Return to Quintessence through Presence

« Don’t you know that you yourselves are God’s temple and that God’s Spirit dwells in your midst? »

1 Corinthiens 3:16

What is our true nature ?,  what is Presence ? Is it simply a concept like mindfulness, or is it something deeper, more powerful? How can we connect to the idea of Quintessence—a state of complete purity, free from all concepts?

The Practice of Presence

The practice of Presence is the only genuine path to true enlightenment. A foundational exercise to begin with involves sitting in a chair without leaning your back against the support, as this hinders the free flow of energy. Sit upright as depicted in ancient Egyptian statues, with your hands resting on your thighs, palms down, and your feet flat on the ground at a 90-degree angle.

This posture, maintaining an unsupported back, is also used in Qigong, albeit in a more intense and challenging manner. It is known as a posture of Power, as it reinforces your sense of presence. Over time, this method can aid practitioners in their awareness. For instance, if you notice yourself leaning backward, it may indicate you are beginning to fall asleep. Conversely, leaning forward suggests entering a trance state, which can be beneficial for engaging in certain advanced practices.

Your chin should be slightly tucked down, and if your eyes are open, they should gaze straight ahead at the horizon. Ensure your back remains vertical, aligning yourself naturally with the connection between Earth and sky. However, avoid forcing your posture; the back should never feel strained. Instead, let it maintain a relaxed yet upright alignment, facilitating a harmonious flow of energy.

Presence in Alchemy

In school no one teaches the art of developing the whole human being. The understanding that humanity stands at the center of the universe—rediscovered through quantum mechanics—was already a cornerstone of Renaissance philosophy. Even before this, it was recognized by the greatest minds of the ancient Greco-Roman world and the ancient Egyptians, though it was later neglected and forgotten.

The innate drive to ascend to higher energetic levels exists within every person. For this growth to be truly transformative, however, it must occur in a state of genuine Presence through a process of Reintegration. This journey leads to a new state of being: what was once an abstract concept evolves into the tangible presence of a force, ultimately bringing about a sense of liberation upon which a new life can be built.

Tradition holds that the first milestone of this transformation is achieving the "First Degree Medicine"—a natural healing ability. This is often accompanied by an increase in meaningful coincidences and synchronicities in life.

The elevation and reintegration of the homo totus—the complete or total human—can extend even further, reaching sublime heights where one becomes profoundly aware of the objective (and quantum) reality of the world. At these higher stages, genius and creativity emerge as natural expressions of this elevated state.

The effects of achieving such Presence and "energetic superabundance" are also evident in interactions with others, where a deep and transformative impact is often felt.

The fundamental key to the power of energy healing and the evolution of humanity lies in reintegration. But why reintegration? The answer emerges when we ask: How fragmented are we in reality? How often do we fail to achieve what we truly intend? How present are we to ourselves throughout the day? How frequently do intrusive thoughts and unwanted ideas disrupt our minds? How often are we not authentically ourselves?

Human freedom—what we call free will—does exist, but it is profoundly limited. Until one becomes conscious, they remain largely irresponsible and reactive. The foundation of true freedom, the ability to "shape one’s destiny," is rooted in self-awareness—a deep and continuous awareness of one’s being.

Ouspensky observed: "Such a state of consciousness is a natural right of man, and its absence stems only from the abnormal conditions under which he lives. Without exaggeration, one could say that in today’s age, such a state only arises fleetingly and cannot be sustained without deliberate training. For most people, the primary obstacle to self-awareness is their false belief that they already possess it."

The first essential step toward reintegration is learning to eliminate unnecessary thoughts. By clearing the clutter of our minds, we allow what remains—our true selves, our pure consciousness—to come to the forefront. This marks the beginning of self-awareness and the reintegration of our being. 

Choosing this path of reintegration leads to greater self-control and an increased ability to navigate life’s challenges with intention and purpose. It is a journey that begins with an inner decision—a desire sparked from deep within to reclaim one’s full potential. Ultimately, becoming more authentically ourselves is, in itself, a choice. The essential task for everyone is to cultivate a state in which we can consciously choose, decide, and act in alignment with our true goals.

In authentic energy work, we must always begin with the body, the foundation of all true transformation. Alchemists used Saturnian symbolism to emphasize this starting point. Another vital alchemical symbol is Salt, represented as a circle with a horizontal line inside. This line symbolizes the linear time in which the body is bound. Salt, in this context, signifies the body itself—an often misunderstood truth, as many think it refers to literal salt.

In Hermeticism, the cube, with its four directions representing the elements, mirrors this concept. The Philosopher's Stone—a symbol of the ultimate alchemical transformation—is depicted as a circle containing a triangle, a cube within the triangle, and another circle within the cube. This structure embodies the principle of "as above, so below", showing how the macrocosm mirrors the microcosm. It also illustrates how the center is the axis of all transformation. Within each of us resides the spark of God, the essence of creation.

The quintessence, or fifth element, is represented in all authentic traditions as a point at the center that radiates in all directions. This symbolizes the alignment and harmony between the individual and the universe. In Buddhism, this same idea is conveyed through the Dharmachakra wheel, where the center represents the unchanging axis around which the cycles of existence revolve. Working in Presence means being in this center, aligned with the flow of the universe and grounded in the here and now.

This journey always begins with the body. By observing bodily sensations, one may quickly experience phenomena tied to the elements. For example, inner heat may represent Fire, while the awareness of the body’s weight symbolize Earth. Recognizing these elements is the first step, and with time, more profound insights will emerge.

To access the Philosopher’s Stone, one must follow the alchemical maxim V.I.T.R.I.O.L., or "Visita Interiora Terræ Rectificando Invenies Occultum Lapidem" (Visit the Interior of the Earth, and by Rectifying, You Will Find the Hidden Stone). Here, the "Earth" is the body, and "rectification" is the continuous refinement of oneself through Willpower and Presence of Awareness. The "hidden stone," which is not a literal stone, represents the divine essence waiting to be uncovered.

This practice is profoundly simple yet deeply challenging. The creation of the Body of Light, the ultimate goal of alchemy, is not an instantaneous event but a continuous, moment-to-moment process. Fighting against the illusion of time (symbolized by Kronos) is central to this work. The past no longer exists, and the future has not yet come—so why worry? All that truly exists is the here and now, the present moment. Through consistent practice and unwavering focus on the present, the true self begins to awaken, revealing the divine spark within.

When people think of alchemy, they often imagine laboratory experiments. In reality, the laboratory is our body—the sacred vessel where the alchemical process takes place. The elements, symbols, and transformations described in alchemical texts are metaphors for the inner work of refining the self and igniting the inner fire of transformation.

This is a path of discipline and courage, where one must face the illusions of the mind and the limitations of the material world. By mastering the body, you begin to master your entire existence. Use the sword of Willpower to cut through concepts and illusions, staying rooted in Presence. True alchemy is about transforming the ordinary into the extraordinary, uncovering the divine essence within, and recognizing that the temple of God is not outside of us but within.

Through the practice of Presence, you align yourself with the center of existence, in harmony with the universe. This profound practice reveals the unity of the cosmos and the self, showing that the spark of creation resides in each of us.

" When a man of this earth managed to incarnate his divine KA and his totalconsciousness, 

he realized that his glorious body, that is, his indestructible being, for whichdeath is only a release from his physical barriers. "

René Schwaller de Lubicz

Presence in Other Traditions

In Advaita Vedanta Presence is akin to realizing the Self (Atman) as pure consciousness. By staying rooted in the present and disengaging from the false identification with the body and mind, practitioners uncover their unity with Brahman, the ultimate reality. 

In Sufi Mysticism Presence (hudhur) is a state of being continually aware of God, recognizing the Divine in every moment. This deep awareness dissolves the ego and fosters unity with the Beloved, in Christian Mysticism it is in contemplative practices involves resting in the awareness of God's presence. 

This is often achieved through silent prayer, where the practitioner transcends words and concepts, aligning with divine love and grace and in In Taoist philosophy, Presence aligns with being attuned to the Tao, the natural flow of the universe. It requires letting go of resistance and living harmoniously in the present, embodying simplicity and spontaneity.

In Dzogchen, Presence plays a central role because it aligns with the recognition of rigpa—our natural state of pure awareness. This awareness is always present but often obscured by conceptual thinking, emotional turbulence, and habitual distractions. By cultivating Presence, we strip away these obscurations and experience the effortless, luminous clarity that is intrinsic to our being.

Rigpa, often translated as "pristine awareness" or "non-dual awareness," is the heart of Dzogchen. It is not something that needs to be created but rather recognized. Rigpa is awareness in its purest form, free from dualistic thinking and concepts, beyond the grasp of the ordinary mind. Presence is the doorway to this recognition.

Presence involves being fully attuned to the here and now, without distraction or judgment. In Dzogchen, this is not merely mindfulness but a deeper awareness that is spacious and self-luminous. Through practices like trekchö (cutting through), practitioners directly glimpse rigpa by resting naturally in their own awareness, free from effort or contrivance.

Once rigpa is recognized, the practice becomes about sustaining that recognition. Presence transforms into a continuous awareness that infuses every moment. Whether walking, eating, or working, the practitioner learns to rest in the natural state, allowing all experiences to arise and dissolve within the expanse of rigpa without clinging or aversion.