The Law of Correspondence is the principle that states the repetitive nature of patterns in the universe. Our reality is a mirror of what happens internally at the moment. The principle can be considered with the saying, ‘As above, so below. As within, so without.’
The Correspondence principle draws attention to the coexistence and reflection of microcosm to macrocosm. Consider the structure of an atom in comparison to the structure of the solar system. Another is fractals in nature, with intricate patters that repeat at different scales in natural formations of leaves or snowflakes. These fractals are mirrored in patterns on a larger macrocosm scale in coastlines, mountains and cloud formations. Our own microcosm of our internal identity, imprinted messages, cognitive processes and somatic experiences can mirror the macrocosm of our interpersonal relationships, communications, and power dynamics with others.
There is a consistency and pattern across relationships, where these similarities and patterns exist across different dimensions and scales of our existence. The Law of Correspondence makes clear that what occurs happens for you, not to you. The law often is expressed by “as above, so below; as below, so above.”
Our internal experiences can reflect our external world. Meaning we can always connect our thoughts, feelings and experiences with what is happening in our life on the outside. If we feel sick, we see sick. If we feel sad, we see more things that represent sadness.
When I was younger I was stuck in a revolving rescuer to victim role. Many people as children and youth bring home lost animals. I brought home lost people. I sabotaged my own needs and wellness to focus on trying to help others, and it only caused more chaos. I avoided conflict, but when it was unavoidable I would react with anger I didn’t know how to control. Internally I felt helpless and unable to resolve my own thought patterns and self image. I found happiness through healthy boundaries, through separating the problems of others from my own emotional and physical health. I grew from self-care and self reflection into a coach, supporter and survivor. The Law of Correspondence reminds us that what happened has happened for you, not to you. My chaotic youth has led me into the supportive professional I am today.
Relationships have patterns that correspond to communication and other connections. For instance, if we are focused on a mindset as a victim, we may externally have experiences that keep us in the stance of the victim. If we are focused in the role of rescuer, we attract corresponding experiences that keep us rescuing. Persecutors find more to be in control and blame towards.
In drama and conflict there are always key players, and one of the best ways to explain this is to understand through a triangle, in particular the ‘Karpman Drama Triangle’. Stephen B. Karpman proposed this model of human dysfunctional interaction.
Learning to understand the Karpman Triangles through the Law of Correspondence highlights three roles that provide insights into how an individual may relate to others, and how they experience their own internal mindset. If we build awareness of cognitive distortions and imprinted messages, we can regulate our emotions by experiencing them through our mind and body. We can improve our confidence, interpersonal relationships, communication, sense of purpose, and coping strategies.
We have all experienced getting caught up with drama at some point in our lives. The Correspondence principle connects our external patterns of helpless victim, enabling rescuer and critical persecutor with our patterns and cycles of perceived identity. By learning to understand these patterns we gain understanding how to re-evaluate our internal experience and our external relationships. We can begin to take accountability for the dynamics in our interpersonal relationships and the mindset we maintain.
The Persecutor
If you find that you are often feeling critical, frustrated and angry then you may relate to being a persecutor. Internally and externally they may be critical, blaming others, and struggling with resentment. The persecutor will manipulate others, and are often unable to see any side but their own. Internally they may struggle to connect with emotional authenticity, covering emotions with others, and struggling with heart problems, stomach or autoimmune difficulties.
However, they become a challenger when they build awareness around these behaviours they can better accept the need to learn to communicate assertively instead of through aggression. Learning to set boundaries and being an active listener by making expectations clear, asking questions instead of blaming or ordering, and collaborating. The persecutor needs to cultivate self-compassion to counteract the harshness of how they treat themselves. This can be done by treating themselves as they might treat a friend or their child.
The Victim
If you often struggle in conflicts and with drama, always feeling as if you are being oppressed, you may be in a victim role. Externally the individuals in this role will seem helpless. They are often dependent on others and avoid responsibility. Internally they struggle with feeling powerless and incapable, they are often lost in shame and self-pity. These individuals will look to others in making decisions and view themselves as being lesser than others.
Victims can escape their role by beginning to focus on outcomes instead of problems. By becoming a creator and survivor this individual will gain clarity over what outcomes they are hoping for, and take responsibility for their own actions. By celebrating their uniqueness and reflecting on strengths the creator will integrate asking for support rather than taking the victim stance.
The Rescuer
If you find that you are often wanting to help others to the point of making your own sacrifices, and feeling responsible for them you may be the rescuer. Externally the rescuer will fix other people’s problems, seeing others as helpless. Internally they experience guilt and discount their own needs and emotional awareness.
The rescuer will shift into the role of a coach by being compassionate and supportive. The rescuer will learn to allow others to be independent rather than doing something for them. They set clear boundaries and will not take on the problems or emotions of others as their own. The coach begins to take care of their own needs, and listen to their own limitations.
Understanding and applying the Law of Correspondence helps identify roles that we play in interpersonal relationships and within our own processes. We can support individuals in escaping their internal and external roles of persecutor, rescuer and victim by guiding the integration of healthy boundaries, assertive-empathetic communication, celebrating strengths and uniqueness and building accountability. Using this universal principle to self-reflect and examine how internal beliefs, thought patterns, emotional responses correspond to external experience.
In Manifestation Therapy support comes in a holistic approach considering the correspondence that occurs for each individual’s internal dynamic and external relationships. Through understanding we can support solution building through connection of patterns and cycles existing in one area and mirroring another.