Alchemy of the Soul and the Cycles of Birth, Death, Rebirth
Time is the substance I am made of. Time is a river which sweeps me along, but I am the river; it is a tiger which destroys me, but I am the tiger; it is a fire which consumes me, but I am the fire. ― Jorge Luis Borges, Labyrinths: Selected Stories & Other Writings, 1962
Alchemy of the Soul and the Cycles of Birth, Death, Rebirth
Introduction
In the shadowy recesses of our souls, a sacred alchemical process awaits activation, mirroring the cycles of birth, death, and rebirth. The art of alchemy, once thought to possess the power to transmute base metals into gold, symbolizes the spiritual transformation achievable through deep introspection and critical reflection (Eliade, 1962). As I delve into the teachings of spiritual ecologies, ancestral healing, spiritual counseling, and yoga psychology, I stand on the threshold of a spiritual metamorphosis—an alchemical transmutation of my experiences, assumptions, and ways of being and relating.
Alchemy represents personal transformation and growth through refining one's inner being, akin to the cyclical nature of birth, death, and rebirth (Eliade, 1962). Carl Jung (1944) recognized alchemy as a potent symbol of psychological transformation. In his book Psychology and Alchemy, he asserts that alchemy's alleged transmutation of metals serves as an allegory for individuation, the process of becoming one's true self (Jung, 1968, p. xiii).
The alchemical process entails several stages: nigredo (the blackening), albedo (the whitening), citrinitas (the yellowing), and rubedo (the reddening), reflecting the continuous cycles of birth, death, and rebirth within our spiritual growth (Edinger, 1985). Nigredo symbolizes the initial stage of confronting darkness and chaos within oneself, akin to the experience of an ending or death. Albedo represents purification and clarity achieved through self-reflection, reminiscent of the rebirth that follows death. Citrinitas signifies the emergence of wisdom and a growing awareness of one's inner light, akin to the blossoming of life. Finally, rubedo embodies the culmination of the process, where the individual embraces their newfound wholeness and self-realization, marking a new beginning.
Throughout these stages, individuals confront their shadow selves, embrace the unknown, and consciously nurture positive qualities such as compassion, wisdom, and courage (Jung, 1968). The union of opposites, a critical element of alchemy, symbolizes the ultimate goal of personal transformation: to integrate all aspects of the self and acknowledge one's wholeness (Edinger, 1985).
Since embarking on this program, I have experienced profound moments of birth, death, and rebirth, leading to transformative shifts in my being. The process of self-discovery through my studies at the California Institute of Integral Studies has intertwined with my burgeoning work as a death doula and spiritual counselor. I am grateful to share the golden nuggets of my transformative journey. In this paper, I reflect on four primary areas of learning—ancestral healing, spiritual counseling, spiritual ecologies, and yoga psychology—while also connecting my previous work as a contemporary art curator with my current role as a death doula and spiritual counselor.
Nigredo: Ancestral Healing: Reclaiming Lineage and Embracing Indigenous Wisdom
The fabric of our lives is woven from the threads of our ancestors' stories, each strand intertwining with the next to create the intricate patterns of our being (Kimmerer, 2013). In my exploration of ancestral healing, I found myself untangling the knots of my lineage, tracing the threads back to the roots of my family tree. As I searched deeply into the narratives of my ancestors, I discovered the healing potential that lies within the act of honoring and understanding our ancestral lineage, the burdens and gifts unique to my line (Foor, n.d.). By acknowledging the generational patterns and traumas that have shaped our lives, one can begin to transform these inherited narratives into strengths, weaving a new fabric that reflects our unique essence. By grieving and celebrating what was part of my blood and bones I can carry forward the healing to the present moment, healing my family tree from the roots to the limbs. I did not have this understanding previously, nor did I have much of a relationship with my ancestors. Working within death, I found, requires one to have a deep commitment to the ancestors.
The significance of ancestral healing lies in its potential to transform our understanding of our lineage and reclaim the wisdom and practices that have been disrupted across generations. Drawing on Indigenous wisdom and Shamanic practices (Kimmerer, 2013), I learned to realign, reconnect, and relate with my ancestors, as well as to relate to all conscious beings. By understanding the intellectual and spiritual journey of my ancestors (Deloria, 2006), I gained insight into the importance of building a relationship with them to learn how to be an ancestor myself when the time comes.
From this experience, I have come to appreciate the importance of ancestral healing in understanding and honoring the lineages for myself, and the greater community. Going forward, I am inspired to continue retrieving rituals, practices, and rites of passage that belong to me and my ancestors, and to align with a way of living that is in harmony with our current world. This new understanding challenges previous thinking by emphasizing the interconnected wisdom that can be accessed through building relationships with our ancestors and the natural world.
As a result, I have developed a deeper connection to my ancestral lineage and a greater sense of responsibility to carry on this knowing for future generations, which directly affects how I raise my son. This experience has also underscored the importance of listening to the wisdom of our ancestors, which holds the potential to guide us towards a more connected and harmonious world.
Albedo: Spiritual Counseling and Relating to Mortality
As I further develop my skills in spiritual counseling, I become increasingly cognizant of the crucial role our spiritual essence plays in our overall well-being. The luminous presence of the soul, often concealed by the distractions of daily life, encourages me to foster a deeper connection to the divine within myself and others. In this context, spiritual counseling serves as an essential tool for supporting and healing death anxiety, as it enables us to embrace our spiritual nature, confront our fears, and ultimately, transform our relationship with mortality.
In Essential Psychodynamic Psychotherapy, Teri Quatman (2015) provides an in-depth inquiry of the key principles, techniques, and theoretical foundations of psychodynamic therapy and can be applied to spiritual counseling. The book delves into crucial topics such as the interplay between conscious and unconscious processes, attachment theory, transference, countertransference, and the role of early life experiences in shaping emotional well-being. Quatman's comprehensive approach makes this work an invaluable resource for clinicians, as it offers practical guidance and insights into the application of psychodynamic therapy. By mastering the concepts presented in this text, clinicians will be better equipped to facilitate meaningful, lasting change in their clients, enhancing their overall therapeutic practice.
Death anxiety, the fear and apprehension surrounding the inevitability of death, is a universal human experience (Kastenbaum, 2000, p. 47). Quatman's (2015), exploration of defenses and anxieties in her book highlights the interconnected aspects of the human psyche that emerge from early object relations, transference, and countertransference. Spiritual counseling can provide a valuable context for addressing death anxiety, allowing individuals to confront and explore their feelings in a supportive and nurturing environment.
Quatman (2015) explains that object relations, transference, and countertransference are crucial elements in the therapy relationship. Transference involves the externalization of internalized relationships (and their associated anxieties) from client to therapist, while countertransference is the therapist's own responses and reactions within the therapeutic context (Quatman, 2015).
Defenses, according to Quatman (2015), are the visible manifestations of our attempts to protect ourselves from feelings of anxiety, while anxieties remain hidden in the background, driving the need for these defenses (Quatman, 2015). In the context of death anxiety, defenses may manifest as avoidance, denial, or rationalization of the reality of death.
Spiritual counseling, by providing a safe and supportive environment, allows individuals to explore and address their anxieties surrounding death and dying. Through a combination of empathic listening, compassionate guidance, and the exploration of spiritual beliefs and practices, spiritual counselors can help clients confront their fears and work through the defenses they have erected against the full experience of death anxiety. By engaging in this therapeutic process, clients can develop a healthier and more integrated relationship with their own mortality. I look forward to and am grateful for the opportunity to offer space to hold others as they traverse through the liminal passages of their lives.
Citrinitas: Spiritual Ecologies: The Alchemy of Nature and the Human Spirit
My journey into spiritual ecologies revealed the interconnectedness of all life on Earth and our fractured relationship with it. By reconnecting with nature, we can transform our personal and collective understanding of the human psyche and its place in the natural world. Nurturing our connection to the environment is vital for our well-being, fostering a profound sense of belonging that enables us to better navigate life's complexities.
Thomas Berry (year) emphasized the interconnectedness between the physical and unseen worlds. By observing the natural surroundings, one can connect with deeper realities of existence, discovering our true purpose and identity. This connection deepens our gratitude for life, recognizes the sacredness in all things, and honors the interconnected cycles of birth, death, and rebirth. By releasing our fear of death, we can safeguard humanity and the Earth.
As a death doula and spiritual counselor, I integrate spiritual ecology into my practice, helping individuals find solace and healing in nature, fostering a deeper connection to the cycles governing all living beings.
Thanatology examines how our relationship with death and dying impacts our connection with the Earth. Contemporary society's disconnection from these natural cycles contributes to a broader disconnection from the Earth and a lack of appreciation for the interconnectedness of all living beings.
Home funerals and green burials provide more intimate and valuable relationships with death and dying, facilitating the grief process. Home funerals allow families and loved ones to participate in end-of-life care and funeral preparations, fostering a deeper connection with the deceased and honoring their memory (Carr, 2012). Green burials emphasize environmental sustainability and return the body to the Earth in a natural way, aligning with the ecological cycles of life and death (Harker, 2018).
By promoting green burial practices, home funerals, and death-positive cultures, we can re-establish a deeper connection with the Earth's living system. Embracing death leads to greater gratitude for life and deeper recognition of the sacredness of all living beings. Re-evaluating our relationship with death fosters a more holistic and sustainable approach to life on Earth. Accepting death as a natural and sacred part of the cycle of life promotes a sense of connectedness to the planet, appreciating the importance of preserving it for future generations. Experiencing this transformational process directly connects us with the awe-inspiring mystery of existence.
Rubedo: Discovering the Psychic Being: A Journey through Yoga Psychology
The wisdom of yoga psychology tenderly awakened my heart, urging me to question what I once believed about the human spirit and the sacred dance between body and mind in life's twilight moments. Integration of yoga psychology and the teachings of Sri Aurobindo into my practice as a death doula and spiritual counselor has given me a roadmap to transformation and the divine presence within.
My experience with yoga psychology, through Sri Aurobindo's approach, has been transformative. One specific learning from his teachings is the concept of the "psychic being" (Aurobindo, 1990, p. 135), the innermost core of our consciousness that evolves through multiple lifetimes. This idea has opened my heart and prompted me to reevaluate my beliefs about the intricate connection between body, mind, and spirit, particularly during life's final moments. Embracing these divine teachings, I became aware of the profound impact yoga has on our very essence, enriching our lives and providing comfort as we approach the brink of eternity.
Yoga psychology serves as a vital instrument for living fully and facing death more peacefully. Instead of a fear-inducing concept, yogic philosophy provides a framework free from anxiety, allowing one to accept and approach dying and death with increased serenity, acceptance, and freedom. Sri Aurobindo's ideas promote the notion of union with the ever-present divinity in life. Consequently, death is perceived as a step in a cycle of continuity and transformation, rather than a definitive end (Banerji, 2012, p. 40).
Integrating Sri Aurobindo's yoga psychology into my work as a death doula and spiritual counselor has enhanced my ability to support individuals on their paths of self-discovery, healing, and growth. By guiding them towards a deeper connection with their bodies, minds, and psychic beings, I aim to foster a heightened sense of harmony and balance as they navigate the transformative experiences of death and dying. This new perspective, rooted in the understanding of the psychic being and its evolutionary journey, challenges previous thinking and offers fresh alternatives for assisting clients in their final journey.
Integration
As I embark on my own phase of rebirth, I find myself reflecting intently on my relationship with my work in the world. I am seeking ways to weave my most profound learnings into my daily life and enhance the services I provide as a death doula and spiritual counselor.
How can I incorporate the wisdom I've gained into my daily practices, enriching my role as a death doula and spiritual counselor? Furthermore, as a catalyst for change, how can I effect meaningful transformation in a world where the Western perspective on death often proves insufficient? Countless individuals confront death without voicing their innermost emotions, without genuine recognition, and burdened with feelings of solitude. What steps can we take to foster a society and culture that cherishes end-of-life experiences, providing sincere support and respect for those nearing their final moments?
In pursuit of these goals, it is vital to embrace the concept of our work and creations as distinct entities (Gilbert, 2016). These ideas and ventures select us, seeking to be brought to life through our creative prowess and potential. In doing so, we engage in a relationship with these entities, reflecting back our hopes, desires, shortcomings, inconsistencies, ego, imperfections, attachments, and gifts.
Through this process, we not only learn and grow but also seize the opportunity to introduce something unique and valuable into the world. Our work and creations become a manifestation of our individual expression and purpose, affording us a deeper understanding of ourselves and our place in the world.
In the end, our work in the world acts as our guide. It mirrors who we are and who we can become, offering us the chance to connect with something greater than ourselves. As we advance on our creative journey, may we wholeheartedly embrace this relationship and let it steer us towards our distinctive expression and purpose.
I am passionately committed to reshaping societal attitudes towards death and dying through the transformative power of art, education, and nature-based rituals. By integrating these elements into my practice, I aim to create a more open, accepting, and holistic approach to end-of-life care, fostering a deeper understanding of the interconnectedness of life, death, and the natural world. Utilizing artistic expression, educational resources, and meaningful rituals, I endeavor to inspire clients and the wider community to embrace the beauty and profound lessons inherent within the cycle of life and death, ultimately promoting a more harmonious and spiritually connected society.
Bridging Art and Death: The Role of Death Doulas in Contemporary Culture
There is a need for a cultural shift in the way death and dying are approached in contemporary society. Death doulas, who provide support and guidance for individuals and families during the end-of-life process, have the potential to be key figures in promoting this change. There is an intersection between contemporary art and the work of death doulas, as well as their potential to effect change in cultural attitudes through education, art installations, and rituals.
As an individual with a background in both contemporary art curation and death doula work, my experience has shown me that there is a profound need for a more compassionate, open, and informed approach to death and dying. The current cultural norms around death often result in fear, isolation, and a lack of understanding. This, in turn, can prevent individuals from experiencing a meaningful end-of-life process or receiving appropriate bereavement support.
The significance of integrating the work of death doulas with contemporary art lies in their ability to challenge existing cultural norms and promote a more accepting attitude towards death. By drawing on relevant theory and research, it becomes clear that art can act as a powerful medium to foster emotional processing and healing (Gross et al., 2017). Additionally, education and public awareness campaigns can normalize conversations around death and dying, encouraging individuals to engage in end-of-life planning and fostering a more compassionate approach to care (Kellehear, 2013).
The experience of working at the intersection of art and death doula work has not only reinforced the importance of addressing cultural attitudes towards death but also presents new alternatives for fostering change. Collaborations between contemporary artists and death doulas can create immersive art installations, public education campaigns, and creative rituals that contribute to normalizing death and dying. These initiatives can challenge previous thinking around death, promoting a more compassionate and inclusive approach. Moreover, incorporating eco-aware and nature-based rituals can help individuals connect with the natural world, fostering a greater sense of acceptance and peace around death and dying. This approach also serves as an opportunity for ecological education and social justice advocacy.
The integration of contemporary art and the work of death doulas has the potential to transform cultural attitudes towards death and dying. By exploring the ways in which death doulas and contemporary artists can collaborate to create public art installations, education campaigns, legacy projects and creative rituals, it becomes clear that these efforts can serve as catalysts for cultural change. By promoting a more open and accepting approach to end-of-life care and bereavement support, we can better support individuals through the process of loss, grief, and regeneration.
Conclusion: The Alchemical Transmutation of Death and Dying
The profound connection between the cycles of birth, death, and rebirth and the transformative stages of alchemy offers a rich framework for personal growth and spiritual development. The sacred alchemical process that lies at the heart of my journey through ancestral healing, spiritual counseling, spiritual ecologies, and yoga psychology has profoundly informed my work as a death doula and spiritual counselor. By embracing the transformative potential of these teachings, I have learned to view death and dying as a crucible of transformation, a space where the base elements of fear, grief, and loss can be transmuted into gold—the radiant light of understanding, acceptance, and healing.
Acknowledging our endeavors and creations as separate beings, we form a deep connection with them, reflecting our ambitions, wishes, and challenges. This awareness accompanies me during my transformative quest. As I explore my inner depths and the universe's enigmas, my goal is to communicate these revelations with the individuals I aid, guiding them through life's final stages with elegance, discernment, and empathy.
Emerging from my innermost depths and the universe's mysteries, I value the knowledge acquired on this transformative adventure. With deep humility, I aspire to convey these understandings to those I support, enabling them to face the life-altering aspects of mortality with deep connection, insight, and kindness. In the furnace of life, encompassing cycles of birth, demise, and resurgence, we receive the hallowed opportunity to partake in the soul's metamorphosis—a shift that reconfigures our perceptions and convictions. May we all wholeheartedly welcome this odyssey, uncovering the precious essence within ourselves and others as we navigate the ceaselessly shifting tides of existence and mortality.
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Cover Image:
Hilma af Klint, (Swedish, 1862-1944)
Altarpiece Group X, No. 1
1915
Oil on canvas
93.75 x 70.5 inches