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The Kybalion
CHAPTER
IX VIBRATION
"Nothing rests; everything moves; everything
vibrates."--The Kybalion.
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.
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 sceptre of Power."
Next
Human
Mind
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