But this means far more than appears on the surface.  Transmutation, Alchemy, or Chemistry on the Mental Plane is important enough in its effects, to be sure, and if the art stopped there it would still be one of the most important branches of study known to man.  But this is only the beginning.  Let us see why!

The first of the Seven Hermetic Principles is the Principle of Mentalism, the axiom of which is “The all is Mind; the Universe is Mental,” which means that the Underlying Reality of the Universe is Mind; and the Universe itself is Mental—­that is, “existing in the Mind of the all.”  We shall consider this Principle in succeeding lessons, but let us see the effect of the principle if it be assumed to be true.

If the Universe is Mental in its nature, then Mental Transmutation must be the art of changing the conditions of the universe, along the lines of Matter, Force and mind.  So you see, therefore, that Mental Transmutation is really the “Magic” of which the ancient; writers had so much to say in their mystical works, and about which they gave so few practical instructions.  If All be Mental, then the art which enables one to transmute mental conditions must render the Master the controller of material conditions as well as those ordinarily called “mental.”

As a matter of fact, none but advanced Mental Alchemists have been able to attain the degree of power necessary to control the grosser physical conditions, such as the control of the elements of Nature; the production or cessation of tempests; the production and cessation of earthquakes and other great physical phenomena.  But that such men have existed, and do exist today, is a matter of earnest belief to all advanced occultists of all schools.  That the Masters exist, and have these powers, the best teachers assure their students, having had experiences which justify them in such belief and statements.  These Masters do not make public exhibitions of their powers, but seek seclusion from the crowds of men, in order to better work their may along the Path of Attainment.  We mention their existence, at this point, merely to call your attention to the fact that their power is entirely Mental, and operates along the lines of the higher Mental Transmutation, under the Hermetic Principle of Mentalism.

    “The Universe is Mental”—­The Kybalion.

But students and Hermetists of lesser degree than Masters—­the Initiates and Teachers—­are able to freely work along the Mental Plane, in Mental Transmutation.  In fact all that we call “psychic phenomena,”; “mental influence”; “mental science”; “new-thought phenomena,” etc., operates along the same general lines, for there is but one principle involved, no matter by what name the phenomena be called.