In this episode, we explore the role of desire and wanting in the Alchemy journey. While some spiritual traditions teach desirelessness, Alchemy actually begins with igniting your passion and understanding what you truly want from life. This episode clarifies why wanting isn't something to transcend—it's the fuel that powers transformation. We discuss the Nine Stages of Alchemy, the concept of "un-peopling" for clarity, and why the Alchemists in the caves knew that the real work starts with ordinary human nature, not transcendent experiences.
Key Themes:
- Desire as fuel, not the enemy
- Why Alchemy doesn't ask you to kill your passion
- Beyond the "spiritual bypass"
- The Alchemist caves and retreating from distractions
- Beginner's mind
- The Nine Stages of Alchemy as a roadmap
- Stage one: Is your life flowing or is it hard?
- Stage two: What are you guarding against?
- Stage three: What did you inherit?
- Why the fast track doesn't work (and why that's good news)
- The role of Wood energy in forward momentum
- What "un-peopling" means and why Alchemists needed it
Free Meditation — Start Here
What Do I Really Want? (20-minute guided meditation)
- Access: AlchemyLearningCenter.com/want
- How to use: Do this meditation 2-3 times if nothing comes up the first time. There's no pass or fail. You're just slowing down and opening to what your heart truly wants.
Homework for Listeners
#1: Notice How You Reach
- Catch yourself trying to skip ahead
- Are you looking for shortcuts or the fast track?
- Are you trying to bypass steps?
- No judgment—just observe
#2: Name Something You're Still Guarding Against
- Reflect on what you're protecting against
- You might think you already dealt with it (through therapy, meditation, etc.), but notice if you're still triggered
- Don't try to fix it; just admit it's there
- This observation is often the most important part of the work
#3: Free Meditation
- What Do I Really Want? (20 minutes, guided)
- Give yourself permission to want whatever you actually want
- If nothing comes up the first time, do it again
- There's no pass or fail—you're just slowing down
- Access: AlchemyLearningCenter.com/want
Resources & Links Learning Programs & Courses
From Seeker to Alchemist (Self-Paced Online Program)
Alchemy Life Strategy Sessions
- 1-on-1 sessions with Jaye
- Focus: Applying the Nine Stages to your life, building momentum, and discovering ease
- Learn more: AlchemyLearningCenter.com
Alchemy Learning Center
Books
Cultivating the Thirteen Ghost Points (by Leta Herman & Jaye McElroy)
- Available: Soft cover edition (newly released for wider accessibility)
- Where to buy: Amazon and other major retailers
- Special campaign: Leave a review and receive Inspired Action Alchemy or Alchemy Learning Center swag (T-shirts, hats, mugs, including the limited edition "Gui Are People Too" tee)
- How to participate: Send review screenshot to leta@inspiredactionpodcast.com or jaye@inspiredactionpodcast.com
Connecting Your Circle (by Leta Herman & Jaye McElroy) — FREE
Other books by Jaye McElroy & Leta Herman:
- Through the Mystery Gate
- The Energy of Love
- The Big Little Gua Sha Book
Previous Episodes Referenced
Episode 147: Plant Spirit Alchemy with Brittany Chowning
- Topics: Connecting with plant spirits, natural world wisdom, multidimensional travel, shamanic journeys
- Workshop: 3-hour live workshop on using artemisia (mugwort) and plant spirits to enhance alchemical journeys
- Pre-Order in the Alchemy Learning Center
Episodes 140 & 141: Alchemy Stone Medicine with Mikhael Oskarrson
- Topics: Connecting with stone spirits, Alchemy Stone Medicine, natural world wisdom, multidimensional travel
- FREE Alchemy Stone Medicine Workshop: AlchemyLearningCenter.com
Upcoming Episodes
Episode 149: Rebellious Qi — What Happens When You Declare What You Want
- Teaser: The moment you identify what you really want, your mind builds a case against it (I can't do it, I don't have enough money/time, etc.). This is called "rebellious qi" in Chinese medicine—and it's not a metaphor, it's a real physical phenomenon you can work with.
Episode 150: The Wu Wei State
- Teaser: A major milestone episode diving deep into Wu Wei (inspired action) and pure presence—the state Jaye and Leta work toward in their Alchemy practice.
Quotes & Memorable Moments
"The passion or the wanting isn't the challenge here. The passion is the fuel. It's what we do with it that gets interesting."
"There is only now. That's all we have—every day of our lives, all we have is now."
"Nobody ever built anything because they were content."
"The ordinary human work in the beginning levels of Alchemy brings the most transformation, and quite quickly in the big scheme of things."
"When you spend a lot of time with your monsters, you begin to see right through them—they're not that scary, big monster you thought they were."
"Some things don't move when you just sit with them. They move by being met."
"No hurry, no right, no wrong, no good, no bad, no fast or slow. It's what you bring to it."
Ways to Support the Podcast
Leave a Review
- Helps the podcast reach more people through algorithms
- Leave a star rating or written review on your podcast platform (Apple Podcasts, Spotify, etc.)
Review the Book & Win Swag
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- Click the Subscribe button on your podcast platform
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The Five Elements Quick Reference
- Wood: Growth, forward movement, vision, planning, anger (blocked), decisiveness
- Fire: Joy, passion, connection, anxiety/inflammation (blocked), intimacy
- Earth: Grounding, nourishment, thought, worry (blocked), stability
- Metal: Structure, order, respect, judgmentalne (blocked), letting go
- Water: Flow, frozen (blocked), wisdom, rest, deep listening
Read more in Connecting Your Circle or explore courses on the Five Elements at the Alchemy Learning Center.
Guest & Host Information
Hosts:
- Jaye McElroy — Co-creator, Inspired Action Alchemy podcast; author, Cultivating the Thirteen Ghost Points, Through the Mystery Gate, Connecting Your Circle, The Energy of Love, and the Big Little Gua Sha Book; Alchemy teacher and Alchemy Life Strategist
- Leta Herman — Co-creator, Inspired Action Alchemy podcast; author, Cultivating the Thirteen Ghost Points, Through the Mystery Gate, Connecting Your Circle, The Energy of Love, and the Big Little Gua Sha Book; Alchemy teacher, Five-Elements specialist, and Alchemy/Chinese Medicine practitioner
Podcast Details
- Podcast Name: Inspired Action Alchemy
- Hosts: Jaye McElroy & Leta Herman
- Frequency: Weekly (ish)
- Duration: 25-45 minutes per episode
- Format: Conversations, teachings, interviews, and guided meditations
- Distribution: Libsyn, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and all major podcast platforms
- Website: InspiredActionPodcast.com or AlchemyLearningCenter.com
- Contact:
Next Steps
- Take the meditation: AlchemyLearningCenter.com/want
- Do the homework: Notice how you reach, name what you're guarding
- Leave a review to help others find the podcast
- Tune in next week (Episode 149) for Rebellious Qi
- Explore the Learning Center: AlchemyLearningCenter.com
