Kybalion - Relative / Absolute

    "The half-wise, recognizing the comparative unreality of
     the Universe, imagine that they may defy its Laws--such
     are vain and presumptuous fools, and they are broken against
     the rocks and torn asunder by the elements by reason of
     their folly. The truly wise, knowing the nature of the Universe,
     use Law against laws; the higher against the lower; and by
     the Art of Alchemy transmute that which is undesirable into
     that which is worthy, and thus triumph. Mastery consists not
     in abnormal dreams, visions and fantastic imaginings or
     living, but in using the higher forces against the lower--escaping
     the pains of the lower planes by vibrating on the higher.
     Transmutation, not presumptuous denial, is the weapon of the
     Master."--The Kybalion.

This is the Paradox of the Universe, resulting from the Principle of Polarity which manifests when THE ALL begins to Create--hearken to it for it points the difference between half-wisdom and wisdom. While to THE INFINITE ALL, the Universe, its Laws, its Powers, its life, its Phenomena, are as things witnessed in the state of Meditation or Dream; yet to all that is Finite, the Universe must be treated as Real, and life, and action, and thought, must be based thereupon, accordingly, although with an ever understanding of the Higher Truth. Each according to its own Plane and Laws. Were THE ALL to imagine that the Universe were indeed Reality, then woe to the Universe, for there would be then no escape from lower to higher, divineward--then would the Universe become a fixity and progress would become impossible. And if Man, owing to half-wisdom, acts and lives and thinks of the Universe as merely a dream (akin to his own finite dreams) then indeed does it so become for him, and like a sleep-walker he stumbles ever around and around in a circle, making no progress, and being forced into an awakening at last by his falling bruised and bleeding over the Natural Laws which he ignored. Keep your mind ever on the Star, but let your eyes watch over your footsteps, lest you fall into the mire by reason of your upward gaze. Remember the Divine Paradox, that while the Universe IS NOT, still IT IS. Remember ever the Two Poles of Truth the Absolute and the Relative. Beware of Half-Truths.