The Alchemy of Freedom: The Philosophers' Stone and the Secrets of Existence

Description

Well-known spiritual teacher A. H. Almaas uses the metaphor of the mysterious philosopher's stone to discuss a tremendous liberating power that leads to endless enlightenment. Using the metaphor oflapis philosophorum, the mysterious philosopher's stone, A. H. Almaas explores a tremendous liberating power that is closer to us than we realize--a power that can reveal the secrets of existence. Through the philosopher's stone, real transformation can happen, our consciousness can become free, and we can open to all the possibilities of reality. Almaas discusses the factors that are involved in igniting the catalytic property of the philosopher's stone, and then begins to unpack the properties of true nature when it is ignited, when being is alive and self-revealing. Finally, we are left with the revelation that true nature is endlessly knowable, that nothing we can know or say about it exhausts its mystery and power. The result is a new understanding of what liberation and practice are--and a view of what it's like when seeking ceases and life becomes a process of continual discovery.

A. H. ALMAAS is the pen name of Hameed Ali, the Kuwaiti-born originator of the Diamond Approach to the realization of our true nature--a spiritual path that integrates modern psychology with the insights of Sufism, Buddhism, Gurdjieff, and other wisdom traditions. Since 1976 he has guided individuals and groups in California, Colorado, and Europe through his school of inner work, the Ridhwan School, which has branches throughout the world.

"I am just loving The Alchemy of Freedom. A. H. Almaas tells it like it is, without neglecting how it seems to be. He eloquently describes the indescribable 'true nature' of reality, as the 'philosophers' stone,' the key to the secret of existence, as enlightened, extraordinary ordinariness. He seems intriguingly to speak as if enlightened, yet, most importantly and blessedly, he does not claim 'enlightenment' as his possession. He does not trap himself in what the Chan masters of old called 'the demon ghost cave' of considering one's self to be enlightened, and so, set apart from life and above others. In fact, he manifests himself as open-minded, open-hearted, and ever curious. He clearly enjoys life through the exquisitely equalizing wisdom experience. The inconceivable voidness's compassionate, clearlight way seems to unfold him as its oracular mirror. I so much appreciate his teaching. I could go on, but better that he goes on with his lapidary guidance, and best that you all continue your own journey of discoveries with this great gift of a book!" -- Tenzin Robert A. F. Thurman, founder and president of Tibet House US; author of Man of Peace: The Illustrated Life Story of H.H. the Dalai Lama of Tibet