Teachings,+The+Alchemical+cycle

=The Alchemical Cycle= (By Sam)(ael) (Return to Teachings)

The alchemical cycle is a very powerful tool in dealing with harsh realities. It helps you to take emotional blows that should mean death and turn them into power. Into happiness even.

First you must observe emotions though. Each emotion has a purpose. When you feel sorrow or grief you must understand that it is a reaction to where you are right now. Those two feelings tell you that you need to get away from where you are because it is not good for you.

__Think of emotions in three ways__: Action promoting? Or inaction? Promotes self control and wisdom? Promotes thoughtless impulsiveness. Gives energy & desire/hope/ambition? Takes them away.

When you measure and emotion this way it helps you understand it's value and it's often-times glaring weaknesses. The better test for emotions, people, actions, and even ideas it this though. Remember it all your life.

__The best question a person can ask__: Is this helping me to be the best person I can be? Is this making me my best possible self? Is this who I really am inside?

Now here is __**The Alchemical Formula**__:

1. __Self pity__ is the greatest weakness. It halts action and shuts down your inner energy, ambitions, desires, hopes. It is the murky pool, as still as death. Living death. A chilling parallel to peace.

2. Turn the Self pity into __anger__ and suddenly energy flows and action is a hair trigger. the pool becomes a lake of fire coursing through your veins and beating out of your heart. Flames leap from your gentlest caress and control is sorely tested by impulse. But you now have energy, action, and desire back.

3. Realize how rediculous it is to be so moved by such trivial things and __laugh__. __Laugh your head off__ and then giggle until the obstacles melt away. Humor or to say more clearly a good sense of humor reduces all blockages of your inner energy, it diffuses anger giving you your control, it allows you to gain clear perspective, and to do difficult things with an honest smile. The energy laughter and humor brings is subtle. It does not course through you like a blood mist of anger. But in Laughter is the warrior's greatest tool. The blade that cuts through all inner obstacles.

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