and thus counter-balance the laws of the lower planes of Causation.  By rising above the plane of ordinary Causes they become themselves, in a degree, Causes instead of being merely Caused.  By being able to master their own moods and feelings, and by being able to neutralize Rhythm, as we have already explained, they are able to escape a great part of the operations of Cause and Effect on the ordinary plane.  The masses of people are carried along, obedient to their environment; the wills and desires of others stronger than themselves; the effects of inherited tendencies; the suggestions of those about them; and other outward causes; which tend to move them about on the chess-board of life like mere pawns.  By rising above these influencing causes, the advanced Hermetists seek a higher plane of mental action, and by dominating their moods, emotions, impulses and feelings, they create for themselves new characters, qualities and powers, by which they overcome their ordinary environment, and thus become practically players instead of mere Pawns.  Such people help to play the game of life understandingly, instead of being moved about this way and that way by stronger influences and powers and wills.  They use the Principle of Cause and Effect, instead of being used by it.  Of course, even the highest are subject to the Principle as it manifests on the higher planes, but on the lower planes of activity, they are Masters instead of Slaves.  As The Kybalion says: 

“The wise ones serve on the higher, but rule on the lower.  They obey the laws coming from above them, But on their own plane, and those below them they rule and give orders.  And, yet, in so doing, they form a part of the Principle, instead of opposing it.  The wise man falls in with the Law, and by understanding its movements he operates it instead of being its blind slave.  Just as does the skilled swimmer turn this way and that way, going and coming as he will, instead of being as the log which is carried here and there—­so is the wise man as compared to the ordinary man—­and yet both swimmer and log; wise man and fool, are subject to Law.  He who understands this is well on the road to Mastery.”—­The Kybalion.

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.