Alchemy: Science of the Cosmos, Science of the Soul

Muhyid-Din ibn Arabi regards gold as the symbol of the original and uncorrupted state (al-fitrah) of the soul the form in which the human soul was created at the beginning. According to the Islamic conception the soul of every child unconsciously approaches this Adamic state before being led away from it again by the errors imposed on it by adults. The uncorrupted state possesses an inward equilibrium of forces. This is expressed by the stability of gold. . . . since nearly all traditional forms in life are now destroyed it is seldom vouchsafed to the conservative man to participate in a universally useful and meaningful work. But every loss spells gain: the disappearance of forms calls for a trial and a discernment; and the confusion in the surrounding world is a summons to turn by passing all accidents to the essential. This wonderfully insightful volume introduces some of the metaphors useful for establishing attitudes required for the souls advancement: trust confidence hope and detachment. It is a reminder that when any substance or entity undergoes dissolution it must eventually be resolved or re-crystalized in a new possibly higher and more noble form.