The Principles of Hermes
At the age of 20, I embarked on a spiritual journey to better understand myself. Along the way, I completed a 200 hour yoga teacher training, a kids yoga training, as well as Reiki 1 and 2 certifications. Through my trainings and studies, I learned about 7 “hermetic principles” that I will lovingly refer to as, ‘The Principles of Hermes.’ The seven spiritual principles are the foundation of Hermeticism, a branch of spiritual philosophy that dates back as early as the first century A.D.
1. Mentalism: Before anything exists, it has to first be a thought. A thought is an impulse that materializes. Therefore, one must assume that intention and state of mind are crucial. These are the rules of creation. This is useful to understand as a therapist, because I can help my clients recognize, identify, and understand helpful vs. unhelpful ways of thinking, how to un-twist thinking traps, and ways to change their thinking.
2. Correspondence: As within, so it is without. There is a constant correspondence within all living beings. Einstein’s Special Theory of Relativity is a prime example of the Law of Correspondence, in relation to the velocity of light. Similarly, when you begin to feel better mentally, you will feel better physically. Be kind to your mind.
3. Law of vibration: This basically means energy. Everything vibrates. Thoughts and words are vibrations. This is where NLP, or neuro-linguistic programming, base the idea of changing through the use of positive thoughts and words, because thoughts and words carry vibrations. Certain vibrational frequencies can be useful to listen to before bed or during moments of anxiety, anger, or frustration, to regulate the nervous system.
4. Law of Polarity: The opposite of something is the same thing, from a different point on the spectrum, differing in intensity and degree. There is an opposite for all things in this world. This is what creates duality and ultimately, harmony. When we can find understanding and acceptance for all the different parts of ourselves, we can find true peace. In therapy, we can explore the different parts of your whole self that you might be suppressing.
5. Law of Rhythm: Waves and flow. Riding the wave is a coping skill practiced in DBT/Distress Tolerance modules. If you are happy now, you are guaranteed to experience sadness, at some later point. As bad as it looks and seems, it shall pass, due to this law. Unless, however, you keep your thoughts in that state of being, then you will experience suffering. It can be really useful to recognize how riding the wave of anxiety, anger, and cravings, can eventually bring a sense of freedom, as well as a sense of relief that your struggles, cravings, and emotions are temporary.
6. Law of Cause and Effect: The cause is in your thoguhts. You can be living in the current effect, on the outside. The cause or origin begins on the inside, with your thoughts. This is why mental health matters, so much! Just like we carry genetics, we also carry memories in our bodies. In therapy, we often look for the cause through thoughts and programming in environment or family. Together in therapy, we can explore things from the past, or the cause, and how it is linked to the current “effect.”
7. Law of Gender: Feminine/masculine. We all need both sides to co-exist. Th right hemisphere is related to feminine, as it unifies. The left brain is related to masculine, as it separates. You can polarize Male to Female or Female to Male. Balancing brain hemispheres through the use of somatic practices can be useful for balance.
Mindful Healing House, LLC is proud to be a safe space for people to explore all parts of themselves in their unique journeys to healing. If you’re interested in learning more about any of these Principles of Hermes or embarking on your own journey to healing, feel free to reach out.
