From the book
The Kybalion
Three Initiates · Diotimos Editions · 2026
Browse this book’s lexicon →Orientation
At a Glance
- The wordIndividualization is the differentiation of initially unindividualized energy into distinct units of life during the return movement of evolution.
- In The KybalionVII contrasts two movements.
- In this editionIndividualization and the labels units of force and units of life are kept distinct.
- A place to readVII.11: … “"Indrawing" stage, there is manifested the Law of Individualization—that is, the tendency to separate into Units” …
Meaning
Individualization is the differentiation of initially unindividualized energy into distinct units of life during the return movement of evolution. It explains why a cosmic return is also described as development.
Use in the book
VII contrasts two movements. In outpouring the forces manifest compactly as a whole; in indrawing they separate into units and rise through physical, mental, and spiritual stages. The subsequent account says that units appear, combine, and increasingly manifest life and mind.
At the completed cycle the spirits of souls are said to expand rather than be annihilated. VIII's insistence on all units belonging to one scale preserves dependence on THE ALL despite differentiation.
Places to read
- VII THE ALL in All · Block 11… “"Indrawing" stage, there is manifested the Law of Individualization—that is, the tendency to separate into Units of Force, so that finally that which left THE ALL as unindividualized energy returns to” …
- VII THE ALL in All · Block 13“The Hermetic Teachings regarding the process of Evolution are that, THE ALL, having meditated upon the beginning of the Creation—having thus established the material foundations of the Universe—having thought it into” …
- VIII Planes of Correspondence · Block 9“You will kindly remember, however, that the Three Great Planes are not actual divisions of the phenomena of the Universe, but merely arbitrary terms used by the Hermetists in order to” …
In this edition
Individualization and the labels units of force and units of life are kept distinct. Their relation is described through the movement the chapter narrates.
Reading the argument
The text wishes to retain individual achievement without absolute separation from the source. It does not fully explain how distinct individuality is preserved when created and creator are merged. The unresolved detail should not be supplied as if the book had stated it.
Individualization
“Individualization” — 1 occurrence in 1 text block: VII.11.
Units of Force
“Units of Force” — 2 occurrences in 2 text blocks: VI.7; VII.11.
Units of Life
“Units of Life” — 1 occurrence in 1 text block: VII.11.