第三章 精神转化

"Mind (as well as metals and elements) may be transmuted,
from state to state; degree to degree; condition to condition;
pole to pole; vibration to vibration. True Hermetic Transmutation
is a Mental Art."--The Kybalion.
思想（就像金属和元素一样）是可以转化的，从一种状态到另一种状态；从一种层级到另一种层级；从一种境界到另一种境界；从一种极性到另一种极性；从一种波到另一种波。真正的赫尔墨斯转化是一种精神艺术。
——Kybalion

As we have stated, the Hermetists were the original alchemists, astrologers, and psychologists, Hermes having been the founder of these schools of thought.
正如我们已经说过的，赫尔墨斯主义者是最原始的炼金术士、占星学家和心理学家，赫尔墨斯一直是这些心理学派的奠基人。

From astrology has grown modern astronomy; from alchemy has grown modern chemistry; from the mystic psychology has grown the modern psychology of the schools.
从占星学演变出现代天文学；从炼金术演变出现代化学；从神秘心理学演变出现代各个学派的心理学。
But it must not be supposed that the ancients were ignorant of that which the modern schools suppose to be their exclusive and special property.
但不要认为古人对那些现代学派们认为是他们专有和独特的知识财产很无知。

The records engraved on the stones of Ancient Egypt show conclusively that the ancients had a full comprehensive knowledge of astronomy, the very building of the Pyramids showing the connection between their design and the study of astronomical science.
雕刻在古埃及石头上的记录极具说服力地显示，古人具备完整的天文学知识，恰恰是非凡的埃及金字塔的建筑证实了他们的设计和天文科学研究之间的联系。

Nor were they ignorant of Chemistry, for the fragments of the ancient writings show that they were acquainted with the chemical properties of things;
他们也不是对化学无知，因为古代的书面残片显示，他们知晓事物的化学特性

in fact, the ancient theories regarding physics are being slowly verified by the latest discoveries of modern science, notably those relating to the constitution of matter.
——事实上，古代关于物理的理论正逐渐被现代科学的最新发现所证实，特别是那些有关物质构成的。

Nor must it be supposed that they were ignorant of the so-called modern discoveries in psychology
也不要认为他们对所谓的现代心理学上的发现非常无知

--on the contrary, the Egyptians were especially skilled in the science of Psychology, particularly in the branches that the modern schools ignore, but which, nevertheless, are being uncovered under the name of "psychic science" which is perplexing the psychologists of to-day, and making them reluctantly admit that "there may be something in it after all."
——相反，古埃及人尤其擅长心理学，特别是那些现代学派忽略的分支，然而，这些正在心灵科学的名义下得到揭示，而这些正困惑着今天的心理学家，并且迫使他们不情愿地承认终究，或许有一些东西在它里面。

The truth is, that beneath the material chemistry, astronomy and psychology (that is, the psychology in its phase of "brain-action") the ancients possessed a knowledge of transcendental astronomy, called astrology; of transcendental chemistry, called alchemy; of transcendental psychology, called mystic psychology.
事实是，在物质性的化学、天文学和心理学（心理学处于脑行为阶段）之下，古人还具有超越人类智慧的天文学，称为占星学；超越人类智慧的化学，称为炼金术；超越人类智慧的心理学，称为秘密心理学。

They possessed the Inner Knowledge as well as the Outer Knowledge, the latter alone being possessed by modern scientists.
他们同时具有内在的知识和外在的知识，而现代科学家只具有后者。

Among the many secret branches of knowledge possessed by the Hermetists, was that known as Mental Transmutation, which forms the subject matter of this lesson.
在赫尔墨斯主义者掌握的许多秘密分支中，就有人们所知道的精神转化，它构成了这一节课的主要内容。

"Transmutation" is a term usually employed to designate the ancient art of the transmutation of metals--particularly of the base metals into gold.
转化是一个经常用来说明古代关于金属转化技艺的词语——尤其是把基本金属转化为纯金。

The word "Transmute" means "to change from one nature, form, or substance, into another; to transform" (Webster).
转化的词意是从一种性质、形式或物质转变为另一种；使改变。
And accordingly, "Mental Transmutation" means the art of changing and transforming mental states, forms, and conditions, into others.
相应地，精神转化意思是改变和转化精神状态、形式和境况，使之成为另一种精神状态、形式和境况的艺术。

So you may see that Mental Transmutation is the "Art of Mental Chemistry," if you like the term--a form of practical Mystic Psychology.
因此，你会明白精神转化是精神化学的艺术，如果你喜欢这个词——实用的神秘心理学的一种。

But this means far more than appears on the surface.
但是，这个词的内涵远远超出表面显现的。

Transmutation, Alchemy, or Chemistry on the Mental Plane is important enough in its effects, to be sure, and if the art stopped there it would still be one of the most important branches of study known to man.
思想层面上的转化、炼金术或化学的作用十分十分地重要，可以确信，即使这种方法、艺术已经停止或中断，它依然是人类所知的最重要的一个研究分支。

But this is only the beginning. Let us see why!
然而，这种研究仅仅是一个开始。让我们看为什么！

The first of the Seven Hermetic Principles is the Principle of Mentalism, the axiom of which is "THE ALL is Mind; the Universe is Mental,"
七项神秘法则的第一项是精神法则，箴言说：全能者是思想，宇宙是精神，

which means that the Underlying Reality of the Universe is Mind; and the Universe itself is Mental--that is, "existing in the Mind of THE ALL."
这就是说隐藏在宇宙事实下面的实质是思想。还有宇宙自身是精神——那就是，一切都存在于全能者的思想中。

We shall consider this Principle in succeeding lessons, but let us see the effect of the principle if it be assumed to be true.
在接下来的课程中，我们将仔细讲解这个法则，但如果这个法则被假定是正确的，让我们看看它的效应。

If the Universe is Mental in its nature, then Mental Transmutation must be the art of CHANGING THE CONDITIONS OF THE UNIVERSE, along the lines of Matter, Force and mind. So you see, therefore, that Mental Transmutation is really the "Magic" of which the ancient; writers had so much to say in their mystical works, and about which they gave so few practical instructions.
如果宇宙在本质上是精神，那么精神转化一定是沿着物质、力量和思想的路线改变宇宙境况的艺术。因此，你会明白，精神转化是古代作家在他们神秘的作品中大量论及的、真正的魔法，而其中给予的实际指导却又是那么少。

If All be Mental, then the art which enables one to transmute mental conditions must render the Master the controller of material conditions as well as those ordinarily called "mental."
如果一切都是精神，那么能使一个人转化思想状态的方法或艺术，一定使得大师可以控制物质状态，就像控制通常所说的精神一样。

As a matter of fact, none but advanced Mental Alchemists have been able to attain the degree of power necessary to control the grosser physical conditions,
可事实上，没有人而只有高超的精神大师，能够获得必要层级的能量来控制更为原始的物理状况，

such as the control of the elements of Nature; the production or cessation of tempests; the production and cessation of earthquakes and other great physical phenomena.
例如：控制自然元素；暴风雨的形成和停止；地震的产生和停止；还有其他大规模的物理现象。

But that such men have existed, and do exist today, is a matter of earnest belief to all advanced occultists of all schools.
但是，这样的人曾有过，而且今天确实有，这是所有学派中所有高超的神秘主义者都真诚相信的一件事情。

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.
这样的大师存在，而且具有这些能量，最优秀的老师向他们的学生保证——已经有经验事实证明他们相信这样的信念和主张是有根据的。

These Masters do not make public exhibitions of their powers, but seek seclusion from the crowds of men, in order to better work their may along the Path of Attainment.
这些大师没有公开展示他们的能量，而是远离喧闹的人群去隐居，是为了更好地沿着通达之路进行他们的修炼。

We mention their existence, at this point, merely to call your attention to the fact that their power is entirely Mental, and operates along the lines of the higher Mental Transmutation, under the Hermetic Principle of Mentalism.
我们提及他们的存在，在这一点上，只是为了激发你关注这样的事实，即他们的能量完全是精神的，而且是在神秘的精神法则的指引下沿着更高层级的精神转化运行。

"The Universe is Mental"--The Kybalion.
宇宙是精神--The Kybalion

But students and Hermetists of lesser degree than Masters--the Initiates and Teachers--are able to freely work along the Mental Plane, in Mental Transmutation.
但是，学生们和比大师们（启蒙者和老师们）层级更低的赫尔墨斯主义者一样能够在精神转化上自由地沿着精神层面来运作。

In fact all that we call "psychic phenomena,"; "mental influence"; "mental science"; "new-thought phenomena," etc., operates along the same general lines, for there is but one principle involved, no matter by what name the phenomena be called.
实际上，所有我们所说的心灵现象、精神影响、精神科学、新思想奇迹等等，都是按照相同的总体路径来运行的，因为只涉及一项法则，而无论这些现象被叫什么名称。

The student and practitioner of Mental Transmutation works among the Mental Plane, transmuting mental conditions, states, etc., into others, according to various formulas, more or less efficacious.
精神转化的学生和从业者根据不同的准则在精神层面中运作，把一种精神状态、倾向转变为另一种，或多或少是灵验的。

The various "treatments," "affirmations," "denials" etc., of the schools of mental science are but formulas, often quite imperfect and unscientific, of The Hermetic Art.
精神科学各学派不同的疗法、肯定、否定等等，都只是赫尔墨斯艺术的准则，通常很不完善，也不科学。

The majority of modern practitioners are quite ignorant compared to the ancient masters, for they lack the fundamental knowledge upon which the work is based.
与古代大师们相比，大多数现代从业者是相当无知的，因为他们缺乏这项工作建立于其上的基本知识。

Not only may the mental states, etc., of one's self be changed or transmuted by Hermetic Methods; but also the states of others may be, and are, constantly transmuted in the same way, usually unconsciously,
不仅一个人自身的精神状态可以通过赫尔墨斯的方法而发生改变或转化，而且别人的心理状态也可以以相同的方式发生改变或转化，通常是无意识的，

but often consciously by some understanding the laws and principles, in cases where the people affected are not informed of the principles of self-protection.
但一些领会这些法则和法则的人经常可以有意识地转化，只要受影响的人不是充满自我防卫意识。

And more than this, as many students and practitioners of modern mental science know, every material condition depending upon the minds of other people may be changed or transmuted in accordance with the earnest desire, will, and "treatments" of person desiring changed conditions of life.
不但如此，就像现代精神科学的许多学生和从业者所知道的，依赖于其它人思想的每一种物质条件，可以按照渴望改变生活条件的人真诚热切的欲望、意志和态度而发生改变或转化。

The public are so generally informed regarding these things at present, that we do not deem it necessary to mention the same at length, our purpose at this point being merely to show the Hermetic Principle and Art underlying all of these various forms of practice, good and evil, for the force can be used in opposite directions according to the Hermetic Principles of Polarity.
目前，公众经常被告知有关这些事情，因此，我们不认为有必要详尽地提及相同的内容，在这一点上，我们的目的只是说明潜藏于不同实际操练形式之下的赫尔墨斯法则和艺术，也不论其好坏，因为根据赫尔墨斯极性法则，力量可以应用在相反的方向上。

In this little book we shall state the basic principles of Mental Transmutation, that all who read may grasp the Underlying Principles, and thus possess the Master-Key that will unlock the many doors of the Principle of Polarity.
在这本小书中，我们将讲述精神转化的基础法则，以使所有读它的人可以掌握这些隐藏的法则，因而拥有打开极性法则许多大门的万能钥匙。

We shall now proceed to a consideration of the first of the Hermetic Seven Principles--the Principle of Mentalism, in which is explained the truth that "THE ALL is Mind; the Universe is Mental," in the words of The Kybalion.
现在我们将继续解说赫尔墨斯七项法则的第一项——精神法则，它解释了这个真理——全能者是思想；宇宙是精神。

We ask the close attention, and careful study of this great Principle, on the part of our students, for it is really the Basic Principle of the whole Hermetic Philosophy, and of the Hermetic Art of Mental Transmutation.
就我们的学生而言，我们要求他们密切关注和仔细研究这项伟大的法则，因为它确实是整个赫尔墨斯哲学和赫尔墨斯精神转化艺术的基本法则。