IV. THE PRINCIPLE OF POLARITY.
"Everything is Dual; everything has poles; everything has its pair of
opposites; like and unlike are the same; opposites are identical in nature, but
different in degree; extremes meet; all truths are but half-truths; all
paradoxes may be reconciled." — The
Kybalion.
This Principle embodies the truth that "everything is dual"; "everything has
two poles"; "everything has its pair of opposites," all of which were old
Hermetic axioms. It explains the old paradoxes, that have perplexed so many,
which have been stated as follows: "Thesis and anti-thesis are identical in
nature, but different in degree"; "opposites are the same, differing only in
degree"; "the pairs of opposites may be reconciled"; "extremes meet";
"everything is and isn't, at the same time"; "all truths are but half-truths";
"every truth is half-false"; "there are two sides to everything," etc., etc.,
etc. It explains that in everything there are two poles, or opposite aspects,
and that "opposites" are really only the two extremes of the same thing, with
many varying degrees between them. To illustrate: Heat and Cold, although
"opposites," are really the same thing, the differences consisting merely of
degrees of the same thing. Look at your thermometer and see if you can discover
where "heat" terminates and "cold" begins! There is no such thing as "absolute
heat" or "absolute cold" — the two terms "heat" and "cold" simply indicate
varying degrees of the same thing, and that "same thing" which manifests as
"heat" and "cold" is merely a form, variety, and rate of Vibration. So "heat"
and "cold" are simply the "two poles" of that which we call "Heat" — and the
phenomena attendant thereupon are manifestations of the Principle of Polarity.
The same Principle manifests in the case of "Light and Darkness," which are the
same thing, the difference consisting of varying degrees between the two poles
of the phenomena. Where does "darkness" leave off, and "light" begin? What is
the difference between "Large and Small"? Between "Hard and Soft"? Between
"Black and White"? Between "Sharp and Dull"? Between "Noise and Quiet"? Between
"High and Low"? Between "Positive and Negative"? The Principle of Polarity
explains these paradoxes, and no other Principle can supersede it. The same
Principle operates on the Mental Plane. Let us take a radical and extreme
example — that of "Love and Hate," two mental states apparently totally
different. And yet there are degrees of hate and degrees of Love, and a middle
point in which we use the terms "Like or Dislike," which shade into each other
so gradually that sometimes we are at a loss to know whether we "like" or
"dislike" or "neither." And all are simply degrees of the same thing, as you
will see if you will but think a moment. And, more than this (and considered of
more importance by the Hermetists), it is possible to change the vibrations of
hate to the vibrations of Love, in one's own mind, and in the minds of others.
Many of you, who read these lines, have had personal experiences of the
involuntary rapid transition from Love to Hate, and the reverse, in your own
ease and that of others. And you will therefore realize the possibility of this
being accomplished by the use of the Will, by means of the Hermetic formulas.
"Good and Evil" are but the poles of the same thing, and the Hermetist
understands the art of transmuting Evil into Good, by means of an application of
the Principle of Polarity. In short, the "Art of Polarization" becomes a phase
of "Mental Alchemy" known and practiced by the ancient and modern Hermetic
Masters. An understanding of the Principle will enable one to change his own
Polarity, as well as that of others, if he will devote the time and study
necessary to master the art.
(Hence the pole exercise taught earlier this week... What you do not want and what you want are only degrees apart on the same pole. Harmonize with the end of the pole that you desire, and life will harmonize in kind.)
will stimulate and activate the throat chakra.
