The All

“Substance” means:

• that which underlies all outward manifestations
• the essence
• the essential reality
• the thing in itself
• etc.

“Substantial” means:

• actually existing
• being the essential element
• being real
• etc.

“Reality” means:

• the state of being real
• true, enduring
• valid
• fixed
• permanent
• actual
• etc.

Under and behind all outward appearances or manifestations, there must always be a Substantial Reality. This is the Law.

Man considering the Universe, of which he is a unit, sees nothing but change in matter, forces, and mental states. He sees that nothing really IS, but that everything is BECOMING and CHANGING.

Nothing stands still. Everything is being born, growing, dying. The very instant a thing reaches its height, it begins to decline.

The law of rhythm is in constant operation. There is no reality, enduring quality, fixity, or substantiality in anything— nothing is permanent but Change.

He sees all things evolving from other things, and resolving into other things—constant action and reaction; inflow and outflow; building up and tearing down; creation and destruction; birth, growth and death.

Nothing endures but Change.

The thinking man realizes that all of these changing things are but outward appearances of some Underlying Power—some Substantial Reality.

All thinkers, in all lands and in all times, have assumed the necessity for postulating the existence of this Substantial Reality.

All notable philosophies have been based on this thought.

Men have called this Substantial Reality as Deity (under many titles).

• Others have called it “The Infinite and Eternal Energy”.
• Others have tried to call it “Matter”

Its existence is self-evident and needs no argument.

The Hermetics call it “THE ALL”.

The inner nature of THE ALL is UNKNOWABLE.

Only THE ALL itself can comprehend its own nature and being.

Such efforts to know THE ALL have always failed and will always fail, from the very nature of the task.

Still more presumptuous are those who attempt to ascribe to THE ALL the personality, qualities, properties, characteristics and attributes of themselves.

• They ascribe to THE ALL the human emotions, feelings, and characteristics.

Religion Versus Theology; Philosophy Versus Metaphysics

Religion is an intuitional realization of the existence of THE ALL, and one’s relationship to it.

Theology is the attempt of men to ascribe personality, qualities, and characteristics to it.

Philosophy is the inquiry after knowledge of things knowable and thinkable.

Metaphysics is the attempt to carry the inquiry over and beyond the boundaries and into regions unknowable and unthinkable, and with the same tendency as that of Theology.

Consequently, both Religion and Philosophy have roots in Reality.

Theology and Metaphysics are broken reeds, rooted in the quicksands of ignorance. They provide the most insecure support for the mind or soul of Man.

We do not insist that our students accept these definitions. We mention them merely to show our position.

But while the essential nature of THE ALL is Unknowable, there are certain truths connected with its existence.

Properties of THE ALL

Human reason explains THE ALL:

1. THE ALL must be ALL that REALLY IS.

There can be nothing existing outside of THE ALL, else THE ALL would not be THE ALL.

2. THE ALL must be INFINITE.

There is nothing else to define, confine, bound, limit; or restrict THE ALL.

It must be Infinite in Time, or ETERNAL, then it must have always continuously existed.

There is nothing else to have ever created it, and something can never evolve from nothing, and if it had ever “not been,” even for a moment, it would not “be” now.

It must continuously exist forever, for there is nothing to destroy it, and it can never “not-be,” even for a moment, because something can never become nothing.

It must be Infinite in Space—it must be Everywhere. There is no place outside of THE ALL.

It cannot be otherwise than continuous in Space, without break, cessation, separation, or interruption, for there is nothing to break, separate, or interrupt its continuity, and nothing with which to “fill in the gaps.”

It must be Infinite in Power, or Absolute, for there is nothing to limit, restrict, restrain, confine, disturb or condition it—it is subject to no other Power, for there is no other Power.

3. THE ALL must be IMMUTABLE, or not subject to change in its real nature

There is nothing to work changes upon it nothing into which it could change, nor from which it could have changed.

It cannot be added to nor subtracted from; increased nor diminished; nor become greater or lesser in any respect whatsoever.

It must have always been, and must always remain, just what it is now—THE ALL—there has never been, is not now, and never will be, anything else into which it can change.

THE ALL is Infinite, Absolute, Eternal and Unchangeable.

• Anything finite, changeable, fleeting, and conditioned cannot be THE ALL.

There is Nothing outside of THE ALL, in Reality, then any and all such finite things must be as Nothing in Reality.

Do not be frightened. I am not trying to lead you into Christian Science under cover of Hermetic Philosophy.

There is a Reconciliation of this apparently contradictory state of affairs.

“Matter” forms the physical foundation for all forms.

Is THE ALL merely Matter? Not at all!

Matter cannot manifest Life or Mind which are manifested in the Universe.

THE ALL cannot be Matter, for nothing rises higher than its own source.

• Nothing is ever manifested in an effect that is not in the cause.
• Nothing is evolved as a consequent that is not involved as an antecedent.

Modern Science informs us that there is really no such thing as Matter.

• Matter is merely “interrupted energy or force” that is, energy or force at a low rate of vibration.

Then is THE ALL mere Energy or Force?

This is not Energy or Force as thought by materialists. Their energy and force are blind, mechanical things, devoid of Life or Mind.

Life and Mind can never evolve from blind Energy or Force: “Nothing can rise higher than its source—nothing is evolved unless it is involved—nothing manifests in the effect, unless it is in the cause. "

And so THE ALL cannot be mere Energy or Force. If it were, then there would be no such things as Life and Mind in existence.

Life And Mind are higher than Matter or Energy.

Is THE ALL is LIFE and MIND?” Yes! and No! is our answer.

The answer is “LIVING MIND.”

Life and Mind are higher than mechanical forces, or matter—INFINITE LIVING MIND as compared to finite “Life and Mind.”

“THE ALL” is Infinite Living Mind—the Illumined call it SPIRIT!