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IZVOR - P241AN
The Philosopher's Stone
in the Gospels and in Alchemy

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BOOK REVIEW

In The Philosopher’s Stone, the Master Omraam Mikhaël Aïvanhov demonstrates with clarity and insight the depth and wisdom contained within the alchemical process. His emphasis, as always, is on the consciousness of those seeking transformation rather than simply on the mechanics of the physical process. He does explain the alchemical process too, of course, but only in relation to natural laws, not as information for its own sake.

‘Although it is interesting to know of these experiments, it is more important to understand how we can use the powers of life to undertake regenerative work on ourselves. From the moment we decide to rely on the spirit alone, on the divine entity that lives within us, we set a whole process in motion: elements or forces arrive from space to work on us, attracted as by a magnet. This process of regeneration is possible for each one of us, but only on condition that we first work on matter, our own matter.’

The Master draws on numerous esoteric systems and on nature to illustrate that it is the spirit that animates matter, and that since matter serves to stimulate our search for the spirit, our physical body is intended to become the receptacle for the divine. References to symbolism, divine geometry, numerology, mythology, nutrition, astrology, the Cabbalah, architecture, the cycles of nature and the Gospels abound, emphasizing the principle of the single essence that animates the diversity of creation.

Topics covered in this book include:

• how to transform negative influences and psychic matter,
• the relationship between heaven and earth,
• how to preserve the true life within ourselves,
• how to grasp the essential truths of the Bible teachings,
• the significance of death in the transition to true life,
• the transformative power of love,
• how each of us has the potential for regeneration,
• the significance of gold on all levels,
• what we can learn from alchemists.

The Master shares many wonderful practical methods for spiritualizing our own physical and psychic matter, such as how to capture the spiritual energy all around us, especially through respiration, although ‘there are many methods besides respiration, such as the contemplation of the sunrise and of the starry sky at night. Contact with the forces of nature in the forests, mountains, rivers, lakes and seas provides another method, as does nutrition, for all the foods we eat contain something of this quintessence, which is distributed throughout space, from the rocks to the stars.’

The ideas in the talks are inspiring and stimulating, but the way the talks have been sequenced is also interesting. It’s as if we’re being taken on a magical mystery tour. The first chapters uncover the hidden meaning behind several of Jesus’ intriguing sayings, so that little by little we become convinced of the pre-eminence of essence over the outward form. By the time we are introduced to traditional alchemy, we have already gained some understanding of its role in the development of consciousness. And by the time the philosopher’s stone itself is mentioned, we already sense how we can manifest it within ourselves.

Omraam Mikhael Aivanhov’s overriding message is that, for transformation to take place, spirit and matter must work together. Intuiting the meaning of Jesus’ words ‘You are the salt of the earth’, the Master tells us, ‘Thanks to you, the earth will take on flavour. You will preserve everything that is good and beautiful, and you will give meaning to life. For that is what flavour means. You are bearers of the meaning of life…’ This is one of the many messages of hope that encourage us to continue our spiritual work, whatever the obstacles.

‘Each time we bring light and warmth into play, each time we act with wisdom and love, we are forming within ourselves the philosopher’s stone, which transmutes all matter into gold; this is how we become true alchemists.’