The Kybalion: A Study of The Hermetic Philosophy of Ancient Egypt and Greece

First off I would like to point out that this book was only around $4. Keeping this is mind, it is an amazing book that is very affordable. The quality of the book itself is not top-tier; the front cover has some artwork and the back is just plain black. It is a basic paperback, it may show signs of use after you read it a couple of times. If this isn’t something that you like, go for a hardcover copy of the book. If you don’t mind and you just want the information, buy this version, and then later on maybe purchase a nice hardcover edition if you feel like doing so. This version of the book is a nice size, it’s not too many pages so it’s around 3/8 of an inch thick, but the knowledge it contains is priceless.Secondly, I would like to point out that it is written very well. The text font is easy to read, the letters aren’t too small nor are they too big. The printing of the ink is superb, no flaws. There may be a couple of grammatical errors, or punctuation, but also keep in mind that this has been transcribed from very old text, not in Modern English, so any typos or missing or extra commas, are most likely intended to be that way, and you have to change your way of understanding to read some parts correctly.Thirdly, I would like to state that if you are just buying this book for a casual read, or to just read it in one day, or to just read it once, that this book is not meant for that. This book takes time to read and time to understand, I find myself constantly re-reading sections of text, or entire pages, in order to solidly the information in my mind. I can already tell I will be re-reading it. If you see any comments stating that it was an easy one time read, be prepared to put in some intense mental focus to achieve that outcome.Fourth, and lastly but not least, anyone who is claiming this book is too vague, or that it didn’t make sense, or it’s not worth the money and a waste of time, etc., they clearly do not have the level of understanding needed to access and process this kind of information. If you believe, and know inside of yourself, that you are ready to learn and ready to receive the gifted information, it will make sense to you, even if it takes some time to grasp. You can always pick this book up later and read it again for a greater understanding.You only understand Sacred Texts based on your level of consciousness.GET THIS BOOK. PRICELESS KNOWLEDGE IS WAITING FOR YOU WITHIN.

The Kybalion is an early 20th century work which claims simple and somewhat scientific elucidation of the ancient teachings of Hermes Trismigistus and the basic tenets of Hermeticism. That said, the book will likely be accepted by more than those interested in Hermetics as the truths within are much in keeping with Gnosticism, Rosicrucianism and other occult religions. In a broader sense, though I am sure others would argue against this, the Kybalion's tone leans much towards the philosophical insights of the New Thought movement and even more broadly, could be categorized in keeping with the universal truths of perennial philosophy and perhaps (though arguably so) with prisca theologia.Within you will find a framework peaked by "The All" (the Creator, the Supreme Existence, the One, etc) and "The Law" (that which is unchangeable), the two being inseparable, irrefutable and though "All", ever unknowable. Then a series of rules which make up the framework are explained. For example, everything has two poles and therefore an exact opposite and everything between is but a semblance of vibratory reaction between those two poles (think love vs hate), and of each action, like the pendulum of a clock, there is guaranteed an equal and opposite reaction, whether in this lifetime or other...etcetera, etcetera.In addition to the above framework which is the core of the work, the author also provides the reader glimpses of just how alchemy works - in the common/traditional occult sense, we think of this most commonly as transmuting base metals to that of precious metals but this is but an allegory of achieving mental transmutation/alchemy - an allegory of spiritual ascension.The work is very much in keeping with the writings of it's time and will seem mildly antiquated to the modern reader. There is some fair amount of repetition and in addition to the dated style of writing (which I actually prefer), there are references within (scientifically speaking and of named contemporaries) which also date the piece such as usage of the word corpuscles, which is not current with today's term and the amicable mention of Herbert Spencer (as if current), of whom fame visited in the mid/late 19th century.I found this to be a short and wonderful book chock full of truths that even today, span across time, nations and religions. This book is not only for the student of Hermetics, but for entirely anyone who sees similarities across religions - the similarity of common truths, the recognition of a "creator energy/one truth/divine authority", and the divinity within all of us as individuals.

Though it's a book that's written a long time ago, the narrator makes it easy to follow and understand the message. This is a good way to start on the hermetic way.

Great read.

It's a very interesting read. Don't attempt if you are close minded

One of the most profound books I've ever read. Buy it , study it, believe it. The lips of Wisdom are closed, except to the ears of Understanding.Do not make the mistake of supposing that the little world you see around you - the Earth, which is a mere grain of dust in the Universe - is the Universe itself. There are millions upon millions of such worlds, and greater. And there are millions of millions of such Universes in existence within the Infinite Mind of THE ALL

Great book with so much insightful translation. Easy to digest and contemplate for those desiring a deeper grasp of the Kybalion.