Hermann Hesse (July 2, 1877 – August 9, 1962) was a German-Swiss poet, novelist, and painter. He is best know for his literary works, that express the spirit of an individual’s search for truth and are set upon diverse backgrounds, ranging from Europe to the Far East. In 1946, he was awarded the Nobel Prize in Literature. His best known books are Steppenwolf, Siddhartha, Narcissus and Goldmund and Magister Ludi.
Herman Hesse on As Above so Below
Here Hesse echoes the Hermetic principle of As Above so Below, that parallel cosmoses are identical, albeit of different scales. Man is a micro-cosmos, and as such, contains within him all the principles of the worlds above and below himself.
Herman Hesse on As Within so Without
The practical consequence of as within so without is that man can learn about himself by looking outside. Accordingly, although Hesse professes that the essence of the soul is unknowable, it can be intimated by experiencing love and engaging in creation. Whatever the creator creates mirrors himself; a modern expression of God creating man in his own image.
Further Reading:
Isaac Newton on As Above so Below
George Gurdjieff on As Above so Below
Upanishads on As Above so Below