The philosopher stone alchemic process has been debated, questioned and sought after for centuries. This process, which promises to reveal a substance that is divine incarnated, able to heal all humans, an elixir of life and able to transmute base metals into gold & silver, also contains subtext of internal and multi-dimensional processes of quantum change & shifts into new perspectives of awareness.
Why it is called the philosopher stone when it is not a “stone” is also an attribute to it’s finality and enduring ideas. The substance itself has been described in multiple ancient texts as a red powder that appears once it has transformed through every other color of the rainbow, ending at red.
As I listened to Manly P. Hall’s explanation (in his book The Secret Teachings of All Ages) of the alchemic process of the “creation” of the philosophers stone, it was clear there were many parallels to the awakening process of Zen.
With assistance from the BatGap Spiritual Bot (which is loaded with over 70k spiritual texts), this blog was written and the parallels are undeniable.
This curiosity made me wonder, if all ancient knowledge, all insights, all teachings all religious texts are meant to gently (or not so gently), guide us back to our SELF (big self – all self).
As the philosopher’s stone promises eternal life and richness… the irony is not lost that it could also turn base metals into gold, appealing to the materialist sides of humanity, when if you go deeper, the gold is outside of the material sense, as a metaphor.
Enjoy reading the commonly accepted steps of the alchemic process and their Zen equivalent outlined below:
Calcination:
- Alchemic: The burning away of impurities, involves intense heating to reduce substances to ashes.
- Zen: Represents the first confrontation with the self and the beginning of the purification process. The breaking down of the ego and material attachments.
Dissolution:
- Alchemic: The ashes from calcination are dissolved in water.
- Zen: Represents the breaking down of artificial boundaries and the merging of conscious and unconscious aspects of the self. The dissolution of the ego and the integration of subconscious material.
Separation:
- Alchemic: The separation of the components of the dissolved material. Involves filtering out the pure from the impure.
- Zen: Represents the ability to differentiate between what is valuable and what is not in one’s life and psyche. Discernment and the identification of essential qualities.
Conjunction:
- Alchemic: The recombination of the separated elements into a new substance,
- Zen: Represents the union of opposites and the synthesis of dualities. The integration of the conscious and unconscious into a harmonious whole.
Fermentation:
- Alchemic: The introduction of a ferment or catalyst to the recombined substance.
- Zen: Represents the process of internal transformation and the birth of new spiritual insights. Spiritual awakening and the infusion of new life and inspiration.
Distillation:
- Alchemic: The purification of the fermented substance by heating and condensing, involves repeated cycles of heating and cooling.
- Zen: Represents the continuous process of purifying and refining one’s thoughts and emotions. The refinement of the spirit and the elevation of consciousness.
Coagulation:
- Alchemic: The solidification of the purified substance into a new, stable form.
- Zen: Represents the embodiment of spiritual truths and the stabilization of enlightened consciousness. The realization of spiritual essence and the attainment of a higher state of being.
Sublimation:
- Alchemic: The conversion of a solid directly into a gas, bypassing the liquid state.
- Zen: Represents the elevation of one’s spiritual state to a higher plane of existence. The transcendence of material limitations.
Mortification:
- Alchemic: The breaking down of the substance into its most basic components.
- Zen: Represents the willingness to let go of the old to make way for the new. The death of old self-concepts and the release of outdated beliefs.
Multiplication:
- Alchemic: The increase in the potency of the substance.
- Zen: Represents the expansion of one’s influence and the magnification of spiritual insights. The amplification of spiritual power and wisdom.
Projection:
- Alchemic: The casting of the Philosopher’s Stone onto base metals.
- Zen: Represents the ability to transform one’s environment and elevate others through one’s own enlightenment. The transformation of the mundane into the sublime.
The Philosopher’s Stone:
- Alchemic: The final, perfected substance that has the power to transmute base metals into gold and grant immortality.
- Zen: Represents the culmination of the alchemical journey and the attainment of true wisdom and enlightenment. The ultimate realization of spiritual perfection and unity with the divine.
In what ways does your “self” alchemize in this process of the philosophers stone?
