The Alchemical Fire of Yoga

The word Yoga means the union of mind and body, as it is a discipline that involves meditations alongside physical exercises. The yoga discipline constitutes alchemy of a very special sort because it aspires to produce spiritual effects through the power of sheer will and unrelenting efforts. Yoga recognises no limits for either mental or physical state of its practitioner, who would always stride indefatigably for the greatest height. A practitioner of yoga never lacks in determination, courage, and bravery at the most challenging times, and can face the coldest of storms with the warmest of smiles. The discipline of yoga is particularly cherished by the religious ascetics primarily because it represents an alchemical philosophy that contributes deeply to the definition and purpose of life. Yoga is a very powerful tool for self growth in an individual because it helps to harness the natural talents by evoking the dormant instincts of a man. The emotional baggage due to survival in a social order may hinder an individual from his divine assignment in life, but the alchemical methods of yoga can be used to purge all such forms of toxicities. Yoga enables a person to do the right thing, at the right time, and in the right place. Notwithstanding the subtle practice, a person is never under pressure because his prime motivation comes from the resonance of both instinct and intellect that creates a spiritual harmony in the magical work.

In the philosophy of Yoga, the seven chakras or spheres of Kundalini power has to be awakened for the illumination of a soul. This powerful aspect of yoga confers upon its practitioner the ability to use the Spinal fire or Kundalini power, which in alchemy corresponds to the Dragon fire. The Dragon Fire is a power that only a master alchemist can command in a proficient manner to achieve his every goal of transmutation and purification. The spinal fire is by far the most potent tool of transmutation used by an alchemist of yoga to enhance the strength and endurance of his being. There are many alchemical traditions for the merging of a serpent’s wisdom with an eagle’s glory in order to produce a dragon’s invulnerability and power. Those who perfect themselves in this wisdom find a new birth as they depart from an old life with its uncertainties and limitations into a new illumined existence.

The seven chakras are literally the seven planetary spheres of wisdom that can potentially overcome the seven planetary spheres of fear. Those who harness the power of Kundalini fire can love life in its deepest and most mystical sense, and consequently escape from the bondage to fear, and dwell in peace with all things. There is also a strong connection between those seven spheres and the seven metals of alchemy. The first sphere corresponds to the metal Lead (Saturn) and its fear of disintegration. After overcoming the most basic fear of physical disintegration through finding strength in the material body, the second sphere corresponds to the metal Iron (Mars) and its fear of corrosion. The fear of corrosion is essentially the emotional instability that can be conquered through cultivating the attitude of patience and perseverance. After corrosion, appears the fear of splitting or dissociation in the form of metal Tin (Jupiter), forming the challenge of the third sphere. The fear of dissociation represents the loneliness and boredom that arises due to the excessive disposition of patience, and can be overcome by adopting the characteristic habits of a philosopher, such as research and inquiry. The fourth sphere deals with the fear of impurity or impiety, which is the condition of metal Copper (Venus). The impurity arises due to the excessive objectivity of thoughts in a philosopher that may eventually lead to some sort of a madness or disease. The care and investment into an individual’s self worth and subjective happiness can deal with such problems. The fifth sphere is pure but very unstable, representing the state of metal Mercury (Mercury) or Quicksilver. Once a person becomes beautiful, the need for expression and appreciation of that beauty becomes paramount, then those needs must be fulfilled through the creative expressions in aesthetic or artistic endeavours. The sixth sphere reflects the fear of discoloration or stain in the form of metal Silver (Moon). It is the transient nature of time that causes the most wondrous accomplishments of past in the domain of art and culture to loose their glitter and glamour. The imperfections of this sphere can be resolved by embracing the legacy of heroes that have achieved outstanding feats of courage amidst extreme conditions of vulnerability. The seventh sphere is the final stage represented by the metal Gold (Sun), whose state of perfection in every aspect of existence is acquired by an alchemist of yoga after the arduous tasks of overcoming all the challenges of mental fears and physical vulnerabilities.

The state of illumination of the alchemist depicts the confidence of physical strength and the power of mental focus, and thus a true alchemist represents the highest order of perfection in the domain of life. And the discipline of yoga does qualify the legacy of great alchemical traditions by fulfilling their objectives in all the aspects of its theoretical and practical natures.