“The spirit instructed that the soul should be in the body, the mind should be in the soul, the word or speech or reason should be in the mind, and the mind should be in God, who is the parent of them all.”

The Common Mind

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While the hermetic teachings emphasize the divine aspects of nous, they also acknowledge the role of the physical mind, which is associated with thoughts and perceptions. This aspect of mind, sometimes referred to as ‘the lower mind’ or the ‘mundane mind,’ is seen as being limited by its connection to the body and the material world. It is also prone to being influenced by the passions, emotions, and the ‘irrational tormentors of matter.’ It is related to the senses, while nous is related to understanding.
These texts often suggest that the physical mind must be transcended in order to achieve gnosis and connect with the divine. This involves detaching from the passions and desires of the body and cultivating the divine nous through contemplation, study, and spiritual practice. Conditioning or rewiring the physical mind is critical for any progress on the way of hermes.

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