CHAPTER VIII　PLANES OF CORRESPONDENCE
第八章 不同层面的一致

"As above, so below; as below, so above."--The Kybalion.
源头怎样，支流就怎样；支流怎样，源头就怎样。 ——Kybalion

The great Second Hermetic Principle embodies the truth that there is a harmony, agreement, and correspondence between the several planes of Manifestation, Life and Being.
伟大的赫尔墨斯第二法则向我们揭示了这样一个真理：生命以及现象的各层面之间之存在着一致性，相互之间是一种和谐、统一与对应的关系。

This truth is a truth because all that is included in the Universe emanates from the same source, and the same laws, principles, and characteristics apply to each unit, or combination of units, of activity, as each manifests its own phenomena upon its own plane.
这一法则之所以成为真理，是因为宇宙间原本万物同源，各层面事物及其活动都遵循着同样的规则与法则，具有相同或类似的特征。

For the purpose of convenience of thought and study, the Hermetic Philosophy considers that the Universe may be divided into three great classes of phenomena, known as the Three Great Planes, namely:
为了思考和学习的方便，赫尔墨斯哲学主张将诸多宇宙现象划分为三类，即三大层面，取名为：

1. The Great Physical Plane.
2. The Great Mental Plane.
3. The Great Spiritual Plane.
I.物理（Physical）层面；
II.精神（Mental）层面；
Ⅲ.灵魂（Spiritual）层面。

These divisions are more or less artificial and arbitrary, for the truth is that all of the three divisions are but ascending degrees of the great scale of Life, the lowest point of which is undifferentiated Matter, and the highest point that of Spirit.
这一划分多少带有些人为的痕迹，具有一定随意性。这三大层面其实都属于广义的大生命层，只不过现在按其级别高低将其再细化为三个层面。最低的一层是物质层面，所有的物质都是无差别的。
最高的一层是灵魂层面。

And, moreover, the different Planes shade into each other, so that no hard and fast division may be made between the higher phenomena of the Physical and the lower of the Mental; or between the higher of the Mental and the lower of the Physical.
而且，这三个层面是相互重叠的，我们无法将它们截然分开，也就是对于物质层面和精神层面之间的部分，还有精神层面和灵魂层面之间的部分，我们并不能划分出明确界线。

In short, the Three Great Planes may be regarded as three great groups of degrees of Life Manifestation.
简言之，这三个大在层面可以说是生命表征的三组等级。

While the purposes of this little book do not allow us to enter into an extended discussion of, or explanation of, the subject of these different planes, still we think it well to give a general description of the same at this point.
鉴于这本小册子的写作目的，关于这三个层面的详细内容我们不再赘述，但是有必要做一下简要介绍。

At the beginning we may as well consider the question so often asked by the neophyte, who desires to be informed regarding the meaning of the word "Plane", which term has been very freely used, and very poorly explained, in many recent works upon the subject of occultism.
在开始，我们考虑的是，和初学者们通常要问到的一样的问题，初学者希望知道“层面”这个词的意思，在许多现代奥秘学的作品里，这个词被很随意地使用，给出的解释并不合宜。

The question is generally about as follows: "Is a Plane a place having dimensions, or is it merely a condition or state?"
于是经常会有人产生这样的疑问：层面是指一个多维度的空间，还是指一种条件或者状态？

We answer: "No, not a place, nor ordinary dimension of space; and yet more than a state or condition.

我们应该这样理解：层面不是指一个地点，也不是一个具有普通意义上的维度空间，也不只是一种条件或者状态。

It may be considered as a state or condition, and yet the state or condition is a degree of dimension, in a scale subject to measurement."
我们可以把它理解为一种状态或情况，但是它是一种有维度的状态或情况，是一种可以测量的状态或情况。

Somewhat paradoxical, is it not?
很难理解，是吗？
But let us examine the matter.
我们来看看到底是怎么回事。

A "dimension," you know, is "a measure in a straight line, relating to measure," etc.
The ordinary dimensions of space are length, breadth, and height, or perhaps length, breadth, height, thickness or circumference.
维度一词的含义是：跟测量有关系的，可以用直线衡量的，等等。
我们通常所说的维度是指普通的空间维度，是可以用长、宽、高来测量的，或者说是由特定的长度、宽度、高度、厚度与周长所构成的维度。

But there is another dimension of "created things" or "measure in a straight line," known to occultists, and to scientists as well, although the latter have not as yet applied the term "dimension" to it
但是在神秘主义者看来，上帝的创造物，也就是宇宙万物，还可以用另一种维度来表示，用另一种方式来测量，科学家也这样认为，只是还没有将它称为维度。

--and this new dimension, which, by the way, is the much speculated -about "Fourth Dimension," is the standard used in determining the degrees or "planes."
这个新维度就是人们推测已久的第四维度，它就是划分层面等级的标准。

This Fourth Dimension may be called "The Dimension of Vibration"
It is a fact well known to modern science, as well as to the Hermetists who have embodied the truth in their "Third Hermetic Principle," that "everything is in motion; everything vibrates; nothing is at rest."
第四维度也可以叫做“振动维度”。
振动是现代科学经常提到的。赫尔墨斯主义者也在其第三大法则中向我们揭示了这样的真理：每一种事物都在运动之中；每一种事物都在振动，没有静止的事物。

From the highest manifestation, to the lowest, everything and all things Vibrate.
Not only do they vibrate at different rates of motion, but as in different directions and in a different manner.
所有表征，从最高级精神层面到最低级物质层面，所有的事物，无一例外，都在振动之中。
它们的振动频率不同，而且振动方向和方式也不同。

The degrees of the rate of vibrations constitute the degrees of measurement on the Scale of Vibrations--in other words the degrees of the Fourth Dimension.
振动频率的等级就构成了其振动衡量上的不同等级，即第四维度的不同等级。
And these degrees form what occultists call "Planes" The higher the degree of rate of vibration, the higher the plane, and the higher the manifestation of Life occupying that plane.

这些不同等级就构成了神秘主义者称作的“层面”。振动频率等级越高，层面等级越高，生命表征所居的层面就越高。
So that while a plane is not "a place," nor yet "a state or condition," yet it possesses qualities common to both.
所以说，层面不是一个地点，也不是一种状态或者状况，但它具有两者共有的特点。

We shall have more to say regarding the subject of the scale of Vibrations in our next lessons, in which we shall consider the Hermetic Principle of Vibration.
关于振动，我们在下一节中讲解赫尔墨斯振动法则时再详细论述。

You will kindly remember, however, that the Three Great Planes are not actual divisions of the phenomena of the Universe, but merely arbitrary terms used by the Hermetists in order to aid in the thought and study of the various degrees and Forms of universal activity and life.
大家应该清楚我们前面说过，这三大层面不是宇宙现象的真实划分，而是赫尔墨斯主义者为了思考和研究的方便人为划分出来的，这样能够更好地了解宇宙中各种活动和生命的振动等级和形式。

The atom of matter, the unit of force, the mind of man, and the being of the arch -angel are all but degrees in one scale, and all fundamentally the same, the difference between solely a matter of degree, and rate of vibration
物质的原子，力量的组合，人类的思想，还有天使长掌管的生灵，只不过是同一衡量标准的不同等级，它们的本质是相同的，不同的只是等级和振动频率。

--all are creations of THE ALL, and have their existence solely within the Infinite Mind of THE ALL.
一切都是上帝创造的，都是存在于上帝的思想里的。

The Hermetists sub-divide each of the Three Great Planes into Seven Minor Planes, and each of these latter are also sub-divided into seven sub-planes, all divisions being more or less arbitrary, shading into each other, and adopted merely for convenience of scientific study and thought.
赫尔墨斯主义者把以上三大层面进行了进一步划分，每个层面划分为七个小层面。这样的划分也有一些任意性，层面之间相互重叠，但都是为了科学研究和思考的方便。

The Great Physical Plane, and its Seven Minor Planes, is that division of the phenomena of the Universe which includes all that relates to physics, or material things, forces, and manifestations. It includes all forms of that which we call Matter, and all forms of that which we call Energy or Force.
物质层面，又分为七个亚层面，是对宇宙现象的划分，囊括了一切与物质、能量以及表征有关的事物。一切物质、能量或动力形式都属于物质层面。

But you must remember that the Hermetic Philosophy does not recognize Matter as a thing in itself, or as having a separate existence even in the Mind of THE ALL.
但是需要注意的是：赫尔墨斯哲学认为物质并不是指事物本身，而且在全能者的思想中物质也不能脱离精神而独立存在的。

The Teachings are that Matter is but a form of Energy--.that is, Energy at a low rate of vibrations of a certain kind. And accordingly the Hermetists classify Matter under the head of Energy, and give to it three of the Seven Minor Planes of the Great Physical Plane.
它认为物质只是能量的一种形式，也就是振动频率较低的能量形式。所以赫尔墨斯主义者将物质层面划归到了能量层面之下，并且其下的七个亚层面中有三个属于能量层面。

These Seven Minor Physical Planes are as follows:
物质层面的七个亚层面包括

1. The Plane of Matter (A)
2. The Plane of Matter (B)
3. The Plane of Matter (C)
4. The Plane of Ethereal Substance
5. The Plane of Energy (A)
6. The Plane of Energy (B)
7. The Plane of Energy (C)
I.物质层面（A）；
II.物质层面（B）；
III.物质层面（C）；
IV.以太（Ethereal）物质层面；
V.能量层面（A）；
VI.能量层面（B）；
VII.能量层面（C）。

The Plane of Matter (A) comprises the forms of Matter in its form of solids, liquids, and gases, as generally recognized by the text-books on physics.
物质层面（A）所指的大致相当于物理课本中所讲的物体形式，包括固体、液体和气体。

The Plane of Matter (B) comprises certain higher and more subtle forms of Matter of the existence of which modern science is but now recognizing, the phenomena of Radiant Matter, in its phases of radium, etc., belonging to the lower sub-division of this Minor Plane.
物质层面（B）包含一些更高级、更抽象的物质形式，比如发光显象，这一现象又可以做进一步划分，镭的发现就是其中一例。这些现象科学界才给予重视。

The Plane of Matter (C) comprises forms of the most subtle and tenuous Matter, the existence of which is not suspected by ordinary scientists. The Plane of Ethereal Substance comprises that which science speaks of as "The Ether", a substance of extreme tenuity and elasticity, pervading all Universal Space, and acting as a medium for the transmission of waves of energy, such as light, heat, electricity, etc.
物质层面（C）包括的物质形式是最为精细微妙的，科学家也承认其存在。以太物质层面包含的是科学界称作以太的物质，这是一种非常稀薄、延展性很好的物质，布满了整个空间，在光、热、电和磁等振动能量波动传递过程中起着媒介的作用。

This Ethereal Substance forms a connecting link between Matter (so-called) and Energy, and partakes of the nature of each. The Hermetic Teachings, however, instruct that this plane has seven sub-divisions (as have all of the Minor Planes), and that in fact there are seven ethers, instead of but one.

这种以太物质连接着两个方面，一个是物质，也就是振动能量形式方面；另一个是能量或者动力方面，而且它具有两者的特点。但是赫尔墨斯主义认为以太这一层面还包括七个更小的层面，而不是仅有一种以太物质。

Next above the Plane of Ethereal Substance comes the Plane of Energy (A), which comprises the ordinary forms of Energy known to science, its seven sub-planes being, respectively, Heat; Light; Magnetism; Electricity, and Attraction (including Gravitation, Cohesion, Chemical Affinity, etc.) and several other forms of energy indicated by scientific experiments but not as yet named or classified.
以太物质层面之上就是能量层面（A）。这一层面包含的形式与物理科学的主张相同，它有七个更小的层面，分别是：热、光、磁场、电场、吸引力（包括全能者引力、凝聚力、化学引力等等），还有几种其他形式的能量，这几种能量已被科学界证实，但是还没有命名归类。

The Plane of Energy (B) comprises seven subplanes of higher forms of energy not as yet discovered by science, but which have been called "Nature's Finer Forces" and which are called into operation in manifestations of certain forms of mental phenomena, and by which such phenomena becomes possible.
能量层面（B）包括七种更高级的能量形式，科学还没有发现，我们称之为自然界了不起的动力（Nature's Finer Forces）。这一能量层面在某些心理现象形式的实现中起作用，也正是由于它的作用，心理现象才有可能存在。