The Living Arts - October 2007
Alchemy of Mind
by Bhava Ram
When a broken back and failed surgery ended my career as a foreign news correspondent, I began a slow descent into darkness. I was in chronic pain. Yet, the painkillers and tranquilizers Western doctors prescribed for me deepened my despondency while at the same time numbing me and masking my soul. Five years later, I was diagnosed with “terminal” cancer. I felt like a victim, that adversaries and enemies abounded and that the whole world was conspiring against me. As my anger and frustration increased, my friends began to disappear, my world contracted and I moved toward despair.
Most of us have known people who seem to always live under that dark cloud. They move from crisis to crisis and are plagued by illnesses, accidents, failures, conflicts and disappointments. On the other hand, many of us have known those special people who float through life achieving their goals, manifesting their dreams and having most everything effortlessly go their way. Both the “winners and the losers in life” have created their own realities through the magical process of alchemy.
Alchemy is a beautiful and complex term. For some, it calls up images of primeval crackpots and charlatans. For others, it reminds us of the genius of Isaac Newton who, as an alchemist, astronomer, naturalist and physicist, came to be known as one of the greatest scientists and mathematicians of all times. While Newton was indeed all these things, he also understood the metaphysical and spiritual aspects of reality.
Positive Alchemy
Here are some words to use for positive meditation. You do not have to memorize these words or this sequence. Choose the words that you know deeply in your heart are the most healing and transformative for you. Let them arise naturally during the process of meditation.
Contentment • Serenity • Peace • Gratitude Compassion • Love • Ecstasy
Ancient alchemists, like their Yogic counterparts, saw all of creation as composed of earth, air, fire, water and space. Through their explorations on these five elements, they created transformative potions that formed the basis of much of modern pharmacology. In the process, they also unlocked many of the mysteries of the universe. Just as pure gold can be obtained by burning away its impurities and base metals, through spiritual alchemy, one can move from an imperfect, diseased, ignorant and corrupted state toward wisdom, healing, self-transformation and enlightenment. This is the Alchemy of Yoga and it is at the core of this sacred science.
Each of us is an alchemist and our laboratory is our brain. Depending upon the quality of our thoughts and our level of consciousness, we either create black magic that will cause us pain, or we create miracle potions that help us lead the lives we have longed for. A chronically fearful and angry person, for instance, creates too much adrenaline and cortisol, the primary chemicals associated with our instinctive “fight or flight” response. Inevitably, such a person finds themselves in increasingly toxic life situations. This often leads to lowered immune function, mental and physical ailments and serious disease. On the other hand, the thoughts of a more positive person create serotonin and interleukins. These chemicals boost the immune function, relax our adrenals, promote healing and ultimately lead to a happier, healthier, more successful life.
The groundbreaking work of Dr. Masaru Emoto of Japan has illuminated the crossover between the physical and metaphysical aspects of alchemy in a unique and remarkable way. Through special photographic techniques, Dr. Emoto has been able to prove that water, in its frozen crystal form, actually responds to words and thoughts. If our thoughts and words have the power to impact water, it is axiomatic that they also influence those around us and impact the patterns we create in our lives. As we respond to our circumstances, experiences and surroundings, we directly effect how they respond and reflect back to us. We are not only the alchemists of the chemicals coursing through our bodies. We are the creators of our own individual worlds.
Yoga, and its sister science of Ayurveda, teaches us alchemical techniques that reconstruct the molecules of our beings. Pratyahara (withdrawal of the senses) and Dharana (single-pointed concentration) help to bring us to deeper levels of inner awareness and balance. Mantra (the repetition of sacred words) allows us to access higher universal powers that are healing and transformative. Dhyana (meditation) crystallizes our consciousness and brings us to Self-realization.
You can conduct your own scientific experiment using yourself as both scientist and subject. Find a quiet place where you can lie down undisturbed for several minutes. Imagine that your brain is your laboratory and your mind is the alchemist. Once you are comfortable, note what your emotional state is as you begin. Try to feel the “taste” inside of your body, the current chemical atmosphere of your being. Then allow your breath to become deep and full. After a few breaths, place into your brain a single positive word (see inset for suggestions). Repeat the word long enough so that it’s emotional content begins to permeate your consciousness. Spend some time noticing any shifts in your inner essence. Feel the relaxation and pleasure that arises from this practice in every cell of your body. Repeat the practice using a different word. Breathe in and exhale throughout your entire being. Do this for a few minutes, noticing the internal chemistry of your body and the subtle shifts that begin to take place.
This alchemical process played a great role in my own self-healing process. Once I left western medicine and embraced Yoga and Ayurveda, I learned to take responsibility for the world I was creating for myself. I moved from fear, anger and despondency to openness, compassion and a firm belief in my ability to self-heal. It did not happen overnight, and at times it felt like I was endlessly digging ditches. Through faith, devotion and dedication, however, the work paid off. I was fortunate enough to heal, both physically and emotionally. More importantly, I came to learn that healing is a daily practice in a world where stressful challenges and negative emotions often prevail. Through the Alchemy of Yoga, we can create our own medicine, cure our self-created problems and live with the sense of bliss and contentment that our hearts long for.
This article is an excerpt from Bhava Ram’s first book, Deep Yoga, Ancient Wisdom for Modern Times, available at www.deepyoga.com. He is certified in Yoga and Ayurveda through the American Institute of Vedic Studies and holds certificates in Yoga Therapy, the Yoga Sutras and Vinaysa Krama. To contact Deep Yoga please email deepyoga@san.rr.com.