Stanley Kubrick's masterpiece 2001: A Space Odyssey describes an alchemical process of transformation for our species and any individuals who view the film. A deeply symbolic exploration of the Ladder of the Planets from Dennis William Hauck.

Part 2 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.

This installment of Art Bell's "Dreamland" show was titled "Alchemy and the Paranormal Reality. "Dreamland" was part of Art's "Coast to Coast AM" franchise, and his unique radio show captured over 10 million listeners a week.

Art Bell (1945-2018) broadcast from the isolated town of Pahrump in desolate Nye County, Nevada. Art saw himself not as an authority, but as a fellow explorer with his guests. First broadcast November 8, 1999.

This short poem captures all the operations of alchemical transformation in one vision. I wrote it when I was 17 in 1962, before I knew anything about alchemy. It was selected to be included in the album "Sound of Poetry" by the National Library of Poetry and published in 1992.

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.

from The Emerald Tablet: Alchemy for Personal Transformation (Penguin 1999). Paperback and Kindle editions available on Amazon.

This is actually an audition tape for the “Oprah Winfrey Show” when my book The Emerald Tablet: Alchemy for Personal Transformation was being considered for Oprah’s Book Club. Unfortunately, the producers thought it was a bit “over the top” for Oprah’s viewers, and listening to it today, I would have to agree. But it is one of my best efforts to explain the origins and power of the ancient teachings of Hermes and how they evolved in alchemy, literature, religion, and science. Topics include the Emerald Tablet, the history of Balinas (Apollonius of Tyana), the seven operations and the Emerald Formula, the planetary archetypes, and how they apply to personal transformation. There is also an active imagination session with Thoth in which he explains the nature of the universe. However controversial the ideas expressed in this reading are today, they represent the historical view and “One True Philosophy” that inspired the alchemists to so ardently pursue the Great Work. I have continued to research Thoth’s teachings in more recent books, including In the Mind of the Universe: The Monad and You! on Amazon at https://amzn.to/489vk5H

This is a sample reading from Chapter 1 of In the Mind of the Universe: The Monad and You! Order the book from https://amzn.to/489vk5H

Real experiences of the Monad from historical sources, literature, and the personal experiences of the author. The experiences share most of the following ten characteristics:

1) The experience begins in a state of non-duality or Oneness.

2) It seems to take place in a boundless space of pure warm light.

3) Everything is stripped away—no more ego, striving, or worldly attachments.

4) The basic dichotomy of “I” versus “other” is transcended.

5) There is a sense of original self or primal state of being in which just your pure centerless awareness or “default” presence remains.

6) It is “beyond thoughts” or exhibits the inability to have thoughts, and because of this, there is no fear.

7) There is a sense of eternity with no experience of time.

8) There is a feeling of complete knowledge or direct gnosis of reality.

9) The overall feeling is one of infinite security, serenity, and satisfaction.

10) In describing the experience to others, it remains paradoxical and ineffable. For a more information, please refer to my book "The Mind of the Universe: The Monad and You!" This video narrated by Cooper Monroe.

For a more information, please refer to my book "The Mind of the Universe: The Monad and You!" Order your Softcover, Hardback, Kindle, or Audible copy from:

https://amzn.to/489vk5H