Eros in Alchemy
Modern scientists tend to forget that before chemistry was alchemy. Rooted in times immemorial, when human beings were living in complete harmony and unity with nature, alchemy represents not only the source of all sciences, but the fundament of all genuine spiritual paths. In those times, the reason to observe the laws governing the universe, the macrocosm, was to understand and know better the inner universe, the microcosm. “Gnosis auton”, an inscription defying time on the Delphi Temple frontispiece, reminds us about this ancient human preoccupation.
Erotic Alchemy is probably the most fascinating expression of alchemy humanity has known. It reflects the central point of the alchemical art: acquiring the right understanding of the inner nature and thus realizing the Truth within. Being developed in a place and time which – at least then – suffer the suffocating constrictions of puritanism or even inquisition characterizing the Western society, it addressed in a very hidden manner the secret modalities to use the existent creative potential of a human being for the purpose of spiritual transformation. Kama – the erotic desire – has been called “the secret fire of the wise man”, being considered the fundamental agent of the inner alchemy process. In this lecture we will investigate some practical modalities to integrate eroticism as an active part of inner transformation and evolution.