About Us
Bioalchemy is a neologism that derives from the fusion of the word bio or “life” and alkemie (French), alkimia (medieval latin), al-kimiya (Arabic) and khemia (Greek), referring to the ancient art and science of transmutation. Bioalchemy speaks to the transformation required to adopt a way of life in profound harmony with the cycles of Nature, out of which arises a constant refinement of both Earth and humans.
In its constant search for human health and environmental viability, Bioalkimia has been emerging since the end of 2005. The project initially focused on holistic education through talks and conferences, aligning with the emergence of a new scientific, philosophical, and spiritual paradigm.
In the following years, the project acquired further cohesion by focusing on pedagogical strategies toward an integral sustainability, compost production, and producing socio-cultural events such as Earth Day celebrations in México.
In 2008, there was a considerable deepening of our work, leading us to refine the integration of ecological regeneration technologies with the deep impulses of the human spirit. At the same time, various systemic, ancestral, and transpersonal currents–already present before the formal beginnings of Bioalkimia mentioned above– moved to the foreground in explicit ways to inform the course and direction of the project.
A new cycle of about 5 years was born, in which our offerings acquired a strong and healthy root in the (eco)psychological and spiritual dimensions of Earth Reconnection. Between 2013 and 2019, Bioalchemy reached a fresh maturation stage through mutually beneficial alliances and its own experience. This organic unfoldment and clearer vision gave way to the establishment of the Institute.
Bioalchemy and Nature
The Bioalchemy Institute was born out of a earnest interest for consciousness development in tandem with the historical and cultural need of living in harmony with nature. It is important to mention that, in our work, “nature” and “Earth” not only refer to the “more-than-human world” that surrounds and nourishes us, but in their ultimate sense, we conceive these notions as invitations to recover our sacred wholeness in harmony and service to the world. This integrative, encompasing approach implies:
1) The awareness that humans are also nature and a consequent movement towards healing our relationship with nature “outside” and “inside.”
2) The understanding that nature is an excellent teacher of transformation, so it follows that we ought to become its apprentices.
In this way, nature and Earth serve as chief metaphors for the call to self-realization that beats deep in the human heart. From this realization emerges our commitment to healing the relationship between humans and the rest of nature through a transformative education for body, mind and spirit.
Ouroboros
The ouroboros or “serpent that devours its tail”, present in our logo, is an ancient alchemical symbol found around the world; from China to Egypt, India, Greece, and the Americas. This mythical representation usually constellates a circle, evoking infinity, cycles, renewal and the secret connection between the beginning and the end, inside and outside. One of the most compelling meanings of the ouroboros is directly related to the death-rebirth cycle that serves as the core of the transformative process. As the snake bites its tail, the old gives way to the new.
Alchemists of all times remind us that the ultimate goal of transformation is within reach, here and now. Such a goal, the “Great Work,” involves the interdependent refinement of self and nature. In particular, the ouroboros reminds us to make friends with the debris of experience.