The Law of Attraction is the universal law that explains why our lives are the way they are. It asserts that the outer world we experience is a reflection of the inner world, which we create for ourselves. The Law of Attraction is the principle that we always attract to us that which is aligned with our state of being.
The Law of Attraction is related to an ancient esoteric document called the Emerald Tablet, which includes the words “As above, so below.” The Emerald Tablet is
Attributed to an ancient Egyptian sage named Hermes Trismegistus. Whatever its origin, as above so below tells us that everything in the universe is unified, or one. We can even see the similarity in the words “universe” and “unity” or “unified” – “uni” simply means one. Some modern scientists have suggested that the universe is a kind of hologram, meaning that each part is a perfect reflection of the whole.
This idea that the part reflects the whole becomes very important when you remember that you are part of the universe. This relates to the Law of Attraction: everything you think and feel is reflected in your external circumstances. In the saying, As above, so below, “up” can represent the outside world, everything you see around you, and “down” can represent your inner state, your thoughts, emotions, and beliefs. There is one vital aspect of this formula to understand, however. While the interior and exterior are perfect reflections of each other, you only have control over one of them: the interior.
Most of the time, people tend to assume the opposite: that their inner state is the result of what the outside world has made of them. Conventional psychology supports this, emphasizing the importance of the environment in shaping a person’s character.
While there is no denying that the environment has a powerful impact on us, especially when we are children, if we understand the Law of Attraction, we can begin to “turn around” environmental influence. That is, instead of our environment creating us, we can start creating our environment. This is actually the basis of the Hermetic teachings that come from the Emerald Tablet and have been practiced throughout the centuries by various groups. More recently, quantum physics has begun to prove some of this scientifically. It has been shown, for example, that subatomic particles are actually influenced by those who observe them.
If we understand that inside and outside, or above and below, are perfect reflections of each other, then we have a choice. We can allow the outside world to determine every aspect of our lives. Of course, following Hermetic principles, it is also true that at some point we ourselves have created these external events, but we will probably not be aware of this most of the time without making an effort to understand it. If we choose this option, or choose it by default by not making a choice, our lives will tend to be repetitive, as we will be reacting to the same types of events over and over again, unaware of our part in creating them.
The other, more empowering option is to take control of “below,” that is, our thoughts and emotions. Then we can gradually understand that the external world will reflect what we believe in ourselves. This is the intent behind those who have taught both the Law of Attraction and the Hermetic wisdom of the Emerald Tablet throughout the centuries.