chapter 4
Alchemical Light-Fire Yoga
According to the worldview of science, human beings live within a vast, complex web of interdependent energy relationships with all life-forms and environments on planet Earth and beyond. Einstein’s equation E = mc2 tells us that, within the relativistic framework of our time-space world, matter and energy are convertible one into the other. In other words, the basic processes of the universe manifest either as free light radiation or as energy bound into material form. All forms of matter—from atoms and cells to plants, animals, and humans; to planets, stars, and galaxies—are complex aggregates of vibratory energy systems that are unceasingly involved in energy transformations and in the reception and transmission of energies to and from other energy systems, both macrocosmic and microcosmic.
Taking into account the primordial teachings of shamanism, yoga, and alchemy, as well as Eastern and Western esoteric traditions, we can extend this worldview to recognize that humans are in essence multidimensional spiritual beings, living in a multidimensional universe. The hermetic axiom “as above, so below” encapsulates the resonating correspondence of the human microcosm with the macrocosmic universe. The different dimensions of our being, and of the Earth and cosmos, differ from one another in vibratory rate, like the notes of a musical scale or chord, with the physical or material body being the lowest frequency or densest form. This analogy explains why and how the subtle bodies co-exist and coincide within the same time-space framework—though our awareness of the higher-frequency dimensions of beingness is limited by conditioning factors. As the Sufis say, we human beings live in a many-storied mansion, but have occupied only the ground floor for so long, we have forgotten even the existence of the higher dimensional realms.
In the Indian yoga teachings the different bodies of the human being are referred to as “form-sheaths” (maya-kosha), and the physical body is the form-sheath made of food (anna-maya-kosha). In the European alchemical writings the physical body and material level of reality is the prima materia, the starting point of the work (opus) of transformation. “Above” the physical time-space body, in vibratory frequency rate, are the intermediate bodies—perceptual, emotional, and mental. These intermediate bodies constitute the personality systems, which are, like the physical, subject to dualistic conditioning factors of good-bad, true-false, pleasure-pain.
“Above” the mental dimension, again, in frequency rate not space, are the unobstructed, unconditioned, transpersonal dimensions of soul essence and Spirit. At these levels there are differences, like different colors in nature or different notes in music, but no antagonisms or conflicts. The soul level of consciousness, in the yogic writings, is called the “form-sheath of joy” (ananda-maya-kosha). Immortal souls, whether embodied in the time-space world or not, live in unobstructed joyful exchange of unconditional love with one another and with the macrocosmic Mother-Father Creator. In the words of The Emerald Tablet, an alchemical text attributed to the legendary adept Hermes Trismegistos, which made its anonymous appearance in the early Middle Ages in numerous versions:
Here are the ancient ancestors, through whom everything is brought to fulfillment. If it is rooted in the Earth, this is an integrative power. You must learn to separate, in awareness, the solid earth elements and the fiery spirit energies, the dense and the subtle. You must practice this art gently and with great ingenuity. There is an ascending from Earth to Heaven, and a descending from Heaven to Earth, and therefore a blending of the higher and the lower. By this means you shall have the glory of the whole world, and profoundly clear understanding.
The personality systems of human beings function as step-down transformers of the high-frequency energies flowing down from the unobstructed spiritual worlds within, bringing them down and through into the time-space world, for here-now expression. The alchemists referred to this aspect of their work as first the separating (separatio) and then the conjoining (coniunctio) of the subtle and the dense. With the practice of alchemical purification human beings can also learn to function as step-up transformers, raising the vibratory rate of their physical bodies, or earth-level energy systems, using purifying fire. This is the work the alchemists called the transmutation of “heavy metal or lead” (conditioned, obstructed form) into “gold” (purified, illumined form).
In yoga, this aspect of the work is referred to as the “purification of the nadis”—the energy field lines or channels of the human body and energy field. The purification operation enables high-frequency light-fire energy to come through from Spirit, via the energy centers and essence fields, and be distributed throughout the physical earth body and environment. Take a moment now to start practicing the alchemical light-fire (purificatio).
Initiate the purificatio operation by visualizing or sensing the light-fire energy sun igniting in your heart center and expanding from there spherically throughout the chest, torso, and surrounding energy field.
Balancing Dynamic and Receptive Poles of the Energy Field
The energy field, sometimes referred to as an aura, not only surrounds but interpenetrates the physical body at every level—organic, cellular, molecular, atomic, and subatomic. It can be thought of as a polarized electromagnetic antenna system, receiving and transmitting energies of diverse vibrational frequencies in the multiple worlds of reality and consciousness. As Albert Hofmann has written:
What we call reality is the product of a reciprocal interaction between material and energetic signals being emitted from the external world and the conscious living self in the inner world of the human being (Hofmann, 1989, p. 42).
The left side of the human body-and-energy field is the focus of receptive, yin, magnetic, incoming energy flows; the right side is the focus of dynamic, yang, expressive, outgoing energy flows. At the personality levels, these poles correspond in a general way to male and female—but it should be understood that this refers to basic energetic polarity, common to men and women, and not to sociocultural images of “masculine” and “feminine.”
The dynamic-receptive polarization of the energy field is also apparent in the difference between front and back. The front part of the body and field is dynamic: we move forward into the space and world in front of us, as we walk on the pathways into the future. The back part of the body and field is polarized and experienced as receptive: we tend to carry the loads of our obligations on our shoulders, as we come from the places of our past. The receptivity of the back is also reflected in colloquialisms such as being “stabbed in the back” by betrayal or getting “a pain in the neck” (or further down the spine) from someone’s malicious slander.
In the alchemical literature, we find the left-right, dynamic-receptive polarization consistently symbolized in images of the “king,” with the sun beneath his feet, standing on the right, and the “queen,” with the moon beneath her feet, standing on the left. In the iconography of Indian tantra yoga, a beautiful image symbolic of this polarity is the hermaphroditic Shiva Ardhanarisvara (“two-in-one form”), male on the right side, female on the left. The balancing and integration of the dynamic and receptive poles of the multidimensional human energy systems into an androgynous wholeness is the central alchemical operation of coniunctio, or “inner marriage.” The coniunctio is a complex, multifaceted process involving many aspects and stages. At the level of the human body and energy field, the operation of dissolving (solutio) the separative and distorting overlays and defensive armorings by the yogic light-fire (purificatio) contributes to this integration and balance.
The dynamic-receptive polarization can also be recognized at the intermediate or personality dimensions of perception, emotion, and mind. At the physiological level of the nervous system we have afferent and efferent nerve fibers carrying two-way messages between the brain and the periphery of the body. In the visual modality, the difference between purely receptive “seeing” and more dynamic “looking” is suggestive of this polarity; in auditory perception, “hearing” and “listening” are similarly polarized.
As the perceptual antennae of the energy field are purified, the innate capacity to pick up vibratory frequencies from the environment and from others, called sentience, becomes clairsentience, “clear sensing.” Similarly, clarification and amplification of the distance senses and concomitant perception of subtler frequencies occurs as seeing becomes clairvoyance and hearing becomes clairaudience.
In the psychophysiological subtle energy conceptions of tantra yoga, the dynamic-receptive polarization is expressed in the symbolism of the two serpentine channels coiling around the central axis or staff, known as the sushumna. The left-sided serpent channel is called ida, carries cool, silvery, and white energy, and is associated with the moon, nighttime, digestion, and relaxation; in Western terms this corresponds to the vagus nerve and parasympathetic functions. The right-sided serpent channel is called pingala, carries warm, copper-colored, and red-gold energy, and is associated with the sun, daytime, movement, and energetic activity; in Western terms, the adrenaline and sympathetic nervous system functions. In the classic meditative posture, as seen in the iconic image of the sitting Buddha with hands folded, the two polarized channels are in calm and centered balance.
At the level of emotions and feelings, the acceptance and reception of emotion is focused physically in the left side of the chest and heart, where we “take things to heart”; and the dynamic expression and projection of emotional tone and life-force is focused on the right side of the chest and the liver. When in the course of the light-fire meditations, one observes less flow of energy and more darkness and obstruction on the left side, this can be seen to reflect armoring blocks and barriers to emotional receptivity. When the right side of the chest and body feels heavier and darker, this reflects a blocked emotional dynamic and expressive capacity. In this way, perceiving the flows and stoppages of energies in the field serves as a diagnostic cue. One can then focus the purifying light-fire more in the blocked areas, and thereby increase the capacity to clearly receive and express the emotional waves and currents of our beingness.
We can readily identify a similar polarity at the mental level of consciousness: we receive thought-forms, either mediated through words and images, or directly from others (as in mental telepathy) or from within (as intuition). We also transmit, express, and project thought-forms, either indirectly through language and symbols, or directly through mind-to-mind communication. My teacher Russell Schofield used to emphasize that “telepathy is a fact”—the direct transmission and reception of thoughts and feelings between individuals occurs whether we are conscious of it or not. When we think of someone, we are in effect sending a thought-form, a mental energy packet to that person. Conversely, what makes us unexpectedly think of someone, if not their mind energy directed toward us?
However, in the ordinary conditions of human existence, the conscious reception and transmission of feelings and thoughts is blocked by overlays of distorting illusory images and conditioned belief systems. The reduction and dissolving of such blockages and consequent enhancement of telepathic mind-to-mind communication occurs in some individuals by congenital capacity; it may occur in temporary psychedelic states of expanded awareness; and it can develop as a consequence of meditative practice—and in particular the alchemical operation of purificatio.
When we are communicating with spirit beings, whether in dreams, visions, or meditations, the communication is usually direct, telepathic, mind-to-mind. Sometimes, especially with our human relatives, it may even be like hearing a voice in our head. We may receive and transmit images, feelings, and sensations, as well as just direct intuitive knowing, in such exchanges.
Practicing direct mind-to-mind communication—both receiving and transmitting, with spirit beings of animal species and human spirit guides from other cultures and times—is good and essential preparation for the coming era of widespread human contact and communication with highly evolved ET spirit beings from other dimensions and from other civilizations in our galaxy and beyond.
To summarize, through the operation or practice of purifying the structures and energy field of the body with light-fire, we dissolve conditioned blockages and distorting overlays, and thereby bring about increasing balance and integration of the dynamic-receptive polarity at every level.
Continue the purificatio operation by intentionally focusing the fire to dissolve the blockages to free energy flow on the left and right sides of your body, as well as the front and back.
Balancing and Harmonizing the Three Chambers
The central vertical axis is the axis separating the two poles of the energy field, and it is also the axis where the energy-centers (called chakras in yoga) are aligned. It is through the axis and the centers that cosmic, spiritual, high-frequency life-force energy comes “down” and is distributed through and into the earth-level body and energy field. The fire aspect of the energy purifies, and the light aspect clarifies and nourishes the structures of the body and field. In the symbolism of Eastern and Western mythologies, including the Biblical, this central channel is the “tree of life” and axis of our life-world (axis mundi). In the course of alchemical yogic practice the central axis grows in strength and brightness from a thin line to a vibrant cylindrical energy channel about a hand’s breadth in size.
The body and energy field are grouped into three major segments, so that we have a three-chambered vessel or alchemical furnace, each with three or four of the energy centers. What we call the Upper Chamber includes the throat-center, midbrain center, crown center, and the star-center, located above the top of the head. The middle chamber, extending from the throat down to the diaphragm, we call the Cave of the Heart: it includes the thymus center, the heart center, and the solar plexus center, located at the tip of the sternum. The lower chamber, constituted by the abdominal-pelvic cavity, we call (using the Chinese Taoist terminology) the Cauldron: it comprises the “secret heart” or organizational center, located just above the navel; the navel center; the abdominal center; and the generative or root center, located at the perineum.
Further and more detailed information on the energy centers, as well as associations with the three parts of the energy field, are described in the next chapter.
The Buddhist stupa, with three segments on a cubiform base, also represents the human energy system, seated on the earth.
We can also consider the three cavities or essence fields of the body as a combination of three resonant chambers, each with its own characteristic quality of vibration or tone. The three chambers then are like three musical instruments—say a cello, a viola, and a violin—each stacked upon one another, each with its characteristic timbre and tone. Or rather, since the thoracic cavity expands and contracts with the breath, an analogy with bagpipes might be more accurate. The central axis is then also called the “inner flute,” carrying the vibrations of the three chambers to the throat and vocal cords for expression in sound. When we work with the practices of toning (called nada yoga), then the work of integrating and balancing the three essence fields becomes one of harmonizing the fundamental tones or OM sounds of the three chambers.
Transmutation of the Elements in the Cave of the Heart
This alchemical meditation, described below, is the starting and ending point for all the divinations. It is the place from which we navigate through realms of consciousness, as well as the place in which we process and integrate the findings of the divinations. This operation is called the purification of the elements, raising them to high-frequency vibration and dissolving the superimposed distorting blockages to the flow of life energy. Through symbolic resonance, the element Air corresponds to breath, mind, and the thinking function; the element Water, to all bodily fluids, blood, lymph, hormones, and the feeling function; the element Fire, to bioelectric energies, sensory nerves, and perception and intuition; and the element Earth, to the physical flesh and bones and the sense of touch. Thus, by purifying and transmuting the “elements,” we are simultaneously purifying and transmuting the intermediate or personality dimensions of our beingness.
You can practice the alchemical yoga of fire operation described on the next page to prepare for a specific problem-solving divination process, or you can also use it as a stand-alone meditation that helps to bring about a state of centered and balanced beingness. The iconic image of Shiva, the spirit deity of yogic transformation, dancing in a ring of fire can be our inspiration as he demonstrates working with the fires of purification, and tramples on the dwarf-like conditioning factors that limit our divine potentials.
Sit with legs uncrossed, feet on ground, eyes closed, or three-quarter closed.
Focus awareness in the center of your heart-field. Become aware of the central vertical axis (CVA). Experience the CVA going through your entire body, from above your head, through the three chambers or essence fields, to below your feet.
Let awareness or sensing expand spherically from the heart center. With sentience, touch into all the earth elements—bones, muscles, blood vessels, etcetera.
Let the breath expand spherically from your heart center, moving like refreshing wind throughout your body.
Let empathy or compassion, as the natural feeling tone of your heart center, flow outward in all directions. The fluid healing feeling embraces all parts of your body and all parts of your being.
Ignite the Heart-Sun and let its fire radiate outward spherically, purifying all internal and external perception channels and energy field lines.
Let this combined awareness-breath-empathy-fire process expand to include all three chambers of the body and energy field, extending ten to twenty feet in all directions. Focus the process in each of the six directions of your energy field, with its three axes (up-down, left-right, front-back). You are thereby clarifying, purifying, and fortifying the receiver and transmitter capabilities of this field.
Conclude the practice by returning to full, here-now awareness, pressing down with your hands on your legs, and pressing down with your feet on the ground.
Cultivating the Attitude of the Compassionate Witness
The outcome of this alchemical yoga practice and the desirable attitude for the divinations can be called the posture of the compassionate witness or empathic observer. The witness or observer consciousness is an attitude of balanced equanimity (literally, “even-heartedness”)—neither approach nor avoid, neither fight nor flight nor freeze. The judgments we normally superimpose on our experience (good or bad, like or dislike, right or wrong, beautiful or ugly) are suspended—at least for the time being. In German, the term Gelassenheit (“letting-be-ness”) best expresses this kind of attitude. We should recognize that we do not eliminate our capacity for conscious discernment, what the Buddhists call “discriminative wisdom,” when we suspend, for the sake of balanced understanding, the overlays of categorical judgments we tend to habitually impose on experience.
In the words of the Sengstan, the third Chinese Zen patriarch:
The Great Way is not difficult for those who have no preferences. When like and dislike are both absent, everything becomes clear and undisguised. If you wish to see the truth, then hold no opinions for or against anything (Hsin Hsin Ming).
We should also realize that the balance of equanimity is not the balance of indifference—the “couldn’t care less” attitude of a detached observer. The difference lies in the presence of empathy or compassion, the conscious extending of the feeling connection. This is why the Buddhists emphasize that we need to combine the practice of equanimity with compassion for the suffering, of oneself and of others. The balance of indifference is detached, uncaring, and egotistical. On the other hand, being over-involved in service to others without the balance of wisdom can lead to useless giving and depleting of one’s own resources, thus increasing suffering and not reducing it.
We can distinguish sympathy and empathy along these lines: sympathy (literally, “together-feeling”) is unconscious, automatic resonance with another’s affective state, via the limbic system emotional brain. Empathy (literally, “into-feeling”) or compassion is a conscious intentional choice to extend our feeling connection to another.
With the attitude of the compassionate witness or empathic observer we bring awareness, breath, empathy, and purifying fire to the structures and functions of the body in the process of self-healing. We bring that same fourfold transmutation of the elements to our relations with others, to heal and strengthen the perceptual, emotional, and mental relationship lines. And, very importantly, we bring this same combination of equanimity, purifying fire, and empathy to our former self as we work to heal the painful residues of past experiences.