Meditation, Alchemy, and the Struggle for Sovereignty of Our Inner World

A recent study has raised concerns about the potential psychological risks associated with meditation, including increased anxiety, depression, and even psychosis in some individuals. These findings are prompting renewed discussions about how meditation is approached within the medical system. While the study highlights legitimate risks, it also raises important questions about the growing trend of medicalizing alchemical inner work. Should we view this development with caution? Throughout history, authority figures have sought to control spiritual practices, and today’s developments echo this pattern in concerning ways.

Paracelsus, the Rebel 

Paracelsus (1493 to 1541), a renowned Swiss alchemist, famously burned the works of Galen, the ancient Greek physician, in a public bonfire. Along with the books, he tossed a piece of manure into the fire, declaring it a fitting symbol for Galen's medical teachings. Galen had dominated European medicine for over a millennium. His work was heavily based on the theory of the four humors and emphasized traditional methods that Paracelsus found outdated and ineffective. He went on to introduce chemicals and minerals to medical treatments and was eventually known as the "father of toxicology." He believed that medicine should be free from the influence of established authorities, including the Church. His support for autonomy has had a lasting impact. 

Those who pursued alchemical inner work, whether through alchemy, meditation, or other spiritual practices, have often faced resistance or outright persecution from established authorities. The practice of alchemy was not merely about turning lead into gold but transforming the self—accessing deeper truths and higher consciousness. Such empowerment threatened those who sought control and preferred to see people seek guidance from a designated intermediary on the material plane, not a spiritual guide within.

While these findings may have merit, because at times practioners need mental health support, we should continue to question institutions that seek to regulate and pathologize practices that foster autonomy and inner exploration. Just as alchemists and other traditions once guarded their work from inquisitive powers, we must not ignore how the medical system approaches inner work. There are many fine people working in the medical field, but we should never give blind trust to the occupants of the room where money changes hands.

Instead, the rise of meditation-related mental health concerns should remind us of the power of these practices. Meditation can indeed open gateways to altered states of consciousness, leading to profound transformation. But, these experiences can also be destabilizing. Historically, alchemists understood this balance, knowing that inner work requires careful preparation, respect, and protection from external interference.

If the current medicalization of meditation reflects the desire to control and standardize spiritual practices, they are effectively establishing a religion. Religions can offer genuine support and guidance, but not when participation is mandated. As we navigate these developments, let us remember that inner work is a deeply personal journey. It requires not only discipline and understanding but also freedom. True transformation cannot be dictated from the outside—it must arise from within, guided by an unyielding commitment to self-discovery and spiritual growth. No one can be forced to set and establish their own goals. You cannot horsewhip a person down the path to Gnosis, although it's hard to believe that's where the business interests behind the medical field would lead us.

We must approach meditation and inner work with caution, respect, and autonomy, resisting efforts to reduce these practices to mere clinical tools. The alchemist’s path is one of liberation, a journey toward reclaiming our spiritual sovereignty in a world that has always sought to confine it.