“Written with depth, humor, and wit, The Secret Fire of Alchemy is a masterpiece in the field of spiritual alchemy—a link in the shining Golden Chain of the sacred knowledge of spiritual completion and liberation. In the spirit of C. G. Jung, Turner simultaneously explores the time-honored Eastern tradition of self-realization and the Western quest for the lost keys of alchemy. His relentless search across continents and lifetimes opens doors closed for centuries; reveals little-known connections between Hindu, Buddhist, Taoist, and Western esoteric lineages; and bears witness to the wonder of a Pan-Eurasian mystical tradition.”
Description
• Describes the initiatory stages of Kriya Yoga and Tibetan Buddhism with high-level yogis and lamas
• Shares the author’s experiences of spontaneous dream initiations, astral travels, Kundalini awakening, and an out-of-body journey through the Bardo to a past life—which led him to pursue spiritual studies in Asia
• Reveals the profound parallels between Western Alchemy’s search for the Philosopher’s Stone and the Indo-Tibetan quest for Spiritual Liberation
Guided by a profound series of dream initiations, astral travels, intense kundalini activation, and an out-of-body journey to a past life, Kevin Turner embarks on an around-the-world quest in pursuit of the secret fire of alchemical enlightenment.
Detailing his intensive studies to discover the meaning behind his spontaneous nighttime initiations, Turner finds resonance with Goethe’s alchemical quest and Descartes’ assertion that the pineal gland is the seat of the soul. Turning to Eastern traditions, the author finds exact descriptions of his experiences in books on kundalini yoga and answers to his questions about death, rebirth, and the soul’s Immortal Light in writings on Tibetan Buddhism—as well as profound parallels between the alchemists’ search for the Philosopher’s Stone and the Indo-Tibetan quest for Liberation.
Realizing his calling to accelerate the evolution of the soul, Turner travels to Asia where he meets the last living disciple of Sri Yukteswar, Swami Paramahansa Hariharananda Giri, who initiates him into Kriya Yoga. In his pursuit of the Eastern alchemical tradition, he then travels to the Himalayas in Nepal to study with Shamarpa Rinpoche at Nagi Gompa Monastery. Turner then journeys to Taipei to study Taoist alchemy and Tai Chi before returning to Europe to renew his studies of Western alchemy.
Deeply personal and spiritually uplifting, Turner’s story of initiation into alchemical traditions of East and West offers insight into the initiatory process known as the "Great Work" and powerful guidance to others on the spiritual path toward enlightenment.
Reviews
“In this beautifully written book, Kevin Turner uncovers the alchemical Great Work hidden in the inner reaches of Kriya Yoga as well as in Tibetan and Taoist practices. Turner is like a Tibetan tertön who rediscovers and reveals hidden spiritual treasures, revelations known as terma in Tibetan. His encounters with great teachers in Asia are shared with sincerity and courage, allowing us to participate in his inner journey and deepen our own. A joyful, living book.”
“In this deeply esoteric and well-researched account, Turner recounts his personal odyssey of spiritual evolution, the connection between Eastern mysticism and Western alchemy, and the rediscovery of the inner Stone of the Philosophers. Turner’s dream initiation sequences are rare and among the best recorded in the alchemical tradition. Turner also has coined several new terms that I hope will find their way into broader discussions of human consciousness.”
“This book is a generous gift to the world of seekers, worthy of respect and gratitude; there is so much to contemplate here, not only about the path, but the strength of character it takes to walk it.”