Alchemy and the Fountain of Youth
By Surja Jessup, M.S., C.H.T.
There are many ways that Alchemy has inspired me to stay "youthful." Alchemical Hypnotherapy is a powerful process which helps anyone using it to heal the negative programming of the "wounded child" within, and transform the spirit of that child into the magical child, who embodies spontaneity, openness, playfulness, and connection to love, tenderness, and imagination. When this archetype of the inner child is healed, these qualities become re-integrated into the adult, allowing the expression of natural joy and aliveness. This to me is the first secret of the Fountain of Youth.
In Alchemy, the founder David Quigley teaches students how to create an inner family, calling in the spirit of the loving Inner Mother and/or Father, and re-parenting those parts of the younger self where trauma, or abandonment occurred. As the person receiving the Alchemy session envisions the loving wise parent, this creates a new form of inner guidance which translates into a mature adult voice in daily life.
One of my favorite processes and an important key to my youthful energy is the relationship with the Inner Mate. Adapted from Jungian Psychology,( which integrates the spirit of the Animus (male) and Anima (female) energies in the psyche), this process takes the person to meet the inner mate, who embodies the soul qualities in the shadow that need to come into the light for the "alchemical marriage" or wholeness to occur.
Each of us is in the process of integrating male and female energies within the self, through our relationships in the outer world, but the Inner Mate process allows this to be much more conscious and empowering. Before doing Alchemy, I would honestly say that most of my romantic relationships became pretty stressful after the "honeymoon" period was over, but the Inner Mate Process changed that forever.
First, I discovered the male soul qualities in myself that could balance the feminine energies, so I felt less dependent on men. At the same time I became more relaxed and open to the possibility of real intimacy because the Inner Mate became a trustworthy guide for helping me to see through my own projections about men in my life. Soon after discovering the Inner mate, I met my partner in the outer world.
Twenty years later, he and I are still happy to be together. For me the relationship with both the inner and outer mate have been keys to youthfulness, creating much deeper satisfaction and joy in my life. Another key to youthfulness that Alchemy has given me is the satisfaction of a rewarding profession. Although I did go on to study Acupressure, Mindfulness Based Meditation and Stress Reduction, and developed Counseling skills to complement Alchemy, the tools which I received in my initial Alchemy training provided me with comprehensive hypnotherapy skills which are invaluable. Without these skills I would not be in private practice.
It is truly a joyful thing to do work I love every day and to feel that I am helping people empower their lives in the same way I was empowered by learning Alchemy. And I get to help other people stay young - along with me! What could be more fun!
ABOUT SURJA JESSUP
Surja Jessup earned a Master of Science degree from Northeastern University's College of Education, and taught full-time in the Vermont state college system. In the late 1970's she began a meditation program at a Tibetan Buddhist retreat center, which opened the door to meditation and Buddhist Psychology. In the 1980's, Surja moved to California, and pursued post-graduate work at JFK University's School of Consciousness Studies. During the next few years she became intrigued with the connection between Bodywork and Hypnotherapy, studying Alchemical Hypnotherapy with David Quigley, Ericksonian Hypnotherapy with Stephen Gilligan, Heart Centered Hypnotherapy with Diane Zimberoff and DeHypnotherapy (Living Essence) with Arjuna Ardagh, as well as learning acu-pressure, Rosen method of bodywork, and deep tissue massage. She now combines Hypnotherapy with a gentle style of bodywork to assist clients in releasing pain, stress and trauma, and access inner resources for healing. For several years she taught certificate programs in Alchemical Hypnotherapy and Bodywork at holistic schools for Mind-Body Wellness in several states.
Surja Jessup offers workshops, personal sessions, couples sessions and spiritual coaching at her private practice in Berkeley, California. She can be reached on 510-848-7519, or visit her website at www.surja.com/index.html