Psychotherapy, the Alchemical Imagination and Metaphors of Substance

Alchemy is an innovative third way for education and exercise of an alchemical imagination, embracing both material matters and psychological insight. It is viewed as an immanent set of metaphor-driven best practices for indwelling complex and contradictory earthly matters in a sensual, artistic, and humane manner. It is an eco-logical rather than ego-logical project with deep aesthetic concerns and political intentions, echoing post-Freudian developments in psychoanalysis.

Format: Hardback
Length: 262 pages
Publication date: 04 July 2023
Publisher: De Gruyter

Alchemy, a captivating and enigmatic discipline, has long been perceived as a secret art of transforming base metals into precious gold, serving as a forerunner to modern chemistry. However, this profound pursuit extends beyond its material aspects, symbolizing psychological development and transformation. In this remarkable book, the author presents a groundbreaking third approach to alchemy, one that encompasses both material matters and psychological insight. This transformative vision of alchemy is unveiled as lyrical poetics, an immersive practice that generates embodied metaphors, fostering a profound connection between the physical world and the inner realms of the mind.

Alchemy, as envisioned in this book, emerges as an inherent set of metaphor-driven practices, empowering individuals to navigate the complexities and contradictions of earthly existence with a sensuous, artistic, and humane sensibility. It serves as a profound psychotherapeutic practice, offering a means to delve into the depths of the human psyche and cultivate personal growth. Rather than being viewed as a medium for personal development alone, alchemy becomes a pathway toward optimal co-existence with the natural world. This eco-logical endeavor encompasses deep aesthetic concerns, educating the senses through attentive noticing and fostering a profound appreciation for the world around us. At its core, alchemy is a political project, aiming to establish a democracy of worldly things, where the diverse elements of our existence are valued and celebrated.

This book resonates with post-Freudian developments in psychoanalysis, diverging from traditional symbol systems and embracing everyday signs and linguistic registers. Embodied metaphors, for instance, play a central role in this approach, as they tap into the rich tapestry of human experience and emotion. By focusing on known and sensed phenomena rather than abstract concepts, alchemy offers a more grounded and accessible means of understanding and healing.

In conclusion, this book presents a groundbreaking exploration of alchemy, offering a transformative vision that transcends the boundaries of material science and psychology. Through lyrical poetics and embodied metaphors, it empowers individuals to navigate the complexities of earthly existence, cultivate personal growth, and foster a deep connection with the natural world. Alchemy becomes a pathway toward optimal co-existence, a political project that values the diverse elements of our existence and seeks to establish a harmonious and sustainable world.

Weight: 556g
Dimension: 164 x 242 x 20 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9783111154770