In this profound lecture, Hahnemann and his followers delve into the metaphysical and dynamic foundation of health, disease, and cure — the concept of the “Simple Substance.” Everything in the universe, from the grossest matter to the most refined spirit, originates from a Supreme Creative Power. This Power, perfect and all-wise, does nothing without a purpose. All things exist by law and for use — and it is this concept of usefulness that defines the value and role of each entity in creation.
From the first spark of spiritual substance to the solid matter we see, there exists a continuous chain of creation. Each link in this chain is connected by function and purpose, and no point along it is independent. As matter becomes more refined and spiritualized, it passes into the domain of immaterial, invisible substance, ultimately forming the basis of life itself — which Hahnemann refers to as the Vital Force. This force animates the material body, and is itself governed by the Soul, the true being, which is also a simple, dynamic substance.
The Simple Substance is not composed of matter, yet it is the basis of all material phenomena. It is spiritual, dynamic, and cannot be measured in physical terms such as time, weight, or space. This distinguishes it from the coarse materials studied by allopathic medicine. While in chemistry, elements can combine without losing their individual identities, in the realm of living beings, the dynamic forces (vital force and soul) are more than the sum of their parts; they are hierarchical, with the soul ruling over the vital force, and the vital force governing the body.
Health results from harmonious cooperation of these forces — soul, vital force, and body. Disease arises when this cooperation is disturbed, not by material factors alone, but by dynamic, invisible, internal causes. These causes cannot be detected by microscope or dissection. Allopaths, by focusing only on material symptoms — lesions, tumors, or structural deformities — miss the true cause of disease, which lies in the internal dynamic disturbance. Thus, merely removing a fistula, an ulcer, or a tumor is not a true cure, as the miasmatic taint or dynamic imbalance remains untouched.
Homeopathy, rooted in these principles, views the totality of symptoms as the only outward reflection of the internal state. The real disease lies within, in the simple substance level — and the only effective cure is through a similar, dynamic, potentized medicine that acts upon the same level. Remedies must be qualitatively similar to the disease, not just chemically or pharmacologically. The medicine must match the depth and quality of the vital disturbance — hence, the importance of potency. A case with deep-seated psora may require a high potency (like Sulphur CM), whereas a superficial condition might only need a lower potency (like Sulphur 30C).
Even inert substances like Silica or Gold, which are apparently inactive in their crude form, hold dynamic, simple substance potential. Through the process of potentization, this inner quality is released, enabling the substance to act on corresponding planes within the human system. This demonstrates the spiritual affinity between the remedy and the disease — one cannot affect the other unless both exist on the same immaterial plane.
Furthermore, every living being and substance emits an aura — a dynamic atmosphere or field. This field is responsible for invisible interactions: attraction, repulsion, and healing effects. This aura, or sphere of influence, explains how dynamic remedies can act without any material quantity. They resonate with the vital force and correct the internal disharmony from within.
Hahnemann insists that there are two realms: the realm of causes (invisible, dynamic, immaterial) and the realm of effects (visible, material, symptomatic). Allopathy functions only in the realm of effects, seeking to suppress symptoms, while homeopathy penetrates into the realm of causes, aiming to restore balance at the source. The law of similars allows homeopaths to use dynamic forces to correct dynamic diseases, rather than using crude matter to battle symptoms.
In conclusion, this lecture calls for a new scientific pathology — one based not on physical observation alone but on the understanding of simple substance, vital dynamics, and spiritual causation. Hahnemann’s philosophy thus offers a complete system, wherein disease and cure are seen as interactions of energies and substances far subtler than those observable by the senses, yet more fundamental to human life and health. Only through this lens can we comprehend the true nature of disease, and apply homeopathy as a rational, spiritual, and scientific art of healing.