1.3.1. The Great Work

“The Great Work is, before all things, the creation of man by himself, that is to say, the full and entire conquest of his faculties and his future; it is especially the perfect emancipation of his will.”

The Great Work represents the core transformative process of spiritual alchemy — the creation and purification of the philosopher’s stone. This chapter explores how this profound inner transformation unfolds through distinct stages, examining both traditional alchemical frameworks and their Buddhist parallels. We investigate the technical aspects of consciousness transformation while providing practical guidance for those beginning this challenging but rewarding journey.

The Great Work of the Alchemist is the creation and purification of a magical substance called the Stone of the Philosophers. This stone is the fundamental ground of being of an enlightened one. The work is personal and takes time. It can take the best part of a decade if one is dedicated and given space to work. Or, it can take several lifetimes, or most of a lifetime, if one is less focused due to all manner of external distraction.

There are a number of different approaches towards enlightenment, each a system with its own definitions and viewpoints. Nevertheless, they all point towards the same thing, a path, or backdoor in reality that ultimately can lead one out of it.

Finding this path is not easy. Not that it is really hidden, it is just rather easily overlooked. Take, for example, one of your corneas — the clear bit in the middle of the eye that allows light through. Every time you see something, there is also this clear layer present, and in fact, it’s the closest thing the eye sees. Yet, the eye, or in truth the mind, habitually looks beyond this, and so never sees it.

Committing to alchemy, or enlightenment is particularly difficult as one cannot actually understand what one seeks when one begins. Often, it is either deep fantasy or deep suspicion (about reality) that drives one’s curiosity. One cannot be led. The desire for change has to come from within; nobody can prompt these changes in you.

That said, another can try to point, metaphorically, towards where you should be putting your attention. One can with some commitment learn the basic laws of karma (Pāli: kamma) and consider whether karmic-less action might be possible. As one progresses, understanding deepens and what seemed vague or fantasy settles into plausible possibility.

With one’s first experience of the transcendental everything changes. The experience reinvigorates one’s commitment and faith towards the process. Yet, reaching this point is not easy. The mind has to have been settled, focused deeply on its goal for the breakthrough to occur.

In occult theory there are a number of spiritual paths. Those systems that incorporate Kabbalah use the model of a Tree of Consciousness, in various configurations as templates for different paths. Buddhism recommends a balanced approach: the Golden Middle Way.

This path follows what is called the narrow middle way, or the path of the Camel. Through progressive practice the disciple focuses in on the point between the intent to think and the arising of thought. Once situated here — both the intent and subsequent thought cease and subjective/objective reality collapses.

The initial goal of the alchemist is to find the path. Our eyes for this task is simply faith. Faith isn’t required to magically invoke the path — it’s not like that. Faith is necessary to adhere to the sacrifices made in following the noble eightfold path. One needs tenacity. If one keeps digging, and keeps checking one is digging in the right place, one will find it. If it remains elusive, then one is likely deluding oneself about their discipline.

The Buddhist model offers four stages of transmutation of self, marked by distinct moments of path consciousness (magga-phala), with resultant fruit consciousnesses (phala-citta) following each.

These correlate closely to the stages of the philosopher’s stone: Nigredo, Albedo, Citrinitas, and Rubedo — each aligned to increasing stages of enlightenment and freedom from karma and self-delusion.

The Four Stages of the Work

The first breakthrough occurs at the darkest moment of Nigredo, with the first three fetters realised. Albedo begins with renewed commitment. Albedo peaks when the gross fetters are overcome and karmic-less activity becomes possible. Citrinitas arises when even the subtle fetters are transcended, leading to full enlightenment (Arahantship). Rubedo, beyond full enlightenment, represents a Buddha — a being entirely without residues, symbolising divine union.

Table: The Great Work

Table: Grades of Enlightenment

* Three fetters are realised and two weakened.
** All fetters are realised along with the clearing of the residues of the skandhas.

This text is excerpted from the book Nigredo: A Course in Modern Alchemy. The complete book includes additional study guides, resources, and appendices. View the full book here.