Chinese alchemists became proficient at spiritual Distillation thousands of years ago. In a discipline called “Circulation of the Light,” the aspirant is taught to concentrate on the light of the inmost region and, while doing so, to free himself from all outer and inner entanglements. The basic practice in the Circulation of the Light is known as “The Microcosmic Orbit” or “The Lesser Heavenly Cycle” (as opposed to the greater cycle of the rotation of stars and constellations). The “light” that is circulated is the chi (or lifeforce), guided by thought and imagination through three inner cauldrons or vessels (known as tan tien or “elixir fields”).

The first of these inner cauldrons is the Lower Tan Tien, which is situated in the abdomen between the pelvis and navel. It is where the alchemist gathers, blends, and cooks their sexual, vital, and spiritual essences. In Western alchemy, the operations carried out there are Calcination, Dissolution, and Separation, which are equivalent to energizing the Tantric chakras muladhara (or base), svadhisthana (or genitals), and manipura (or solar plexus) or the Wheel of Emanation in the Buddhist tradition.

The next cauldron is the Middle Tan Tien, which is between the solar plexus and diaphragm. The energies there are associated with the heart, lungs, and throat. This is where the essences from the purification in the Lower Tan Tien are stored and where the soul finds expression. The Tantrists saw this vessel as activating the anahata (or heart) and vishuddha (or throat) chakras. In Western alchemy, it is where the operation of Conjunction takes place.

The final cauldron is the Upper Tan Tien, which is known as the "Crystal Palace." This precious cauldron at the center of the brain is also called the Sacred Square Inch, the Heavenly Heart, the Mysterious Gate, or the Cavity of Spirit. It is where the higher self or spirit from Above dwells. Sufi alchemists call this spirit the “ruh,” while Jewish alchemists refer to it as “ruach.” Tantrists see the Upper Tan Tien as an activation of the ajna (or brow) and sahasrara (or crown) chakras. In Western alchemy, it is where the operations of Fermentation, Distillation, and Coagulation take place. In the cabala, this spiritual center corresponds to the Sefirah " Daat ," located on the Middle Pillar (or spine) between Binah (at the back of the head) and Hokmah (in the forehead area).

In physiological alchemy, the Upper Tan Tien is associated with the center of the brain where the light-sensitive pineal gland is located. When this gland is activated, it is said to become illuminated like thousands of shining crystals, able to receive light (as energy and knowledge) from the universe. In Tibetan Buddhism, this is the source of the “White Drop” that descends from Above to the heart center, where it mixes with the ascending “Red Drop” of condensed sexual energy from Below to coagulate a Body of Light or subtle body.

All this activity is seen as a cosmic sex act in the head. The phallic-shaped pineal gland releases a pure white liquid light that impregnates the nearby bi-lobed pituitary gland, which then releases hormones in the blood that inaugurate a Second (or Spiritual) Puberty in the body.

This final stage is not accomplished in just a single round of operations but must continue until all impurities have been eliminated, and the light is in its most concentrated form. The overall operation is alchemical Distillation, which purifies and transforms the energy. The vapors of the boiling sexual energy in the lower Tan Tien are directed up the Governor Channel along the dorsal side of the spine or back of the body. The Chinese call this solar channel of ascending masculine yang energy the “tu mai,” while Tantrists refer to it as the “ida”.

The vapors condense or sublimate in the Upper Tan Tien, and any unpurified remains are returned to the Lower Tan Tien down the secondary Functional Channel along the ventral spinal cord on the front of the body. The Chinese called this descending lunar channel of feminine yin energy the “jen mai,” which is called “pingala” by the Tantrists. So, essentially, the Circulation of Light is a Distillation process in which the mercurial light of the life force is progressively concentrated. This purified energy is eventually directed inward to the center of the body, where it can be stored in the heart or chest area.

This is is a Basic Alchemical Meditation compounded from meditative techniques used by alchemists such as Paracelsus, Basil Valintine, and Jakob Boehme. Each phase is a separate meditation and can be practiced separately from the others.

There are three general steps in the full meditation that correspond to the three phases of alchemy. The first phase is the Nigredo (darkening, death, and putrefaction of the ego), which consists of two operations in which one attempts to Disengage Physically and Disengage Mentally from the world. The second phase is the Albedo (whitening and purification) in which one achieves original innocence or Zero-state Consciousness. The third phase is Rubedo (reddening or empowered integration into a new level of being) that is found in continued Meditation in the Pure Light.

Overall, the first two phases represent a progressive resurrection and purification of the light of consciousness to prepare for the transformative, one-pointed “Meditation in the Pure Light” phase. In that phase, alchemists feel they are working with the logoic light to transform reality in not only the inner lab or soul but also in the objective material reality of their “laboratory” or outer world.

Whether you are a novice meditator or experienced, the following instructions should be helpful in achieving Meditation in the Pure Light. But feel free to follow your own path in meditation or customize these steps to fit your regimen. The most important lesson is to grasp is the dual nature of our reality—the spiritual and material realms in which we exist. The bridge between those two realms can only be found in the Pure Light—in what Paracelsus called the “True Imagination.”

From my new book, "How the Alchemists m Meditated: The Ancient Roots of Spiritual Alchemy."

The roots of our modern discipline of Consciousness Studies can be found in the works of the high-minded Hermetic alchemists of the Renaissance. You can download the Summary Chart of this podcast from https://1drv.ms/i/s!AtbqIKeml-PxvYkm2H6F_Swk-A3IQw?e=xRbvgE

Other resources and images mentioned can be found in my Resources page at: More resources at https://1drv.ms/f/s!AtbqIKeml-PxtLA843UjaUCyh28eyw?e=UIU5TJ

Video at https://youtu.be/UKXYCx03lLQ

Part 24 (Final) of our continuing series on the Emerald Tablet from my book The Emerald Tablet: Alchemy for Personal Transformation. The book can be purchased at https://www.amazon.com/Emerald-Tablet-Alchemy-Personal-Transformation/dp/0140195718

The Emerald Tablet—an ancient document that contains the essence of the alchemical teachings—has had an important influence on many Western spiritual and religious traditions. Ostensibly concerned with turning base metals into gold, alchemy was in fact dedicated to transforming the lead of self into the gold of spirit. This brilliant history of alchemy traces its sources back to ancient Egypt, and presents alchemy as a useful, practical system of self-transformation. Each of the seven steps of alchemical transformation is explained, with hands-on techniques and exercises, treating alchemy as a living discipline for achieving a spiritual awakening.

Part 23 of our continuing series on the Emerald Tablet from my book The Emerald Tablet: Alchemy for Personal Transformation. The book can be purchased at https://www.amazon.com/Emerald-Tablet-Alchemy-Personal-Transformation/dp/0140195718

The Emerald Tablet—an ancient document that contains the essence of the alchemical teachings—has had an important influence on many Western spiritual and religious traditions. Ostensibly concerned with turning base metals into gold, alchemy was in fact dedicated to transforming the lead of self into the gold of spirit. This brilliant history of alchemy traces its sources back to ancient Egypt, and presents alchemy as a useful, practical system of self-transformation. Each of the seven steps of alchemical transformation is explained, with hands-on techniques and exercises, treating alchemy as a living discipline for achieving a spiritual awakening.

Part 22 of our continuing series on the Emerald Tablet from my book The Emerald Tablet: Alchemy for Personal Transformation. The book can be purchased at https://www.amazon.com/Emerald-Tablet-Alchemy-Personal-Transformation/dp/0140195718

The Emerald Tablet—an ancient document that contains the essence of the alchemical teachings—has had an important influence on many Western spiritual and religious traditions. Ostensibly concerned with turning base metals into gold, alchemy was in fact dedicated to transforming the lead of self into the gold of spirit. This brilliant history of alchemy traces its sources back to ancient Egypt, and presents alchemy as a useful, practical system of self-transformation. Each of the seven steps of alchemical transformation is explained, with hands-on techniques and exercises, treating alchemy as a living discipline for achieving a spiritual awakening.

Part 21 of our continuing series on the Emerald Tablet from my book The Emerald Tablet: Alchemy for Personal Transformation. The book can be purchased at https://www.amazon.com/Emerald-Tablet-Alchemy-Personal-Transformation/dp/0140195718

The Emerald Tablet—an ancient document that contains the essence of the alchemical teachings—has had an important influence on many Western spiritual and religious traditions. Ostensibly concerned with turning base metals into gold, alchemy was in fact dedicated to transforming the lead of self into the gold of spirit. This brilliant history of alchemy traces its sources back to ancient Egypt, and presents alchemy as a useful, practical system of self-transformation. Each of the seven steps of alchemical transformation is explained, with hands-on techniques and exercises, treating alchemy as a living discipline for achieving a spiritual awakening.

Part 20 of our continuing series on the Emerald Tablet from my book The Emerald Tablet: Alchemy for Personal Transformation. The book can be purchased at https://www.amazon.com/Emerald-Tablet-Alchemy-Personal-Transformation/dp/0140195718

The Emerald Tablet—an ancient document that contains the essence of the alchemical teachings—has had an important influence on many Western spiritual and religious traditions. Ostensibly concerned with turning base metals into gold, alchemy was in fact dedicated to transforming the lead of self into the gold of spirit. This brilliant history of alchemy traces its sources back to ancient Egypt, and presents alchemy as a useful, practical system of self-transformation. Each of the seven steps of alchemical transformation is explained, with hands-on techniques and exercises, treating alchemy as a living discipline for achieving a spiritual awakening.