Institute for Hermetic Philosophy

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What is the Institute
for Hermetic Philosophy?

We are a worldwide community of people who are dedicated to living life at a higher level of consciousness. We learn to explore our inner worlds to develop wisdom through practical exercises and a proven step-by-step curriculum that, when followed, consistently produces profound results in each person.

IHP fosters hope for a better world, peace and mutual understanding among all human beings, of all races, gender, religion, country or social status. We believe that by increasing our own levels of conscious awareness, we can change the lives of our families, our surroundings, and the world for the better.

The Institute was founded in 1970 by Dr. Dario
Salas Sommer, in Santiago, Chile.

How do I know if the
Institute is for me?

  • Do you ever feel that you have untapped potential inside yourself that you are only beginning to realize?
  • Do you feel that there is something wrong about the way we are taught to live and the things we are taught to value in this world?
  • Do you feel that you have something important to do, but you're not quite sure what it is yet?
  • Do you feel that there is a deeper truth behind the world that we have been presented?
  • Do you have a deep desire to know yourself and the world around you much better?
  • Have you always felt different than the majority of the people around you, having a hard time accepting the way things are?

What is Hermetic Philosophy?

Hermetic Philosophy is the living tradition of wisdom and human evolution that was practiced in the ancient Egyptian mystery schools, originally expounded by Hermes Trismegistus. The knowledge has been passed down throughout the millennia, and has been practiced by great men and women throughout history.

It is an operative philosophy based on the profound comprehension and active life in accordance with the seven Hermetic Principles, which are:

  • The Principle of Mentalism: "The All is mind, the Universe is mental."
  • The Principle of Correspondence: "As above, so below; as below, so above."
  • The Principle of Vibration: "Nothing rests, everything moves; everything vibrates."
  • The Principle of Polarity: "Everything is dual; everything has poles; everything has its pair of opposites; like and unlike are all the same; opposites are identical in nature, but different in degree; extremes meet; all truths are but half-truths; all paradoxes may be reconciled."
  • The Principle of Rhythm: "Everything flows, out and in; everything has its tides; all things rise and fall; the pendulum swing manifests in everything; the measure of the swing to the right is the measure of the swing to the left; rhythm compensates."
  • The Principle of Cause and Effect: "Every cause has its effect; every effect has its cause; everything happens according to law; chance is but a name for law not recognized; there are many planes of causation, but nothing escapes the law."
  • The Principle of Gender: "Gender is in everything; everything has its masculine and feminine principle; Gender manifests on all planes."

True comprehension of the seven principles leads to profound
happiness and harmony both internally and externally.

Who are the leaders in the United States?

The executive council of the institute:
  • David Richeson President

    David has been a student of Hermetic Philosophy for over 25 years, and he is grateful to be able to contribute to the Institute by serving others in multiple capacities at IHP. He is an alumnus of both Phillips Academy Andover and Brown University, where he earned his Bachelor of Arts degree in Philosophy. In his professional career, he serves as Chief Digital Officer at Lippe Taylor, a full-service communications firm. He has led digital strategy for many Fortune 500 clients such as Procter & Gamble, Unilever, Merck, Johnson & Johnson, and Pfizer. He has been an award-winning thought-leader in the field of social media, digital marketing, and technology. He spent the early years of his life in Baltimore, Maryland, but he is a proud citizen of New York City. He loves theatre, film, jazz, comedy, running, and having meaningful conversations with people.

  • Jason Stile Controller

    Jason Stile joined IHP in 2006 still searching and seeking. Under the direction of this great school, he can say that he found what he was looking for, though, inside himself. He is grateful for the teachings of Dario Salas Sommer and continues to practice and help others learn this ancient wisdom and internal art. He is an inventive handyman who, in 2008, literally dreamt up the solution, Ajustlock, a common security problem, while volunteering at this school on a building project. This led him to build a construction and hardware products manufacturing company, Ajustco, that sells patented innovations globally to large corporations like Home Depot, Lowes, Walmart, Turner Construction, Gilbane and more. The company has won numerous awards for its innovations from companies like Liberty Mutual Insurance as well as the New York City Building Department. Jason started his professional career as an electrician in NYC, eventually creating his own firm, LIU Electric, in 2011, which serviced NYC and surrounding areas. He loves the many opportunities to interact with the various frequencies of Nature and has been participating in Tom Brown Jr.’s Tracker School for many years. In fact, he can survive in extreme conditions without man made tools. He’s traveled around the world, and many can say that he knows a thing or two about break dancing. He also loves listening to live jazz music.

  • David Owens Director

    David Owens was first introduced to the Institute for Hermetic Philosophy in 1996 and became a member soon thereafter. The school immediately helped David to clarify questions about his path and purpose. From an early age, David sensed there was a deeper and hidden world, but he couldn’t understand or articulate what he felt (or felt was missing) until he started reading the teachings of Dr. Dario Salas Sommer. David professionally is a personal trainer. He was born and raised in NYC. He loves cartoons and sneakers and is happy!

  • Deanna Smith Director

    Deanna became a member in 2007 and began presenting workshops in 2014. Internal growth and development have always been part of her path, and, at the Institute for Hermetic Philosophy, Deanna has found the journey is never ending and always awe-inspiring. Turning challenges into opportunities is the path she has chosen and when viewed from that vantage point, life has become what she is willing to make it. Deanna has been known to bask in quiet moments in nature and relish the subtle, daily joys of life

  • Luis Nunez Director