Alchemy 5,6,7
Alchemy is about the transformation of the self. It is transforming the base self into gold, or spiritual awareness. Stage five: Fermentation, describes the decay of one’s old self and the rebirth of one’s true self. The first four stages involved discarding our old, inauthentic self and drawing together the authentic elements within us. Stage […]
Alchemy Stages 2, 3, 4
“The secrets of alchemy exist to transform mortals from a state of suffering and ignorance to a state of enlightenment and bliss.” — Deepak Chopra
Seven Stages of Alchemy. Stage 1, Calcination.
As revealed in the Emerald Tablet, by Hermes Trismegistus, there are seven stages of spiritual alchemy. The first stage is Calcination, which refers to the burning off of all the superfluous elements of ourselves, until we are purified and all that was calcified is removed. Our preconceived notions about our identity and our beliefs are […]
Spiritual Alchemy
Alchemy is an ancient practice whose practitioners sought to turn lead into gold, Spiritual alchemy uses the metaphor of transforming metals into gold for attaining spiritual enlightenment, or breaking down the image of who we think we are to discover who we truly are, at the soul level.
Alchemy Intro 3
Alchemy is the medieval forerunner of modern science; alchemists were interested in converting base metals into gold. Spiritual alchemists sought to liberate the soul from its attachment to matter, using the quest to transform metals into gold as a metaphor for attaining spiritual enlightenment.
Alchemy Intro 1
Alchemy is the medieval forerunner of modern science, Based on the goal of transforming matter, alchemists attempted to purify, mature, and perfect certain materials. They were particularly interested in attempting to convert base metals into gold, or to find a universal elixir.
The Garden of the Self
In this poem the garden, or nature is used to illustrate a deeper meaning – to give us insight into our essential Self.
Invictus
Invictus ” Invictus” is a short poem by the English poet William Ernest Henley (1849–1903). It is an example of the Victorian attitude of stoicism, which is often considered a British character trait. Invictus is a cultural icon.
Tyger Tyger
The Tiger by William Blake 1757–1827 Blake, an English Romantic poet,lived in London at a time of great social and political change that profoundly influenced his writing. In this poem he seems to question everything, including, perhaps, his faith.
Sailing to Byzantium
In this poem W.B.Yeats considers the fleeting nature of mortality (“a tattered coat upon a stick”), compared to the timeless endurance of works of art (“Of hammered gold and gold enameling”).
Don’t Go Back to Sleep
13th century Sufi mystic poet Rumi enjoins us to wake up, be present and become aware of the depth and complexity of the unseen world— that lies just beyond the doorsill.
The Moon
Poet, Zhang Jiuling (张九龄, 675-740 AD), is one of the most famous and popular of all Chinese poets. In fact this poem is often taught to young school children in China today. Looking at the Moon and Thinking of One Far Away, We dedicate Looking at the Moon to everyone who feels lonely and misses […]
The Night
Rainer Maria Rilke uses the image of night to take us beyond the surface and the limits of our prejudices, to see “people, nations, just as they are”.
All That Has Never Been Spoken
This is a meditation from a poem by Rainer Maria Rilke in his Book of Hours 1,12, in which the poet prays to his muse for inspiration.
Is Contemplation Isolating?
The Contemplative Path—is it Isolating? We asked our speakers if they felt that being a contemplative means being isolated, or removed from the world. Here are some of their responses.
The Carillon at Grace Cathedral
The Grace Cathedral carillon can be heard throughout the community, commemorating joyful events and tolling to mark local and national tragedies. Members of the Grace Cathedral guild of carillonneurs talk about their carillon ministry, and about the history and the purpose of the bells.
A Hunger for Wholeness
Ilia Delio, OSF, PhD, Franciscan Sister from Washington, DC, American theologian and prolific author, talks about our need to create an interior universe, in an introduction to her new book, A Hunger for Wholeness: On Soul, Space and Transcendence.
Mystical Knowing
Mary Reed, the “Unwitting Mystic” talks about meditation, contemplation, and the experience of embodiment on the path to mystical knowing. ….Enjoy these short excerpts taken from interviews for our upcoming full-length documentary on mysticism. Stay tuned!
Inner Knowing
Lama Palden Drolma discusses the Buddhist mystical path. .. ….Enjoy these short excerpts taken from interviews for our upcoming full-length documentary on mysticism. Stay tuned!
The Mystic Path
Dr. Carol Weyland Conner, Murshida of Sufism Reoriented, talks about the journey of soul.