What is The ALL?
Last updated: February 25, 2026
The Kybalion's name for the Absolute: the Infinite Living Mind underlying all manifestation.
Understanding The ALL in Hermeticism
The Kybalion's central concept and name for the Absolute. "THE ALL is MIND; The Universe is Mental." The ALL is defined as "the Substantial Reality underlying all the outward manifestations and appearances which we know under the terms of 'The Material Universe,' the 'Phenomena of Life,' 'Matter,' 'Energy.'" It is described as Infinite Living Mind, beyond true naming or description, yet knowable through its manifestations. The ALL is not the universe (which is a mental creation of the ALL), but the universe exists within the ALL. This distinction between the ALL and its creation is the foundation of the Kybalion's entire philosophical system. The ALL is Spirit, which is unknowable and undefinable in itself but may be considered as an Infinite Living Mind. Everything that exists is a mental creation of the ALL, held in the Mind of the ALL, and subject to the laws of created things.
The Kybalion's central concept and name for the Absolute. "THE ALL is MIND; The Universe is Mental." The ALL is defined as "the Substantial Reality underlying all the outward manifestations and appearances which we know under the terms of 'The Material Universe,' the 'Phenomena of Life,' 'Matter,' 'Energy.'" It is described as Infinite Living Mind, beyond true naming or description, yet knowable through its manifestations. The ALL is not the universe (which is a mental creation of the ALL), but the universe exists within the ALL. This distinction between the ALL and its creation is the foundation of the Kybalion's entire philosophical system. The ALL is Spirit, which is unknowable and undefinable in itself but may be considered as an Infinite Living Mind. Everything that exists is a mental creation of the ALL, held in the Mind of the ALL, and subject to the laws of created things.
What the Teachers Say
The ALL vs. The Universe
The Kybalion makes a crucial distinction between the ALL and the Universe that forms the foundation of Hermetic philosophy. While often confused, these represent fundamentally different levels of reality.
| Aspect | The ALL | The Universe |
|---|---|---|
| Nature | The Absolute Reality, Infinite Living Mind | Mental creation, finite manifestation |
| Relationship | Contains the Universe within itself | Exists within and is sustained by the ALL |
| Changeability | Immutable, beyond time and space | Subject to laws, cycles, and transformation |
| Knowability | Unknowable in essence, known through manifestation | Knowable through study and experience |
| Substance | Pure Spirit, undefinable reality | Mental substance shaped by divine thought |
Etymology
The term "The ALL" as used in Hermeticism, particularly in "The Kybalion," does not have a direct, single linguistic root in the way many philosophical terms do. Instead, it is an English translation chosen by the Three Initiates to convey the concept of an ultimate, singular, and all-encompassing reality. This choice reflects a desire to use plain language to describe a concept akin to the 'Ein Sof' in Kabbalah, the 'Brahman' in Hinduism, or the 'Absolute' in Western philosophy, emphasizing its totality and omnipresence.
How to Practice This
Practically, understanding "The ALL" as Infinite Living Mind encourages a mental approach to reality. Practitioners engage in visualization and affirmation techniques, recognizing that their own minds are extensions of this Universal Mind and can influence their personal realities. By consciously directing thoughts and beliefs, individuals aim to align with the creative principles of The ALL, manifesting desired outcomes and fostering a sense of interconnectedness and mastery over their experiences.
Connection to Manifestation
Understanding the ALL as Infinite Living Mind reveals the fundamental basis of all manifestation and creative power. Since the Universe exists as a mental creation within the ALL's consciousness, human minds, being part of this mental Universe, operate according to the same mental laws. When practitioners align their individual consciousness with the greater Mind of the ALL, they tap into the same creative principle that sustains all existence. This recognition transforms manifestation from wishful thinking into conscious participation in the mental processes of the ALL itself.
Frequently Asked Questions
The ALL is The Kybalion's philosophical term for the Absolute, chosen to avoid religious connotations while pointing to the same ultimate Reality. Unlike anthropomorphic concepts of God, the ALL is described as Infinite Living Mind that transcends human categories while remaining the source of all existence.
In Hermetic philosophy, 'mental' doesn't mean imaginary but refers to the fundamental substance of reality being Mind rather than matter. Physical phenomena are real experiences within the mental creation of the ALL, similar to how dreams feel real to the dreamer while being mental in nature.
The Kybalion teaches that the ALL is unknowable in its essence but can be known through its manifestations. Humans can align with the ALL's nature through understanding Hermetic principles and recognizing their own mental nature as part of the Universal Mind.
The ALL is described as Infinite Living Mind, which encompasses but transcends individual consciousness. While human consciousness participates in this greater Mind, the ALL represents the absolute and unlimited source from which all mental phenomena arise.
This principle establishes that Mind is the fundamental reality, making possible the operation of mental laws like attraction and correspondence. Understanding the mental nature of existence empowers individuals to work consciously with these laws rather than being unconscious victims of circumstance.
In the Source Texts (12)
…this ~Underlying Power~, this ~Substantial Reality~, by the Hermetic name of "~THE ALL~," which term we consider the most comprehensive of the many terms applied by Man to THAT which transcends names and terms.…
…has been reached. At present, in America, it is setting toward agriculture and the allied industries and professions. To-day, opportunity is open before the farmer in his line more than before the factory worker in his line. I…
>>While All is in THE ALL, it is equally true that THE ALL is in ALL. To him who truly understands this truth hath come great knowledge.<<…
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Used by: Three Initiates