The Hermetic Principle of Correspondence is another way to say:

• “As above; so below“
• “As below; so above”
• “As within; so without”
• “As without; so within”

Once understood, we can improve our lives using the principle of correspondence. We begin to see a correspondence between the various planes of existence that the universe operates within.

In a previous post: the first Hermetic Principle of Mentalism, we outlined how the universe is a thought generated plane. After we think, we manifest our thoughts from the mental plane to the physical plane. Depending on how strong the thought, determines the time to manifest in the physical reality.

Realizing this is what can allow an individual to examine solutions to problems that exist “above,” and “below” surface level. What is meant by this is having the ability to analyze where a problem’s real point of manifestation is. For example, if an individual is dealing with a dilemma concerning self-confidence, the problem can be analyzed from points in the mental and physical. There are many different aspects to this particular issue. Let’s attempt to look at a few possible angles in which how the principle of correspondence applies.

Self-Confidence

A person with a “confidence issue,” may be dwelling on some situations in their past that have been brought into the present. The problem actually may have originated with one example, or even multiple examples from the past. Because we only truly live and operate within the “present moment,” the constant dwelling on the lack of self-confidence continues to materialize within the everyday present moment.

Time is an Illusion

Because “time” doesn’t actually really exist, this constant dwelling of lack of confidence is being brought in from the realm of thought. The thought plane is separate from the physical plane. Manifesting in the physical plane always occurs within the present moment. Although it may be in small increments, manifesting always happens in the present. The mental place or “realm,” of thought is not bound by “time.” Thought happens always presently, even if subtle and small. We are always thinking in the present moment, even if we are dwelling on our past. Thinking now, even if about the past, is occurring in the present moment.

Time is a man-made construct as we only truly ever live in “the now.” The past was at one time lived presently in a particular moment. The future will be lived in present moments as well. Time was created by man in order to function within the society we’ve come to know. When we really understand time for what it is, it can be easier to see that it truly doesn’t exist.

We never operate “physically,” in the past or future. Past and future thoughts are what we bring into our current and present state. The solution to this problem is simply to change the mindset and stop focusing on the moments in the past, or worry of the future. This is just one example of how to understand and use the principle of correspondence.

Solving our Daily Problems

Many of our current problems are simply aspects of our daily thoughts. I know it sounds easier to say than to do, but we literally can improve our lives for the better by being able to properly analyze our mental thought activities. By making it a practice to observe our own thoughts, we gain the ability to become mindful. Becoming mindful then puts us more in touch with the present moment, which then shapes our future one day at a time…hopefully for the better.

This is how we get life to “correspond,” with us and for us. It is where we aim to improve our lives. As the French philosopher Rene Descartes famously first said, “I think, therefore I am”…This principle is absolute. It works for the positive and the negative. Think positive – you’ll bring in more positive aspects, think negative and you’ll certainly attract more negativity into your life.