The Kybalion: The Definitive Edition

by William Walker Atkinson

Paperback, 2011

Status

Available

Call number

135.4

Collection

Publication

Tarcher (2011), Paperback, 320 pages

Description

New Age. Religion & Spirituality. Self-Improvement. Nonfiction. HTML: This mysterious volume first made an appearance in the early twentieth century. Pseudonymously authored by "Three Initiates," The Kybalion offers readers an in-depth introduction to the belief system known as Hermeticism, a monotheistic religion that emphasizes the importance of a dedicated spiritual journey and the possibility of achieving transcendent knowledge through ritual and experimentation..

User reviews

LibraryThing member occultlibrarian
This work contains the aphorisms attributed to Hermes Trismegistus, known to the Egyptians as Thoth, that comprise the seven Hermetic Laws that govern cosmic existence. Three un-named initiates provide insightful commentary. This is the master key to occult wisdom. If you are going to study only
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one single text in life, this should be it. It is multivalent. I have studied it almost ten times and each time my understanding deepens. It is called the Master Key because these aphorisms, perfectly understood, are theoretically sufficient to reach enlightenment. Many occult traditions draw on them (As above, so below, as below, so above = the principle of correspondence). Furthermore, it highlights CENTRAL errors in the history of many occult traditions...namely the inappropriate conflation of the Principle of Polarity with the Principle of Gender. They are different principles. I cannot recommend this text highly enough.
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LibraryThing member jefware
I find the basic principles valid. The philosophy and detailed ideas are 100 years old and subject to the principle of rhythm. I wonder what our wise writings will sound like in 100 years.
LibraryThing member mreed61
I understand the concept of this book, and it is true that most of philosophy and religion is based on this philosophy, but to attempt to say at the outset that all religion is based on alchemy is a little absurd. The 7 Principles are generally accepted. I understand that. But all I could envision
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in attempting to recreate what they were trying to teach is Mickey Mouse in a wizard's costume. I was rewriting the Principles in my head in a more logical way to the point that - at times - I was very willing to throw out the "studies" and replace them with something more understandable and less "magical/mystical" than the author seemed to be pushing. Just as with some of my religious views, there are some I accept at face value and others I do not. The same would be said about this book. This book gets 2 stars for the fact it is grammatically and structurally sound. Other than that, I couldn't reasonably follow its train of thought.
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LibraryThing member michaeladams1979
Interesting dissection of the teachings and wisdom of Hermes. Everything is laid out in a very accessible way, even though these topics touch on topics as complex and particle physics and as esoteric as existence as nothing but a dream in the mind of God. I will definitely need to revisit this work
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at some point, to find deeper understanding of the concepts of hermetic wisdom.
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LibraryThing member pmtracy
Really high-level intro to the Seven Hermetic Principles. I'll definitely need to spend some more time with this. It was interesting noting the direct tie-in to coaching; you get what you look for. Or more correctly, you create by using mental energy.
LibraryThing member Morcys
The amount of information I have received from this book is immeasurable.
LibraryThing member chirikosan
This is a book you have to read over and over again.

Subjects

Language

Original publication date

1908

Physical description

320 p.; 5.83 x 0.98 inches

ISBN

1585428744 / 9781585428748

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