The Secret Fire of Alchemy

A spiritual journey of alchemical initiation in both Eastern and Western traditions

• 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 eventually meets the highest living Kriya yogi and last living disciple of Sri Yukteswar, Swami Paramahansa Hariharananda Giri, who initiates him into Kriya Yoga. Continuing his pursuit of the Eastern alchemical tradition, he travels to the Himalayas in Nepal to study with Shamarpa Rinpoche at Nagi Gompa Monastery, where he is initiated into the Karma Kagyu School of Tibetan Buddhism. He journeys on to Taipei, where he studies Taoist alchemy and Tai Chi, followed by travels in Indonesia, then rejoins Swami Hariharanada in Europe to continue his studies with him as well as 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.

About the Author

Kevin B. Turner is Director for Asia at the Foundation for Shamanic Studies. He is initiated in the Kriya Yoga of Swami Sri Yukteswar and the Kagyu School of Tibetan Buddhism, among others. He has lived in Asia for more than thirty years.