What is the main message of The Kybalion?

The main message of The Kybalion is the seven principles of Hermetic philosophy.

How long does it take to read The Kybalion?

The reading time for The Kybalion varies depending on the reader's speed. However, the Blinkist summary can be read in just 15 minutes.

Who is the author of The Kybalion?

The author of The Kybalion is Three Initiates.

Motivation & Inspiration

The Kybalion Book Summary - The Kybalion Book explained in key points

Listen to the Intro

00:00

The Kybalion summary

Name: The Kybalion
Rating: 4.2 (281 reviews)
Author: Three Initiates

Three Initiates

A Study of Hermetic Philosophy of Ancient Egypt and Greece

4.2 (281 ratings)

20 mins

Brief summary

The Kybalion explores the principles of Hermetic philosophy, diving into universal laws like the Law of Cause and Effect. It offers readers a comprehensive guide to understanding the nature of reality and their place within it.

Topics

Spirituality Wisdom Western Philosophy Inspiration Alternative Perspectives Chakra

Table of Contents

The Kybalion
Summary of 7 key ideas

Audio & text in the Blinkist app

Key idea 1 of 7

What’s in it for me? Discover the text that shaped the New Thought and Science of Mind movements.

The Kybalion, published under a pseudonym in 1908, claimed to bring ancient wisdom into the modern era. Drawing on Hermetic principles, it presents seven basic laws to empower the mind and transform one’s life. For instance, the Principle of Mentalism asserts that All is Mind – that thought underlies all reality. The Principle of Rhythm explains the natural cycles directing events. Correspondence reveals the interconnectivity among all things: “As above, so below.” Polarity and Gender remind us that apparent opposites – like masculine and feminine – contain and complement each other.

By understanding these philosophical keys, the text asserts, individuals can harness and direct the energies of the universe through focused thinking and willpower. The Kybalion’s confident claim that we can master circumstance through positive mental states meshed well with early New Thought trends. Its distillation of occult concepts helped pave the way for New Age spiritual ideas and popular psychology movements.

The Kybalion offers the vision that we can create our inner world and, in turn, manifest improvements in outer conditions. So, if you’ve ever been curious about the ideas that went on to inspire generations of New Age and self-help philosophies, read on.

The central sage

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.

The first principle: thought is everything

The Kybalion’s first principle, The Principle of Mentalism, boldly declares that all is mind. This means the entire universe emerges from thought and consciousness. According to this idea, reality is fundamentally mental, not physical. The Kybalion calls this originating mind The All – what some might call God, or Universal Intelligence. But this is not a traditional anthropomorphic deity. Rather, the All is an infinite creative force of pure thought and will. The All dreamed up the cosmos through its divine mental activity. Therefore, all matter and energy are actually just projections of this primordial consciousness.

For individuals, this implies that your subjective mental states shape what you perceive as the objective world. In other words, your unique version of reality is filtered through your attitudes, beliefs, and expectations. To change the outer world, you must first change your inner world. The Kybalion insists that individuals have the power to transform their lives by mastering their personal universe of thought.

Principles of correspondence and cause

The Principle of Correspondence reveals the ancient Hermetic maxim As above, so below at work in the universe. This means that patterns on the macrocosmic scale of the heavens echo at the microcosmic scale of individual humans. According to the authors, all layers of reality synchronize in harmonic alignment, too. That means it is equally true to say, As within, so without.

The Kybalion suggests a single eternal truth manifests in infinite physical forms – even more, that all dualities are ultimately unified through this principle of correspondence.

Rhythm and vibration: the music of the universe

Digging deeper into the nature of existence, the Principle of Vibration asserts that motion and change empower reality – that at the core of everything lies inexhaustible energy vibrating at different rates to produce the spectrum of creation. Forms like rocks or iron vibrate slowly, while lighter elements like gas vibrate rapidly.

In this cosmology, thought itself flows as shimmering vibrations in the mental plane. By raising your vibratory rate, you uplift consciousness to loftier planes. Lower vibrations manifest depression, fear, and weakness. Through focused intention, you can shift disruptive vibrations into harmonious alignment with your higher Self.

A universe of opposites, through polarity and gender

The Principle of Polarity teaches that all manifested reality exists in pairs of opposites. Like poles of a magnet, contrasting energies attract and complement one another. Light needs darkness to be known, sorrow needs joy.

Yet these seeming opposites are identical at their core – differently proportioned manifestations of the same essence. Just as heat and cold differ only by degrees on the thermometer, all binaries share source and space. Through this paradox, polarity reveals unity.

The planes of existence

In addition to the seven principles governing the universe and reality, the Kybalion teaches that layers of reality extend from the physical plane up through subtle mental and spiritual realms. Each plane operates at a different vibratory rate, with physical matter vibrating most slowly and spirit vibrating most quickly.

As consciousness expands, individuals can ascend these planes into higher states of perception and power. The principles provide tools to elevate minds trapped in materialism to a level of mystical illumination.

The deeper teaching: a final metaphor

While this work is likely the product of a single writer, the term “Three Initiates” is used to reflect the fundamental human metaphor of body, soul, and spirit.

Mastering the seven principles helps unify body, soul, and spirit into a holistic being. The principles align matter, energy, and consciousness within us. Applying the principles harmonizes these components into a conduit for sacred wisdom.

Want to see all full key ideas from The Kybalion?

Key ideas in The Kybalion

More knowledge in less time

Read or listen

Get the key ideas from nonfiction bestsellers in minutes, not hours.

Find your next read

Get book lists curated by experts and personalized recommendations.

Shortcasts ^New

We’ve teamed up with podcast creators to bring you key insights from podcasts.

What is The Kybalion about?

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.

The Kybalion Review

The Kybalion (1908) explores the ancient principles of Hermetic philosophy and their application in our daily lives. Here's why this book is worth reading:

With its profound wisdom and timeless teachings, it offers a unique perspective on the mysteries of the universe and the power of our thoughts.
By delving into the principles of mentalism, correspondence, and vibration, the book provides practical insights into manifestation and personal transformation.
The book's concise and direct language ensures that the concepts are accessible to readers of all backgrounds and ignites a curiosity that keeps the pages turning.

Who should read The Kybalion?

History buffs curious about the foundations of the New Age and self-help movements
Esoteric thinkers seeking out the texts that shaped modern occultism
Anyone wanting to expand their perspective on metaphysics and consciousness

About the Author

Though published anonymously by “The Three Initiates,” there is strong evidence The Kybalion was authored by William Walker Atkinson – a prolific writer in the New Thought and early self-help movements of the late 1800s and early 1900s. Atkinson’s body of work emphasized spiritual self-empowerment through the mind, drawing on his studies of ancient Hermeticism and other esoteric traditions to make arcane knowledge accessible to the common person seeking self-improvement.

Categories with The Kybalion

Motivation & Inspiration Philosophy

Book summaries like The Kybalion

The Simple Path to Wealth

J L Collins

Your Road Map to Financial Independence and a Rich, Free Life

Spiritual Minimalism to Live a More Fulfilled Life

17 min

4.3

The Unemployed Millionaire

Matt Morris

Escape the Rat Race, Fire Your Boss and Live Life on YOUR Terms!

Why It's Not Always Rational to Be Rational

18 min

4.3

A Short History of Nearly Everything

Bill Bryson

A journey into the most intriguing and intractable questions that science seeks to answer

A Proven System for Building Passive Income and Wealth Through Stock Investing

25 min

4.2

The Hidden Power of the Five Hearts

Kimberly Snyder

Empower Your Thoughts, Balance Your Emotions, and Unlock Vibrant Health and Abundance

A Cognitive Approach to Understanding How the Mind Reads

The New Science of Sleep and Dreams

The Path to Deeper Connection Through Growth, Kindness, and Compassion

22 min

4.5

The Practicing Happiness Workbook

Ruth Baer

How Mindfulness Can Free You from the Four Psychological Traps That Keep You Stressed, Anxious, and Depressed

20 min

4.5

Communication Miracles for Couples

Jonathan Robinson

Easy and Effective Tools to Create More Love and Less Conflict

An uncommon guide to rapid fat-loss, incredible sex and becoming superhuman

A Brief History of Humankind

28 min

4.3

The Introvert’s Edge to Networking

Matthew Pollard

Work the Room and Social Media. Develop Powerful Connections

Transitioning Into a Career You'll Love

14 min

4.5

Women Who Run with the Wolves

Clarissa Pinkola Estés

Myths and Stories of the Wild Woman Archetype

Five Secrets to Create Connection and Cultivate Passion

20 min

4.0

The Stress Paradox

Sharon Horesh Bergquist

Why You Need Stress to Live Longer, Healthier, and Happier

18 min

4.3

How to be F*cking Awesome

Dan Meredith

Sticking a finger up to the law of attraction and a thumb up to action

Master the Art of Fearless Self-Promotion

The Secret of Your Success Is Determined by Your Daily Agenda

17 min

4.3

Artificial Intelligence & Generative AI for Beginners

The Way of the Superior Man

David Deida

A Spiritual Guide to Mastering the Challenges of Women, Work, and Sexual Desire

16 min

3.9

The Courage to Be Disliked

Ichiro Kishimi & Fumitake Koga

The Japanese Phenomenon That Shows You How to Change Your Life and Achieve Real Happiness

A Guide to Overcoming Fear and Self-Doubt

18 min

4.5

Discipline Is Destiny

Ryan Holiday

The Power of Self-Control

18 min

4.7

The Psychology of Money

Morgan Housel

Timeless Lessons on Wealth, Greed, and Happiness

The Science of Conversation

Aphorisms and Anecdotes from the Paragon of Chinese Sages

20 min

4.5

Thus Spoke Zarathustra

Friedrich Nietzsche

The Classic That Will Challenge Everything You Know

Energy, Climate, and the Clash of Nations

Explore the Timeless Wisdom of This Hindu Scripture

21 min

4.3

Invention and Innovation

Vaclav Smil

A Brief History of Hype and Failure

21 min

The Intelligent Investor

Benjamin Graham and comments by Jason Zweig

The Definitive Book on Value Investing

21 min

4.4

5 Types of People Who Can Ruin Your Life

Bill Eddy

Identifying and Dealing with Narcissists, Sociopaths, and Other High-Conflict Personalities

18 min

4.2

The Highly Sensitive Person

Elaine N. Aron

How to Thrive When the World Overwhelms You

8 min

4.2

Surfaces and Essences

Douglas Hofstadter

Analogy as the Fuel and Fire of Thinking

16 min

Don't Say Um

Michael Chad Hoeppner

How to Communicate Effectively to Live a Better Life

How Anyone Can Master the Art and Science of Personal Magnetism

Reclaim Your Time and Emotional Energy in a World That Always Demands More

Stop People Pleasing, Staying Silent, and Feeling Guilty... . and Start Speaking Up, Saying No, and Unapologetically Being Yourself

19 min

4.4

Trump: The Art of the Deal

The Improbable Origins of Modern Wall Street

The 9 Hard Truths About Love That Will Change Your Life

The Life of Gordon Moore, Silicon Valley’s Quiet Revolutionary

The Spanish Epic Novel on the Human Condition and Death

The Brilliantly Simple Way to Solve Problems & Create Change

18 min

The Catcher in the Rye

J.D. Salinger

A Coming-Of-Age Classic on Belonging and Teenage Alienation

18 min

4.2

People ❤️ Blinkist

Sven O.

It's highly addictive to get core insights on personally relevant topics without repetition or triviality. Added to that the apps ability to suggest kindred interests opens up a foundation of knowledge.

Thi Viet Quynh N.

Great app. Good selection of book summaries you can read or listen to while commuting. Instead of scrolling through your social media news feed, this is a much better way to spend your spare time in my opinion.

Jonathan A.

Life changing. The concept of being able to grasp a book's main point in such a short time truly opens multiple opportunities to grow every area of your life at a faster rate.

Renee D.

Great app. Addicting. Perfect for wait times, morning coffee, evening before bed. Extremely well written, thorough, easy to use.