Halogen of the week
Iodine
Iodine is an element that is we hear a lot about in the health field because of its connection with nutrition, water purification, and the functioning of the thyroid. It is both essential and toxic to the human body. Deficiency can lead to hypothyroidism, which leads to host of symptoms. The lethal dosage is 2-3 grams
Here are some other facts about it.
Iodine is a relatively rare element that was discovered in 1811. It is a member of the halogen group, which are non metallic elements. Halogen normally exists as a bluish - blackish solid and has an atomic number of 53 and an atomic mass of 127. It is one of the heaviest elements used by the human body, known as a trace element, and is found in kelp, seafood, dairy products, plants grown in iodine rich soil, and some processed foods. Commercially, iodine is mined in Chile, the United States, and Japan.
Alchemy
Probably like most students of occult knowledge I am too fascinated with alchemy. I don't think of it as magic, but of a very high level of knowledge and experience. My understanding is that it can be practiced both internally and externally. Externally it is used as a means of transformation, just as the alchemists in India and China took poisonous metals and facilitated their transformation into a more desirable or palatable form. In this way, alchemy seems to be very much like chemistry, although it is not based on chemical constituents, but rather on energetics and a science of qualities. Internally, I also think of alchemy as a means of transformation. After all, as we have learned, there can be no loss of matter or energy. There is only movements and changes to that mass and energy. Internally we can think of the Chinese concept of emotion, which is described as a movement of qi. If that emotion does not manifest then it still exists but in another form. There is a story of a man who used to survive on consuming tobacco leaves alone. From this toxin it is said that he produced a nectar within himself that sustained him. This is but one story of the many that inspire a sense that there is more to this life then is commonly known. Like all powerful and rare experiences, much of alchemy will remain shrouded in mystery, vagueness, and legend by everyone who has not directly experienced it.
You bring up the very good point about internal alchemy.I didn't think of our own body's internal processes as being alchemy, but you are right, they are! I like the story about your teacher's teacher's teacher being able to live on tobacco leaves. I wonder if it was specifically tobacco leaves or if they could have done the same with any plant toxin combined with the meditative skill (I am assuming that's what it was) to internally transform it into life sustaining nectar.
ReplyDelete