A Little Insight That’s Disturbing, yet Enlightening: James on Alchemy Part 7

Last week we discussed the fictional definition of hell and how all of us are actually physically bound for this pit whether we like it or not. To find the true definition we referenced both the Hebrew and Greek words that have been translated into hell.

Click here to read more about the previous blog "The Universe Always Says James on Alchemy Part 6"

So how is it that I suggested to you that those who are awake will tell you that to get to heaven you must “go to hell?” Does that mean that you must “die” to get to a heavenly state—in my experience both yes and no. But not in the traditional sense (i.e. in an afterlife). And what does all this have to do with alchemy and utilization? Let me explain.

To solve this puzzle I think it important to also interject the original Anglo-Saxon word for hell “helan” which translates as “to cover or to hide.”

If hell is hidden or covered up, what does it have to do with the pit? Is it possible that what the ancients were really attempting to convey a metaphor? That you must go into the metaphoric underworld of your own consciousness and find those parts of your character which are suppressed, hidden and or denied? Now it gets interesting. Are you following?

In the deepest recesses of your unconscious mind, what we could easily call the basement of your consciousness, are the forces of both devils and Gods. At different times and to different degrees both are equally as hidden.

Please be reminded that darkness was first (reference Genesis 1:2-3/Alchemy 4); and that God created both good and evil (Isaiah 45:7/Alchemy 3). Because there cannot be two Life Principles and/or Creative Principle, everything must come from one thing.

These archetypes (both Gods and Demons) according to Carl Jung are in the collective consciousness (reference Schroedinger/Alchemy 5); and they are a part of us all. No exception. These powers be they good or evil (we get to decide), abide in the darkest recesses of our unconscious mind. What Kabbalists call “the Abyss.”



Now I know that’s a lot to digest, so let’s stop and catch our breath. You may want to read all the last four paragraphs again; and/or re-visit the above referenced blogs if you’re a true student. Repetition is the second law of learning and transformation.

So in this “pit which is hidden” (hell) are the powers that move the Universe. That’s pretty heavy. And heavy is a good choice of words because I suggest these energies do all the heavy lifting and hard work. However, like circus tigers they have a nasty habit of tearing apart and eating anyone who doesn’t have the skill, courage and concentration to care for them, and/or utilize them, properly.

“Jesus said: The seeker should not stop until he finds. When he does find he will be disturbed. After having been disturbed he will be astonished. Then he will reign over everything.” ~ Gospel of Thomas: Verse 2

I cannot over emphasize the impact this statement has had upon me. I read and re-read the gospel of Thomas as I sat in my cell (and in the pit of my own hell) literally dozens of times (along with many other great works); and in my opinion and experience I came to realize that many of the secrets of alchemy and utilization reside in this one passage; as well as in the entirety of this profound Gospel.

If you’re not familiar with The Gospel of Thomas, it’s very controversial with the traditionalists for several reasons, I won’t get into all of those here. But I will just say that many scholars believe it to be much older than the four canonical Gospels. Which by the way only became the canons by majority agreement (yes you read that right, a.k.a. vote) sometime in the second century.

Prior to that time there were some fifty different Gospels and an agreement was made to canonize the four we know today. Simultaneously the rest were labeled as heretical. These radical decisions were made primarily due to disagreements on two major topics: the divinity of Jesus (many Gospels present him as a prophet among many); and the death and resurrection along with other such “miracles” (many say nothing of these things including Thomas).

Again, do your own research and whatever you do, please don’t take my word as gospel (I wasn’t around in the second century).

Nonetheless, the Jesus of Thomas knew the alchemical strategies of transformation. Study that passage above. You’ll quickly notice that what we seek is obviously disturbing when we find it. And it’s implied that it takes a while, in fact a lot of seeking, to find it; and I would add “a lot of suffering.”

Unlike the teachings of the Eastern prophets Buddha and Krishna, which label the world as illusory and something to leave behind, Jesus is a Western prophet, who realizes that the inner “Kingdom of Expansion” (reference Alchemy 1) once found… will allow us to reign over everything. Have I got your attention?

Stay awake and Love Life, more to come…

james arthur ray

James