“As above, so below; as below, so above.”–The Kybalion.
Since time and space are shown through metaphysics to be illusory, isn’t it interesting to think in terms of “above” and “below”? Think in terms of vibrational frequencies as you read the next part.
This Principle embodies the truth that there is always a Correspondence
between the laws and phenomena of the various planes of Being and Life.
The old Hermetic axiom ran in these words: “As above, so below; as
below, so above.” And the grasping of this Principle gives one the means
of solving many a dark paradox, and hidden secret of Nature. There are
planes beyond our knowing, but when we apply the Principle of
Correspondence to them we are able to understand much that would
otherwise be unknowable to us. This Principle is of universal
application and manifestation, on the various planes of the material,
mental, and spiritual universe–it is an Universal Law. The ancient
Hermetists considered this Principle as one of the most important mental
instruments by which man was able to pry aside the obstacles which hid
from view the Unknown. Its use even tore aside the Veil of Isis to the
extent that a glimpse of the face of the goddess might be caught. Just
as a knowledge of the Principles of Geometry enables man to measure
distant suns and their movements, while seated in his observatory,
so a knowledge of the Principle of Correspondence enables Man to reason
intelligently from the Known to the Unknown. Studying the monad, he
understands the archangel.
Monad as a word, by the way, was first recorded in Latin in the early 17th century, but came into popularity in the 18th century with the work of a mathematician by the name of Gottfried Wilhelm Leibniz. His description was that monads were “the real atoms of nature” and described even the non-living versions as having perception and desire. (hume.ucdavis.edu)
When you consider the idea of the monad as the indivisible form of nature and if you accept that it does, indeed, have perception and desire, it is easy to see how The Principle of Mentalism really does make sense. If the most simple form is Mind, All must be Mind so we can see the Great in the small and vice versa.