Alchemergy

The question of how to interpret alchemical writings dates back to ancient Egypt and China and continues to be debated to this day. Is alchemy just a precursor to modern chemistry or is it a spiritual discipline intended to accelerate personal transformation?

Melusina de Melita is the co-author with Dennis William Hauck of Coction: The Art of Alchemical Cooking (2026).

This is a short presentation on Paracelsus' ideas on imagination and the light of Nature. 

Here’s a fascinating podcast about my book How the Alchemists Meditated: The Ancient Roots of Spiritual Alchemy. What’s fascinating about it is it created totally by AI (Google’s NotebookLM). Using only my book as a source, the AI created an insightful and informative discussion between two virtual hosts of a podcast called the “Deep Dive.” The AI-created episode title is “Alchemy, Spiritus, and the Soul.” Again, this is an insightful and coherent conversation between two engaging people who are not even real. Wondrous and scary at the same time! Link to NotebookLM: https://notebooklm.google.com/notebook/2f55dbcc-0372-42e5-bd14-2d57285d980f/audio

Just pondering the question of "what is alchemy?" can free your mind and set you on the path of the Great Work.

    This enlightened essay by French researcher Maurice Aniane is one of the most penetrating expositions of Western alchemy I have ever read. He is unrelenting in his intention to dishevel the truths of alchemy and deeply fulfilling in his erudite conclusions.       Aniane's essay grounds the Eucharistic tradition of medieval Christianity in alchemical philosophy and radiates the Eucharistic effusion into the heaviest leaden states of matter, transubstantiating not just the bread, wine, and spirit but the Stone, lead, and the human body.      Alchemy in medieval Christianity aimed to transfigure terrestrial substances through sacrificing inanimate matter to reveal its inner essence which is the original divine spark of consciousness. That process revealed the divine light and presence manifest even in the heaviest of objects like lead. Christian alchemy also expressed the sacred nature of time as a stillness transmuted into “moments” of eternity—a beautiful idea you might have experienced as a child. In return, alchemy gave medieval Christianity a technical application in the psycho-cosmic realm. From the viewpoint of medieval Christianity, alchemy was a powerful spiritual technology that originated in the mind of God.    (Credit: “Alchemy: the Cosmological "Yoga of Medieval Christianity” by Maurice Aniane which first appeared in "Material for Thought" magazine, San Francisco, in the Spring 1976 issue.)  

Chinese alchemists became proficient at spiritual Distillation thousands of years ago. In a discipline called “Circulation of the Light,” the aspirant is taught to concentrate on the light of the inmost region and, while doing so, to free himself from all outer and inner entanglements. The basic practice in the Circulation of the Light is known as “The Microcosmic Orbit” or “The Lesser Heavenly Cycle” (as opposed to the greater cycle of the rotation of stars and constellations). The “light” that is circulated is the chi (or lifeforce), guided by thought and imagination through three inner cauldrons or vessels (known as tan tien or “elixir fields”). The first of these inner cauldrons is the Lower Tan Tien, which is situated in the abdomen between the pelvis and navel. It is where the alchemist gathers, blends, and cooks their sexual, vital, and spiritual essences. In Western alchemy, the operations carried out there are Calcination, Dissolution, and Separation, which are equivalent to energizing the Tantric chakras muladhara (or base), svadhisthana (or genitals), and manipura (or solar plexus) or the Wheel of Emanation in the Buddhist tradition. The next cauldron is the Middle Tan Tien, which is between the solar plexus and diaphragm. The energies there are associated with the heart, lungs, and throat. This is where the essences from the purification in the Lower Tan Tien are stored and where the soul finds expression. The Tantrists saw this vessel as activating the anahata (or heart) and vishuddha (or throat) chakras. In Western alchemy, it is where the operation of Conjunction takes place. The final cauldron is the Upper Tan Tien, which is known as the "Crystal Palace." This precious cauldron at the center of the brain is also called the Sacred Square Inch, the Heavenly Heart, the Mysterious Gate, or the Cavity of Spirit. It is where the higher self or spirit from Above dwells. Sufi alchemists call this spirit the “ruh,” while Jewish alchemists refer to it as “ruach.” Tantrists see the Upper Tan Tien as an activation of the ajna (or brow) and sahasrara (or crown) chakras. In Western alchemy, it is where the operations of Fermentation, Distillation, and Coagulation take place. In the cabala, this spiritual center corresponds to the Sefirah " Daat ," located on the Middle Pillar (or spine) between Binah (at the back of the head) and Hokmah (in the forehead area). In physiological alchemy, the Upper Tan Tien is associated with the center of the brain where the light-sensitive pineal gland is located. When this gland is activated, it is said to become illuminated like thousands of shining crystals, able to receive light (as energy and knowledge) from the universe. In Tibetan Buddhism, this is the source of the “White Drop” that descends from Above to the heart center, where it mixes with the ascending “Red Drop” of condensed sexual energy from Below to coagulate a Body of Light or subtle body. All this activity is seen as a cosmic sex act in the head. The phallic-shaped pineal gland releases a pure white liquid light that impregnates the nearby bi-lobed pituitary gland, which then releases hormones in the blood that inaugurate a Second (or Spiritual) Puberty in the body. This final stage is not accomplished in just a single round of operations but must continue until all impurities have been eliminated, and the light is in its most concentrated form. The overall operation is alchemical Distillation, which purifies and transforms the energy. The vapors of the boiling sexual energy in the lower Tan Tien are directed up the Governor Channel along the dorsal side of the spine or back of the body. The Chinese call this solar channel of ascending masculine yang energy the “tu mai,” while Tantrists refer to it as the “ida”. The vapors condense or sublimate in the Upper Tan Tien, and any unpurified remains are returned to the Lower Tan Tien down the secondary Functional Channel along the ventral spinal cord on the front of the body. The Chinese called this descending lunar channel of feminine yin energy the “jen mai,” which is called “pingala” by the Tantrists. So, essentially, the Circulation of Light is a Distillation process in which the mercurial light of the life force is progressively concentrated. This purified energy is eventually directed inward to the center of the body, where it can be stored in the heart or chest area.

This is is a Basic Alchemical Meditation compounded from meditative techniques used by alchemists such as Paracelsus, Basil Valintine, and Jakob Boehme. Each phase is a separate meditation and can be practiced separately from the others. There are three general steps in the full meditation that correspond to the three phases of alchemy. The first phase is the Nigredo (darkening, death, and putrefaction of the ego), which consists of two operations in which one attempts to Disengage Physically and Disengage Mentally from the world. The second phase is the Albedo (whitening and purification) in which one achieves original innocence or Zero-state Consciousness. The third phase is Rubedo (reddening or empowered integration into a new level of being) that is found in continued Meditation in the Pure Light. Overall, the first two phases represent a progressive resurrection and purification of the light of consciousness to prepare for the transformative, one-pointed “Meditation in the Pure Light” phase. In that phase, alchemists feel they are working with the logoic light to transform reality in not only the inner lab or soul but also in the objective material reality of their “laboratory” or outer world. Whether you are a novice meditator or experienced, the following instructions should be helpful in achieving Meditation in the Pure Light. But feel free to follow your own path in meditation or customize these steps to fit your regimen. The most important lesson is to grasp is the dual nature of our reality—the spiritual and material realms in which we exist. The bridge between those two realms can only be found in the Pure Light—in what Paracelsus called the “True Imagination.” From my new book, "How the Alchemists m Meditated: The Ancient Roots of Spiritual Alchemy."

The roots of our modern discipline of Consciousness Studies can be found in the works of the high-minded Hermetic alchemists of the Renaissance. You can download the Summary Chart of this podcast from https://1drv.ms/i/s!AtbqIKeml-PxvYkm2H6F_Swk-A3IQw?e=xRbvgE Other resources and images mentioned can be found in my Resources page at: More resources at  https://1drv.ms/f/s!AtbqIKeml-PxtLA843UjaUCyh28eyw?e=UIU5TJ  Video at https://youtu.be/UKXYCx03lLQ

Part 24 (Final) of our continuing series on the Emerald Tablet from my book The Emerald Tablet: Alchemy for Personal Transformation. The book can be purchased at https://www.amazon.com/Emerald-Tablet-Alchemy-Personal-Transformation/dp/0140195718 The Emerald Tablet—an ancient document that contains the essence of the alchemical teachings—has had an important influence on many Western spiritual and religious traditions. Ostensibly concerned with turning base metals into gold, alchemy was in fact dedicated to transforming the lead of self into the gold of spirit. This brilliant history of alchemy traces its sources back to ancient Egypt, and presents alchemy as a useful, practical system of self-transformation. Each of the seven steps of alchemical transformation is explained, with hands-on techniques and exercises, treating alchemy as a living discipline for achieving a spiritual awakening.

Part 23 of our continuing series on the Emerald Tablet from my book The Emerald Tablet: Alchemy for Personal Transformation. The book can be purchased at https://www.amazon.com/Emerald-Tablet-Alchemy-Personal-Transformation/dp/0140195718 The Emerald Tablet—an ancient document that contains the essence of the alchemical teachings—has had an important influence on many Western spiritual and religious traditions. Ostensibly concerned with turning base metals into gold, alchemy was in fact dedicated to transforming the lead of self into the gold of spirit. This brilliant history of alchemy traces its sources back to ancient Egypt, and presents alchemy as a useful, practical system of self-transformation. Each of the seven steps of alchemical transformation is explained, with hands-on techniques and exercises, treating alchemy as a living discipline for achieving a spiritual awakening.

Part 22 of our continuing series on the Emerald Tablet from my book The Emerald Tablet: Alchemy for Personal Transformation. The book can be purchased at https://www.amazon.com/Emerald-Tablet-Alchemy-Personal-Transformation/dp/0140195718 The Emerald Tablet—an ancient document that contains the essence of the alchemical teachings—has had an important influence on many Western spiritual and religious traditions. Ostensibly concerned with turning base metals into gold, alchemy was in fact dedicated to transforming the lead of self into the gold of spirit. This brilliant history of alchemy traces its sources back to ancient Egypt, and presents alchemy as a useful, practical system of self-transformation. Each of the seven steps of alchemical transformation is explained, with hands-on techniques and exercises, treating alchemy as a living discipline for achieving a spiritual awakening.

Part 21 of our continuing series on the Emerald Tablet from my book The Emerald Tablet: Alchemy for Personal Transformation. The book can be purchased at https://www.amazon.com/Emerald-Tablet-Alchemy-Personal-Transformation/dp/0140195718 The Emerald Tablet—an ancient document that contains the essence of the alchemical teachings—has had an important influence on many Western spiritual and religious traditions. Ostensibly concerned with turning base metals into gold, alchemy was in fact dedicated to transforming the lead of self into the gold of spirit. This brilliant history of alchemy traces its sources back to ancient Egypt, and presents alchemy as a useful, practical system of self-transformation. Each of the seven steps of alchemical transformation is explained, with hands-on techniques and exercises, treating alchemy as a living discipline for achieving a spiritual awakening.

Part 20 of our continuing series on the Emerald Tablet from my book The Emerald Tablet: Alchemy for Personal Transformation. The book can be purchased at https://www.amazon.com/Emerald-Tablet-Alchemy-Personal-Transformation/dp/0140195718 The Emerald Tablet—an ancient document that contains the essence of the alchemical teachings—has had an important influence on many Western spiritual and religious traditions. Ostensibly concerned with turning base metals into gold, alchemy was in fact dedicated to transforming the lead of self into the gold of spirit. This brilliant history of alchemy traces its sources back to ancient Egypt, and presents alchemy as a useful, practical system of self-transformation. Each of the seven steps of alchemical transformation is explained, with hands-on techniques and exercises, treating alchemy as a living discipline for achieving a spiritual awakening.  

Part 19 of our continuing series on the Emerald Tablet from my book The Emerald Tablet: Alchemy for Personal Transformation. The book can be purchased at https://www.amazon.com/Emerald-Tablet-Alchemy-Personal-Transformation/dp/0140195718 The Emerald Tablet—an ancient document that contains the essence of the alchemical teachings—has had an important influence on many Western spiritual and religious traditions. Ostensibly concerned with turning base metals into gold, alchemy was in fact dedicated to transforming the lead of self into the gold of spirit. This brilliant history of alchemy traces its sources back to ancient Egypt, and presents alchemy as a useful, practical system of self-transformation. Each of the seven steps of alchemical transformation is explained, with hands-on techniques and exercises, treating alchemy as a living discipline for achieving a spiritual awakening.  

Part 18 of our continuing series on the Emerald Tablet from my book The Emerald Tablet: Alchemy for Personal Transformation. The book can be purchased at https://www.amazon.com/Emerald-Tablet-Alchemy-Personal-Transformation/dp/0140195718 The Emerald Tablet—an ancient document that contains the essence of the alchemical teachings—has had an important influence on many Western spiritual and religious traditions. Ostensibly concerned with turning base metals into gold, alchemy was in fact dedicated to transforming the lead of self into the gold of spirit. This brilliant history of alchemy traces its sources back to ancient Egypt, and presents alchemy as a useful, practical system of self-transformation. Each of the seven steps of alchemical transformation is explained, with hands-on techniques and exercises, treating alchemy as a living discipline for achieving a spiritual awakening.  

Part 17 of our continuing series on the Emerald Tablet from my book The Emerald Tablet: Alchemy for Personal Transformation. The book can be purchased at https://www.amazon.com/Emerald-Tablet-Alchemy-Personal-Transformation/dp/0140195718 The Emerald Tablet—an ancient document that contains the essence of the alchemical teachings—has had an important influence on many Western spiritual and religious traditions. Ostensibly concerned with turning base metals into gold, alchemy was in fact dedicated to transforming the lead of self into the gold of spirit. This brilliant history of alchemy traces its sources back to ancient Egypt, and presents alchemy as a useful, practical system of self-transformation. Each of the seven steps of alchemical transformation is explained, with hands-on techniques and exercises, treating alchemy as a living discipline for achieving a spiritual awakening.  

Part 16 of our continuing series on the Emerald Tablet from my book The Emerald Tablet: Alchemy for Personal Transformation. The book can be purchased at https://www.amazon.com/Emerald-Tablet-Alchemy-Personal-Transformation/dp/0140195718 The Emerald Tablet—an ancient document that contains the essence of the alchemical teachings—has had an important influence on many Western spiritual and religious traditions. Ostensibly concerned with turning base metals into gold, alchemy was in fact dedicated to transforming the lead of self into the gold of spirit. This brilliant history of alchemy traces its sources back to ancient Egypt, and presents alchemy as a useful, practical system of self-transformation. Each of the seven steps of alchemical transformation is explained, with hands-on techniques and exercises, treating alchemy as a living discipline for achieving a spiritual awakening.

Part 15 of our continuing series on the Emerald Tablet from my book The Emerald Tablet: Alchemy for Personal Transformation. The book can be purchased at https://www.amazon.com/Emerald-Tablet-Alchemy-Personal-Transformation/dp/0140195718 The Emerald Tablet—an ancient document that contains the essence of the alchemical teachings—has had an important influence on many Western spiritual and religious traditions. Ostensibly concerned with turning base metals into gold, alchemy was in fact dedicated to transforming the lead of self into the gold of spirit. This brilliant history of alchemy traces its sources back to ancient Egypt, and presents alchemy as a useful, practical system of self-transformation. Each of the seven steps of alchemical transformation is explained, with hands-on techniques and exercises, treating alchemy as a living discipline for achieving a spiritual awakening.

Part 14 of our continuing series on the Emerald Tablet from my book The Emerald Tablet: Alchemy for Personal Transformation. The book can be purchased at https://www.amazon.com/Emerald-Tablet-Alchemy-Personal-Transformation/dp/0140195718 The Emerald Tablet—an ancient document that contains the essence of the alchemical teachings—has had an important influence on many Western spiritual and religious traditions. Ostensibly concerned with turning base metals into gold, alchemy was in fact dedicated to transforming the lead of self into the gold of spirit. This brilliant history of alchemy traces its sources back to ancient Egypt, and presents alchemy as a useful, practical system of self-transformation. Each of the seven steps of alchemical transformation is explained, with hands-on techniques and exercises, treating alchemy as a living discipline for achieving a spiritual awakening.

Part 13 of our continuing series on the Emerald Tablet from my book The Emerald Tablet: Alchemy for Personal Transformation. The book can be purchased at https://www.amazon.com/Emerald-Tablet-Alchemy-Personal-Transformation/dp/0140195718 The Emerald Tablet—an ancient document that contains the essence of the alchemical teachings—has had an important influence on many Western spiritual and religious traditions. Ostensibly concerned with turning base metals into gold, alchemy was in fact dedicated to transforming the lead of self into the gold of spirit. This brilliant history of alchemy traces its sources back to ancient Egypt, and presents alchemy as a useful, practical system of self-transformation. Each of the seven steps of alchemical transformation is explained, with hands-on techniques and exercises, treating alchemy as a living discipline for achieving a spiritual awakening.  

Part 12 of our continuing series on the Emerald Tablet from my book The Emerald Tablet: Alchemy for Personal Transformation. The book can be purchased at https://www.amazon.com/Emerald-Tablet-Alchemy-Personal-Transformation/dp/0140195718 The Emerald Tablet—an ancient document that contains the essence of the alchemical teachings—has had an important influence on many Western spiritual and religious traditions. Ostensibly concerned with turning base metals into gold, alchemy was in fact dedicated to transforming the lead of self into the gold of spirit. This brilliant history of alchemy traces its sources back to ancient Egypt, and presents alchemy as a useful, practical system of self-transformation. Each of the seven steps of alchemical transformation is explained, with hands-on techniques and exercises, treating alchemy as a living discipline for achieving a spiritual awakening.  

Part 11 of our continuing series on the Emerald Tablet from my book The Emerald Tablet: Alchemy for Personal Transformation. The book can be purchased at https://www.amazon.com/Emerald-Tablet-Alchemy-Personal-Transformation/dp/0140195718 The Emerald Tablet—an ancient document that contains the essence of the alchemical teachings—has had an important influence on many Western spiritual and religious traditions. Ostensibly concerned with turning base metals into gold, alchemy was in fact dedicated to transforming the lead of self into the gold of spirit. This brilliant history of alchemy traces its sources back to ancient Egypt, and presents alchemy as a useful, practical system of self-transformation. Each of the seven steps of alchemical transformation is explained, with hands-on techniques and exercises, treating alchemy as a living discipline for achieving a spiritual awakening.  

This is a popular interview with Johnny Nguyen. You can subscribe to his YouTube channel at @Genesispersonaltransformation.  "The Complete Idiot's Guide to Alchemy" is available at Audible.com and in eBook format at Smashwordscom and other vendors.

Part 10 of our continuing series on the Emerald Tablet from my book The Emerald Tablet: Alchemy for Personal Transformation. The book can be purchased at https://www.amazon.com/Emerald-Tablet-Alchemy-Personal-Transformation/dp/0140195718 The Emerald Tablet—an ancient document that contains the essence of the alchemical teachings—has had an important influence on many Western spiritual and religious traditions. Ostensibly concerned with turning base metals into gold, alchemy was in fact dedicated to transforming the lead of self into the gold of spirit. This brilliant history of alchemy traces its sources back to ancient Egypt, and presents alchemy as a useful, practical system of self-transformation. Each of the seven steps of alchemical transformation is explained, with hands-on techniques and exercises, treating alchemy as a living discipline for achieving a spiritual awakening.

Part 9 of our continuing series on the Emerald Tablet from my book The Emerald Tablet: Alchemy for Personal Transformation. The book can be purchased at https://www.amazon.com/Emerald-Tablet-Alchemy-Personal-Transformation/dp/0140195718 The Emerald Tablet—an ancient document that contains the essence of the alchemical teachings—has had an important influence on many Western spiritual and religious traditions. Ostensibly concerned with turning base metals into gold, alchemy was in fact dedicated to transforming the lead of self into the gold of spirit. This brilliant history of alchemy traces its sources back to ancient Egypt, and presents alchemy as a useful, practical system of self-transformation. Each of the seven steps of alchemical transformation is explained, with hands-on techniques and exercises, treating alchemy as a living discipline for achieving a spiritual awakening.

Part 8 of our continuing series on the Emerald Tablet from my book The Emerald Tablet: Alchemy for Personal Transformation. The book can be purchased at https://www.amazon.com/Emerald-Tablet-Alchemy-Personal-Transformation/dp/0140195718 The Emerald Tablet—an ancient document that contains the essence of the alchemical teachings—has had an important influence on many Western spiritual and religious traditions. Ostensibly concerned with turning base metals into gold, alchemy was in fact dedicated to transforming the lead of self into the gold of spirit. This brilliant history of alchemy traces its sources back to ancient Egypt, and presents alchemy as a useful, practical system of self-transformation. Each of the seven steps of alchemical transformation is explained, with hands-on techniques and exercises, treating alchemy as a living discipline for achieving a spiritual awakening.

Part 7 of our continuing series on the Emerald Tablet from my book The Emerald Tablet: Alchemy for Personal Transformation. The book can be purchased at https://www.amazon.com/Emerald-Tablet-Alchemy-Personal-Transformation/dp/0140195718 The Emerald Tablet—an ancient document that contains the essence of the alchemical teachings—has had an important influence on many Western spiritual and religious traditions. Ostensibly concerned with turning base metals into gold, alchemy was in fact dedicated to transforming the lead of self into the gold of spirit. This brilliant history of alchemy traces its sources back to ancient Egypt, and presents alchemy as a useful, practical system of self-transformation. Each of the seven steps of alchemical transformation is explained, with hands-on techniques and exercises, treating alchemy as a living discipline for achieving a spiritual awakening.  

script for: The Complete Circulation of the Light: A Guided Meditation   by Dennis William Hauck. Read by Barry Moore. INTRODUCTION Chinese alchemists became proficient at spiritual Distillation thousands of years ago. In a discipline called “Circulation of the Light,” the aspirant is taught to concentrate on the light of the inmost region and, while doing so, to free himself from all outer and inner entanglements. The basic practice in the Circulation of the Light is known as “The Microcosmic Orbit” or “The Lesser Heavenly Cycle” (as opposed to the greater cycle of the rotation of stars and constellations). The “light” that is circulated is the chi (or lifeforce), guided by thought and imagination through three inner cauldrons or vessels (known as tan tien or “elixir fields”). The first of these inner cauldrons is the Lower Tan Tien, which is situated in the abdomen between the pelvis and navel. It is where the alchemist gathers, blends, and cooks their sexual, vital, and spiritual essences. In Western alchemy, the operations carried out there are Calcination, Dissolution, and Separation, which are equivalent to energizing the Tantric chakras muladhara (or base), svadhisthana (or genitals), and manipura (or solar plexus) or the Wheel of Emanation in the Buddhist tradition. The next cauldron is the Middle Tan Tien, which is between the solar plexus and diaphragm. The energies there are associated with the heart, lungs, and throat. This is where the essences from the purification in the Lower Tan Tien are stored and where the soul finds expression. The Tantrists saw this vessel as activating the anahata (or heart) and vishuddha (or throat) chakras. In Western alchemy, it is where the operation of Conjunction takes place. The final cauldron is the Upper Tan Tien, which is known as the "Crystal Palace." This precious cauldron at the center of the brain is also called the Sacred Square Inch, the Heavenly Heart, the Mysterious Gate, or the Cavity of Spirit. It is where the higher self or spirit from Above dwells. Sufi alchemists call this spirit the “ruh,” while Jewish alchemists refer to it as “ruach.” Tantrists see the Upper Tan Tien as an activation of the ajna (or brow) and sahasrara (or crown) chakras. In Western alchemy, it is where the operations of Fermentation, Distillation, and Coagulation take place. In the cabala, this spiritual center corresponds to the Sefirah " Daat ," located on the Middle Pillar (or spine) between Binah (at the back of the head) and Hokmah (in the forehead area). In physiological alchemy, the Upper Tan Tien is associated with the center of the brain where the light-sensitive pineal gland is located. When this gland is activated, it is said to become illuminated like thousands of shining crystals, able to receive light (as energy and knowledge) from the universe. In Tibetan Buddhism, this is the source of the “White Drop” that descends from Above to the heart center, where it mixes with the ascending “Red Drop” of condensed sexual energy from Below to coagulate a Body of Light or subtle body. All this activity is seen as a cosmic sex act in the head. The phallic-shaped pineal gland releases a pure white liquid light that impregnates the nearby bi-lobed pituitary gland, which then releases hormones in the blood that inaugurate a Second (or Spiritual) Puberty in the body. This final stage is not accomplished in just a single round of operations but must continue until all impurities have been eliminated, and the light is in its most concentrated form. The overall operation is alchemical Distillation, which purifies and transforms the energy. The vapors of the boiling sexual energy in the lower Tan Tien are directed up the Governor Channel along the dorsal side of the spine or back of the body. The Chinese call this solar channel of ascending masculine yang energy the “tu mai,” while Tantrists refer to it as the “ida”. The vapors condense or sublimate in the Upper Tan Tien, and any unpurified remains are returned to the Lower Tan Tien down the secondary Functional Channel along the ventral spinal cord on the front of the body. The Chinese called this descending lunar channel of feminine yin energy the “jen mai,” which is called “pingala” by the Tantrists. So, essentially, the Circulation of Light is a Distillation process in which the mercurial light of the life force is progressively concentrated. This purified energy is eventually directed inward to the center of the body, where it can be stored in the heart or chest area. Try a session of the following guided regimen and see how it feels. In practice, the initiate repeats the Circulation of the Light daily for months or even years, until enough of the “light” collects to crystallize in the cauldron within the brain. According to Chinese alchemists, the subtle matter distilled through this process congeals into a Golden Pill (or Golden Embryo) which is the adept’s passage to perfect health and enlightenment. Western alchemists would call the liquid light collected in these repeated distillations the “Mother of the Stone.” But the goal is the same in both systems: to create an immortal spirit body (or Philosopher’s Stone) through which the adept can function on a more evolved plane of existence than possible in the ordinary physical body. GUIDED MEDITATION: The Complete Circulation of the Light To begin the Circulation of the Light, you need to fully relax and disengage from all worldly attachments, including mundane thoughts and emotions. Put all your attention into your breathing. Slow it down and get control of it. Follow your breath, in and out. This will control this process. Breathe in, breathe out. Inhalation should be deliberate, quick, and full, while exhalation is a slower release of air. Just let your lungs deflate fully on their own. When the exhalation is longer than the inhalation, it automatically relaxes the body and reduces heart rate and blood pressure. Now, during the long exhalation, focus your attention on the pelvic area in the Lower Tan Tien cauldron, and direct the expelled breath there. Your rhythmic exhaling is experienced as kind of a tension or melting sensation between your legs. Cultivate that warm, tingling feeling, that uniquely powerful force of Nature that is your sexuality. This is one of the strongest energies in your body, and we want to be careful in working with it. There is nothing nasty going on here. We are in our own private, inner alchemical laboratory working on spiritual chemistry. Whatever we do here cannot be seen by others or judged in any way—nor should we feel guilty about accessing it. The warmth in your groin is created by the friction between the active descending vital energy in air and the static vessel in your pelvis that holds your sexual energy. While exhaling fully into your pelvic area, try to generate a sexual glow there. Feel the tingling between your legs and let  that warm glowing energy pour up into the Lower Tan Tien vessel in your stomach area. Focus on the velvety warmth growing in that area below the navel. Keep the energy there; keep regenerating it from the genitals. This is “ching,” pure sexual energy with no direction or purpose. Just the unfettered energy of sex. The raw energy has lost its sexual aspect and is now just pure warm glowing tingling liquid. Continue building the sexual tension and heat and accumulating it in the  Lower Tan Tien cauldron. Now take another deep breath in, and as you exhale, let the exhalation melt down all the way past the belly into the pelvis. Feel it melting down into the area of the genitals. The chi (or pranic energy) in the breath flows downward as you exhale. Just relax and let the breath melt down into your groin. There are two similar bowl-shaped bones in the body. These are the sphenoid bone in the head, which cradles the brain, and the sacrum (literally, the “sacred bone”) in the pelvis, which cradles the sexual organs. The sexual ching energy peaks at the Mound of Venus, the bone prominence along the perineum between the anus and the base of the sexual organ. That is the focal point for feeling ching. The opposing chi of spirit and the sexual ching of soul, mix together and heat up by the friction of their contact. The heavy ching energy and the light and airy chi are polar opposites and generate much heat when mixed. Eventually, a boiling sensation of liquid fire will begin. The hot pelvic ching naturally begins to rise and pour into the Middle Tan Tien vessel, below the bellybutton. This is the beginning of the alchemical operation of Fermentation. The liquid fire of Fermentation is referred to as “vitriol” in western alchemy and “kundalini” in the Tantric tradition. It represents your activated sexuality. It should be easy to detect; you have felt it many times before. We know what this is and how it feels. With alchemy, we can control it. We are sublimating this powerful energy to fuel our spiritual transformation. To begin circulating the light, press your tongue against the roof of your mouth to complete a pranic circuit to the upper vessel. Otherwise, the energy all falls back down. Breathe in and force the breath all the way upwards into the sphenoid container of the brain. Keep your tongue touching the roof of your mouth and then forget about it. Breathe in and visualize the tingling sexual energy rising up in a circuit along your dorsal spine, that is, on your back. Breathe out and visualize this vaporous energy raining downward in a circuit along your ventral spine, that is, on your front in the chest area, into the lower vessel. Remember to let go as this vital breath energy drops down into the pelvic bowl to mix with the sexual energy there. Now, continue the circulation by inhaling and bringing the energy up from below into the upper tan tien or brain cauldron. Inhale briskly and bring it up from the lower cauldron into the brain cavity. Direct the energy from below by visualizing the vapors condensing into a cool, mist in the brain. Try to feel the vapors rising from the boiling cauldron in the lower tan tien. Bring the unified ching-chi energy up by inhaling along the Governor channel on your back into the Upper Tan Tien in the head vessel.  Suck it up vigorously into the brain and let any excess fall back down along the Functional front channel into the lower cauldron. This is the basic circulation of the light. Keep the fire burning below. Recharge the ching and chi, and their friction will cause the heat that drives this entire process of distillation. The continued fueling of sexual energy is absolutely required now. Keep feeling the conscious chi energy coming down from Above mixed with the heavy darker ching energy of the unconscious sexual forces Below. The ching and chi are mixing, churning, heating, boiling. As the circulation continues, more and more glowing steamy vapors are rising that begin condensing in the brain as liquid light. This new state is half-matter and half-energy. Follow this inner circulation guided by your natural breathing pattern. Continue on your own. Make this as real and as concentrated as possible. Feel it all the way up and all the way down. Fill the vessel below as you exhale. Chi and ching—they are both there, boiling in that lower Tan Tien cauldron. With the next breath in, you want to bring it in forcibly and direct the steamy vapors up into the brain cavity in a forceful way. So, a deep hard rapid breath is required. Suck the energy up. Then, exhale slowly and let anything left fall back into the lower Tan Tien cauldron. Inhale again and suck up the energy in the form of luminous vapors from the lower vessel. Now hold the breath, and keep it in the head long enough to condense. Drops of solidified light are dripping out of the vapor into the upper cauldron. Exhale and return what is leftover into the sexual lower cauldron, as the overflowing ching begins to spill into the Middle Tan Tien vessel. This is the circulation pattern to follow now, as the process of distillation continues. Inhale deeply again, and direct the light into the brain vessel, behind the eyes. See that light. It is there physically and spiritually. You can see it there. Keep it there by holding the breath. And then exhale, relax and let it fall back into the lower vessel. Feel it mixing in and how it changes the energy in the lower Tan Tien vessel bit by bit—how it is actually purifying the sexual energy, spiritizing it. Breathe in, bring up the light. Hold it in the brain. Hold the breath. Feel the light condense behind the eyes. Breathe out any excess and let it fall back below. The dark energy below is becoming pure liquid light. Inhale—hold this treasure. Condense it, see it, let it go. Feel it below, the dark heavy energy becoming lighter and lighter. Follow the exhaled energy returning to the lower tan tien cauldron and overflowing into the Middle Tan Tien vessel. Down there this liquid sex energy is changing. This process is actually purifying the heavy ching. The reddish light of ching is becoming pure white in color in the Middle Tan Tien. It is there, a spiritized body is starting to form; it is really there. Down below, this liquid light will eventually become less heavy and less powerful. When the energy below begins to subside, and the boiling sensation lessons, you need to quicken the process and increase your pace . Breathe in and breathe out faster and faster. Strong breath in, see the light. You have to suck up all the vapor you can. Don’t let any of the precious vapor go to waste or be reconverted into ching. Now hold the breath and let all the vapor condense. Hold the breath until all of the light condenses and drips out. Breathe out. Finally, after repeated practice, everything will be sublimated above. All that is left is this liquidy light in your brain, and you can feel the weight of it behind your eyes. The light is not as white anymore. It has taken on a golden hue in the Upper Tan Tien. You can see the heavy light and you will see it again if you continue in this practice. The heavy sexual ching energy Below has transferred its essence-- (its weight) --to a solidifying spiritbody forming in the heart. And one last breath now. Suck it up, anything remaining below. Hold it in the brain, let all this remaining material condense. Exhale partially, hold the breath halfway at the heart level. While holding the breath charged with the heavy liquid light distillate, open the chamber of the heart. Open your heart chamber. This is difficult for some people. It helps to think of times you were hurt, times you were embarrassed, and your heart opens again. Most of us have learned how to close our hearts but not open them on demand. Now just let the light in. Simply direct it in with a gentle lateral breath in towards the storage vessel of the heart. The energy we store in the heart is sometimes called the “Heart Tincture” in alchemy. As the golden energy settles there, some people see it develop a green hue (a signature of copper, the metal of love). The intelligence of the heart has set its own signature. Now seal or close the door to the heart chamber. Closing the heart is easy for most people. That’s our standard response. So, just let it close; no problem. In fact, the door to the heart will usually slam shut by itself. It is how we protect ourselves. We naturally feel the urge to protect this energy we have stored in the heart. Now relax deeply. The work is done. The boiling sensation below subsides, and the purified potential energy is safely locked away. No one can get at it but you. No one can control what happens in your inner lab but you. Stop the distillation operation by moving your tongue away from the roof of your mouth. Relax but pause before opening your eyes, since the contrast between the gray harshness of physical reality awaiting you and the subtle warm environment of the Inner lab will be very pronounced. CONCLUSION You have successfully transmuted dark sexual energy into glowing white hot light and then into pure golden light, the so-called “golden flower.” In terms of the Emerald Tablet, you have returned it to earth in the living green light of the heart. You can add to the spiritual tincture in the heart or direct it to heal any part of your body or to other people if you open your heart in compassion. To heal actively, you simply repeat the circulation of light meditation, and keep the heart chamber open to release compassionate energy to revivify or re-animate your organs, personality, or in other people. Bring the highly purified energy to life and direct it with the breath to any organ or disease (mental or physical)—wherever there is imperfection in your body or someone else’s. You can now answer the call to perfection with the perfected, unified and grounded, healing energy of the heart. As you practice the Circulation of the Light more, you will learn how to store more energy in the heart and how to open your heart easily to others. This will bring many wondrous applications into your life. The more work you do in the inner lab, the purer this environment becomes and the easier it is to generate and store this energy. You will also be able to know what your body is telling you—how to understand what the emotion or moving energy in your body means, why your organs are crying out for attention, and what your cells need from you.

Part 6 of our continuing series on the Emerald Tablet from my book The Emerald Tablet: Alchemy for Personal Transformation. The book can be purchased at https://www.amazon.com/Emerald-Tablet-Alchemy-Personal-Transformation/dp/0140195718 The Emerald Tablet—an ancient document that contains the essence of the alchemical teachings—has had an important influence on many Western spiritual and religious traditions. Ostensibly concerned with turning base metals into gold, alchemy was in fact dedicated to transforming the lead of self into the gold of spirit. This brilliant history of alchemy traces its sources back to ancient Egypt, and presents alchemy as a useful, practical system of self-transformation. Each of the seven steps of alchemical transformation is explained, with hands-on techniques and exercises, treating alchemy as a living discipline for achieving a spiritual awakening.  

Part 5 of our continuing series on the Emerald Tablet from my book The Emerald Tablet: Alchemy for Personal Transformation. The book can be purchased at https://www.amazon.com/Emerald-Tablet-Alchemy-Personal-Transformation/dp/0140195718 The Emerald Tablet—an ancient document that contains the essence of the alchemical teachings—has had an important influence on many Western spiritual and religious traditions. Ostensibly concerned with turning base metals into gold, alchemy was in fact dedicated to transforming the lead of self into the gold of spirit. This brilliant history of alchemy traces its sources back to ancient Egypt, and presents alchemy as a useful, practical system of self-transformation. Each of the seven steps of alchemical transformation is explained, with hands-on techniques and exercises, treating alchemy as a living discipline for achieving a spiritual awakening.  

Part 4 of our continuing series on the Emerald Tablet from my book The Emerald Tablet: Alchemy for Personal Transformation. The book can be purchased at https://www.amazon.com/Emerald-Tablet-Alchemy-Personal-Transformation/dp/0140195718 The Emerald Tablet—an ancient document that contains the essence of the alchemical teachings—has had an important influence on many Western spiritual and religious traditions. Ostensibly concerned with turning base metals into gold, alchemy was in fact dedicated to transforming the lead of self into the gold of spirit. This brilliant history of alchemy traces its sources back to ancient Egypt, and presents alchemy as a useful, practical system of self-transformation. Each of the seven steps of alchemical transformation is explained, with hands-on techniques and exercises, treating alchemy as a living discipline for achieving a spiritual awakening.  

Part 3 of our continuing series on the Emerald Tablet from my book The Emerald Tablet: Alchemy for Personal Transformation. T The Emerald Tablet—an ancient document that contains the essence of the alchemical teachings—has had an important influence on many Western spiritual and religious traditions. Ostensibly concerned with turning base metals into gold, alchemy was in fact dedicated to transforming the lead of self into the gold of spirit. This brilliant history of alchemy traces its sources back to ancient Egypt, and presents alchemy as a useful, practical system of self-transformation. Each of the seven steps of alchemical transformation is explained, with hands-on techniques and exercises, treating alchemy as a living discipline for achieving a spiritual awakening. from The Emerald Tablet: Alchemy for Personal Transformation (Penguin 1999). Paperback and Kindle editions available on Amazon.

Stanley Kubrick's masterpiece 2001: A Space Odyssey describes an alchemical process of transformation for our species and any individuals who view the film. A deeply symbolic exploration of the Ladder of the Planets from Dennis William Hauck.

Part 2 of our continuing series on the Emerald Tablet from my book The Emerald Tablet: Alchemy for Personal Transformation. The book can be purchased at https://www.amazon.com/Emerald-Tablet-Alchemy-Personal-Transformation/dp/0140195718 The Emerald Tablet—an ancient document that contains the essence of the alchemical teachings—has had an important influence on many Western spiritual and religious traditions. Ostensibly concerned with turning base metals into gold, alchemy was in fact dedicated to transforming the lead of self into the gold of spirit. This brilliant history of alchemy traces its sources back to ancient Egypt, and presents alchemy as a useful, practical system of self-transformation. Each of the seven steps of alchemical transformation is explained, with hands-on techniques and exercises, treating alchemy as a living discipline for achieving a spiritual awakening.    

This installment of Art Bell's "Dreamland" show was titled "Alchemy and the Paranormal Reality.  "Dreamland" was part of Art's "Coast to Coast AM" franchise, and his unique radio show captured over 10 million listeners a week. Art Bell (1945-2018) broadcast from the isolated town of Pahrump in desolate Nye County, Nevada. Art saw himself not as an authority, but as a fellow explorer with his guests. First broadcast November 8, 1999.

This short poem captures all the operations of alchemical transformation in one vision. I wrote it when I was 17 in 1962, before I knew anything about alchemy. It was selected to be included in the album "Sound of Poetry" by the National Library of Poetry and published in 1992. 

The Emerald Tablet—an ancient document that contains the essence of the alchemical teachings—has had an important influence on many Western spiritual and religious traditions. Ostensibly concerned with turning base metals into gold, alchemy was in fact dedicated to transforming the lead of self into the gold of spirit. This brilliant history of alchemy traces its sources back to ancient Egypt, and presents alchemy as a useful, practical system of self-transformation. Each of the seven steps of alchemical transformation is explained, with hands-on techniques and exercises, treating alchemy as a living discipline for achieving a spiritual awakening. from The Emerald Tablet: Alchemy for Personal Transformation (Penguin 1999). Paperback and Kindle editions available on Amazon.

This is actually an audition tape for the “Oprah Winfrey Show” when my book The Emerald Tablet: Alchemy for Personal Transformation was being considered for Oprah’s Book Club. Unfortunately, the producers thought it was a bit “over the top” for Oprah’s viewers, and listening to it today, I would have to agree. But it is one of my best efforts to explain the origins and power of the ancient teachings of Hermes and how they evolved in alchemy, literature, religion, and science. Topics include the Emerald Tablet, the history of Balinas (Apollonius of Tyana), the seven operations and the Emerald Formula, the planetary archetypes, and how they apply to personal transformation. There is also an active imagination session with Thoth in which he explains the nature of the universe.  However controversial the ideas expressed in this reading are today, they represent the historical view and “One True Philosophy” that inspired the alchemists to so ardently pursue the Great Work. I have continued to research Thoth’s teachings in more recent books, including In the Mind of the Universe: The Monad and You! on Amazon at https://amzn.to/489vk5H

This is a sample reading from Chapter 1 of In the Mind of the Universe: The Monad and You! Order the book from https://amzn.to/489vk5H 

Real experiences of the Monad from historical sources, literature, and the personal experiences of the author.  The experiences share most of the following ten characteristics: 1) The experience begins in a state of non-duality or Oneness. 2) It seems to take place in a boundless space of pure warm light. 3) Everything is stripped away—no more ego, striving, or worldly attachments. 4) The basic dichotomy of “I” versus “other” is transcended. 5) There is a sense of original self or primal state of being in which just your pure centerless awareness or “default” presence remains. 6) It is “beyond thoughts” or exhibits the inability to have thoughts, and because of this, there is no fear. 7) There is a sense of eternity with no experience of time. 8) There is a feeling of complete knowledge or direct gnosis of reality. 9) The overall feeling is one of infinite security, serenity, and satisfaction. 10) In describing the experience to others, it remains paradoxical and ineffable. For a more information, please refer to my book "The Mind of the Universe: The Monad and You!" This video narrated by Cooper Monroe. For a more information, please refer to my book "The Mind of the Universe: The Monad and You!" Order your Softcover, Hardback, Kindle, or Audible copy from: https://amzn.to/489vk5H

The Basic Monadic Meditation from my book "In the Mind of the Universe: The Monad and You!" https://amzn.to/489vk5H  Read by Scott McCain.    BASIC MONADIC MEDITATION INSTRUCTIONS Step 1)  Disengage Physically. Delink from the world by turning off your electronic attachments to the outside world. Find a quiet room or put in earplugs and sit in a chair; don’t lie down. Keep your back comfortably straight and fold your hands in your lap. Be still. Focus on the feeling that your fully relaxed body is immovable in time and space. Time is slowing down and then stops; your awareness is focused on the static moment before you. Now, just relax and cultivate the silence in your body for a while. Step 2)  Disengage Mentally. Extricate yourself mentally from the world by shutting off the verbal stream of consciousness in your own mind. With your eyes either closed or half-opened gazing in front of you, shut down your senses and ignore any outside noises. Remember, thoughts are things that accumulate and clutter up the mind. Halt that process, and just stop thinking—break the chain of thoughts—but still remain aware. Become comfortably numb to the world, and then remain stubbornly in this immovable, timeless state of mind. Pay attention only to the silence it creates. Step 3)  Monadic Awareness. Just continue resting in this timeless present moment and try to keep your mind quiet and immovable. Try not to be self-conscious about what you are doing, including any expectations about this exercise. Don’t actively think of anything—if a thought intrudes, don’t follow it out. Let thoughts dissolve on their own.  Instead of thinking, focus on the feeling of empty awareness—your “original mind” free from all content and distractions. Just Be—just exist without thoughts in the pure monadic light that surrounds you. You are becoming only pure awareness. You are That. You are That-You-Are, and nothing else.  

Modern scientists use the term “singularity” rather than "monad" when referring to monadic structures or events, although the word “monad” is still used when referring to the ontological and mathematical roots of science. As we shall see, that is historically how the idea of a monadic universe originated in science. Technically, a singularity is the point at which a mathematical function takes on an infinite value. In consciousness studies and psychology, it is the basic characteristic that defines consciousness. In astrophysics, it is a point of zero volume with infinite density and gravity. The Big Bang Theory postulates that our universe emerged from such a singularity and that before this event, space and time did not exist. That means the Big Bang itself took place at no place and no time, although by measuring the distance and velocities of expanding galaxies, the age of the universe has been calculated to be 13.77 billion years.

We live out our lives in the Mind of the universe, and for thousands of years, philosophers, theologians, and scientists have called that unitary source of reality at the beginning of time—the Monad. In philosophy, it’s the etheric Substance at the root of both mind and matter. For theologians, the Monad is the logos or Word of God. In science, it’s the Big Bang singularity from which the physical universe emerged. In mathematics, the Monad is defined as the zero-point origin of all numbers. In your life, the Monad is the singularity in your own consciousness, the point of view from which you experience the world. The commonplace experience of being a single point of awareness in your own mind—of being impeccably whole in your own little world—is a reflection of the Monad in you. This is Chapter 2 of the book In the Mind of the Universe: The Monad and You! by Dennis William Hauck. Read by Peter Simmons. More information on Amazon at  https://amzn.to/489vk5H

In your life, the Monad is the singularity in your own consciousness, the point of awareness from which you experience the world. You are conscious because the universe is conscious, and the commonplace experience of being a single point of awareness in your own mind—of living in your own little world—is a reflection of the Greater Monad in you. Traditionally, the Greater Monad is the indivisible single source of reality. In science, it’s the Big Bang singularity from which the universe emerged. In mathematics, the Monad is defined as the zero-point origin of all numbers. For theologians, the Monad is the logos or Word of God. In philosophy, it’s the basic Substance at the root of both mind and matter. This selection is from my new book, "In the Mind of the Universe: The Monad and You!" available from https://amzn.to/489vk5H   

The Monad Manifesto is a call to clarity and action in response to new discoveries about the nature of consciousness and the looming confrontation between mind and machine. As scientists probe deeper into the nature of reality, they are finding that consciousness is at the root of everything. What we believed were the laws of physics and matter are really the archetypal laws of mind. The condensation of consciousness and information that created our universe originated from a dimensionless point in the void known in physics as the “Singularity” and in mathematics and philosophy as the “Monad.” This is Chapter 1 from Dennis William Hauck's The Monad Manifesto: Merging Science and Spirituality; narrated by Stacy Carolan. (More info at MonadManifesto.com)

Dennis William Hauck presents a penetrating discussion of the origins and power of the ancient teachings of Hermes and how they evolved in alchemy, literature, religion, and science. Topics include the Emerald Tablet, the history of Balinas (Apollonius of Tyana), the seven operations and the Emerald Formula, the planetary archetypes, personal transformation, and Jungian psychology. There is also an extremely powerful 'interview" with Thoth in which he explains the nature of the universe. 

Everything you need to know about alchemy in the time it takes to boil an egg!

In this lecture at the Philosophical Research Society (PRS) of Los Angeles, Dennis William Hauck presents a short history of alchemy centered on the fabled Emerald Tablet and expands the ancient wisdom into a viable discipline of personal transformation for modern times. Topics include Alexandrian alchemists, Balinas (Apollonius), First Matter, the Philosopher's Stone, the seven operations of alchemy, Kurt Godel, Carl Jung, and more.

Dennis William Hauck discusses two empowering alchemical engravings in this interview by Doneliya Deneva of AMORC. They are the "Azoth of the Philosophers" and the "Tabula Smaragdina". High resolution copies of the drawings can be downloaded from https://1drv.ms/f/s!AtbqIKeml-Pxne4S5GD-XY0TrVbpDw .