<< Transmutation of the mind

Alchemists of old, proposes Jung; were not really interested in the transmutation of matter but rather on a the events of the psyche. 

By means of a complex philosophical elaborations, the alchemist dealt much more into the secrets of the mind than we sometimes would wish to admit. This seems to resonate rather well with Peterson's evaluation that men of the middle ages interpreted the world as a set of symbols and were rather much more informed than we usually give them credit for in many areas.  

By means of meditation many of these wise men reached conclusions on the nature of existence and reached some conclusions that even today might be of considerable importance for personal development.  

Gerhrard Dorn and Plato for example (says Jung) agree that: 

Those who practice alchemy must accomplish in themselves the same process that they attribute to the matter for things are perfected by their like… for if the investigator does not remotely possess the likeness [i.e. to the work] he will not climb the height I have described nor reach the road that leads to the goal* 

As a principle, it’s a popular belief that we become that which we focus ourselves on becoming. Many take this as a bit of cliched advice, rather dismissible because of the impossibility of the things we wish to happen.

But what if the alchemists of old know better? what if the reason our wishes don’t come true is simply because our mental state does not align with our desires.

A weakened mind incapable of changing itself will have even more trouble trying to change the reality around it, no matter the amount of goodwill. 

 In the end, alchemical transmutations are simple acts of change. Most of what we ambition to see in the world will come to pass, because mind can and will dominates matter... That being said:

Are we sure we are dominating our mind?

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Notes:

' As quoted on Philosophy and Alchemy by C.G. Jung