Have you ever wondered how to transform what makes you suffer into a tool for your evolution? If so, discovering the meaning of alchemy can be really useful for you.
Manage your crises to transform your life
In this excerpt from the workshop “Keys to managing crises and changes” Víctor Villalobos explains how we can take advantage of the energy generated by our emotions to transform crises into the gifts necessary to transform our lives and that of others.
In this video, Enric Corbera, through stories and personal examples, explains to us what is the mental attitude that we must take when faced with difficulties to turn suffering into change. In addition, it shares the keys that allow us to recover the ability to choose how to live our experiences.
Alchemy: definition and examples
alchemy definition
Traditionally alchemy has been understood as a process by which scholars of all ages have tried to transform lead into goldis one of the main precursors of modern science.
However, in addition to constituting the structure on which the current chemical and metallurgical industry was based, behind this concept lies a much deeper and personal meaning that refers to the human psyche and to the capacity for transformation that each one of us possesses.
As we have just discussed, alchemy has existed since ancient times and is a term that is mainly related to the transmutation that can occur in matter, Originally the objective was the transformation of lead into gold.
alchemy examples
When you talk about “lead” actually refers to a impure or worthless substance, is a symbolism that does not have to refer only to this metal. Similarly, when referring to “Prayed”actually refers to a noble, pure, valuable metalnot literally to said chemical element.
To carry out the transformation process, we talk about something called “Philosopher Stone” which, as we can imagine, does not refer specifically to any stone; but of one “substance” or “element” capable of promoting this desired transformation or transmutation.
alchemy as a process
As the Andalusian alchemist said Artefius “(…) whoever wants to interpret what the other alchemists have written according to the ordinary meaning of the words will get lost in the passages of a labyrinth from which they will never be able to get out (…)”.
That is to say, whoever is not capable of abstracting from the terminology used will not be able to understand what alchemy really means.
Focusing on the more spiritual aspect of alchemy, this tries to convert the impure facets of man (or lead) into other more noble and valuable (gold). Therefore, it is a path where the dense is transformed into something much more subtle, just as it happens with metals.
The meaning of alchemy and the so-called “Philosopher’s Stone”
To know the true meaning of alchemy, one must also know the concept of “Philosopher Stone”. Since ancient times, man has pursued the dream of finding this legendary substance that is said to be able to turn lead into gold.
For a long time, we have been looking abroad for that precursor and catalyst for change “philosopher’s stone”, without having stopped to think that perhaps it is already within us.
What if that Philosopher’s Stone had always been in your possession? What if that gold was accessible and waiting for you to decide to transform it?
At the beginning of our life, we start from the totality, that place we inhabited before occupying a body, where there were no limitations, fears or beliefs, the purest and most genuine nature.
With time and development in a certain family and social culture we have been reducing our , putting barriers and limiting our thinking to certain circuits. As a consequence, we have created a particular reality where abstract and “invented” concepts such as , punishment or have taken shape and acquired truth for us.
In this way, continuing with this symbolic language, we could say that we have gone “degrading” our pure and healthy nature, in a substance full of impurities; impurities that we will see reflected in each neurosis, each suffering and each conflict that we experience in our perceived reality.
How can we become what we can become: find the “philosopher’s stone” or the path of life?
Living is considered the alchemical process through which we have the opportunity to and find the . In other words, the goal of our life is the process itself more than the end result.
This is so because actually the absolutes “gold” or “lead” do not existRather, these concepts represent the polarities, the extremes between which we will move throughout our vital experience. Know and apply alchemy thus becomes the key piece to have a balanced and coherent life.
To facilitate and encourage this process, we have already seen that reference was made to something called “Philosopher Stone”. Well, some look for this tool outside, in this or that religion, philosophy or dogma, even in customs, places or rituals. Nevertheless, From Bioneuroemotion we propose that the philosopher’s stone is inherent to human nature, you just have to of it.
Alchemy and the importance of unity consciousness
We must be very clear about the following: nothing external to us can save ussomething that we will understand at the same time that we understand that nothing external to us can harm us. This is what is known as .
In this sense, the alchemical process speaks of the process of individuation of the human beingthe one that gives way to “inner gold”the “To be” complete. Lead, then, represents the human being at the stage in which the ego becomes the master and central protagonist of consciousness, the absolute bearer of personality, forgetting the true nature of the human being -the totality- symbolized by gold.
spiritual alchemy
Our mission is to reach our essence, and for this it is necessary to focus on our interior. The most important thing is to be aware that no transformation is possible without removing light what was saved in the darkness. And with this darkness we refer to what we refuse to recognize in ourselves, what embarrasses us or hurts us.
As if it were a distillation, the alchemical process of the psyche would consist of developing the ability to get rid of the superficial and focus on the essential to finally be able to all our aspectsin a process of dissolution of person and shadow that will allow us to reach our maximum potential.
Therefore, alchemy symbolically shows us the path that invites the human being to return to his true nature, to the consciousness of unity. In short, it shows us the path of spiritual evolution that allows us to turn difficulties and shortcomings into evolution.
Conclution
Have you identified what you want to change in your life and where you want to direct those transformations? Now that you know what is alchemy It is important to understand that there will always be experiences of pain, rejection, frustration or impotence…, but that there are different ways to manage them.
No human being is exempt from experiencing difficult situations. However, the difference between one and the other lies in the ability to constructively elaborate each experience, to transform pain into evolution. Our heavy lead into precious gold.
Known and studies how to transform each difficulty into a tool for evolution and development.