Ann Moir-Bussy“The privilege of a lifetime is to become who you really are”
Carl Jung
As an alchemist himself, Carl Jung knew well the transformation and transmutation that could take place if one embarked on the journey of inner alchemy. The ancient alchemists practiced transforming base metal into gold. Inner alchemy is our journey of re-storying outmoded narratives that no longer serve us and that keep us tied to the expectations and worries of those who would hold us back from this journey.
In several of our columns we have explored some of the ancient myths that show us the story and journey of transformation. Today, let us explore a bit more how we must continue the work of inner alchemy and re-story own narratives.
Inner Alchemy
What if it is our own consciousness that is the base metal than can be transformed into gold? We don’t reflect much on the myths and stories we are living out in our daily lives. They have become so much part of us and our way of thinking. Inner alchemy gives us the process to view our lives as our awakening to becoming who we really are. It’s comfortable to hide behind the stories we have taken on as our own, even when these very societal stories negate the journey of ageing consciously. As the African writer, BenOkri, said,
It’s easy to forget how mysterious and mighty stories are. They do their work in silence, and invisibly. They work with all the internal materials of the mind and self. They become part of you while changing you. Beware the stories you read or tell: Subtly at night, beneath the waters of consciousness, they are altering your world. (1997:120)
Become a conscious storyteller
We need to challenge the dominant narratives, because sick storytellers can make a whole nation sick. Stories can poison a nation or heal a nation. To create the new – to re-story, we need to destroy the old. What facets of our old story are holding us back? What are the poor habits or aspects of ourselves that are tying us in knots? Can we, like the alchemist, separate the good from the bad and discard what is toxic and keep what is ready for further growth and refinement?
Becoming a conscious storyteller is an alchemical process and involves reflection, exploring beliefs and emotions and patterns of behaviour and releasing what no longer serves us. It is another form of journeying to the underworld and embracing the dark goddess, as we have seen in previous columns. It is to spiritually connect and work with what is within you.
The secret of inner transformation
Jung found that the ancient secret processes of alchemy were powerful symbols of the transformation of the human soul and challenges us to embrace uncertainty and bring all that is hidden in the depths of our psyche into the light of awareness. The stages are confrontation with the dark side or shadow side of ourselves, through to purification and emerging awareness, then awakening and embodiment of wisdom to integration and union of the opposites. To become who we really are is a lifelong transformative journey. Hence re-storying is a powerful step in finding inner gold – the golden elixir.
An online program will be available very soon for us to delve deeper into this transformative alchemical process. So, as you re-story, remember this:
Don’t accept the modern myths of aging
You are not declining.
You are not fading away into uselessness.
You are a sage,
A river at its deepest
And most nourishing.
Sit by the riverbank sometime
And watch attentively as the river
Tells you of your life.
(William Martin – The Sage’s Tao Te Ching)
Lisa Brough
Gerard Bini
Add comment