Have you ever stumbled upon the concept of Ikigai?
“iki” meaning “to live,” and “gai” meaning “reason,”
It's a beautiful Japanese philosophy that means "a reason to live." It lies at the intersection of what you love, what you are good at, what the world needs, and what you can be paid for. 🌏❤️💼
For the longest time, I was on a quest to find my Ikigai. After much introspection, trial, and error, I realized that my passion lies in Spiritual Coaching - all within the context of guiding individuals through their spiritual journeys and transformations. This realization wasn't immediate, but every step of the journey was worth it. As I progress on my journey of learning and growth, my ikigai unfolds gradually.
Exploring the 7 Hermes principles deepens my understanding and resonates with my quest to discover my Ikigai. Discovering your ikigai is an ongoing journey, evolving alongside your expanding consciousness.
The correlation between the 7 Hermetic principles and finding our ikigai lies in their foundational teachings about the nature of reality, consciousness, and personal growth.
The seven principles are the cornerstone of Hermeticism, a spiritual philosophy that dates back to the first century A.D. These principles were outlined by the renowned author Hermes Trismegistus, who is credited with writing the Emerald Tablet and the Corpus Hermeticum, two highly influential ancient texts.
His work went on to influence both ancient Greek and Egyptian cultures, with each adopting him as a god of wisdom (known as Hermes in Greece and Thoth in Egypt). Hermes Trismegistus was celebrated as a great master of the universe and is said to have lived for thousands of years.
The seven hermetic principles were passed down orally from teacher to student over the centuries. In the early 20th century, these teachings were compiled into a book called The Kybalion, written by "The Three Initiates." Today, they remain a significant source of occult wisdom, powerful yet distinct from any specific religion.
While the seven principles offer one way to understand the universe, they are flexible enough to be studied alongside other spiritual philosophies. Here's a look at what each of the seven principles is all about:
1. The Principle of Mentalism "The All is Mind; the Universe is Mental." —The Kybalion
The principle of mentalism states that the universe is like a mental projection. This is the essence of manifestation 101, which focuses on using your thoughts to shape your reality. For anything to exist, a thought must precede it. According to this principle, God is consciousness or thought, and the universe is a manifestation of the mind of God. By understanding and applying this law, we can also harness the power of our minds to create the life we desire.
How to apply it: Think about the initial thought that led you to read this on your current device, or the thought that's most influencing your mood right now.
When we realize how much our thoughts manifest every day—whether internally as a physiological or emotional state, or externally as the things we do or places we go—we see that by controlling our mind, we control our lives. We can improve at this through spiritual practices such as meditation, which help us train our minds.
2. The Principle of Correspondence "As above, so below; as below, so above." —The Kybalion
You've probably heard this quote before, but you might not have known that Hermes Trismegistus first coined it. Closely related to the principle of mentalism, it states that what we hold in our thoughts and mind becomes our reality. It explains the many planes of existence, including those of lower and higher vibrational frequencies, and how they are interconnected.
How to apply it: Applying this law involves understanding your connection to the world around you and how your thoughts and actions impact yourself and the universe. When we have a firm grasp on how we interact with life and how it affects us, we can recognize and break patterns, live in alignment with our highest good, and feel harmonious with everything around us.
3. The Principle of Vibration "Nothing rests; everything moves; everything vibrates." —The Kybalion
Believe it or not, the idea of "vibes" has been around for a very long time. The principle of vibration states that everything, both physical matter and spiritual energy, holds a certain vibration. Basic science tells us that atoms are in constant motion, just like the universe itself. Even our hearts give off different vibrations depending on our emotional state. When we're "vibing high," we can avoid low-level frequencies that don't serve us.
How to apply it: Applying this principle looks different for everyone, but the key is to engage in activities and cultivate thoughts that allow you to be in a state of ease, where your body is "vibrating" at a more positive level. Utilizing the first two principles can help you achieve this. (You might notice that all of these principles are deeply interconnected.) By acknowledging this principle, we recognize that we have the power to control our vibration rather than letting our vibration control us.
4. The Principle of Polarity "Everything is dual; everything has poles; everything has its pair of opposites; like and unlike are 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 Kybalion
The principle of polarity explains that seemingly opposite things are the same thing at different degrees. For example, hot and cold are both forms of temperature; cold is just the absence of heat. Physical matter and spiritual energy are the same, with spiritual energy vibrating at a much higher level, beyond the perception of our senses. Love and hate are two ways of experiencing the same thing, a relationship toward something. This principle forms the foundation of alchemy, the ability to "transmute" experiences at will.
How to apply it: Applying the principle of polarity requires mental stamina and involves shifting your perspective on something, sometimes completely. For instance, if you feel hate towards someone, is there a way you can shift it to feelings of love? When a lower vibrational emotion is bringing you down, can you recognize it, feel it, and transmute it into a more positive one?
5. 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 Kybalion
Closely related to the principle of polarity, the fifth principle states that there is an inherent rhythm between opposing poles. The tides move in and out. We inhale and exhale. Everything is in motion. Nature has its seasons, and so do we. Understanding this principle allows us to recognize the natural rhythms of life and the universe, so we can work with them rather than against them.
How to apply it: Understand that nothing lasts forever, and everything is always changing. As you become more attuned to this law, you'll be able to manage your emotional states better and avoid dramatic swings. It's believed that, with mastery, one can transcend duality completely. If you're just starting out, try becoming more aware of your emotional state and use the principles of polarity and rhythm to become more comfortable with life's natural fluctuations.
6. 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 Kybalion
Everything is connected through the principle of cause and effect. Every cause of one thing is merely the effect of something else, tracing back to the very beginning.
Ask yourself: are you a cause, or are you an effect? This principle revolves around recognizing the consequences of our thoughts and actions and how we can adjust them to achieve greater outcomes.
How to apply it: When things don't go as planned or when you feel dissatisfied, reflect on the cause. Often, we react to our circumstances instead of actively shaping them. By taking deliberate action to achieve the outcomes we desire, we shift from feeling powerless to feeling empowered.
7. The Principle of Gender "Gender is in everything; everything has its masculine and feminine principles; gender manifests on all planes." —The Kybalion
The seventh principle asserts that all things possess masculine and feminine qualities. While this can be seen physically as the two sexes, it also applies internally where each person embodies both energies (akin to the left and right brain).
Masculine and feminine energies exist not only in the physical realm but also in the mental and spiritual realms. The harmonization of these energies is crucial for creation, and when balanced, individuals can effectively apply all principles together for optimal results.
Embrace all aspects of yourself and recognize that achieving balance is crucial for self-mastery. Buddha referred to this as the middle way, emphasizing the harmony between masculine and feminine energies, heavenly and earthly realms, and the integration of mind, body, and spirit. When we achieve inner balance, we gain the ability to effectively harness these principles and apply them positively in our lives.
If this seems overwhelming, that's okay. These principles have profound depths, and it takes time to fully grasp and embody them. Each time you revisit them, you may uncover new insights or deeper understandings. Over time, integrating these principles can empower you to master your mind and lead a fulfilled life.
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SPIRITUALITY is not about religion, beliefs, or dogmas, it is about MASTERING THE SKILLS to LIVE LIFE TO THE FULLEST.
We all want to lead more balanced, joyful, and fulfilled lives.
I hope you find this information helpful, or at least enlightening to some degree, and please share with your friends as this knowledge might help them to find their center and manifest towards a healthy lifestyle and be able to enjoy life to the fullest.
Peace and Love to all 💞
Contact me @ 011 1670 3368
lizpranalife@gmail.com
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