Master and mastery

Use in the book

I names Hermes the Master of Masters and gives the teaching a hierarchy. III assigns extraordinary physical powers to higher alchemists. VI then qualifies the ideal by insisting that true mastery uses law rather than presumptuously denying it.

XI locates self-mastery in resistance to the backward swing of mood. XII and XV represent a master as a more conscious participant in causation. Even the most advanced remain subject to higher laws, and VIII places human masters below further spiritual ranks.

Places to read

1. I The Hermetic Philosophy · Block 4“But among these great Masters of Ancient Egypt there once dwelt one of whom Masters hailed as "The Master of Masters." This man, if "man" indeed he was, dwelt in Egypt” …
2. III Mental Transmutation · Block 8… “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.” …
3. VI The Divine Paradox · Block 1… “into that which is worthy, and thus triumph. Mastery consists not in abnormal dreams, visions and fantastic imaginings or living, but in using the higher forces against the lower—escaping the pains” …
4. XI Rhythm · Block 7“The Hermetic Masters long since discovered that while the Principle of Rhythm was invariable, and ever in evidence in mental phenomena, still there were two planes of its manifestation so far” …
5. XII Causation · Block 12… “aside after the game is over. But the Masters, knowing the rules of the game, rise above the plane of material life, and placing themselves in touch with the higher powers” …
6. XV Hermetic Axioms · Block 15… “understands this is well on the road to Mastery."—The Kybalion.”

In this edition

Master, mastery, and self-mastery are preserved. Capitalization is not interpreted as evidence of an external institutional title.

Reading the argument

The work moves between an attainable ideal of deliberation and an extraordinary scale of occult abilities. The latter are asserted through trusted teachers rather than demonstrated in the book. Keeping the senses separate helps avoid treating ordinary self-direction as proof of control over nature.

Master

“Master” — 37 occurrences in 29 text blocks: Intro.2, 4–5, 7; I.4, 8, 10–12; II.7, 16, 19; III.7, 13; VI.1, 12–13, 16; X.12; XI.7, 14; XII.11–12; XIV.10, 19; XV.7, 9, 11, 14.

Masters

“Masters” — 30 occurrences in 21 text blocks: Intro.4, 8; I.2–4, 11; II.7, 13, 16, 22; III.8, 10–11; IV.5; VI.11–12; VIII.28; IX.12; XI.7; XII.12; XV.14.

Mastery

“Mastery” — 20 occurrences in 15 text blocks: I.9, 11; II.7, 19; VI.1, 11, 16; XI.7–8; XII.11; XV.5, 7, 9, 11, 15.

Self-Mastery

“Self-Mastery” — 2 occurrences in 2 text blocks: II.19; XV.11.