The student and practitioner of Mental Transmutation works among the Mental Plane, transmuting mental conditions, states, etc., into others, according to various formulas, more or less efficacious.  The various “treatments,” “affirmations,” “denials” etc., of the schools of mental science are but formulas, often quite imperfect and unscientific, of The Hermetic Art.  The majority of modern practitioners are quite ignorant compared to the ancient masters, for they lack the fundamental knowledge upon which the work is based.

Not only may the mental states, etc., of one’s self be changed or transmuted by Hermetic Methods; but also the states of others may be, and are, constantly transmuted in the same way, usually unconsciously, but often consciously by some understanding the laws and principles, in cases where the people affected are not informed of the principles of self-protection.  And more than this, as many students and practitioners of modern mental science know, every material condition depending upon the minds of other people may be changed or transmuted in accordance with the earnest desire, will, and “treatments” of person desiring changed conditions of life.  The public are so generally informed regarding these things at present, that we do not deem it necessary to mention the same at length, our purpose at this point being merely to show the Hermetic Principle and Art underlying all of these various forms of practice, good and evil, for the force can be used in opposite directions according to the Hermetic Principles of Polarity.

In this little book we shall state the basic principles of Mental Transmutation, that all who read may grasp the Underlying Principles, and thus possess the Master-Key that will unlock the many doors of the Principle of Polarity.

We shall now proceed to a consideration of the first of the Hermetic Seven Principles—­the Principle of Mentalism, in which is explained the truth that “The all is Mind; the Universe is Mental,” in the words of The Kybalion.  We ask the close attention, and careful study of this great Principle, on the part of our students, for it is really the Basic Principle of the whole Hermetic Philosophy, and of the Hermetic Art of Mental Transmutation.

CHAPTER IV

THE ALL

    “Under, and back of, the Universe of Time, Space and Change,
    is ever to be found The Substantial Reality—­the Fundamental
    Truth.”—­The Kybalion.

“Substance” means:  “that which underlies all outward manifestations; the essence; the essential reality; the thing in itself,” etc.  “Substantial” means:  “actually existing; being the essential element; being real,” etc.  “Reality” means:  “the state of being real; true, enduring; valid; fixed; permanent; actual,” etc.