The law of mentalism implies that everything is mental in nature. And that we are connected to the same consciousness that manifests all we see around us in thoughts. More so, every living thing has a level of intelligence that collectively explains the changes in the mental and physical world. So, how does the law of mentalism affect you?
Let’s discuss below: –
Understanding the Law of Mentalism
The principle of mentalism is the first of the seven Hermetic principles. Hermeticism, a branch of ancient spiritual philosophy, describes mentalism as a foundational law of our reality. The other Hermetic principles are the principles of correspondence, vibration, polarity, rhythm, cause and effect, and gender.
According to the Kybalion, a book compiling all the hermetic principles, the principle of mentalism means “The All is Mind; the Universe is Mental.” Hence, the universe corresponds to mental projection, a culmination of thoughts by all living beings, past and present. God is consciousness, and the universe manifests the mind of God through our consciousness.
The Mentalism Test: Mind vs. Ego
Below is a quick test that demonstrates how the law of mentalism works: –
Close your eyes and stay put wherever you are at the moment. All you are without your vision is a spec of consciousness. All you are in this place where you cannot see anything is that you are something that can be aware of.
If someone were to chop off your fingers or toes right now, God forbid, would you change your awareness once the pain subsides? No, right? And what if someone chops off your entire hands, legs, and everything on your body besides what you vitally need for your mind to continue functioning? Would you change anything? See, even with your eyes closed, you wouldn’t change a thing because we are all specs of divine consciousness, aspects of the same mind that created everything. The only thing that would change is the removal of those particular sensory inputs that your consciousness uses to experience the material world.
Now open your eyes. Suddenly, you realize thoughts define your story. You know, son of-, mother of-, daughter of-, I did this-, I did that-, I want this-, I like that-, I heard those people say this-, I am good at this-, I am weak at that-. This entire thought dialogue comes to mind when you realize that you perceive through the vision of the eyes in your head that is part of your body. And that when you look in the mirror, you see someone with a name; you. That’s ego or self.
Our ego gives us self-identity, creating a lens through which we see ourselves and those around us. Yet, essentially all we are parts or aspects of the original mind. That’s why the law of mentalism revolves around manifestation.
The Law of Mentalism & Manifestation
Manifestation implies that thought precedes any reality. And the law of mentalism is the only reason we can manifest. See, we can hold a view in our mind without ever sharing it with anyone, and at some point, this thought shows up in our lives.
The law of mentalism is the only connection between your mind and what manifests in your life. Besides, this same mind manifests all we see around us.
Creation, Spirituality & Law of Mentalism
We can also interpret the law of mentalism from a spiritual perspective. We came into being by a God with an everlasting, eternal spirit. Moreover, we were created to be separate but still connected to all. And we are blessed with the ability to think and create with or without instruction. Then, since creation can form independently, it is driven by an eternal power with a creative mind.
Using the Law of Mentalism to Improve Your Life
The law of mentalism effectively harnesses the power of thought and manifests whatever we put our attention on. And the first step to harnessing the power of our consciousness is by taming our ego. Here are some spiritual practices that can train the mind:
#1: Mindful Living and Meditation
Mindfulness relates to our ability to stay fully present in our prevailing circumstances. It involves resisting the ego’s chatter that tries to hijack our thoughts from the task at hand. Hence, mindful meditation helps us focus on a present sensation without being carried away by our internal dialogue. Examples of mindful meditation exercises include focusing on your breathing and living in the moment. Also, pay attention to your five senses and become your own best friend.
#2: Breathing Exercises
Our subconscious mind helps us breathe involuntarily for our survival. Through breathing, our bodies get just enough oxygen to function well. When we make breathing a conscious activity through regular exercises, more oxygen circulates the brain and the rest of the body for a calmer and clearer mind. Here is a 3-minute Kapalabathi breathing exercise you can try: –
- Find your favorite spot where you can relax uninterrupted for the next 3 minutes.
- Sit and relax your shoulders.
- Breath in and out.
- Gaze softly or keep your eyes closed.
- Breath in halfway (a shallow inhale).
- Breathe out strongly through your nose (until you feel your belly popping inwards).
- Repeat the shallow inhale and the strong exhale ten more times.
- Take 2-3 final deep inhales and exhales.
Avoid this breathing exercise if you feel dizzy, are expectant, have high blood pressure, or have heart or lung problems.
#3: Read Books on Spirituality
Find books, podcasts, and video recordings that give you spiritual insight on ideas and techniques you can apply in your life. Likewise, follow the authors on their social media platforms, and attend their meetups or book clubs to gain more tips.
#4: Help Others
When was the last time you did something kind for someone else? We can often tame the ego by shifting focus from ourselves. It could be walking our pets, visiting a friend in the hospital, doing some charity work, or lending a listening ear for a friend to vent.
The Bottom Line
It is mind-blowing how much our thoughts manifest all around us. This godly power of consciousness is the basis of the law of mentalism. Understanding this fundamental law of reality helps us grasp the systematically universal law and apply it to improve our wellbeing.