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Alchemy
Oct 19, 2005 3:45:15 GMT 5.5
Post by loyalgurl on Oct 19, 2005 3:45:15 GMT 5.5
Alchemy is the age old practice of trying to covert any metal into gold. Ancient people believed that this was possible because according to their belief, everything was made up of 4 elements - air, water, fire and earth. So they could be converted from one form to another. You might ask why gold? Well, because they felt that the universe tended to move to a state of perfection always and by converting everything into gold they would be able to help the universe achieve its goal of perfection. However with the advancements of chemistry, it became clear that the elements could not be decomposed into simpler independent identities so the whole idea of alchemist was discarded. Did you know that the very famous physicist, Sir Isaac Newton, was a practitioner of alchemy? Sounds awkward but it is true. And his writings about alchemy were not published ever. It is worth mentioning that his writings about alchemy did constitute a major part of his works. Having said this I would like to talk about the popular book , "The Alchemist", by the Brazillian author Paulo Coelho. This is a lovely book about an ordinary man following his dreams. You might want to ask me what does alchemy has to do with a man who follows his dreams? Well, I think that following ones dreams tends to make us more and more satisfied in life, thereby making us more perfect. I think if alchemy is about attaining perfection, then it is not tough to do that. All that is required is a dreamand an ambition to fulfill it. This makes one thing very clear: it is not bad to desire, and to be able to fulfill it is the best. Not only was Sir Isaac Newton an alchemist, I think all of us are, because we all have the potential to follow our dreams, to pursue what our heart desires the most... We can turn a bad heart into a golden one if we have faith on ourselves and our dream. And by being a true alchemist we all can really really make this world a beautiful and perfect place to live in....... Hope you njoyed this post...... keep smiling n start dreaming
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Alchemy
Oct 19, 2005 20:50:45 GMT 5.5
Post by y3knik on Oct 19, 2005 20:50:45 GMT 5.5
pretty gud!!!
thnx
(exalt me plz!!!)
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Alchemy
Nov 29, 2005 15:24:36 GMT 5.5
Post by nikki on Nov 29, 2005 15:24:36 GMT 5.5
Alchemy is an early protoscientific practice combining elements of chemistry, physics, astrology, art, semiotics, metallurgy, medicine, and mysticism. These practices were usually used outside of what is now known as the scientific method, however, alchemy can be regarded as the precursor of the modern science of chemistry prior to the formulation of the scientific method.
The most well known goal of alchemy was the transmutation of any metal into either gold or silver. Alchemists also tried to create a "Panacea", a remedy that supposedly would cure all diseases and prolong life indefinitely. The "Philosopher's stone" was believed to be an essential ingredient in these goals. This mythical substance was hypothesized to have the ability to do both. A third goal of many alchemists was creating human life.
Over time, the goals of alchemy were totally reinterpreted by many readers of the subject. Many readers came to believe that these goals of alchemy were really metaphors for a spiritual transformation of the self. They then wrote manuals that reinterpreted alchemy as a spiritual practice. For this reason, many alchemy manuals describe the "Philosopher's Stone" as a gift that every man potentially has unto himself, the "Transmutation" as the process that transforms the alchemist by studying sciences, and the "Panacea" as the true meaning of love and science. These writers felt that when reading a book on alchemy, the reader must read "over" the words to figure out the way to follow — decoding the secret text to discover its true meaning. This approach remains common to adherents of Kabbalah, Jewish mysticism, who often employ gematria and notariqon to expand their understanding of their religious texts, especially the Torah.
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Alchemy
Dec 6, 2005 15:14:01 GMT 5.5
Post by ANi on Dec 6, 2005 15:14:01 GMT 5.5
pretty good post! never knew abt newton being an alchemist!
but yes, i love the novel by paulo coelho The Alchemist! lots to learn from it! never wander out in the world, everything is at ur feet. try to realise each and everything's importance!
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Alchemy
Jan 7, 2006 1:18:40 GMT 5.5
Post by crazykat on Jan 7, 2006 1:18:40 GMT 5.5
thats really a nice topic.i think alchemists must not b knowing abt atoms.is dat right?
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