So, the student of Hermetics need not lay aside any of his cherished scientific views regarding the Universe.  All he is asked to do is to grasp the underlying principle of “The all is Mind; the Universe is Mental—­held in the mind of the all.”  He will find that the other six of the Seven Principles will “fit into” his scientific knowledge, and will serve to bring out obscure points and to throw light in dark corners.  This is not to be wondered at, when we realize the influence of the Hermetic thought of the early philosophers of Greece, upon whose foundations of thought the theories of modern science largely rest.  The acceptance of the First Hermetic Principle (Mentalism) is the only great point of difference between Modern Science and Hermetic students, and Science is gradually moving toward the Hermetic position in its groping in the dark for a way out of the Labyrinth into which it has wandered in its search for Reality.

The purpose of this lesson is to impress upon the minds of our students the fact that, to all intents and purposes, the Universe and its laws, and its phenomena, are just as real, so far as Man is concerned, as they would be under the hypotheses of Materialism or Energism.  Under any hypothesis the Universe in its outer aspect is changing, ever-flowing, and transitory—­and therefore devoid of substantiality and reality.  But (note the other pole of the truth) under the same hypotheses, we are compelled to act and live as if the fleeting things were real and substantial.  With this difference, always, between the various hypotheses—­that under the old views Mental Power was ignored as a Natural Force, while under Mentalism it becomes the Greatest Natural Force.  And this one difference revolutionizes Life, to those who understand the Principle and its resulting laws and practice.

So, finally, students all, grasp the advantage of Mentalism, and learn to know, use and apply the laws resulting therefrom.  But do not yield to the temptation which, as The Kybalion states, overcomes the half-wise and which causes them to be hypnotized by the apparent unreality of things, the consequence being that they wander about like dream-people dwelling in a world of dreams, ignoring the practical work and life of man, the end being that “they are broken against the rocks and torn asunder by the elements, by reason of their folly.”  Rather follow the example of the wise, which the same authority states, “use Law against Laws; the higher against the lower; and by the Art of Alchemy transmute that which is undesirable into that which is worthy, and thus triumph.”  Following the authority, let us avoid the half-wisdom (which is folly) which ignores the truth that:  “Mastery consists not in abnormal dreams, visions, and fantastic imaginings or living, but in using the higher forces against the lower—­escaping the pains of the lower planes by vibrating on the higher.”  Remember always, student, that “Transmutation, not presumptuous denial, is the weapon of the Master.”  The above quotations are from The Kybalion, and are worthy of being committed to memory by the student.