Soul Gold

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I've had amazing support during my journey through cancer. My friends and family have really been there for me. During 2010, as I was struggling through further surgeries and spending a lot of down time on the sofa, I worked on some projects that I wanted to start when I felt better. As I mentioned in my second post, a year before my cancer diagnosis I finished a manuscript entitled Soul Gold, A Handbook of Inner Alchemy: How to Transform the Lead of Suffering into the Gold of Compassion. And when I was diagnosed with breast cancer, my own manuscript was sort of a message in a bottle that washed up on my own shores. When I re-read my own words, I realized that not only had I written them for others, I had written them for myself. My manuscript served as a direct catalyst to get my act in gear and walk my talk. In 2010, I re-edited the manuscript, and this spring, I plan to self-publish my book and use it as a guide for cancer journey support groups.

Here are some excerpts from Soul Gold that offer a brief introduction to inner alchemy:

I do not believe that suffering is necessary for growth, but that suffering makes growth necessary. I have come to look upon trauma as a sacred initiation, a profound challenge to go beyond who we thought we were and what we thought we were capable of; an opportunity to let go and go deeper into soul. This philosophy is the basis of inner alchemy, the ancient formula for the real magic of transformation that is possible in the human heart. Inner alchemy teaches us how to connect with soul and grow into a more wise, compassionate human being.

Carl Jung originated the concept of inner alchemy. He was the first contemporary thinker to crack the code of the ancient alchemists and envision the principals and processes that they describe as a metaphor for inner transformation. This book is my attempt to present the basic concepts of inner alchemy in the form of a simplified guide that will help people navigate the territory of life’s hard times and learn how to glean meaning and growth from their suffering.

In alchemy, a base substance is melted and broken down, and then it is worked and refined into a purified form. In life, when we are melted and broken down by the forces of fate, the healing powers of soul offer a way we can work through our pain and refine into a more purified being. Drawing upon Jung’s exploration of alchemical metaphors to chart the journey from meltdown to real magic, I refer to this inner odyssey as the Soul Gold Process. There are three stages to the Soul Gold Process – the Descent, the Ascent and the Integration – and each of these phases corresponds to a stage in ancient, classical alchemy.

The Descent

The first stage of the Soul Gold Process corresponds to the first alchemical stage, the nigredo, which means “blackness.” In the nigredo, a base substance such as lead is heated by fire and melted into a blackened mass. The meltdown of the nigredo corresponds to an experience of trauma, a time of devastation when our life is reduced to chaos and our meltdown into blackness causes us great suffering. In a Descent, the troubles that we thought only happen to the other guy knock our feet out from under us, and we fall into a dark abyss. A Descent is a metaphoric death. It’s not the end of our life, but it is the death of who we were before our loss. From here, our work is to let go of who we thought we were so we can grow into the person we have the potential to be.

The Ascent

The second stage of the Soul Gold Process corresponds to the second alchemical stage, the albedo, which means “whiteness.” Here, the lead turns white as it softens, distills and purifies into silver. During this time, we learn to accept the beauty of life's perfect imperfection, our faith is rekindled, and we are blessed with the light of spiritual wisdom. Just as spring follows winter, we experience renewal and rebirth in the Ascent as we do inner work to purify toxic emotions like hopelessness, self-rejection, rage and clinging to the past, and we cultivate qualities like hope, forgiveness, acceptance, and trust.

The Integration

The third and final stage of the Soul Gold Process corresponds to the third alchemical stage, the rubedo, which means “redness.” In the completion of the alchemical process, the metal transforms into red-hot gold that glows like a fiery sunrise. This is a time of rebirth into red-blooded fullness of life, when we shine with newborn radiance and our heart opens to our fellow wounded humans with newfound compassion. Through intention and effort, we have transformed our leaden suffering into soul gold.

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