Alchemy Unfettered
Community Guidelines and Governing Virtues
Alchemy Unfettered is a private social platform that provides space for furthering personal and collective understanding within the realm of alchemy.
Virtue means "to be in accordance with truth," and in order to ensure clarity and to defend against the pitfalls of dogma and belief, Alchemy Unfettered has selected a series of virtues as its guiding principles and "house rules." Our community does not adhere to a belief system of any kind and recognizes authentic alchemy as the framework by which Truth is realized, understood, applied, and embodied. Virtue is a necessary standard to uphold the integrity and efficacy of this framework, thus it is expected that all members adhere to and embody these virtues while engaging and participating in the Alchemy Unfettered community.
Our virtues are timeless tools that empower, as opposed to overpower. Furthermore, these virtues were specifically chosen with the intention to directly address and moderate patterns of fault and fallacy that are consistently observed amongst individuals and alchemical communities, both ancient and modern. As such, they act as the governing factors to which all interactions will be measured upon, and any contradictions made upon the virtues in a member's expression will be seen as a violation of our community agreement and place that individual in a position to reflect, learn, and adjust accordingly. In order to uphold the community standard, any consistently expressed contradictions of our virtues may result in elimination from the group, banning participation across all levels.
Beyond just being our agreed-upon oaths and codes of conduct within this community, virtue stands as a navigational tool that gives guidance in all of life's circumstances. Utilizing this tool allows us to consciously bring every word, thought, and action into accordance with Truth. This is the alchemical way: to understand, correspond, and harmonize the internal and external worlds, the above and below, with Truth.
Our Virtues
Respect
"If you want to be regarded as a valuer of life, then first value time.”
― Auliq-Ice
Humility
“It is unwise to be too sure of one's own wisdom. It is healthy to be reminded that the strongest might weaken and the wisest might err.”
― Mahatma Gandhi
Integrity
“May what I do flow from me like a river, no forcing and no holding back, the way it is with children.”
― Rainer Maria Rilke
Patience
“The beginning is the most important part of the work.”
― Plato
Understanding
“Any fool can know. The point is to understand.”
― Albert Einstein
Diligence
“No man was ever wise by chance”
― Seneca
Discipline
“Seek freedom and become captive of your desires. Seek discipline and find your liberty.”
―Frank Herbert
Discernment
“One of the first things we learn from our teachers is discernment: the ability to tell truth from fiction, to know when we have lost our center and how to find it again. Discernment is also one of the last things we learn when we feel our paths diverge and we must separate from our mentors in order to stay true to ourselves.”
― Anne Hill
Fortitude
“Non est ad astra mollis e terris via" - "There is no easy way from the earth to the stars”
― Seneca
Moderation
Simply put, don’t be an ASKHOLE. We are all here to grow and learn together. Don’t crowd the group with your personality or opinion. We expect everyone to be clear and concise in their questions or responses. Bring only the most essential and critical information or insight that you possibly can. Apply moderation to your questions and comments, and we will increase the efficiency and speed of our learning, communication, and co-creation. If you apply discernment first, you can help yourself figure out what it is you are truly trying to ask or say and how you are trying to say it. Then, once discerned, express yourself. Moderate yourself and do not post mindlessly or in a pointless manner. When moderation is implemented we expedite everyone’s learning and growth. We also keep the floor clean and easier to navigate together. This means that if answering a post, one clear and concise response is all that's needed and is what's best suited to our success. Refrain from ‘stream of consciousness’ posting. Practice patience, pause and think before speaking. Humbly self-reflect and look for holes: uncertainties, assumptions, or generalizations in your expression. Call upon our other virtues before expressing yourself so that you can be sure to do a good job in moderating yourself and holding to our standards. In this way, you will be guaranteed success, mutual respect, and enjoy ‘likeability.’
“The ideas are louder when there are fewer of them.”
― David C. Day
Encouragement
“Never discourage anyone who continually makes progress, no matter how slow.”
― Plato
Gratitude
“If the only prayer you said was thank you, that would be enough.”
-― Meister Eckhart
Virtue means "to be in accordance with truth," and in order to ensure clarity and to defend against the pitfalls of dogma and belief, Alchemy Unfettered has selected a series of virtues as its guiding principles and "house rules." Our community does not adhere to a belief system of any kind and recognizes authentic alchemy as the framework by which Truth is realized, understood, applied, and embodied. Virtue is a necessary standard to uphold the integrity and efficacy of this framework, thus it is expected that all members adhere to and embody these virtues while engaging and participating in the Alchemy Unfettered community.
Our virtues are timeless tools that empower, as opposed to overpower. Furthermore, these virtues were specifically chosen with the intention to directly address and moderate patterns of fault and fallacy that are consistently observed amongst individuals and alchemical communities, both ancient and modern. As such, they act as the governing factors to which all interactions will be measured upon, and any contradictions made upon the virtues in a member's expression will be seen as a violation of our community agreement and place that individual in a position to reflect, learn, and adjust accordingly. In order to uphold the community standard, any consistently expressed contradictions of our virtues may result in elimination from the group, banning participation across all levels.
Beyond just being our agreed-upon oaths and codes of conduct within this community, virtue stands as a navigational tool that gives guidance in all of life's circumstances. Utilizing this tool allows us to consciously bring every word, thought, and action into accordance with Truth. This is the alchemical way: to understand, correspond, and harmonize the internal and external worlds, the above and below, with Truth.
Our Virtues
Respect
- Privacy: While we have come together in a public forum to share and exchange with one another, we must still respect the time, intention, and privacy of all members. Although messaging is a feature to our platform, never expect that private communication is desired by all members. Please consider that members may be here to learn, not to socialize. ALWAYS ask permission to start a private dialogue with anyone. There are no exceptions to this rule. We conduct ourselves by a ‘code of consent,’ meaning you must ask any individual you are hoping to collaborate or communicate with if they first are even receptive to that communication. If they express that they are not, this is purely a reflection of their desire to focus and is not to be taken as a personal insult.
- Time: Information and insight can often be easily obtained if you simply take a moment to ask the internet. Always try to help yourself first before asking for the assistance or input of others. Alchemy Unfettered is not your personal search engine or genie that grants your desire or entertains your every thought. So, please don't clutter the platform with unnecessary dialogue. If you give yourself the chance first, you will find that the greatest answers and understandings come from within, when we do not call upon another, and instead use our own intuition. This is the only way we can truly be self-empowered and become sovereign in our understanding and practice. This is not said to discourage, but to encourage in hopes of creating a community of like-minded and capable peers.
- Wisdom/guidance/knowledge: It is important to respect all the guidance given to you, even if it may be contrary to what you have been taught, read, or seen. Remember, this group is a Dialectic and not a Debate. Respect others' answers, perspectives, wisdom, or feedback.
"If you want to be regarded as a valuer of life, then first value time.”
― Auliq-Ice
Humility
- Have the humility to embrace the fact that you may have blind spots. Or, that potentially you were given incorrect or misinformed information. There are always areas in which we can learn and grow. Be open to new ideas and information and take it upon yourself to think about it and test concepts rather than making a quick response. We as individuals are all a unique expression of Consciousness and therefore hold unique perspectives, ideas, experiences, and faults. Please have the humility to see and consider your own, then take it upon yourself to use that awareness to grow and appreciate the challenge and strength it might bring. Also, keep in mind that no belief is true. Humble yourself to acknowledge that just because you hold a perspective that makes sense to you, it doesn't make it correct or true. Perspective is helpful and expected to be shared across the group. However, perspective is ultimately relative, subject to change, and simply one potential way of looking at something. Respect the perspectives shared by others, even if you don't agree with them. Be humble regarding your own as well and know they are simply your preferred way to view information or circumstances. Humbly together we can all give space to listen and learn from the perspectives and positions of others.
“It is unwise to be too sure of one's own wisdom. It is healthy to be reminded that the strongest might weaken and the wisest might err.”
― Mahatma Gandhi
Integrity
- Integrity: from the Latin: in, meaning “no," and tergo, meaning “to touch” - Integrity means “not to touch.” This is paramount when it comes to your success in alchemy, in life (from an enlightened perspective), and within this group. Stop fidgeting with your reality and trying to control circumstances. Let go of the need to pull in what you desire or push away what is undesirable. Leave it be. That is the most loving thing you can do for yourself and others.
- Love: From the proto-germanic Lief, means "to leave be." If you truly love something, then leave it to be as it is. Don't touch it. To meet anything in this way is to embody integrity and give space for unconditional love. In contrast, consider the word affection which comes from the Latin: afficere, which means "to influence." Many confuse Love for affection. In doing so, they force influence upon their environment and deny the presence of integrity. So, to nourish this virtue within yourself, don't touch the situation or circumstances you find yourself observing. Leave it be and leave yourself to be as you are in return.
“May what I do flow from me like a river, no forcing and no holding back, the way it is with children.”
― Rainer Maria Rilke
Patience
- Understand that we are all at different points of our individual journeys. Destinations or goals are self-appointed and ultimately relative to the individual and their preferences. Don't rush or push on yourself or others to be anywhere other than where you're at. That wouldn't be respectful, humble, or integral. This also means we shouldn't try to get clever and attempt to skip steps, cut corners, or force progress. There is nowhere to get to and nowhere to go. Alchemy is regarded as the "Great Work." If you want to understand alchemy, then you must do the work.
“The beginning is the most important part of the work.”
― Plato
Understanding
- True understanding comes from experience, not theory or knowledge. For example, you could study the great pyramids of Egypt for decades and have a vastly superior base of knowledge in comparison to others. However, no amount of reading and knowledge could allow you to truly understand what it's like to stand in the shadow of the great pyramid. Seeing for yourself in all matters of your life is the only true way to gain wisdom and authentically understand. This is the alchemical principle of “Nullius in Verba,” which translates from Latin as: “Take nobody's word.”
- This Virtue also pairs with integrity and love, and as a result, compassion for others is found. We are all on our own paths, complete with their own obstacles, and lessons. It is our duty as alchemical practitioners to gain experience and stand in integrity, so we may actualize our Great Work. Ultimately, you can allow your compassion to be expressed by leaving what is to be as it is.
“Any fool can know. The point is to understand.”
― Albert Einstein
Diligence
- Be unwavering in your pursuit of The Art and requisite embodiment of virtue. This also includes taking it upon yourself to do your own research and look into things prior to posting perspective or asking for help and guidance. We are here together to provide experiential wisdom and ultimately guide each other to be sovereign, self-empowered, and accomplished beings. No one can walk this path or do the work for you. Self-empowerment comes through due diligence and it's a consistently careful process in the sense of being mindful in all that you do, think, or say.
“No man was ever wise by chance”
― Seneca
Discipline
- It takes practice and training to accomplish and master great things. Alchemy is a great thing. The greatest, even. If you truly want something, you need to have the Discipline to hold true to the path and to align yourself with what your reality is showing you - no matter how uncomfortable or hard. All beings are seeded with these virtues. Only through applied discipline can we cultivate and tend to those seeds. See a process through, have patience with it and yourself, let everything be as it is, and encourage yourself to apply these practices with diligence - if done with discipline, you will succeed.
“Seek freedom and become captive of your desires. Seek discipline and find your liberty.”
―Frank Herbert
Discernment
- Discernment may be seen as a form of virtuous judgment that aligns decision making to truth. It is a tool that must always be kept ready when choosing any form of action, thought, or speech. It will be experienced that the question of what we most prefer will forever be asked of us by our perceived reality. A choice must be decided upon for life to unfold, it just might not always be clear what choice is best or most desired. When we meet life with integrity, reality will reveal options. Right and wrong are beliefs and therefore not true. So, to discern correctly is simply a matter of recognizing where the truth or relativity is in any situation.
- It should be standard to always allow what is to be. That being stated, options - the crossroads for decision making - will always arrive, thus requiring discernment. Do your best, regard the virtues, and measure your options upon them. Always let the request given from your reality, which asks you to pick a preference, exist as it is. Don't try to change its presence to not be there and avoid making a decision. That would be outside of integrity. Respond and decide because you are being asked to. You can always ask for insight or perspective from others that might be more knowledgeable or experienced. Eventually, though, you will need to harbor your own catalog of insights and experiences that will give you greater discernment and allow you to be sovereign in your journey and an example and resource to others.
- Apply discernment to your own behavior as well. Before commenting or posting, ask yourself if your input is useful, applicable, interesting, or beneficial to the whole. If you're ever uncertain of anything you might do or say - before doing or saying it - consult these virtues and do your best to discern if the action or comment is appropriate.
“One of the first things we learn from our teachers is discernment: the ability to tell truth from fiction, to know when we have lost our center and how to find it again. Discernment is also one of the last things we learn when we feel our paths diverge and we must separate from our mentors in order to stay true to ourselves.”
― Anne Hill
Fortitude
- This journey is not an easy one, nor is it a short one. The alchemical path - a path of Truth - is an infinite path and never-ending story. There will be times when your entire world seems to be falling apart. GO FURTHER and GO THROUGH. Know you are supported. This is why we are here together. Keep in mind that the aim is not to indefinitely lean on the other, but to stand together. Have the fortitude and courage to let go of who you think you are and change and adapt in the presence of Truth. Self-reflect and push forward through whatever your path is delivering. Stressors build strength when we allow them to exercise our beliefs. Stay flexible and you will stay strong. Remind yourself that you already possess all of the tools necessary for your own success. Lack is an illusion. To stand alone, sustained in your own being, is the full embodiment and expression of a Master Alchemist.
“Non est ad astra mollis e terris via" - "There is no easy way from the earth to the stars”
― Seneca
Moderation
Simply put, don’t be an ASKHOLE. We are all here to grow and learn together. Don’t crowd the group with your personality or opinion. We expect everyone to be clear and concise in their questions or responses. Bring only the most essential and critical information or insight that you possibly can. Apply moderation to your questions and comments, and we will increase the efficiency and speed of our learning, communication, and co-creation. If you apply discernment first, you can help yourself figure out what it is you are truly trying to ask or say and how you are trying to say it. Then, once discerned, express yourself. Moderate yourself and do not post mindlessly or in a pointless manner. When moderation is implemented we expedite everyone’s learning and growth. We also keep the floor clean and easier to navigate together. This means that if answering a post, one clear and concise response is all that's needed and is what's best suited to our success. Refrain from ‘stream of consciousness’ posting. Practice patience, pause and think before speaking. Humbly self-reflect and look for holes: uncertainties, assumptions, or generalizations in your expression. Call upon our other virtues before expressing yourself so that you can be sure to do a good job in moderating yourself and holding to our standards. In this way, you will be guaranteed success, mutual respect, and enjoy ‘likeability.’
“The ideas are louder when there are fewer of them.”
― David C. Day
Encouragement
- Be optimistic with yourself and other members. When sharing or giving feedback and perspective, make sure it's always positive and constructive. There is ZERO tolerance for negativity, “poor me,” victim-like mentalities, aggressive corrective responses, or pushy opinions. We are all here to grow and learn more about alchemy in a safe space. We will all witness personal and collective growth, evolution, and accomplishment when we encourage each other to our best. Sometimes growth can be painful and look a little ugly, but if we give our encouragement to one another, we bring fuel for the fire of Soul to burn brighter. Encouragement to try on new perspectives, considerations, or to continue forward is what can clear out old garbage, belief, limitation, and assist us all in holding a beacon of Truth for all to see.
“Never discourage anyone who continually makes progress, no matter how slow.”
― Plato
Gratitude
- Be grateful that this is even possible and made available. Be grateful for any guidance and insight given. Your response to everyone’s feedback and answers should directly say or at least hold the essence of "Thank You." Even if something ‘rubs you the wrong way,’ you should be thankful for its presence and the illumination it brings to where your belief systems are. This also means being grateful for the time and resources required to make this platform a reality. It is a gift, not a “given” for all of us to be here - always keep that in mind.
“If the only prayer you said was thank you, that would be enough.”
-― Meister Eckhart
