Leo vs. Hermes: Reconciling Two Truths

[jimwell]

I rarely read books and when I do, I become bored and stop halfway through. But this time, I'm enjoying reading "THE KYBALION: A STUDY OF THE HERMETIC PHILOSOPHY OF ANCIENT EGYPT AND GREECE", and I plan to finish it because it's interesting.

I'm surprised by how similar the Hermitic teachings are to Leo's. Both teachings proclaim that the Universe is not material or physical, rather, it is a Living Mind. They also assert that there are 2 truths, Absolute and Relative. In the Absolute domain, the universe is a dream held in The All's Infinite Mind while in the Relative domain, it is material and governed by fixed laws which mortals must adhere and respect.

I'm about 40% of the way through the book, so I'm still learning. But I've detected 1 major difference between Hermetic teachings and Leo's:

• Leo's teaching: I am God dreaming my human life.
• Hermes's teaching: God is dreaming me and my human life. God's essence is inside me but I am NOT God. I'm simply a lowly version of God.

I haven’t experienced a direct realization of God, but I did have an awakening as a kid when I discovered that my human life is simply an illusion, a dream. I realized that my parents and all the other humans in my life are illusions, lacking localized consciousness. They deceived me all along. I was horrified by this experience.

I don't have time to contemplate because it's almost 5 a.m. here and I'm feeling very sleepy. So, I trust my intuition: both teachings are true, but I feel Leo's teaching represents a higher truth.

How about you? Do you agree with Leo or with Hermes's?

Here's what's written on pages 39 and 40 of the book.

Quote

We have given you the Hermetic Teaching regarding the Mental Nature of the Universe--the truth that "the Universe is Mental--held in the Mind of THE ALL." As the Kybalion says, in the passage quoted above: "All is in THE ALL." But note also the co-related statement, that: "It is equally true that THE ALL is in ALL." This apparently contradictory statement is reconcilable under the Law of Paradox. It is, moreover, an exact Hermetic statement of the relations existing between THE ALL and its Mental Universe. We have seen how "All is in THE ALL"--now let us examine the other aspect of the subject.

The Hermetic Teachings are to the effect that THE ALL is Imminent in ("remaining within; inherent; abiding within") its Universe, and in every part, particle, unit, or combination, within the Universe. This statement is usually illustrated by the Teachers by a reference to the Principle of Correspondence. The Teacher instructs the student to form a Mental Image of something, a person, an idea, something having a mental form, the favorite example being that of the author or dramatist forming an idea of his characters; or a painter or sculptor forming an image of an ideal that he wishes to express by his art. In each case, the student will find that while the image has its existence, and being, solely within his own mind, yet he, the student, author, dramatist, painter, or sculptor, is, in a sense, immanent in; remaining within; or abiding within, the mental image also. In other words, 40 the entire virtue, life, spirit, of reality in the mental image is derived from the "immanent mind" of the thinker. Consider this for a moment, until the idea is grasped.

To take a modern example, let us say that Othello, Iago, Hamlet, Lear, Richard III, existed merely in the mind of Shakespeare, at the time of their conception or creation. And yet, Shakespeare also existed within each of these characters, giving them their vitality, spirit, and action. Whose is the "spirit" of the characters that we know as Micawber, Oliver Twist, Uriah Heep--is it Dickens, or have each of these characters a personal spirit, independent of their creator? Have the Venus of Medici, the Sistine Madonna, the Apollo Belvidere, spirits and reality of their own, or do they represent the spiritual and mental power of their creators? The Law of Paradox explains that both propositions are true, viewed from the proper viewpoints. Micawber is both Micawber, and yet Dickens. And, again, while Micawber may be said to be Dickens, yet Dickens is not identical with Micawber. Man, like Micawber, may exclaim: "The Spirit of my Creator is inherent within me-- and yet I am not HE!" How different this from the shocking half-truth so vociferously announced by certain of the half-wise, who fill the air with their raucous cries of: "I am God!" Imagine poor Micawber, or the sneaky Uriah Heep, crying: "I Am Dickens"; or some of the lowly clods in one of Shakespeare's plays, eloquently announcing that: "I Am Shakespeare!" THE ALL is in the earthworm, and yet the earth-worm is far from being THE ALL. And still the wonder remains, that though the earth worm exists merely as a lowly thing, created and having its being solely within the Mind of THE ALL--yet THE ALL is immanent in the earthworm, and in the particles that go to make up the earth-worm. Can there be any greater mystery than this of "All in THE ALL; and THE ALL in All?"

 

[jimwell]

I've just finished reading the book. It was an informative and enjoyable read.

The last page says:

Quote

In conclusion let us again call your attention to the Hermetic Axiom: "True Hermetic Transmutation is a Mental Art."--The Kybalion.

In the above axiom, the Hermetists teach that the great work of influencing one's environment is accomplished by Mental Power. The Universe being wholly mental, it follows that it may be ruled only by Mentality. And in this truth is to be found an explanation of all the phenomena and manifestations of the various mental powers which are attracting so much attention and study in these earlier years of the Twentieth Century. Back of and under the teachings of the various cults and schools, remains ever constant the Principle of the Mental Substance of the Universe. If the Universe be Mental in its substantial nature, then it follows that Mental Transmutation must change the conditions and phenomena of the Universe. If the Universe is Mental, then Mind must be the highest power affecting its phenomena. If this be understood then all the so-called "miracles" and "wonder-workings" are seen plainly for what they are. "THE ALL is MIND; The Universe is Mental."--The Kybalion.

Hmmmm... This probably explains why positive thinking, affirmation, visualization, willpower, placebo, faith, awareness, concentration, etc. work. 

I see amazing possibilities and opportunities.

[Leo Gura]

It's a function of your state of consciousness. The higher your state the more identical you become to God. The lower your state the more you feel God is above you.

[Davino]

It depends on the POV, the first one is top down the second one is down top.

[jimwell]

On 4/27/2025 at 6:38 AM, Leo Gura said:

It's a function of your state of consciousness. The higher your state the more identical you become to God. The lower your state the more you feel God is above you.

I probably comprehend it.

 

On 4/27/2025 at 6:53 AM, Davino said:

It depends on the POV, the first one is top down the second one is down top.

Perhaps, I grasp what you're trying to say.