A few years ago on my journey, I had a synchronistic live-in makeover/life coach/mentor/guru. Although him staying with me for 6 months was, at times, excruciating/ at times exhilarating, it propelled me into a new, unparalleled chapter of my life – and left me with ways of being and action that have allowed me to become who I have become.
He was an Alchemist. Although often unconventional, I watched the transformation he caused: through the power of his word, the ways of his being, and the creativity of his actions. I became that transformation.
Some time later, I distilled the lessons from this time period. I call them the Ten Commitments of an Alchemist.
(These are less moralistic than the Ten Commandments of Judaism, yet a tongue-in-cheek take on that structure. They are less ascetic than the Five Precepts of Buddhism but perhaps just as essential. They may be most similar to the yamas and niyamas of yoga. Although they contain some spiritual principles, they are meant as a guide for the modern Alchemist to live by. They are hierarchical, sort of.)
1. Always have a spiritual purpose. This is not an option. It will (almost always) keep you grounded when nothing else does. You don’t need to be religious, per se, but ritual and wisdom tradition(s) to root yourself in certainly help.
2. Do not lose focus of your true purpose. Do not get caught up in bullshit. You may never know where your path will lead; but, if you listen, you will know when you stray. It will mostly make sense, in hindsight.
3. Make these your Key Three Elixirs: meditation, exercise, writing. If there is nothing else on your calendar, it should have these Key Three every day. If there’s a lot on your schedule, then they’re even more important. It helps to do them first. The order, however, doesn’t matter: moonlight meditation, a gym session, and writing at the local coffee shop; a quick run, gentle yoga class and journaling over a green tea; or writing your dreams, a Zumba class, and chanting a mantra or gongyo.
4. Okay, maybe not Every Day. It benefits the soul to take one day to sleep in, take aimless jaunts, and visit the Zen Center or the synagogue service with djembes. You can choose a particular tradition’s day of Sabbath or create your own. It’s just important that you build down time into your life, week, and day.
• This Elixir is the Fourth Wheel of the Key Three. (Like the Fourth Jewish Commandment about observing Sabbath:) It comes before the consecutive others for a reason.
5. Don’t yell at your parents. Period. Unless they deserve it; double period.
6. Sharpen your edge on the other six days. Stay pushin’ it. Don’t be lazy. Constantly be on the lookout for things to shed or grow. Let go of any extra baggage. Create! In other words, you should be killin’ it in some ways.
7. Respect your body and those of the people you meet on this fragile planet. Don’t give it away easy. Again, “sharpening” comes first: you should always seek to become a better lover.
8. Always be up-front and honest – especially in regard to money and business transactions. Do unto others is the golden rule. Also: be generous. Remember – “pushin’ it” comes before this particular commitment; try stretching in the way you give to others. Have faith. More will come. It feels good.
9. Don’t gossip. It’s a waste of energy.
10. Have your own unique fashion sense. Enjoy the influence of others. But don’t bite their styles. Make your own! Be grateful for what you have and who you are.
Community Alchemist 