The Seven Summits
For many of us, seeing the words “The Seven Summits” brings images to mind, of snow enshrouded mountain peaks, which are formidable in their size, harsh natural environment, and physical and emotional difficulty. What also might come to mind, are the sheer determination, discipline and dedication, that is required to reach the summits of these peaks, let alone all seven.
Typically the goal of standing at the summit of any 8000 metre peak, is reserved for the few, the chosen, and those with the tenacity to push themselves beyond, what most of us are willing to endure, or inflict upon ourselves, and others.
Our Seven Summits program however, is NOT, an external journey, but the Internal Journey, of climbing the Inner Summits of who we are, and who we want to be in this life.
Talking to those who have climbed Big mountains, some, not all, will come back to the metaphor, of, it is what one goes through internally, that determines the success of your external quest, and the profound affect that these journeys have, on who ultimately one is.
With this in mind, we have designed, based on more than twenty-five years of experience, what we believe to be the quintessential Seven Summits, the summits of our inner world, the world of imagination, creativity and wonder, to be the best that we can be, by knowing who we truly are.
So dare to explore, dare to be challenged, dare to be afraid, dare to smile, cry and laugh on the most incredible journey of your entire life, the journey of self-discovery.
The Building Blocks of the Seven Summits program
Our Journey
“A person seeking inner development must first of all make the attempt to give up certain formerly held inclinations. Then, new inclinations must be acquired by constantly holding the thought of such inclinations, virtues or characteristics in one's mind. They must be so incorporated into one's being that a person becomes enabled to alter his soul by his own will power. This must be tried as objectively as a chemical might be tested in an experiment. A person who has never endeavored to change his soul, who has never made the initial decision to develop the qualities of endurance, steadfastness and calm logical thinking, or a person who has such decisions but has given up because he did not succeed in a week, a month, a year or a decade, will never conclude anything inwardly about these truths”... Rudolf Steiner, "On the Inner Life"
W.I.L.D. - "Wilderness Inspired Leadership and Discovery"
To begin this journey we need to experience and develop the tools necessary for a voyage of this nature. The primary tool we need is leadership, and fundamentally, leadership of ourselves.
This philosophy has evolved from awareness that to be truly effective as human beings, we need to explore the wilderness within ourselves, to develop an appreciation and understanding of who we are.
With this internal exploration of our own personal wilderness within, we slowly come to the realization that we are unique human beings, with our own unique journey to live on this planet.
With this discovery emerges an evolution and appreciation that to fulfill our own unique destinies in this world we need to lead ourselves, so that we can live lives of our own creation.
With this recognition develops awareness for leadership by example, and not merely "being someone", but "doing something" with our lives, for family community, the earth and our selves.
With this understanding of the necessity for self-leadership we realize that to lead ourselves we need to be sustainable in our thoughts, intentions and actions. This is Alchemic Leadership.
Alchemic leadership draws upon the seasons and the cycles of the earth. It does not create waste, but renews us from within. It means being conscious of our impact on others, our community, the planet, and ourselves. It means that we make conscious decisions, based on a renewable future of energy for self, through responsible action.
Leadership is about creating results, in you and others – with integrity, compassion, and self-understanding.
“ We do not receive wisdom, we must discover it for ourselves, after a journey through the wilderness which no one else can make for us, which no one can spare us, for our wisdom is the point of view from which we come at last to regard the world” ... Marcel Proust
Rationale for Using an Augmented Taoist Model
Taoism is one of the “100 Schools of Thought” of philosophy that emerged during the Warring States period in ancient Chinese history (600-300 BC). Taoist ethics are rooted in an understanding of the Way, or Tao. The Tao is the nameless, shapeless force or Nonbeing that brings all things into existence, or Being, and then nurtures them. Once the Tao takes form, it manifests itself through natural principles, one of which is the notion of complementary opposites, the yin and the yang. There is no mountain without the valley, no light without darkness, no prosperity without calamity, no life without death. The universe operates as it should when these forces are in equilibrium.
A second principle is circular movement or reversion, which means that plants, animals, rocks, and other forms of matter ultimately return to their natural state.
The principles of the Tao apply equally to all individuals, regardless of their place in society. Ethical leaders and followers develop te, or character, by acting in harmony with the Tao, not by following. When left alone, followers obey natural laws, and society as a whole benefits.
Ethical decision making in Taoism is based on conformity to principles manifested in the natural or phenomenological world rather than on the consequences of choices or on cultural standards or values. To follow the Tao is to recognize that the universe is fluid. The seasons change, plants and animals follow the cycle of reversion, and so on. The constancy of change means that what is right in one context may be wrong in another. Even judging the consequences of ethical choices is difficult because the people involved do not know how events will unfold.
We integrate a model based on a Taoist Viewpoint
The word Tao has no exact English translation, but it relates most closely to the Western idea of wholeness, to the unknowable unity of the divine. Used by Taoist philosophers, Tao became the way, the path or cosmic law that directs the unfolding of every aspect of the universe. Thus Tao is the wisdom of the divine made manifest in nature and individual life.
The Chinese word Tao has an etymological relationship to the Sanskrit root sound “da,” which means to divide something whole into parts.
Tao is not an answer to the question “What should I do?” but a response to the question “How do I do it?” This knowing how—how to heal, how to grow, how to live, how to rediscover our selves and our origins—is an ongoing process, a way to take control of our lives and our relationships. Tao makes a space in the known where the unknown can happen, which in Japanese culture is referred to as shunyata—the place in between. Poised right here, right now, at the place where I stand, Tao is the ongoing, ever-imminent, limitless opportunity of possibility of the moment.
Taoist philosophy is grounded in the concept of wu, the unknowable emptiness at the centre of being. The Taoist alchemists had no conception of self as an enduring, unchanging entity at the centre of a human being. For them, the individual self—if it existed at all—was not limited and defined by the boundary of the skin, but rather existed in a continuum with the cosmos. Like other cosmological phenomena, they saw the self as the meeting point of external and internal conditions, a fleeting event, and a moment in time. They barely recognized the boundary between me and the world around me.
From a Taoist perspective, every individual is the cosmos in miniature. In ancient times every individual Chinese person saw him- or herself as a miniature reflection of the cosmos. The organizing principle of this cosmos, Tao, was reflected in the movements and rhythms of the natural world and the unfolding destiny of each individual human life. Despite the seemingly random effects of chance and fate, life had an integrity and harmony that sprang directly from Tao. A human being’s essential task was to know his or her essential place in the cosmos and to cultivate a life that was an expression of the effortless elegance and essential wisdom of the natural world:
One of the finer points of Taoist practice is determining the source or quality of each action to gauge whether it is the movement of the primordial mind of Tao (sometimes called “real knowledge”), or whether it is mixed with projections from the conditioned human mentality (often referred to as “conscious knowledge”).
Wu Wei
A key principle in realizing our oneness with the Tao is that of wu-wei, or "non-doing." Wu-wei refers to behavior that arises from a sense of oneself as connected to others and to one's environment. It is not motivated by a sense of separateness. It is action that is spontaneous and effortless. At the same time it is not to be considered inertia, laziness, or mere passivity. Rather, it is the experience of going with the grain or swimming with the current. Our contemporary expression, "going with the flow," is a direct expression of this fundamental Taoist principle, which in its most basic form refers to behavior occurring in response to the flow of the Tao.
The principle of wu-wei contains certain implications. Foremost among these is the need to consciously experience ourselves as part of the unity of life that is the Tao. Lao Tzu writes that we must be quiet and watchful, learning to listen to both our own inner voices and to the voices of our environment in a non-interfering, receptive manner. In this way we also learn to rely on more than just our intellect and logical mind to gather and assess information. We develop and trust our intuition as our direct connection to the Tao. We heed the intelligence of our whole body, not only our brain. And we learn through our own experience. All of this allows us to respond readily to the needs of the environment, which of course includes ourselves. And just as the Tao functions in a manner to promote harmony and balance, our own actions, performed in the spirit of wu-wei, produce the same result.
Wu-wei also implies action that is spontaneous, natural, and effortless. As with the Tao, this behavior simply flows through us because it is the right action, appropriate to its time and place, and serving the purpose of greater harmony and balance. Chuang Tzu refers to this type of being in the world as flowing, or more poetically (and provocatively), as "purposeless wandering!" How opposite this concept is to some of our most cherished cultural values. To have no purpose is unthinkable and even frightening, certainly anti-social and perhaps pathological in the context of modern day living. And yet it would be difficult to maintain that our current values have promoted harmony and balance, either environmentally or on an individual level.
To allow oneself to "wander without purpose" can be frightening because it challenges some of our most basic assumptions about life, about who we are as humans, and about our role in the world. From a Taoist point of view it is our cherished beliefs - that we exist as separate beings, that we can exercise willful control over all situations, and that our role is to conquer our environment - that lead to a state of disharmony and imbalance. Yet, "the Tao nourishes everything," Lao Tzu writes. If we can learn to follow the Tao, practicing non-action," then nothing remains undone. This means trusting our own bodies, our thoughts and emotions, and also believing that the environment will provide support and guidance.
What is alchemy?
The outer body of alchemy is chemistry; it is in fact the ancestor of modern chemistry. But in addition to being a science, this ancient art is also a philosophy. Alchemy is a science that is based upon multiplication and the natural phenomena of growth—it is the process of increasing and improving that which already exists.
Practitioners of the art considered nature to be the greatest alchemist of all, causing the latent seeds of life to multiply and grow through the act of transmutation.
The principal interest of many alchemical philosophers was spiritual. These alchemists did not look merely for the substance of gold; they sought to give the quality of gold to their own being-to transmute the base metals (gross and impure parts of their own nature) to spiritual gold (wisdom). To them gold, the metal that never tarnishes and cannot be corrupted by fire or water was a symbol of illumination and salvation. . . .
Alchemy is the art and science of transformation. . . . The primary goal of alchemy is to bring all things, including humanity, to its pre-ordained state of perfection. . . . The objective of alchemy is the uncovering of the inner wisdom, and the removal of the veils and obstacles between the mind and its intrinsically pure divine source ... Cicero & Cicero, 2008, 2‑4
What is Taoist spiritual alchemy?
Alchemy is an ancient spiritual discipline and natural philosophy that was practiced, in various forms, the world over for many centuries. Alchemy’s main concern is the process of transformation and the attainment of immortality, or, looked at another way, the overcoming of entropy and death and the upgrading of material and psychic substances to form systems of ever-increasing complexity and value. The alchemic mystery is the healing transformation of everyday life experience—the lead weight of suffering, loss, and humiliation into the golden light of wisdom, compassion, and insight.
Taoist alchemy is based on pre scientific forms of logic, which are nonlinear and integrating, rather than on Western logic, which is linear and analytic. It focuses on relationships and links among objects, events, and experiences; it does not dwell obsessively upon their distinctions. Its inductive conclusions emerge from the coincidence of connections and impressions, not from linear deduction. This Chinese system tends to look at the totality of a situation. Its fundamental belief is that no single part can be understood except in its relationship to the whole complex pattern or process. In ancient Chinese thought, the overall pattern rather than the linear relationship of cause and effect is the significant factor in understanding.
What Is the Alchemic Journey-Quest?
The alchemic journey actively encourages participants to interact and participate with the areas in which they are traveling. Their participation is based upon respect, compassion, and humility in the presence of natural environments and is founded on regard for the others who are participating in the experiences and for the local people whose lands we touch. Alchemic travel is based upon the precept of alchemic leadership—that to be fully human, we must balance who we are internally with what we are externally. This balance or wholeness is continually changing, growing, and evolving and therefore requires a creativity and vitality from the leader, which allows the tasks to be a source of physical renewal and spiritual reward.
The alchemic journey gives more than it takes because it realizes that by being in a place physically, we are already taking from it because of our presence. This simple understanding is at the core of alchemic travel, and this wisdom says that observation and perspective often bring the greatest insights when we are exploring. To grow at all, we need to be continually giving back to our internal and external environments: “Only after the last tree has been cut down, only after the last river has been poisoned, only after the last fish has been caught, only then will you will find out that money cannot be eaten” (http://www.aaanativearts.com/article196.html)
Who Is the Alchemic Traveler?
An alchemic traveler is a seeker, a person who realizes that to live a fully conscious life, we must understand who we are within the context of the environments through which we are traveling and the life that we are each living.
An alchemic traveler is an explorer and an adventurer of both the inner and outer worlds that encompass our total being, who realizes that our planet gives to us daily (without expectation) life, breath, water, and sustenance. This suggests that we should at least offer respect in return.
An alchemic traveler recycles, reduces waste, composts, and realizes the true cost of a consumer lifestyle and its veritable impact on the world physically, intellectually, emotionally, and spiritually.
An alchemic traveler practices positive-impact techniques in which he or she gives more than takes by sharing without expectation, learning, experiencing, and being responsible to others, the planet, and us.
Balancing mind and heart so that consciousness grows to the point of understanding that life is to be given to each of us, in all forms, creeds, religions, and philosophies, on a continual and renewable basis, is instinctive for the alchemic traveler.
An alchemic traveler brings to fruition the statement to go boldly where no one has gone before—to travel to the place where he or she began and see it with new eyes, and to explore the last frontier, the wilderness within.
Stages of Spiritual Alchemy
First Stage – Calcination / Wonder
CALCINATION is the first of seven major operations in the alchemy of transformation.
Psychologically, this is the destruction of ego and our attachments to material possessions. Calcination is usually a natural humbling process as we are gradually assaulted and overcome by the trials and tribulations of life, though it can be a deliberate surrender of our inherent hubris gained through a variety of spiritual disciplines that ignite the fire of introspection and self-evaluation.
Second Stage – Dissolution / Heart
DISSOLUTION is the second major operation in the alchemy of transformation.
Psychologically, this represents a further breaking down of the artificial structures of the psyche by total immersion in the unconscious, non-rational, feminine or rejected part of our minds. It is, for the most part, an unconscious process in which our conscious minds let go of control to allow the surfacing of buried material. It is opening the floodgates and generating new energy from the waters held back.
Third Stage – Separation / Intention
SEPARATION is the third of the operations of transformation in alchemy.
Psychologically, this process is the rediscovery of our essence and the reclaiming of dream and visionary “gold” previously rejected by the masculine, rational part of our minds. It is, for the most part, a conscious process in which we review formerly hidden material and decide what to discard and what to reintegrate into our refined personality. Much of this shadowy material is a thing we are ashamed of or were taught to hide away by our parents, churches, and schooling. Separation is letting go of the self-inflicted restraints to our true nature, so we can shine through.
Fourth Stage – Conjunction / Stillness
CONJUNCTION is the fourth of the seven operations of alchemy.
Psychologically, it is empowerment of our true selves, the union of both the masculine and feminine sides of our personalities into a new belief system or an intuitive state of consciousness. The alchemists referred to it as the Lesser Stone, and after it is achieved, the adept is able to clearly discern what needs to be done to achieve lasting enlightenment, which is union with the Overself. Often, synchronicities begin to occur that confirm the alchemist is on the right track.
Fifth Stage – Fermentation / Perspective
FERMENTATION is the fifth operation in the alchemy of transformation.
Fermentation is a two-stepped process that begins with the Putrefaction of the hermaphroditic “child” from the Conjunction resulting in its death and resurrection to a new level of being. The Fermentation phase then begins with the introduction of new life into the product of Conjunction to strengthen it and insure its survival.
Psychologically, the Fermentation process starts with the inspiration of spiritual power from Above that reanimates, energizes, and enlightens the alchemist. Out of the blackness of his Putrefaction comes the yellow Ferment, which appears like a golden wax flowing out of the foul matter of the Soul. Its arrival is announced by a brilliant display of colors and meaningful visions called the “Peacock’s Tail.” Fermentation can be achieved through various activities that include intense prayer, desire for mystical union, breakdown of the personality, transpersonal therapy, psychedelic drugs, and deep meditation. Fermentation is living inspiration from something totally beyond us.
Sixth Stage – Distillation / Energy
DISTILLATION is the sixth major operation in the alchemy of transformation.
Psychologically, Distillation is the agitation and sublimation of psychic forces necessary to ensure that no impurities from the inflated ego or deeply submerged id are incorporated into the next and final stage. Personal Distillation consists of a variety of introspective techniques that raise the content of the psyche to the highest level possible, free from sentimentality and emotions, cut off even from one’s personal identity. Distillation is the purification of the unborn Self , all that we truly are, and can be.
Seventh Stage – Coagulation / Relationship
COAGULATION is the seventh and final operation of alchemy.
Psychologically, Coagulation is first sensed as a new confidence that is beyond all things, though many experience it as a Second Body of golden coalesced light, a permanent vehicle of consciousness that embodies the highest aspirations and evolution of mind. Coagulation incarnates and releases the Ultima Materia of the soul, the Astral Body, which the alchemists also referred to it as the Greater or Philosopher’s Stone. Using this magical Stone, the alchemists believed they could exist on all levels of reality.
The Whisper Model of Development
Wonder is the first stage.
First you have to ask the question, you need to be conscious, awake to life, and who you are. You need to have an interest, and a motivation to explore to a greater depth, who and what you are.
Heart is the second stage.
Life is passion, and it is love. Love begins with loving Self, and a sense of connection to everything else around you. It is an understanding that everything is equal in importance and purpose on this planet. Life is living with an open heart, which means living life with truth, honesty and courage, on a daily basis.
Intention is the third stage.
What do you intend to do with your life, where are you now, and where do you want to be, are you already there. The laws of attraction support this. Once you know what you want, the Universe conspires to facilitate you along your path, and there is no such thing as coincidence, only opportunity.
Stillness is the fourth stage.
Taking the time to be still, to solidify in your body, mind and spirit your manifestation, and your destiny. A time for your body to be still, but a time for your spirit to soar , to travel, to explore the subconscious, the shadow worlds, and than, move into the light.
Perspective is the fifth stage.
We must realize that we see the world based on our experiences, our particular viewpoints, in relation to where we have been in our lives. We need to move beyond this and begin to see the world from a place of interconnectedness, of holistic awareness, that we are all a part of something that is much larger and powerful than, us.
Energy is the sixth stage.
Life is energy. It is a flooding and ebbing of energy given to us, and taken from us. It is seasonal, and it is also rhythmical in its patterns. It is creating an awareness of where we are in relation to our inner tides of being. The gravitational pull of the moon on our inner body chemistry, and how, what we do in our lives, affects how much energy we have to give, to ourselves, and others. It is creating an awareness of our energy peaks and ebbs, what charges us, and what takes energy from us, and who. Are we givers of energy, or takers, and why.
Relationship is the seventh stage.
Life in its simplest form is relationship. It is our relationship to ourselves, to others, our families, friends, community, the planet, and all of its sentient and non sentient beings. Where do we find our relationships, what do they mean to us, and what is our role in our own unique life journey. What are our gifts?
Photo: Bruce Wilson
Program Details
Cost: $4300*
*There can also be an Expedition Component added to this program if desired. Price will change to reflect this. Please call for details.
Dates: Schedule will be tailored to your specific needs.
Duration: over a 3 month period
Location: The course is composed of indoor and outdoor sessions, ranging in length for one day to seven, in a variety of locations. There is also an online component.