Embracing the Suck: Transmuting Your Shit into Gold

Hey there, chaos chasers! Ready to go on an epic treasure hunt? We’re on a quest to find a stone. Not any stone — oh no, we’re after the big one: the Philosopher’s Stone.

Forget Harry Potter people–that’s not what I’m talking about. It’s the real deal, the ultimate gem we are all after in this wild game of life.

Finding The Philosopher’s Stone

You may be asking: What is this philosopher’s stone? For Jung, the philosopher’s stone wasn’t just an alchemical goal in the literal sense of turning base metals into gold; it was a powerful symbol of the transformative process of individuation.

In its enigmatic glory, the philosopher’s stone symbolizes the Self — intricately pieced together and brimming with untapped potential. Take a look at my recent article for a deep dive into individuation. It sets the stage for the exploration we’re about to embark on.

From Flaws to Awe

This isn’t just about feeling good in your skin; it’s about an odyssey into the heart of what makes us tick. Think about it. Why do you suck? Hmmm?

What are the bits that you don’t like about yourself and why? The overdrinking, the bad eating habits, lack of exercise, self-loathing, and anxiety — they’re all signposts pointing toward the parts of yourself that need attention and care.

If you’re feeling like you’re wading knee-deep in your own mess, that’s great! Those are the triggers that are actually your treasure trove in disguise.

That’s right — your personal pile of ‘shit’ is where the magic happens. It’s time to stop crying and dive into that delightful mess–it’s your cue to turn lemons into lemonade baby.

Think of it this way: You’ve got habits you’re not proud of? Fantastic, that’s raw material. Feelings of self-doubt and loathing? Perfect, more grist for the mill. It’s all about transforming this ‘ugh’ into ‘aha’.

Finding your philosopher’s stone isn’t about pretending everything’s rosy; it’s about getting down and dirty with the gritty, not-so-pretty parts of ourselves.

Divine Comedy or Cosmic Joke

Do you recall your days as a newborn? Yeah, I didn’t think so. But here’s the funny thing: back then, you couldn’t be bothered by the complexities of life. It’s like a divine comedy, isn’t it? Our entire existence seems to circle back to a quest for that pure, unbothered innocence of our earliest days.

It almost feels like the universe is messing with us, right? Makes you wonder if the big guy upstairs isn’t just a kid fooling around with a magnifying glass. Why do we often see this world as a cruel, unforgiving place? Well, that’s probably because we’re projecting our own fears and uncertainties onto it.

It’s as if we believe we’re at the mercy of the universe, like it’s pulling the strings of our fate. But here’s the real twist: the world, with all its rough edges and stunning beauty, is actually a mirror reflecting us back to ourselves. It’s not something external controlling our destiny — it’s us, shaping the world with our projections and how we manifest them into existence.

Face it folks, shit in shit out. Yup, that’s right. It’s all of our fault–so stop pointing fingers at your neighbor and turn that finger inward. Imagine if we all embarked on the quest to discover our own philosopher’s stone. The ripple effect would be monumental.

So, let’s pull our heads out of our asses and invest in our personal growth people. Believe me, if each of us takes this step, we’ll not only transform ourselves but also the world.

Ancient Wisdom for Modern Minds

Seriously, I’m not pulling this stuff out of my ass. There’s a bunch of old-timers with brains as tangled as last year’s Christmas lights that have been trying to tell us this for centuries. Take Lao Tzu, for example. This guy, an ancient Chinese philosopher, wrote the Tao Te Ching. He put it straight:

“Knowing others is intelligence; knowing yourself is true wisdom. Mastering others is strength; mastering yourself is true power.”

It might sound like a line from a fortune cookie, but it’s legit. Once you crack the code of what it really means to ‘know yourself,’ everything else falls into place

And don’t forget Friedrich Nietzsche, the German philosopher known for his exploration of individual power, existentialism, and critique of traditional values. If he were alive today, he’d probably throw this zinger our way:

He who has a ‘why’ to live can bear almost any ‘how.’

Sure, it sounds like he’s just throwing words into a philosophical blender, but the guy’s onto something. Nietzsche’s all about digging deep into the ‘why’ of your existence, the fuel that keeps your engine running.

It’s not just about skimming the surface of life; it’s about plunging into the depths, wrestling with your own demons and desires, and emerging with a clearer sense of who you really are. And trust me, that journey’s as wild as riding a roller coaster through a thunderstorm. But once you get to the heart of your ‘why,’ you’ll find it’s the golden key to unlocking your own philosopher’s stone.

But Nietzsche’s wisdom doesn’t stop at just understanding the ‘why.’ He dares us to go even further, to stare into the very abyss of our being. It’s like peering over the edge of a cliff, heart pounding, eyes wide open to the dark, uncharted territories of our soul.

Nietzsche’s Abyss: The Ultimate Test of Self-Discovery

So, what does it mean to embrace this Nietzschean abyss? It’s about confronting the raw, often intimidating truths lurking within us. Nietzsche challenges us to face these truths head-on, not with fear, but with the courage of a lion. This isn’t your typical navel-gazing. It’s a deep dive into the whirlpool of your innermost fears, desires, and untapped strengths.

Finding your philosopher’s stone is a heroic journey, akin to a mythical quest where dragons are slayed and treasures uncovered. But the dragon here is your own shadow and the treasure? A profound, unshakeable understanding of who you truly are, beneath all the layers society has draped over you.

Awakening the Madness: Nietzsche’s Path to Enlightenment

In Nietzsche’s eyes, embracing the abyss isn’t a descent into madness; it’s an awakening. It’s about recognizing that within the chaos and darkness of our inner selves lies the raw material for transformation. This is where the philosopher’s stone isn’t just a mythic relic but a living, breathing reality within us.

Think about it: every fear, every doubt, and every dark thought you’ve shoved into the back of your mind is a piece of the puzzle. Nietzsche urges us to pick up these pieces, no matter how jagged, and examine them in the harsh light of day. It’s not a journey for the faint-hearted. It’s a path strewn with existential questions and uncomfortable truths. But as Nietzsche famously said,

‘What does not kill me, makes me stronger.’

This self-confrontation is the essence of finding your philosopher’s stone. It’s about transforming the leaden aspects of our psyche into psychological gold. This alchemical process isn’t about getting rid of the darkness but integrating it, understanding it, and using it as a source of strength.

When you dare to observe these hidden parts of yourself, you’ll realize that your personal abyss isn’t a bottomless pit but a ladder to greater self-understanding. It’s about wholly embracing yourself — the good, the bad, and the unsightly — to reach a state of completeness. True self-love begins with self-acceptance. From this acceptance, you can transmute into your most authentic Self.

The Odyssey of Self

So, as we stand at the edge of our own personal abyss, Nietzsche’s wisdom beckons us forward even if we are afraid. Zao’s words tell us to return to simplicity to find authenticity. And Jung, calls on us to embark on the most daring adventure of all — the quest to discover and integrate the deepest, most authentic parts of the psyche no matter how ugly they are.

This journey, challenging as it may be, holds the promise of unearthing the most precious parts of ourselves, our true Self, the philosopher’s stone, a symbol of our ultimate potential and power. Are you ready to find it?

© 2023 Evelyn Ann Rose. All rights reserved.