Alchemical Yoga Philosophy

The Creation of Alchemical Yoga

“Man has a visible and invisible workshop. The visible one is his body, the invisible one his imagination…The imagination is a sun in the soul of man acting it its own sphere (the body), as the sun in our system acts on the earth. Wherever the sun shines, seeds planted in the soil grow, and vegetation springs up. The imagination acts in a similar manner in the soul, and calls forms of life into existence…The Spirit is the master, imagination the tool, the body the malleable material. Imagination is the power by which the will forms entities out of thoughts. It can produce and cure disease.”

Paracelsus, Alchemist & Philosopher
1493-1541

 

For nearly 20 years I have studied and practiced the divine philosophies of Kabbalah, Hermetic Arts and Sciences, Alchemy, and Rosicrucianism from the West, and Advaita, Kundalini and Tantra yoga from the East. The commonality of all these traditions is their emphasis on developing the ability to transmute the body, emotions, mind, and soul from mundane to divine consciousness. Study and practice in any or all of these traditions steadily brings about incredibly radical shifts in consciousness, transforming human understanding into divine wisdom.

The Kabbalistic tradition which I have found most useful in moving toward divine consciousness is Ecstatic Kabbalah, founded by Rabbi Abraham Abulafia. The core methods found in Ecstatic Kabbalah are similar in many ways to visual meditative techniques used by saints, sages, and mystics throughout the world. Rabbi Abulafia (1240-1291) was a holy man and prophet who lived in Spain and Italy, and traveled widely. He taught the sacred science of divine realization to students of all religions. The Rabbi attained union with the Divine Self through specific ecstatic practices, and proclaimed, “I am the messiah”, indicating his loss of identity with the personality and his absorption into fully divine consciousness.

These ecstatic practices rely upon the proper combination of imagination, will, and concentration. In the Eastern disciplines of Yoga there is a similar emphasis on will and concentration in order to attain mastery of the physical body, the emotions, and the mind. Alchemy is an ancient system for attaining enlightened consciousness that encompasses all of these aspects: mastery of the physical body, emotions, and mind, the expansion of the imagination, the development of the will, full command of the ability to concentrate, and the activation and elevation of the cosmic Life Force energy.

When Alchemical practices are pursued with love and devotion, one becomes more aware of his or her true nature, more expressive of the higher realities of life, ultimately becoming wholly united with the divine consciousness. Spiritual powers awakened through the methods of Ecstatic Kabbalah and Alchemy are similar to those known to Sufi mystics and experienced through proficiency in the Western occult and Eastern yogic traditions: heightened perception, highly developed intuition, revelation of the past and the future, transcendence of the limitations of the personal self, deep peace, and bliss. Transported into such a state, one may experience the presence of saints and masters, archangels and angels, as s/he merges into the flow of sacred energy. Rabbi Abulafia recorded many encounters with such divine beings, and the ultimate realization experience of his oneness with all of creation.

Rabbi Abraham Abulafia

Occult practitioners in Europe, India, Arabia, and America have recorded the use of methods very similar to those of Ecstatic Kabbalah, techniques that result in states of expanded awareness and a greater, more compassionate understanding of oneself and the world. These adepts (western yogis and yoginis) also worked with Alchemy, held ceremonial rites, and offered training and experiences to the public through lodges, temples, and correspondence courses. In such schools, Kabbalistic and Alchemical meditations were blended, refined, simplified, and modernized.

The core meditations of Alchemy and Kabbalah use the visualization of specific symbols and colors, along with specific chants to develop concentration, strengthen the will, and unleash the creative powers of the divine imagination. Kabbalistic and Alchemical meditations create greater alignment within the physical body aiding it to actualize itself as the temple of the Divine Self. My own experiences and those of many others who have used these methods prove that devoted practice leads to states of consciousness and divine experiences such as those described by Rabbi Abulafia, and many other adepts:

One’s entire being and life are transformed from the inside out

The force that is awakened, exalted, and integrated by these all of these methods is called the serpent power in the Alchemy. Hermes, the Egyptian adept, referred to the serpent power as the strong force of all forces. Because of its fiery nature and ability to overtake and eliminate all that is not divine, it is best to learn step-by-step how to activate and integrate this energy over time. This same force is known as the Kundalini in the East, and it was through my years of the combined practice of Kundalini yoga, Kabbalah, and Alchemy that Alchemical Yoga was born. The disciplines of Kundalini yoga are absolutely superior in their ability to open the body to greater spiritual force, bring the mind into a state of stillness, and immerse one in the bliss of pure consciousness. Kundalini yoga is the royal yoga just as Alchemy is the royal art.

Alchemical Yoga is an artful yoga that was inspired through my own mergence with the creative source in deep meditation. It requires no special knowledge of Kabbalah, Alchemy, or Yoga, and can be used in conjunction with any religion or philosophy, or with none. If one already has knowledge of these philosophies, or is aligned to a religion or spiritual tradition, Alchemical Yoga will enhance, strengthen, and increase your understandings and faith in these areas.

Alchemical Yoga is easily learned and highly rewarding in all areas of life. The body will become more flexible, slimmer, and healthier. Life’s difficulties will be seen in a different light, and will be more easily resolved and let go. Greater understanding and love will flow into relationships. Connection to the Divine source will become steady. This is the divine promise of Alchemy, symbolized by the rainbow:

Alchemical Yoga is a philosophy that encourages a holistic lifestyle, focusing on the importance of our connection to the earth and nature, called the Kingdom, in Kabbalah. Living naturally, eating less, consuming more raw foods and juices, occasional fasting, and taking regular retreats in nature will enhance and sustain the expansive states of consciousness that are brought about by Alchemical Yoga practice. Incorporating these principles into your life will insure that your alchemical practices rapidly manifest the highest expression of perfection in your body, emotions, mind, and soul, and in every aspect of your life.

Alchemical Yoga is a synthesis of meditations, energy work, exercises, and healthy ways of living derived from many powerful spiritual traditions. It is itself an alchemical blending of the Western and Eastern streams of consciousness, and their highly complementary spiritual practices.

“This yoga is offered for the divine awakening of everyone.”
Chavah Aima

 

“I think I have said enough to show that the Alchemist undertakes no light task. I can hold out no hope of success to those who still retain an absorbing interest in the world. In the world Adepts may be, but not of it. Alchemy is a jealous mistress. She demands from her pupils no less than life…for her sake you must ascend into Heaven. You must have strength and patience, nothing must terrify you, the joys of Nirvana must not tempt you; having chosen your work, you must to this end purify yourself from perishable desires, and bring down the light of the shining ones, that it may radiate upon you here on earth. This is the work of the Alchemist…to remain manifested as a living link between the supernal and terrestrial natures.”

Soror S.S.D.D., Florence Farr, 1860-1917

 

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