1.1.7 The Call to Adventure
“The unexamined life is not worth living.” — Socrates
The spiritual path begins with an inexplicable calling—a profound restlessness that worldly success alone cannot satisfy. This chapter explores how certain individuals are drawn to the alchemical journey through a combination of intellectual capacity, moral inclination, and an innate dissatisfaction with conventional existence. We explore the prerequisites for spiritual seeking and how the genuine call to transformation is both a blessing and a burden.
It seems very likely that only certain individuals can foster an interest in alchemy. Not only is there a certain intellectual requirement, but one must have a certain insight into suffering for one to have the motivation to turn away from conditionality.
Whether it truly is a manifestation of karma or something else, one probably needs to be born in relative comfort. The perspectives necessary to question the authority of conditioned reality means that one must be relatively distanced from mere survival. A mind shaped solely by adversity is more prone to ill-will or greed, which perpetuates its restlessness.
There needs to be a certain level of dissatisfaction with the current status quo. To seek deeper understanding, one must first recognise life’s inherent dissatisfaction through experience and wisdom.
It is likely, if one accepts reincarnation, that once one becomes human, one remains human for several rebirths. I love the idea that domesticated animals are the lucky few that get taught how to be human, and as such have a chance of being blessed with human rebirth subsequently.
Buddhism teaches that humans can be reborn into ten different states of being, shaped by the composition of their life continuum consciousness. Whilst all humans have to be born with one of eight types, it is possible, say through addiction or brutalisation, that one becomes animal and utterly obsessed with one’s immediate needs.
So, it is likely that naturally intelligent humans have simply had more human incarnations. It is also possible that they have descended to become humans from a heavenly or formless realm, but we will cover this later.
This will manifest as a deep but often hard to explain fascination with the unknown. Such individuals find being good relatively easy; it just makes sense. They might excel relatively, but then suffer boredom with any success. They will be fascinated with science or religion, but dissatisfied with any limitations in scope.
The drive that infects certain individuals cannot make sense but manifests as a vague calling towards the unknown. This is like a silent call that disturbs the peace and tranquillity (and normal and often successful life). Like the Buddha, who, despite being a prince and newly married, could no longer rest in ignorance—no matter how comfortable his life seemed.
This Call doesn’t need to be dramatic. Ideally it isn’t, but frequently it isn’t understood and manifests as a restlessness that isn’t sated with normal success.
Ultimately, a genuine interest in alchemy is likely the only true prerequisite for success. I could warn you that it might become consuming and obsessive but for the interested this wouldn’t deter them. There are lots of differing routes, and one doesn’t necessarily have to sell all and go and live in a cave.
The path is both moral and spiritual. What do I mean by this?
In order to reach the tranquillity of mind that allows the breakthrough to transcendental awareness, one has to make every effort to settle it. Acts of anger, greed or delusional pursuits keep the mind restless and preoccupied with mundane things. One may sit in meditation for hours, yet with a restless mind, it remains mere thinking.
Improving one’s moral outlook for the alchemist is therefore largely practical. One needs a relatively low profile and time alone. Creating adversity is likely to be counterproductive, as is stealing, sexual misconduct and violence. So one learns to be morally fluent so as to circumnavigate mundane problems that are bound to distract.
The alchemist must consider strange concepts, worlds and beings. Ultimately, these cancel each other out, yet one must embrace the mysterious and impossible to leave the reassuring shores of normality.
It is wise to foster a certain respect for beings, whether one believes in their existence or not. A deepened respect for life or the soul of the universe, the anima mundi, is important which manifests as the developing qualities of kindness, compassion, appreciative joy and fairness. There is a natural development to a more wholesome state of being, that accelerates once confidence (faith) appears.
At this stage however, we are preparing the raw substance. I guess normally one must learn to navigate the pitfalls of this process by oneself, and in truth I have no idea about the transferability of this process.
Still, I will endeavour. In the next lesson, we will explore the first challenge for the aspiring alchemist: the Fisher-King Wound.
“And, when you want something, all the universe conspires in helping you achieve it.”
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.