Divine Pymander of Hermes Mercurius Trismegistus, The

Hermes Mercurius Trismegistus is the founding stone of Western esotericism. Hermes is regarded as being the author of numerous philosophical and spiritual texts, including the Divine Pymander. Even though the historical existence of Hermes is not clear, he has been regarded as the master of wisdom and the initiator of the divine knowledge for centuries. The Divine Pymander is one of the ancient texts attributed to Hermes. The Divine Pymander explains a cosmology and philosophy which blends Egyptian, Greek, and Jewish mystical traditions. It is presented as a dialogue between Hermes and a student who is seeking the divine knowledge. Dialogue includes teachings on the nature of the universe, the soul, and the relationship between humanity and God. The most important central themes of the Divine Pymander is the thought that the cosmos is a manifestation of the divine mind. Furthermore, the human soul is explained as a reflection of this divine intelligence. Hermes tells us that the goal of spiritual practice is to awaken the divine spark within the soul and unite with the divine mind. Spiritual enlightenment includes the purification of the soul by contemplation, prayer and meditation. Hermes also highlights the importance of living a virtuous life, avoiding attachment to material things, cultivation of gratitude and reverence for the divine.