The Principle of Rhythm

"Everything flows out and in; everything has its tides; all things rise and fall; the pendulum-swing manifests in everything; the measure of the swing to the right, is the measure of the swing to the left; rhythm compensates." - The Kybalion.

The fifth Hermetic Principle; The Principle of Rhythm. This law states that between any two-poles manifest on the physical, mental or spiritual planes there is a swing forward and backward; a pendulum-like movement. This is closely tied in with the Principle of Polarity.

The Pendulum Swing

The pendulum does not always swing to the extremes of two poles, as the extremes of poles are very rarely met. But, there is always an equal swing between the two poles.

When you hear people talk about, "What goes around comes around", they are stating the Principle of Rhythm without even being aware of it. It's ironic because we are all somewhat aware of universal laws and use them every day, but many of us are also very unaware of them and this usually results in them being used against you.

Why is it true that 'what goes around comes around', though? It is because of the pendulum swing between the two poles.

If one treats others with hate, they are sure to attract it. If one gives generously, they shouldn't be surprised to one day be rewarded generously. This Principle shows the double end to every thought, word and action one emits.

However, it goes much further than this. We can see the Principle manifest with day and night, the seasons, and even the rise and fall of empires/nations. Nothing can escape this Principle, it is Law.

All movement encompasses Rhythm. From the smallest to the largest. You could throw a ball in the air and see it land to the floor with its rise and fall balancing out for neutrality. You could conquer nations and see your empire collapse into nothingness as displayed by history. The size of the pendulum swing is merely relative to the degree of that which is sent out.

Rhythm is manifest on all planes. Mentally, we can see the pendulum swing affect our emotions. One minute we may be feeling excited and encouraged to do a certain something, the next we may be taken over by extreme doubt or fear. This is merely the swing from one pole to another.

There are two types of pendulum swings. Pole to pole (courage to fear) & come and go (your treatment of others coming back to treat you). 

There is a Law within the Principle of Rhythm, the Law of Compensation. I have touched upon it above, but I will go into more detail.

The Law of Compensation

This Law must be thoroughly understood by everyone. No one can escape it, it is Universal Law.

It is the Law of Compensation the Kybalion refers to when it says, "The measure of the swing to the right is the measure of the swing to the left; rhythm compensates."

Nature's way of balancing out and finding equilibrium is to compensate. For an animal to eat and continue its life, it must also kill. 'You must pay the price', etc.

Many who attempt to get rich or create wealth mistakenly try their hardest to get something for nothing. The issue with this is that it is not how the universe works. Something can never come from nothing. You are only able to get something for something.

This is clear to see in business, for example. The higher the quality of the product/service, the higher the return for the business owner. It is the simple mathematics of the universe. It always strives to balance or counter-balance.

"Live by the sword, die by the sword."