Alchemy - The art of Transmutation

The art of Alchemy is transmuting base metals into gold. However that is only its outward appearance. Alchemy is really about transmuting base human energies into valuable experiences. Human beings are energetic creatures by nature, there exists in all of us specific drives, such as the drive to eat, clothe ourselves, drink, procreate, be happy, to succeed. Some of these energies sometimes hinder others it seems. For example; Most people have a sex drive, which drives us to locate a partner to procreate with. This is a base, animalistic drive, since all life forms have this drive. From the smallest simplest life forms, to the most complex. The drive to have sex and procreate is one of the strongest drives known to humans. Next to the drive of eating and drinking, it is the strongest. Take an animal for instance, a cat. A cat spends all day trying to forge for food and drink, but at certain times of the month the cat spends most of its time looking for someone to mate with. Females go into heat driving males absolutely insane. Humans are no different really. We eat, drink, sleep and have sex. Truthfully the only reason we eat and drink is so we can stay alive to have sex. Sex therefore becomes the leading drive of all other drives. But what if that sexual energy could be transmuted into something of a more spiritual energy? What if it could be transmuted into finding our calling in life, or succeeding in some venture? Since this energy or drive is the most powerful, what if it could be transmuted into the most powerful drive in the world only stoppable by death? This is what I intend to find out. I will start with this drive and see where it takes me. I know that I alluded to this awhile back, and I did have some success. I could feel myself storing up energy for other things. What if by fulfilling our every drive we weaken ourselves so to speak? What if constant desire fulfillment actually was not beneficial for us and instead caused us to live comfortable, unfulfilled lives? I have seen this with my own two eyes; having been married now for many years, having a decent income that provides for my every need and many of my wants. Able to spend my sexual energy any time I want to, going only a day or so without it. Able to eat whatever I want, drink whatever I want, watch whatever I want, listen to whatever I want. Are these fulfillments truly good for us? Perhaps the ancient practices of fasting, and sexual abstinence is really good for us? Perhaps the ancient practice of fasting was not abstaining from food in order to please God and have him move in our lives, perhaps fasting is the practice of transmuting that energy into something else?
But what should we do with that energy? Is practicing these ancient arts beneficial without a goal? Should we work out first what it is we want, then transmute the energy to go out and obtain it? I think so. In Gnosticism one cannot properly transmute energy without a goal to use that energy on. What is it that you want? One must find this out first. This in itself can be a goal, to discover a goal. Could you use transmutation to find a goal? Of course. Finding a goal is a goal in itself. If one is lost, and needs guidance, practice the art of fasting or sexual transmutation to find it. These secrets are revealed to us in many ancient texts, including predominantly in the bible. Moses fasted for 40 days and nights and had such a powerful energy that when he came off the mountain he was glowing. Was he really glowing? Perhaps, perhaps this energy was the power of the transmuting of the food drive into something spiritual. Jesus also fasted for 40 days and nights. Afterwards he comes out of the wilderness and begins healing people. Jesus practiced this often. What did fasting do to aid in these things? It is also apparent that Jesus did not marry, nor have sex, but he was a man, was he not? Did he have a sex drive? It would seem pretty empty if he did not, he was after all man and all men have sex drives, unless they have been castrated. The bible tells us he was tempted in every way, this would seemingly include sexual urges. He was both God and man, and mankind has a sex drive. Was he able to transmute this sex drive into a more powerful energy? Was he able to live divine because he had superseded his animal like instincts? We see all throughout ancient texts where fasting has brought about amazing changes to individuals and their environment. Its almost as if those who have learned this art, have learned how to live like Gods.
But I think in order to properly channel this energy, one has to understand where these drives originate. Do they originate in our bodies, or our minds? I do not know the answer to these things yet, but my first instinct is to believe they begin in the mind. The mind being the central location for all thoughts and feelings. Without the mind, would we feel those urges? Would we feel hunger without the mind? Certainly not. But then one could ask, would we feel hunger without a stomach or a body which relies on the energy from food? Does the body tell the mind its hungry or does the mind tell the body? Either way, we can learn from this desire, this need, this drive. The same goes for sex. Does the body tell the mind its horny, or does the mind tell the body that its horny? Its obvious that we feel these urges in our bodies. When hungry our stomach growls, is that the stomach telling the mind that its hungry. When we are hungry we feel empty in our mid sections. Sometimes if we are two hungry we have a belly ache, our bodies get shaky, our blood sugars drop. Of course all of this is just our bodies trying to obtain food, but the body is not rational. It believes that it is dying just hours after eating. Therefore the mind, which is rational in most people, can relay to the body that it is not dying and can go weeks without food if needs be. The same goes for sexual energy. A teenage boy who has never had sex, at a certain age begins to secrete little doses of sperm, almost uncontrollably. Is this his bodies way of saying to the mind, I need to procreate? Perhaps. But none the less, the mind is where it is all processed, and what the case really is is that the mind, the conscious mind has the power to dictate to the body what it will or will not do. Even though the urges are powerful, which are animalistic, the mind which is divine is more powerful. The problem therefore lies with the people who are led by the desire of their flesh. Most people have not learned the power of the mind, that the mind is able to curve those desires. Could this be transmutation? The mind obtaining control over the animal instincts and using that energy drive into something else. If this is true, then it could be true that the body does tell the mind that it is hungry, or thirsty, or horny, the mind can either indulge the flesh or master it. Either way, it is the drive of the body, which produces energy within us, the mind is the central command area, which leads the body to fulfill its urges or not. No matter the state of the person, unless absolutely unable to move due to sickness or handicap the drive to fulfill an urge is what gives us energy to do so, energy being exactly what it means, energy to get up and find something to eat, or something to drink, or a partner to have sex with. For example, when I feel hungry, I get up off the couch and go to the pantry to search for something to eat. This is energy. The same goes for sexual drive, if one is feeling the urge to have sex, they will do one of two things; masturbate to relieve the urge, which is still energy usage, or search for a partner, of which there are many ways of doing. So transmutation is the curving of that energy into other things. If I am hungry, the drive to eat can be transmuted into an energy to search for answers instead of food. It could be used to seek out answers from God in the form of reading spiritual texts, or meditating in prayer. The same could be said about sex, except that sexual energy is a more forceful energy, which could be used to actually energize us into action. People have gone way out of their way in search of sexual relief. There are examples of this sexual energy being put forth into action. In sports, many coaches ask that their players abstain from sex for a while before a big game, this way they have a near superior strength than their opposition. This has been proven to work. Same goes for men in battle. In battle men may go long periods of time without sex, and being around other men, is not the best place to masturbate, so there is stored up sexual energy at work here, which at some point stops being a drive to have sex, but a drive to accomplish something else, like a victory.
When the urge to have sex grows in a person, it could be that their physical energy increases, perhaps more than if they had taken a vitamin B shot. Men seem to get weaker as they get older, mostly due to a lack of testosterone, which is the sex drive. Could it be that is because they spend all their sexual energy on their wives, and can have sex pretty much whenever they want? Take middle aged men who's wives are prudes, and who barely have sex with their husbands. A lot of these men almost seem to revert into a teenage boy again, trying to chase down an affair. Many get fast cars in order to appeal to their potential affairs.
In conclusion, I want to remind myself and the potential reader that if you do not have a goal to transmute these energies into, it may almost be useless to try. However, remember seeking a goal is a goal in itself, so transmuting energy to find a goal, a purpose is beneficial. Perhaps fasting would be the best way to find a goal, it takes an urge to eat and transmutes it into an energy to seek. Once the goal is found, sexual energy can therefore be transmuted into action energy, to fulfill the goal. Either way, have fun with it, enjoy the process.


ADDED 2/21/12 - On another note, one I had not included, the urge to have sex at its most elemental root is the urge really to create, since sex equals creation, the creation of a new life form. So, this desire to create can be transmuted into other aspects of creating. For example in creating a new story, a new painting, a new technology, something beneficial to all of mankind. Creation comes in many forms, but its most elemental form is to create life.

Back to Alchemy however, Alchemy was the hidden art of transforming base metals into Gold. But what was alchemy really? Alchemy was the practice of dialectical logic. It took two base arguments, and mixed them together to make a more perfect truth, such as the practice of taking two base metals and mixing them with other materials to make gold. In dialectical logic you take two opposing arguments, and begin to chip away at their useless points, until you reach a synthesis, a more perfect truth. For example, the two opposing arguments that the universe came from something, and the counter argument that the universe came from nothing. How could you synthesize these two arguments to come up with the truth? We could say that the answer is 'becoming' that the universe is becoming. This is the alchemical art of dialectical logic which was hidden behind the guise of transforming base metals into gold. When alchemy first came on the scene it was because of the catholic inquisition, which regarded anyone who tried to use logic instead of church cannon to form a truth, as a heretic, and they were severely punished. However under the guise of transforming base metals into gold only intrigued the greedy catholic hierarchy who thought they could prosper from these alchemists. Sneaky it was.

Happy Valentines day - True love is not a burden

Happy Valentines day, 2012! I think one of the best ways to show someone you love them is by not being a burden to them. For the first part of my adult life I was a burden to many people, always requiring their help in correcting my mistakes. This is a burden for the person who loves YOU, because of the fact that they do love you and in most cases will go out of their way to help you. However, what does this show about you, and your love for them? The best way to show someone you love them is to help yourself in your life, and not laying a heavy burden on your loved ones. Take care of yourself, provide for yourself. Work out your problems for yourself.

Now, this does not include seeking guidance from someone in moments of crisis, that is very honorable. In fact it is wise, and shows your loved one, or friend that you value their wisdom and knowledge. This also shows that you are looking for answers without having to place a heavy burden on them. For the first part of my adulthood I constantly needed my parents help, with money with bailing me out of trouble, with taking my side in a particular argument, etc. I have since learned this esoteric knowledge of not being a burden to others, and showing them that I really, truly care about them without having to burden them with the crisis's of my life.

Now, I know there are people who can no longer help themselves, they are handicapped in some way, either through age or disability, and it shows a lot of love from the other person who basically gives up their lives in order to help the afflicted. However those who are more than capable with helping themselves should do so, and not burden their loved ones with the problems of their lives.

This can also be said about society in general. I call love in this instance Mutual respect. Respect for others, even though you do not know them personally. If only we all had this mutual respect for one another, we could work through our disagreements and created a much better world. However there are people who have no mutual respect for others. They are greedy and callous, and could care less whether another person lived or not, so long as they get what THEY want. For example, there are numerous people who take advantage of State assistance, assistance funded by the tax payers. People who take advantage of this system are greedy, they are callous and hold grudges against others. They are in all actuality taking advantage of others who try and take care of themselves, and not be a burden to society. I once saw a sign at a historical school from the 1700's. The sign demanded that all teachers upon receiving their pay, put back a certain percentage so that way when they grew old, they would not be a burden to society. I thought this was wonderful. I thought that this should be the mindset of people these days. Have we not progressed so much since the dawn of man? Have we not evolved from the old mindsets, or have we devolved?

One of the problems I think is that the world does not value philosophy much these days. It is not taught in schools or churches as much as it should be. Philosophy has taken a back seat to contemporary culture. Entertainment is highly regarded these days, rather than learning how to live, how to treat others or how to care for yourselves and not be a burden on others. These days, the entertainment mongrels give us an alternative view on these things. Most are selfish, unloving, uncaring, disrespectful, greedy and take advantage of others. Is it any wonder that society reflects what it sees on TV or hears in music?

What we need is a return to philosophical teachings, teachings on who we are, what we can be, how to treat others and how to properly care for our own selves. To me, the first step in showing someone that you truly care for them is by caring for your own self. Do not be a burden to others. Truthfully, no one owes you anything. You have free will, the mistakes you make are your own, work them out. If you need advise from others, ask it, in most cases people will be happy to give you their opinions. If you do need help, ask for it, but offer something in return, to do a favor for them, or pay them for their help. Friends and family are usually apt to help in tough times, but it shows them that you truly value them by doing something in return for them.

Wisdom the Principle thing

Dear Journal,
A wise person is not a know it all. In fact a truly wise person will be the first to tell you that they know very little, but that is what seperates a wise person from a fool. A wise person will seek out knowledge when they lack it. A fool will cast his cares to the wind and allow it to dictate his outcomes. A wise person seeks out wisdom and knowledge of a subject, which aids him in over coming his cares.
Wisdom does not mean knowledge of a subject, it does not mean experiential knowledge of a subject, these are different from wisdom. Wise is what someone is who searches out knowledge, wiser is the man who puts his knowledge into action, experiential knowledge. Wisdom does not encompass a wide range of subjects, those are knowledges in specific areas. Wisdom seeks to know the answer to these questions, in order to aid his life in achieving his goals. Solomon says this. “Wisdom is the principle thing; therefore get wisdom and with all thy getting get understanding.” Wisdom is the driving force behind knowledge and understanding. Therefore it is the principle thing, the first thing. Solomon also says this; “Wherefore is there a price in the hand of a fool to get wisdom, seeing he hath no heart to it?” This helps us see that wisdom is an action word, not a noun, it is not a thing per say, but an action, an action to obtain understanding,to seek it out with all thy might. Thats what makes one wise. A fool has distain for getting understading, a fool typically is a no it all. He has all the answers, but little results. A wise person seeks out others of knowledge, primarily those of specific areas. For example a wise person will seek out the knowledge of someone in the area of health, like a doctor or other health care professional to perhaps find answers concerning on how to live more healthy. But not only that, a wise person seeks out more than answers to questions, the truly wise person seeks out those whose lives reflect their knowledge. A wise person seeks out the knowledge of someone who as achieved success in business or with their finances, and desires to learn their secrets. A wise person again, does not seek for answers only, but it seeks to learn from someone who has experiential knowledge in an area. A fool seeks to do things on his own, without learning from the masters. A fool despises the masters in specific areas. A wise person treasures the masters. As Solomon says about the fool; “...fools despise wisdom and instruction.”
So we see that wisdom is a mindset, an action word, a mindset to set out on the journey and obtain understanding.

Gnosis - the faith that knows

Faith is the problem.

Blind faith is dangerous. Faith centered around experiential knowledge is not. Faith comes by experiential knowledge, or as the Greek calls Gnosis, used many times in the New testament. Blind faith is the opposite of that. faith means to know something and act upon what you know. This is not what is taught in most churches, which teaches blind faith. Also, if you have to try your hardest to keep faith, you are operating in blind faith. Blind faith is emotional, and goes by what it feels instead of what it knows (Gnosis).

If everything worked out the way God sees it then the earth would be a perfect place. However there is an aspect that even God cannot go against, free will of humans. If he could, then he would have wiped us out a millinia ago and started over. -

I come from a religious background and had to take a lot of what I had learned and throw it out the window, and start a journey on my own. I have read the bible numerous times, and can clearly see that much of what I was taught is not in there, and what was in there, was twisted to fit a specific churches or persons dogma. Since these times, I have not only learned what the bible says, but the history behind it, the personality of the people of those times. I have learned alternative philosophy, science,other religions and peoples, especially those of the East, which despises blind faith. So when I say "faith is the problem" I speak of blind faith and not faith that knows by experience. This is the kind of faith that makes it easy to operate in. A small example: I have boiled water at a specific temperature, and now I know, that everytime I place a pot of water on the stove and raise it to that specific temperature, it will boil. This is experiential faith. I believe so strongly that water will boil at that temperature every time, that I do not even question whether it will or not.

Stockholm Syndrome

Sometimes I wonder if people in marriages or long term relationships have Stockholm Syndrome. Most exhibit many of the characteristics. Falling in love with your Captors, joining their side, admiring their cause. Doing whatever you can for them. Is this not the characteristics of marriage or a relationship? Not only that, think of those who get out of a relationship; they quickly want back in one, as though their whole identities are built around someone else. To my future reader, I urge you to find your own identities, separate from someone else. However it could be said that people are the dialectic of one another, the yin and yang of each other. As though we need them to help identify ourselves. People are intrinsically united with others it seems, like the Yin and Yang. But does that discount the Stockholm Syndrome aspect? I don't think so. What would we truly be without the companionship of others? Perhaps something better? There are people who do not enjoy the companionship of others, preferring rather the companionship of nature or of nothing. Hermits for example. However preferring the companionship of something else besides humans does not change the fact of Stockholm Syndrome. Imagine however pure nothingness, just mind in empty nothingness, its hard to do, I know. How would we act in absolute nothingness, still conscience however of our own selves? What would be our state of mind? Would we reflect on our consciousness, our own being? Would we reflect on the empty nothingness? How would one reflect on empty nothingness? Perhaps we would reflect on times of something, preferring rather to meditate on the past, before the empty nothingness. Times with nature, times with others, our family, our friends...rarely do we meditate on ourselves, alone, in a dark place. Mostly we mediate on ourselves with others, whether good times or bad. Do we prefer to meditate on others because of our Stockholm Syndrome?
Many people prefer to stay in relationships, even if they are abusive or counterproductive, but isn't all relationships abusive in some form or fashion? People seem to be on a journey to find the perfect person, but does the perfect person exist? If so most people give up on their journey and instead settle for whatever they can get.

Again we could use the dialectic here. The thesis is it is better for us to be with someone. The anti-thesis would be it is better to be with no one. Perhaps the synthesis is that it is better to find ourselves. Then, be with someone once we have done so.