As Above, So Below: The Principle of Correspondence - A Useful Lens, Not a Fact

This episode introduces the principle of correspondence, often expressed as “as above, so below” or “as within, so without,” and reframes it as a functional lens rather than a factual claim. The focus is on how and when this idea is useful for examining experience, without requiring it to be literally true.

🔑 Key Takeaways

• The principle of correspondence is framed as subjective and instrumental, not factual.
• Its value lies in pattern recognition, not metaphysical accuracy.
• Truth and usefulness are treated as separate questions.
• Cognitive tools can be effective even when they are incomplete or imprecise.
• Awareness changes perception without changing external reality.

💬 Featured Quotes

• “This principle of correspondence is romantic and it is in a lot of ways useful and completely false.” (1:12–1:22)
• “Those patterns don’t necessarily need to be true or accurate to be useful.” (2:20–2:26)
• “The things that are true are relative and your understanding of truth is emergent.” (2:37–2:47)
• “That fundamental truth of as above so below is effectively an application of the frequency illusion.” (4:45–4:52)
• “This is useful to the extent that it is useful, and when it stops being useful, discard it.” (3:34–3:39)

Creators & Guests

• Brian Mattocks - Host

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