Mind – Page 18 – – Asa Rodriguez

“The domain of individual destiny is controlled by an interplay of many cosmic forces, mainly benign; but in the present world society, due to mankind’s misunderstanding of both earthly and heavenly purposes, these forces have been turned to other uses, frequently chaotic and disintegrating.” ~ Count St. Germain; alchemist, painter, philosopher, essayist, poet, diplomat, philanthropist, musician.

When most of us hear the word ‘Alchemy’ we picture an old sage in ancient times leaning against a hot pot stirring and stirring and creating mysterious fumes while wearing a large robe, mainly stirring and stirring to create some elixir or to turn lead into gold. But that is just the superficial part of the science of Alchemy; because, in fact, Alchemy started the sciences we have today–i.e. chemistry, psychology, botany, geology, physics, anatomy, physiology, etc. etc. Let us have in mind not just ‘Alchemy’ but ‘Mental Alchemy,’ because the human mind is all in the Alchemy of the true sage, because the human mind hides mysterious and fascinating energies to transmute the lead of the ego of simple man into the gold of the god-man. So there is the study of who we are, and I do not mean our names or cultures, nationalities or the identities we create for ourselves; however, I mean the study of who we are beyond this waking thought we experience every day and this body made of flesh and bone. To be more precise, is the study and discovery of our true Inner Self, which some may call Spiritual Self or Divine Energy; hence, it is about the energy and essence that makes us and sustains our life, which connects us to one another and to all nature, precisely all nature from the dust on the earth and the insect on it to the planets and stars in the vast dark above us.

The roots of Alchemy date back to ancient Egypt, and perhaps even before that, and a mysterious manuscript called ‘The Emerald Tablets.’ Alchemy arrived in Spain during the Arabian occupation by the Moors and then spread to the rest of Europe. Alchemy reigned as the supreme science in Europe for about 1,700 years. In fact, many of the cathedrals of the Middle Ages carry alchemical symbols and secret formulae.

This is a coin minted from alchemical gold showing the symbol of lead (the ignorant, waking mind of the simple man) going up to heaven to transmute into gold (the mind of the god-man or the superior, spiritual intellect in man).

Only a very few adepts knew of the essential agent, the sublime heat of the soul, which fuses the emotions, consumes the prison of leaden form and allows entry into the higher world. Carl Jung made alchemical methods part of modern psychology when he talks about the subconscious mind in man (the Infinite Intelligence in man).

But, you see, reader, the true science of Alchemy is the science of the spirit in man; therefore, because is about the spirit and so it does not have anything to do with machinations of men or material temples or churches built by men, religions of the world do not have a claim on this higher science. Because the spiritual, the divine in man, the gold in man must not be confused with the crude, the ignorant dogmas and ideas in the simple man, the lead which is of the lower man.

As people grow throughout life, they start to imitate one another, consciously and subconsciously, mimicking the personalities and identities which they see fit and which brings pleasure to his daily lives. Because of their new adopted views in religion, society, nationality, culture, etc., and due to becoming fearful followers and not leaders of their own lives, most dwell in a sense of unreality as they become victims of themselves under the ideas and interpretations of others, and subsequently they persist in identifying themselves as vile sinners dependent of some human leader and a divine god up in the skies to deliver them to some promised land. People thus become victims and go throughout life blind to their fortunes and believing in some divine blessing or curse falling upon them, and they are never masters of their destinies but humble servants of their own egos; that is, enslaved to their wild imaginations and ego-created fears.

This fear and ignorance transforms their thoughts and feelings into hell on earth; however, the purpose of all thought and feeling is to give us the beautiful form of wise and individual experience, to thus shape our self-confidence and unique personas into higher intellects, higher personas in the spiritual and mental realms. So we Alchemists, true and wise Alchemists today and always, understand this and embrace this in our hearts; because we recognize that thoughts and feelings are exposed to sadness and misery as well as higher intelligence and wisdom, and in order to have only the latter we need to lead and not follow, have a free mind and accept who we are beyond all idea and form. By stopping to watch TV, by not falling into the shopping and commercial trap, by not following society and religion, by not choosing an identity based on friends and family, by not imitating others, by watching the food-energy we put in our bodies, etc. etc., this can be accomplished.

So, life is not meant for us to embrace mediocrity and be content with following the herd, and it is not meant for us to massacre our higher purpose by living in the fear and anxiety all TV, society, religion, nationality, culture creates; but it is meant for us to be unique in all aspects and raise above all feelings of fear and anxiety. Every human being has mighty energies and capacities, from the homeless person living under the bridge to the spiritual Alchemist who feels one with all, and so this is why we are born and given thoughts and feelings inside a physical form; and, even though most people do not really understand and embrace that fact in their behaviors, we must accept what we do not see and hear in our heads, we must realize that we all have the capacities to be Alchemists and lead our own lives, the capacities to turn crude lead into divine gold, because no society, religion, father or mother, friend or acquaintance, can do it for you, can better your life.

“An army of a thousand is easy to find but, aah, yes, how difficult to find a general.” ~ Chinese Proverb.

I am currently working on a self-help book, titled – “Inner Wealth, Outer Wealth,” and it felt appropriate to share with you a small passage from a chapter I titled – ‘Wise leadership: The godly powers to build.’

I was contemplating within myself this morning and it came to me just how we sometimes tend to forget about the forces of nature working within ourselves when it comes to opening the path for others to thrive, and even for our own selves to thrive, in the business of life. See, when it comes to all business, of course, most people focuses on the outward aspects of leadership and strength to lead–i.e. always planning and directing people in the crux of professional pursuits, whether in your own business or in the business of others. But there is also a mighty power which is highly motivational and successful if harnessed by the great and wise warrior; that is, silence is a great and divine source of strength for the wise leader of any business and of life itself.

Have you ever noticed that experienced and successful motivational speakers pause sometimes to build momentum and let the wisdom their giving to people sink in…?? Have you paid attention to great movies when the hero is about to kill the murderer or save the day, that momentum building suspense or anxiety in the viewer to evoke deeper emotions…?? That is silence which aids in achieving success without effort, and so the wise leader understands how these energies in silence influence the minds and emotions of other fellow men. Silence, when it is summoned by a true leader, is indeed wisdom emerging from the mental power of the energies of leadership. Silence this powerful and influential springs only from wisdom, from Infinite or Higher Intelligence, because the energy in silence indeed manifests Cosmic Creation itself.

Hence the contrary, talking and talking, stressing yourself and others nonstop, rushing yourself loudly and others, is the realm of the waking mind, the mind which never stops its monkeying around, the earthly mind, always having something to add like a ravenous monkey, always having to prove its intelligence like the vainglorious man, always having complaints and opinions about every little thing; and such narrow-minded and obnoxious process is the enemy of all wise leadership. Can you learn to work hard and do great things without doing anything…?? Can you manifest your intentions and your beliefs to others without having to always do something…?? Can you achieve without moving a single finger…?? Can you learn to become open and without the need to always be thinking about the stresses and problems of your day and the pressures of your business…?? Can you lead yourself and others without actually leading as most men do…?? These questions seem complex, perhaps even illogical, for the uninitiated in mental leadership, but they are quite simple to the powerful mind of the experienced mental scientist.

Indeed, a mind this vigorous and grand goes beyond the mind of the normal individual, whether the person is rich or not, educated or not, fair-skinned or not, male or female, young or old; therefore, some may call this mind ‘the mind of the genius businessman.’ And this mind is made, not born. Once your mind becomes this powerful, you can positively answer these questions; but, until then, you will not even understand them.

The great wisdom of Chinese philosophy shows us the way to power and leadership, to the fruitful and successful life in any facet. Being open and receptive, or having a powerful mind which is open and receptive, among the many disturbances and distractions of the pressures of daily personal and public life is called Yin, the moon, the valley, the concealed aspect, the female force or female principle in nature; being strong and directive is called Yang, the sun, the mountain, the superficial aspect, the masculine force or masculine principle in nature. But, even though they seem absolutely different and apart from each other, like heaven and hell, they are in fact two parts of a whole, just like the concepts of heaven and hell; hence, they are one and the same and need each other, because neither one is whole by itself, and a powerful and successful mind can only be whole.

Now, imagine a valley with beautiful flowers of many colors like violet, red, pink, yellow, and blue, and in its center an open and outstandingly green field with a vast and inviting source of clear water; then, in its reflection, you can see all energy of creation, all power of the creative mind. Go to the waters and be still, patient, observe silence and beauty, contemplate the freshness and rich texture of the naturally flowing waters, see the great gifts and possibilities in the stream reflecting back to you; and as you do this, your whole body becomes energized by this inner transformation. And you became transformed just now by the reflection upon the clear waters, as soon as you peered into them, because you yourself were the reflection, and because you were the waters as well. This is Infinite Intelligence. This is Yin, the female principle in nature. You can go to these waters whenever you want, they will always be there for you, even if you feel depressed or miserable, undeserving or unsuccessful, the source of water will always be clear and rich with reflections. You need not fear.

The wise man, the wise leader, knows this and visits the waters quite often, in utter silence he observes, no words or opinions of any kind are allowed lest he disturbs the waters and misses the beautiful and transforming reflection.

Now, imagine a boat or ship, sturdy, commanding, of great power and engineering, committed to sailing, discovering new places, conquering storms in the tempests of night, going where no man has ever dared to go before because this ship has big and noble ambitions. The ship’s engine and sails are mighty as they affront the tempestuous currents of the night, as they cruise with power and a rebellious attitude through all obstacle and naysayer in its path. This ship is also you, it is your intellect full of desires and ambitions, the one encountering all the storms and dangers. This is Yang, the masculine principle in nature. You can guide the strong and commanding ship always forth, you can conquer all misfortunes and stresses in life, you can be invincible if you know how and where to steer the ship; however, you need both, Yin and Yang, to succeed, for you need to be whole first—i.e. if you are broken, if you guide yourself and your life with just one piece, then you must discover the other piece in yourself, that is, if you seek success in all aspects of life.

Only a wise and powerful leader knows this in his heart, and the people he guides and aids knows it as well, because he himself emanates this like sunlight emanates warmth. See, reader, leadership is about preparation of your mental forces and attitudes first; therefore, if your house is cluttered and filthy, no person will come to you because you will reek of self-pity and lack of ambition. The attraction to better yourself and to motivate others is not there.

But do your dutiful, inner work, visit the waters of your own consciousness in silence and respect to be energized and transformed, steer the ship in a strong and ambitious manner, do not stress yourself and others, and the rest will come to you as the moth comes to the flame.