metaphor, ...
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