The Kybalion (Three Initiates) · 48 of 63

Chapter XI (part 4)

The millionaire may have the inclination toward feasting, and the wealth wherewith to secure all the dainties and luxuries of the table, while he lacks the appetite to enjoy the same; he envies the appetite and digestion of the laborer who lacks the wealth and inclinations of the millionaire, and who gets more pleasure from his plain food than the millionaire could obtain even if his appetite were not jaded, nor his digestion ruined, for the wants, habits and inclinations differ.

And so it is through life.

The Law of Compensation is ever in operation, striving to balance and counter-balance, and always succeeding in time, even though several lives may be required for the return swing of the Pendulum of Rhythm.

§ Ask Guru about this passage →

Themes

Magical Equilibriumcosmology

The balance of two contrary forces as the structural law of cosmos and operation — Lévi's equilibrium, expressed in Kabbalah by the senary: the will of God in its first cause, liberty in man, mathematical equilibrium in matter; the twofold vibration required to direct the Astral Light safely.

The passage describes the 'Law of Compensation' striving to 'balance and counter-balance,' which aligns with the concept of equilibrium between contrary forces.

All passages →

Rhythmcosmology

The Hermetic doctrine of a measured swing or pendulum motion between poles — action and reaction, flow and outflow, rise and fall — operating in mental, physical, and cosmic-historical registers alike. Distinct from apocatastasis (cosmic-scale eschatological restoration after vast cycles) in naming a constant, ever-present oscillation rather than a singular restorative event.

The passage explicitly names the 'Pendulum of Rhythm' and describes its operation as a swing between poles requiring time to return.

All passages →

Soul Migrationcosmology

The transmigration of the soul across lives.

The text mentions that 'several lives may be required' for the return swing of the pendulum, implying reincarnation or transmigration.

All passages →

Related passages · 5 parallels

theosophy|The Secret Doctrine|Page 27 (part 3)

“Anger, my son, is the destruction of [[Vol. 1, Page]] 416 THE SECRET DOCTRINE. all that man obtains . . . and prevents the attainment of emancipation. The sages shun wrath. Be not thou, my child, subject to its influence. Let not th…”

Shared concept: Magical Equilibrium — The balance of two contrary forces as the structural law of cosmos and operation — Lévi's equilibrium, expressed in Kabbalah by the senary: the will of God in its first cause, liberty in man, mathematical equilibrium in matter; the twofold vibration required to direct the Astral Light safely. (derived)

theosophy|The Secret Doctrine|Page 19 (part 2)

“Without doubt, this one-sided mode of dealing with the problem is due largely to the pernicious Western practice of subordinating consciousness, or regarding it as a "by-product" of molecular motion. [[Vol. 1, Page]] 328 THE SECRET DOCTRI…”

Shared concept: Rhythm — The Hermetic doctrine of a measured swing or pendulum motion between poles — action and reaction, flow and outflow, rise and fall — operating in mental, physical, and cosmic-historical registers alike. (derived)

renaissance_hermeticism|The Heroic Enthusiasts, Part I (Gli Eroici Furori)|Third Dialogue-h

“In which generation finding themselves once more through the changes which permutably succeed, they return again to the superior forms. Cic . So that they mean, that souls are impelled by the necessity of fate, and have no proper counsel…”

Shared concept: Soul Migration — The transmigration of the soul across lives. (derived)

neoplatonism|Select Works of Plotinus|Select Works, Section 401

“Section 1 1. Many times it has happened: Lifted out of the body into myself; becoming external to all other things and self-encentered; beholding a marvellous beauty; then, more than ever, assured of community with the loftiest order; enact…”

Shared concept: Soul Migration — The transmigration of the soul across lives. (derived)

neoplatonism|Select Works of Plotinus|Select Works, Section 163

“Section 7 7. That this world has neither beginning nor end but exists for ever as long as the Supreme stands is certainly no novel teaching. And before this school rose it had been urged that commerce with the body is no gain to a Soul. But…”

Shared concept: Soul Migration — The transmigration of the soul across lives. (derived)