A few months ago I was introduced to the works of Louis-Claude de Saint-Martin and within those teachings, something really stood out.
Written in a time of great turbulence and conflict in France, much of the focus is on not being moved by the crowd or drawn into conflict, and on harmonising differences. In a time when the world seems to becoming increasingly divided I think this wisdom may be of great value.
But how do we do this?
The advice given is that whenever there is a difference of opinion with someone, your goal is to unite your view or position with theirs in a higher position, combining them into something more beautiful and more positive than either position.
For me the underlying message in this is something very interesting, powerful and practical. It’s alchemy in action.
Alchemy for those unacquainted with the subject is all based on the harmony of opposites. It is the union between the male and the female, the sun and the moon, or the light and the dark. Two opposing forces blend to become something more than the sum of their parts.
I took time to really contemplate this, I realised that in all the really wonderful effective things in my life I was already unknowing doing this. Indeed the more I mused on it I realised my marriage with Kindra really embodied this whole art form in action. But how does this union of opposites really work in living action?
This may take a bit of practice to really understand.
Let’s look at some examples. I call this principle transmutation or higher synthesis.
Start off with the premise that we are going to move beyond mere compromise (where both people lose something) into elevation (where both values are preserved but also transformed and amplified into something greater).
Here are four simple, everyday examples showing how two conflicting positions can be united and harmonised into a higher, more beautiful outcome:
1. In a Relationship: Structure vs Spontaneity
Position A: “We need a strict weekend schedule, budget, and plan so we feel organised and secure.”
Position B: “Such a rigid routine drains the fun out of life. Let’s just be spontaneous and go with the flow.”
The Low-Level Conflict: Arguing over whether having a calendar and to-do list means being responsible or being boring.
The Higher Union or The Alchemical Synthesis: “The Library of Wonder”
Both people agree that the true shared value is freedom and joy. It is just that one person wishes to feel free of ambiguity and risk, and the other free of restriction. So together you design a framework: set aside a budget and an open block of uninterrupted time (e.g., Saturday afternoon) dedicated to spontaneous exploration with zero agenda. Structure serves spontaneity; security enables true freedom.
2. At Work: Innovation vs Caution
Position A (The Visionary): “We have to adopt this new method and overhaul our product manufacturing immediately, or we will fall behind.”
Position B (The Pragmatist): “Our current systems work fine. Rushing into new tools will create costly bugs and disrupt clients.”
The Low-Level Conflict: Framing the debate as “courage vs. fear” or “vision vs. recklessness.”
The Higher Union or The Alchemical Synthesis: “Antifragile Evolution.”
You elevate the conversation to the shared ideal: building an organisation that thrives on change without risking its foundation. Evolution not revolution. You create an isolated “sandbox” or pilot program where the visionary team tests the cutting-edge tool on a single low-risk feature. The pragmatist helps design the stress tests. Innovation provides forward momentum; caution ensures structural integrity.
3. In Parenting / Mentorship: Discipline vs. Compassion
Position A: “The child broke a rule and needs immediate, firm discipline so they learn accountability and respect.”
Position B: “They were overwhelmed and having a hard day; giving them a harsh punishment right now will just push them away.”
The Low-Level Conflict: Clashing over whether discipline is “too harsh” or compassion is “too soft.”
The Higher Union or The Alchemical Synthesis: “Restorative Connection.”
Both caregivers step back to unite around the ultimate goal: helping the child build internal emotional regulation and moral character. First, connect with genuine empathy to regulate their emotional state; second, engage them directly in solving the problem and making amends (e.g., “How can we repair what happened?”). Discipline provides the moral standard; compassion provides the safety to learn from it.
4. Membership of a Group or Society: Tradition vs Progress
Position A: “We must preserve our society’s historical character and quiet pace; changing it destroys our heritage.”
Position B: “We must welcome new ways of being, modern approaches, and keep with the times.”
The Low-Level Conflict: Becoming trapped in a battle of nostalgia versus transformation.
The Higher Union or The Alchemical Synthesis: “Living Heritage.”
The community unites around the higher principle: a thriving, welcoming order that honours its roots while opening doors for future generations. Instead of generic changes, it grows and improves in line with its original values. Tradition preserves the soul; progress breathes new life into it.
The Alchemical Key
| Plane | Mechanism | Outcome |
|---|---|---|
| Lower Plane (Friction) | Position vs. Position | Win / Lose or Bitter Compromise |
| Higher Plane (Synthesis) | Essence A + Essence B elevated to a shared ideal | The Philosopher’s Stone: Creative Emergence & Mutual Elevation |
To apply this, whenever friction arises we need to first let go of some of the barriers to it. Saint-Martin gave us some advice on this. He said we need to cease defining ourselves by who we hate — turning those we oppose into those we wish to learn from, befriend and unite with.
Take a few moments to think about this. Are there any groups of people you really despise? Is this part of how you view yourself? Can you accept that for some people you are part of the group of people they feel the same way about?
Are you able to look to uniting together on a higher ideal?
Perhaps the way to do this is to see what deep, noble truth the other person is trying to promote or protect, and what higher reality honours both their truth and your own.
Saint-Martin said that the more you apply the principle, the better your life is and the better the lives of those around you.
I wonder, however, whether this could be the key to something more.