Part 12/19:
The Hermetic universe thus proceeds along a spiral of involution and evolution, where divine energy expresses, becomes individualized, and ultimately strives toward reunion with its source—The All. This process is driven by divine meditation or contemplation, and it reflects the Law of Rhythm and Cause-and-Effect in action on a grand cosmic scale.
The Divine Paradox: Real and Illusory
A central Hermetic teaching is the divine paradox—the universe is both real and illusory, depending on the perspective:
- Absolute View: In the highest sense, the universe is a transient manifestation in the divine mind—an illusion that masks the ultimate reality of The All.