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Blink 3 of 8 - The 5 AM Club
by Robin Sharma
A Study of Hermetic Philosophy of Ancient Egypt and Greece
The central figure inspiring the Kybalion’s teachings is Hermes Trismegistus, a legendary sage associated with ancient esoteric wisdom. The name Hermes Trismegistus represents the fusion of Hermes, the Greek god of knowledge, with the ivine understanding from multiple traditions. Hermes Trismegistus is credited with founding the philosophy of Hermeticism, which focuses on unveiling spiritual truths about God and the cosmos.
According to legend, Hermes Trismegistus possessed complete knowledge of the universe. The Emerald Tablet and Corpus Hermeticum, influential Hermetic texts on alchemy and magic, were said to have been authored by Hermes Trismegistus himself.
Academic consensus suggests these works actually originated between the first and third centuries AD within Hellenistic Egyptian circles. But the mythical status of Hermes Trismegistus enhanced their prestige.
The Kybalion, however, claims its principles descend directly from this great teacher Hermes Trismegistus, who mastered all divine laws of nature and consciousness. This positions the Kybalion’s teachings as part of a secret oral tradition guarded by ancient masters and handed down through the centuries.
Each principle offers a lens into the whole of reality. As facets of a jewel, they provide perspective on the integrated mystery of life. The Kybalion invites the reader to synthesize the principles into a holistic philosophy in which Universal Mind manifests through Vibration, Polarity, Rhythm and the rest, together crafting an ordered and profound cosmos.
By attributing their insights to Hermes Trismegistus, the Kybalion’s authors sought to validate their modern interpretation of Hermeticism as aligned with true ancient wisdom, not just a product of twentieth-century New Thought.
Regardless of legitimacy, this sense of timeless knowledge appeals to spiritual seekers. The Kybalion promises access to enlightenment given as a gift by a legendary sage, giving readers tantalizing insight into how past masters viewed the workings of the universe.
Kybalion (1908) is an occult classic of the New Thought movement that claims that mind and thought are the ultimate powers of the universe, and human beings can harness those primal forces – like thought, rhythm, and polarities – for health, wealth, and influence.
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Start your free trialBlink 3 of 8 - The 5 AM Club
by Robin Sharma