Alchemy and the Secrets of Vitality and Health in Hypnosis (Part 2)
The ancient alchemists, we saw in Part One, used a number of powerful inner journeys to distill the secrets of health and longevity which they called the Elixir of Immortality. Now more of their secrets are revealed in part two.
Another of the Alchemist's common symbols was the Sorer (Latin for sister). This figure was portrayed as a lover with whom the alchemist, yes, had sex. But lest she be mistaken for a common woman, the texts always described the alchemist merging physically and permanently with this woman. Together they became a hermaphrodite whom the alchemists portrayed as being both male and female. He/she was often referred to in these writings as the "Queen of the World," and was portrayed as the final outcome of the Alchemist's transformation, thus as synonymous with the Philosopher's Stone. I have often experienced the ecstasy and the beauty of this hermaphroditic state. In this state I feel like I'm falling in love with the most beautiful woman in the world, and she loves me too. It's the deepest ecstasy I have known and makes me feel as giddy and passionate as a happy teenager.
When I asked my youthful friend Surja what aspect of Alchemy she thought had the most influence on her amazing youthfulness her answer was unhesitating: "my inner mate. He's the one who keeps me young." (Read Surja's article HERE). I agree with her. This secret teaching of the inner mate is also of central importance to Carl Jung's teaching, in which he refers to this essential figure as the anima. His text Psychology and Alchemy makes it clear that he believes this inner lover is an essential element of our soul's evolution.
Another central symbol for the Alchemist was the dove, called Spiritus Sanctus. This guide, the Holy Spirit of the Christian trinity, is the voice of God that lives within each of us and is available every day to help us with our life path. This guide, referred to frequently by Christian mystics for two millennia, is often referred to in Jung's therapy as the Higher Self (or simply Self with a capital S) This personal contact with our own loving Higher Self is an essential part of Alchemy as I practice it for myself and with my clients. It differs significantly from the religious concept of God in that we make no claims of absolute authority or knowledge for this being, or that this being is the sole Creator of the entire Universe. These claims have led more often in my experience to arrogance, dogmatism, and bloodshed than to spiritual enlightenment. The Higher Power of the twelve step movements is the closest parallel to this figure in our modern culture, though as a concept it was quite familiar to Jesus and the early church by the same name, spiritus sanctus, used by the alchemists. While early mystics sometimes described this being as a ball of radiance or winged angel, the alchemists portrayed it as a glowing white dove, and Jung often described it as appearing as a radiant wise old man or woman. Whatever form it takes, This Higher Self is called upon to direct every session I do by myself or with a client.
The Alchemist as chemist was descended from the ancient metallurgist, whose ability to use intense fire to distill glowing molten metal from dull rocks was regarded as magical by the people. The Alchemist was likewise skilled in the use of intense and focused heat upon the inner alembic, the round vessel in which his experimental elements boiled. These fires of transformation represent for me in my practice the intense scrutiny that as a therapist I bring to my client's process. Such phrases as these: "Go deeper into that pain now ... ", "Let's go back to where you learned that you were no good ... " present illustrations of how I turn up the fire under my clients, forcing them to look at what they are afraid to see, forcing them to feel things no one wants to have to feel.
A first time client may have heard that hypnosis is a relaxed, sleep-like state. They are sometimes shocked at how difficult, even exhausting, are the journeys I lead them on in this supposedly peaceful state. I explain that in order to make deep and lasting change in a very short time, I must turn up the flames of Alchemy and pump the bellows hard. The results? Nearly every client I see reports phenomenal healing in only a few sessions, vastly exceeding their expectations. Frankly, most come to appreciate the hot fires of alchemy that I generate ... even if they don't always look forward to this week's session. I recently helped a 75 year old client heal her body of terminal emphysema. After several sessions of almost brutal self examination and emotional processing which left her exhausted, she returned her oxygen tank, and was able to run upstairs with her grandchildren. Her doctor declared her. disease free. But ... she worked for it!
Our process depends on these hot fires to be rapid and successful. And these fires are carefully contained within the sealed vessel, the alembic that is my therapy office. Protected within the enclosure of my professional confidentiality, compassion, and competence, and only in the safety of this vessel, can the client feel safe enough to explore and heal the deepest and most painful prima materia within their souls.
In this brief article I summarize the importance of Alchemical symbolism in understanding the work I do for myself and clients. I will conclude by quoting a warning I give to all my clients:
One should consider exploring the path of Alchemy only if one is willing to work hard and devote oneself in body, mind, and spirit to a process of transformation that will require every ounce of your strength, your courage, and your faith. There is no room for wimps, tourists, or dilatants on the path of Alchemy. But the rewards are nothing less than the pure gold of self realization in a body that is healthy, fit, and strong. If you are ready to begin your own Alchemical journey, call me. I'm ready. (707) 539-4989.
To your health!
David Quigley
Alchemy Institute of Hypnosis
Transformation with Hypnotherapy
Alchemy Institute of Hypnosis
Learn how Alchemical Hypnotherapy can help your life. Call (707) 539-4989 or (800) 950-4984 for a free consultation. Offering hypnosis training, hypnotherapy sessions, retreats and workshops in beautiful Santa Rosa, California for over 25 years, now people everywhere can enjoy phone hypnotherapy, hypnosis MP3 downloads and CD's, and workshops in several cities.
Many thousands of people all over the world have discovered the power of Alchemical Hypnotherapy to change their lives. The Alchemy Institute offers professional hypnotherapy sessions in person and by telephone and transformational workshops throughout the USA that can show you how to use the power of your inner mind to change your life in all of these ways: healing pain and illness, conquering addictions, losing weight, smoking cessation, transforming relationships, discovering past lives, finding sexual fulfillment, recovery from anxiety and depression, creating prosperity, and achieving peak performance. We also offer professional training in hypnotherapy at the oldest spiritually oriented hypnosis school in the country. This program is approved by the NGH (National Guild Of Hypnotists) to offer professional training for hypnotherapists and continuing education for nurses, psychotherapists, social workers and body work practitioners. The Alchemy Web Site offers over 100 pages of information on Alchemical Hypnotherapy and the amazing spiritual and physical transformation of graduates of our training. Use the search box below to find exactly what you are looking for.
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The Alchemy Institute of Healing Arts
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