What is Metaphysics? A Simple Guide to Understanding the Power of Your Mind
- Jesse Brune
- Oct 8
- 4 min read
What is metaphysics? At its heart, it is the study of what lies beyond the physical world. The word comes from the Greek meta (“beyond”) and physika (“the physical”), first used by Aristotle to describe questions about being, reality, and existence that reach beyond the natural sciences.
In simple terms, metaphysics asks: Why are we here? What is real? How do our inner beliefs shape our experience of life? Though it can sound abstract, metaphysics is deeply practical. It is not a religion, and it is not traditional science. It is a way of exploring how thought, belief, and consciousness influence daily life.
Why Metaphysics Matters
Metaphysics invites us to ask:
How do my thoughts shape my reality?
How much do my beliefs affect what I experience?
What changes when I see myself and the world differently?
These questions open a new way of seeing. Life does not have to feel random. The world we see is a reflection of the mind. When the mind is healed, the reflection begins to shift.
This does not mean every circumstance is caused by a single thought. Life is more layered than that.
Metaphysics shows that our interpretation of events and the meaning we give them arise from the beliefs we hold. If I enter a room convinced no one will like me, I will likely confirm that belief. If I enter open and confident, the room tends to meet me there. Because we share in a collective consciousness, the healing we do within ourselves contributes to healing in the whole.
Popular Teachings Inspired by Metaphysics
Several modern teachings grow out of metaphysical principles:
New Thought: A movement that emphasizes the creative power of the mind, affirmations, and the belief that thought shapes experience.
Science of Mind: Founded by Ernest Holmes, this teaching blends metaphysical philosophy with tools like affirmative prayer to bring more peace and purpose into daily life.
A Course in Miracles: A spiritual text centered on forgiveness and retraining the mind to choose love instead of fear.
These are only a few.
Metaphysical ideas also influence mainstream practices like meditation, mindfulness, and energy work. While each path has its own language, they share one truth: when we change our thoughts, we change our lives.
Practical Benefits of Metaphysics
My interest in metaphysics began when I noticed how my thinking colored everything I experienced. Beliefs I carried, both obvious and hidden, were shaping how I saw the world. Realizing I could choose new thoughts felt liberating.
One example: There were times I struggled with someone in my life, and my mind zeroed in on the traits I disliked. When I made a conscious choice to focus on qualities I did appreciate, my experience of them shifted. They had not changed a thing, but my perception did, and suddenly the relationship felt lighter and even enjoyable.
I noticed the same with money. When I focused only on what I lacked, I felt stressed and stuck. When I began to see where abundance was already present, new opportunities showed up more easily. My outer circumstances did not change overnight, but my relationship to them did, and that transformed my experience.
I once saw an interview with a well-known actress who shared a lesson from her mother: “What you think of yourself, the world will think of you.” That simple truth captures the heart of metaphysics. The way we see ourselves sets the tone for how life meets us.
How to Integrate Metaphysics Into Daily Life
Metaphysics is not just something to learn about. It is something to live. A few simple practices include:
Meditation: Observing thoughts without judgment loosens their grip. You get to choose which ones to keep and which to release.
Self-Inquiry: While not traditionally labeled metaphysics, Byron Katie’s The Work reflects the same principle. By asking four simple questions, we see that our thoughts are not reality. In that space, suffering can dissolve and peace can enter. This echoes the metaphysical idea that when we shift the mind, our experience shifts too.
Affirmation: Speaking new truths such as “I am whole” or “I am loved” helps reframe old patterns and strengthen a healthier self-image.
The Invitation of Metaphysics
Metaphysics is about more than personal freedom. It is also about healing the thought systems that shape our world. When we shift how we think, we do not just transform our own lives. We contribute to a collective shift toward peace, forgiveness, and love.
It is not about escaping life, but engaging it more fully. It is not about rejecting the world, but forgiving it. It is not about what happens out there, but what happens in here.
The invitation is simple. Change your mind, and you change your life.
✨ Metaphysics calls us to notice what we believe, choose with intention, and release what no longer serves. In that practice, new possibilities open, and life becomes a reflection of inner clarity and peace.
Frequently Asked Questions About Metaphysics
Is metaphysics a religion?No. It is more of a philosophy or way of looking at life. Many spiritual movements draw from metaphysical ideas, but metaphysics itself is about exploring how thought, belief, and consciousness shape experience.
How is metaphysics different from philosophy or psychology?Philosophy asks questions about reality and truth, while psychology studies the mind and behavior. Metaphysics overlaps with both, but its focus is on what exists beyond the physical world and how the unseen, like our thoughts and beliefs, shapes what we experience.
Can anyone study metaphysics?Yes. You do not need special training. You can begin with simple practices like meditation, affirmations, or self-inquiry. The key is curiosity and a willingness to notice how your thoughts influence your life.
What is the benefit of practicing metaphysics?Metaphysics helps you feel empowered. Instead of thinking life just happens to you, you begin to see that your beliefs play a role in shaping what unfolds. That realization brings clarity, peace, and freedom.
Where should I start if I want to learn more?A great entry point is Joseph Murphy’s The Power of Your Subconscious Mind and Ernest Holme's This Thing Called You. Another highly recommended book is René Descartes's Meditations of First Philosophy. These are simply my suggestions. I also suggest taking your time... give this stuff time to sink in.
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