The mystical death (sacrifice) is not to be accomplished by mere asceticism, as it were, mechanically; the alchemists warn us carefully against severe remedies. The work is to take a natural course; the work is also, although indeed a consummation of nature, yet not above nature.
“Nature rejoices in nature
Nature overcomes nature
Nature rules nature.”
Thus the magician Osthanes is said to have taught. And the Bhagavad-Gita (VI, 5-7) says:
“Let one raise himself by means of self, and not abase self,
Self is his own friend, is also his own enemy.
To him is his self his own friend, who through self conquers self,
Yet if it battle with the external world, then self becomes enemy to self.”
In the “Clavis Philosophiae et Alchymiae Fluddanae” (p. 57) we read: “So it is impossible to rise to the supramundane life, in so far as it does not happen by means of nature. From the steps of nature Jacob's ladder is reached and the chain to Jupiter's throne begins on earth.”