Consciousness Alchemy

Consciousness Alchemy is a path of personal transformation, and ultimately, one of personal illumination… enlightenment.  It is a practice fueled by awareness and energy gathering exercises, which allows us to become more fully awake, and eventually sustain awakened or illuminated states of consciousness…samadhi.  Exercises may range from simple to complex, taking into account some of the most ancient and advanced wisdom (Egyptian, Greek, Indian…)  and forms of consciousness raising exercises in existence.

The Caduceus of modern medical professions did not originate with Hippocrates, considered the father of modern medicine.  Greek medicine far precedes Hippocrates, and it is well known the students of Greek disciplines of art, math, science, and health, brought their knowledge from the ancient Schools of Egypt.   The two serpents of the Caduceus, wrapped around the central staff, is representational of these Alchemical traditions, taught by the wise and ancient Thoth(Horus) and others.  It is said some of the oldest medical texts in the world are attributed to Horus though probably written even before his time, with explicit instructions for surgery in brain trauma, and other advanced medical procedure.  The symbol of the Caduceus also originated by the time of this body of work.  Certainly, an understanding of the deep significance of the human energy form, and how to utilize it to heighten consciousness, was part of that understanding, often depicted by singular or plural serpentine pathways.

Alchemy, in general, is a form of transformation, of turning one form or matter into another.  Western culture has focused on the Alchemists of Medieval times, in which it is said the pursuit was material based in nature, of turning iron or lead into gold.  In Spiritual Alchemy, the pursuit is of spiritual attainment, to turn the dross, or lead, of one’s emotional and energetic states into refined golden light. 

Alchemy

The lead is that which holds one back, weighs one  down, or keeps one’s veil in place, from seeing into the pure forms of light and being, into the subtle realms of consciousness, and realizing, or attaining to, the Divine nature of oneself in living presence.  

Alchemy requires three aspects in order to succeed:                                  a substance, a container, and a fuel

It requires a substance to be transformed, a container for that substance to be transformed in, and a fuel to complete the transformation.  In simple alchemical terms, one of the easiest examples to understand this process is the transformation of water into gas, or steam.  One needs a material to transform, water; a container, in this case a pot; and a fuel to make the transformation, in this case, heat or fire.  One places the material to transform, water, into the container, a pot, and brings the fuel into play.  Without either one, it is easy to see that the transformation cannot take place.  Without the water, there is nothing to transform (though we might burn the pot.)  Without the container, the pot, the water will spill all over the fire, or heater.  Without the fuel, the fire or heat, nothing occurs.  The water remains as it is.

In Spiritual Alchemy, the container is one’s awareness.  The matter to transform is the dross, or encumbrances of one’s consciousness, the emotional, psychological, or spiritual beliefs, patterns, and energies which reside in our being which keep us from seeing the truth of whom we are, or our relationship to greater existence.  The fuel is a heightened state of consciousness, which can be invoked or attuned to with simple awareness exercises.  By placing, for instance, those aspects of our being which are no longer serving us, such as emotional wounds or beliefs of our unworthiness, into our awareness, and bringing the fires of transformational consciousness from within the subtle realms, to our assistance, we can transform those wounds and meet more fully our greater existence.

Awareness is a powerful tool! 

One of the first laws of magic is an understanding that energy follows awareness.  This is the principal involved in intention, and the Law of Attraction (made popular these days through the movie, The Secret, but much earlier stated by the Egyptian Thoth in written traditions, in his oracles now viewed in The Kybalion and other texts.  Awareness is involved in everything we do, even when we are not focusing our awareness.  Whether lifting our finger to type, reading this article, or journeying into the inner realms of consciousness. 

The reality is, we are most often fully aware of what we are doing and what is around us.  We simply choose to not focus our awareness, and thus, much of our energy escapes us or dissipates throughout the day, and through the choices of our lives, which are made without the fullness of awareness.   The teachings of most advanced esoteric schools of spiritual illumination and development, as well as the schools of high magic and ceremony,  involve immense practices for focusing awareness, drawing in immense forms of energy.  The Taoists are said to have lived off the life force of morning dew, so refined were their practices.  Hindu, Jainist, and others of India are known to develop practices of breatharianism, needing no more than a few ounces of water a day to keep the body fluid, otherwise living off the supple forces of Heaven and Earth.

In Egyptian High Alchemy, there is little dogmatic indoctrination, but immense focus on understanding basic principals of the energies of our human form, and upon awareness exercises, to gather energy and awareness in order to make transition into heightened, potent, awake states of being, which serve us in our everyday lives, and can carry us even through the passage of death, leaving us as illuminated beings on the other side, where we may continue our spiritual pursuits, and service to heightened consciousness.   Shamanic like journeys are often incorporated, to give the initiate direct perception of the other worlds, enhance their spiritual development, and broaden their relationships to the subtle realms of consciousness, and all that resides there.  Sound was an integral part of Egyptian practices, especially in some esoteric schools, and remains so today with many practitioners of the Egyptian wisdom schools.  Intentional utilization of Sacred Sound can enhance consciousness exercises, even as it is shown today in modern medical and scientific research, to develop wellness, relieve stress, and heal even debilitating illnesses such as cancer.  It is understood in Spiritual Alchemy, that the intention of continually striving for the greatest good, in itself, can create the effect of burning off Karmic debt.  The Tibetan Buddhists call it “achieving merit.”

In Egyptian High Alchemy, the gathering of energy and awareness are of highest importance.  There are a variety of exercises offered which are extremely beneficial, and assist the practitioner to develop the awareness and energy necessary to achieve and sustain heightened and illuminated states of consciousness.  This can bring one into a place of creating even greater service for the good of all beings. 

One of the first steps is recognizing the “Ka” or “light body”, which co-exists with our physical form, and is known as the “etheric body”.   It holds the consciousness of our heightened or illuminated soul, and the energy centers we call the Chakras (the Egyptians call them the Seals.)   The more we experience our etheric form, the easier it becomes to cultivate energy and awareness and transcend the more mundane physical form and have full realization of our Divine and Illuminated form.

By practicing Alchemical Awarness exercises, we develop a deeper insight into the nature of existence, creating a greater sense of wellness and peace, and we begin to bridge the gap into even greater experiences in the subtle Divine realms.