A Discussion on Duality

One of the best resources that we can use to understand duality is by the hermetic principle of polarity.

The hermetic principle of polarity states, "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."

There is a lot to unpack here, but what seems to stick out the most in this statement is that opposites are really the same thing, just varying in degree.

The example used in the kybalion is the idea of hot vs cold. These are both opposites of one concept: temperature, varying only in degree.

What determines something being cold? Too hot? Where is the dividing line? Is there a clear dividing line, or is it a gradual process? Can you determine the dividing line?

Upon further inspection we see that there is no clear determination.

This principle can be applied to all manner of aspects of life: light/dark, love/hate, big/small, hard/soft, wealth/poverty, etc.

The key is to use this principle to help you see past the polarity that is being represented, then noticing that the polarity is just a degree on the scale of the real issue.

Once that point is realized, then we can more easily be empowered to change our degree on the scale.

We think the true power of this principle is when it's used for spiritual alchemy in order to better control and utilize our emotions to serve our own needs in that moment.

There seems to be an endless application to this principle.

The clever are able to recognize the principle in life. The wise are able to apply the principle.

-Jason