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Some of us walk the spiritual path, while others follow the ways of the world. Others are simply so busy with living and surviving. But there is one thing we all have in common: life itself.
I have spent many years researching alchemy and the alchemical wisdom of both the East and the West, exploring ancient traditions and lineages. After this deep study, I spent around 15 years finding ways to translate these teachings into the reality of modern life, bringing their essence into every aspect of our everyday existence.
I call this Lived Alchemy.
So, what has this journey brought me?
I would say there are three treasures.
The first is embodiment: developing a strong inner core that is deeply connected to the earth. We call this Alchemical Embodiment.
The second is a special, natural quality of the soul: Virtuousness, something we can also recognise in other traditions, but which we approach in a different way. We cultivate it through a meditative movement practice called the Life Force Ritual.
And the third is the Alchemy of Creation, learning to create in alignment with the laws of cosmic order.
When these three treasures come together, the intelligence of alchemy, and the wisdom discovered by the masters of these ancient traditions, becomes more and more accessible to you and true life begins to unfold.
In truth,
Dirk |
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A NEW PHASE FOR ELKE AND LIFE PROJECTS
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An important shift is taking place within Life Projects this summer. After four years as co-owner and managing director, Elke has decided to step away from the day-to-day leadership and return her attention to where her heart truly lies. She is handing her role over to Gonnie Been, who will lead Life Projects together with Davy.
Elke: returning to where my heart lies
"It has been an intense year for me in running Life Projects, during which my body regularly let me know that the form and rhythm no longer fully aligned with who I am. When my back became completely blocked in June, I finally knew I had to make a decision. It wasn’t an easy one, but it was the right one.
I am handing over my role to the capable and experienced hands of Gonnie. She will be able to fully bring her knowledge, experience and organisational talents to the work and growth of Life Projects.
After a healing summer for my body and mind, I am once again putting my full focus on my bodywork practice and teaching. This is where my true passion and sense of fulfilment lie .I will also continue to take care of the social media posts (Facebook, Instagram and Telegram) and the Life Projects newsletters.
I am already enjoying the space and simplicity that are gradually emerging, and from this place I can also feel new creativity and life energy beginning to bubble up.
I am grateful for this experience, which has certainly enriched me and helped me grow. By listening attentively to my body and soul, I will allow my new place and role to take shape.
With love,
Elke "
Gonnie: shaping Lived Alchemy
"For some time, we have sensed that something new wanted to emerge within Life Projects. We spoke about it often, but the idea needed time to ripen before it could reveal itself to the world. In an earlier newsletter, we already offered a glimpse of what this next phase might look like. It is gradually taking shape under the name Lived Alchemy.
Davy and I will jointly lead Life Projects from within the Orchestration Hub. Davy will focus primarily on the day-to-day leadership and organisation. My attention will be on shaping this next phase and bringing it to life.
We are building on the strong foundation laid by Elke and Joeri. Fortunately, we can also continue to count on Elke’s support in writing our newsletters and creating posts for social media. And of course, we are building together with the rest of the team: Katrien, Dirk, Mieke and Maarten, each from their own place and with their own contribution.
Equally important are all the students who embrace our work and the certified practitioners who play an essential role in carrying it forward and sharing it with others. Together, we form a large and living network in which we want to put Lived Alchemy into practice – in our trainings and in daily life.
For me, many things come together in this. Everything I have learned and developed through my years of working in organisations, as well as everything the teachings and love of Dirk and Katrien have brought me. More and more, I am able to see through the illusion that the spiritual and the worldly are two separate worlds. It is precisely when they meet and strengthen one another that something magical can emerge.
To me, this feels like my life project: a place where the experiences of many worldly and spiritual lives come together, and where my core value – wisdom – can be fully expressed. Perhaps that is why it feels like the culmination of my career. I am incredibly excited about it.
With love,
Gonnie" |
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Carin Jannink is now a certified teacher of the 18 movements of Meridian Chi Kung! Fantastic job—congratulations! |
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Will you be joining us for our Open House Day on 5 September?
Alongside explanations and demonstrations by our teachers, bodyworkers and team members, we also invite two inspiring guest speakers every year.
This year, we are delighted to welcome Els Graindor and Hilde Swets, who will share their experiences with the Alchemy of Life Projects during our Open House Day. Two fascinating and inspiring women who are sure to inspire you!
Els Graindor
“Exactly 10 years ago, I came into contact with Life Projects. I immediately felt deeply connected to this alchemical work. The teachings taught me that insights and wisdom are of little use when they are not connected to the body, the earth and the greater intelligence field of life.
Alchemy not only awakened my connection with the dark, sacred feminine, but also my ability to experience life directly and embody my insights in the world. My awareness grew roots, and I discovered that it is precisely through embodiment that true transformation becomes visible.
Life Projects has therefore profoundly shaped not only my work, but also my personal life. I would love to tell you all about it during the Open House Day!”
Els
Hilde Swets
“Although training in organisational psychology, systemic work and Taoism provided a valuable foundation, it was only when I came into contact with Life Projects four years ago that I truly found my ‘home’.
Alchemy reminds me of my origins in the darkness. Surrendering to the unknown, feminine and fertile unconscious reconnects me with a deep trust in life. The more open my inner space becomes, the more effortlessly I live from my core, and the more connected I feel to a greater field of intelligence.
I see this reflected in my everyday life and therefore also in my work, where embodiment, spaciousness and the creative process continue to deepen. And it resonates with my family, friends, colleagues and clients alike.
I would love to tell you more about it during the talk!”
Hilde
Please register via this link: https://lifeprojects.be/en/life_projects_events/experience-the-life-projects-open-day-september-2026/ |
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ALCHEMY OF THE WISE MAN FREE ONLINE INTRODUCTION
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Date: (Brussels time)
18/09/2026 19:00 - 20:00
Teacher: Dirk Oellibrandt
Location: online
Because it is important that both men and women have access to this information, this introductory lecture—and also the first part of Alchemy of the Wise Man – online—is open to both men and women.
Meanwhile, the world has largely been shaped by a combination of a limited and distorted image of manhood and the absence of feminine intelligence. Being a man is often seen externally as action‑ and manifestation‑power, but without knowing the intelligence that forms and charges true manhood. As a result, it easily becomes superficial and fearful doing, rather than a grounded state of being.
The body and mind of every man IS, in itself, a shining sword. But most men do not yet know their sword. Some believe they don’t have one because their father never passed it on. Others are still dependent on their mother or their partner, or on women in general. They feel ashamed and unworthy of carrying the sword.
All that is needed is someone who can show you how to unpack it! The sacred sword has the potential to cut and to kill, but its true purpose is to bless and to awaken.
More info & registration: https://lifeprojects.be/en/life_projects_events/alchemy-of-the-wise-man-online-introduction-2026/ |
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MERIDIAN CHI KUNG FREE ONLINE INTRODUCTION |
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Date: (Brussels time)
23/09/2026 19:00- 20:00
Teacher: Dirk Oellibrandt
Location: online
Meridian Chi Kung is a Chinese movement art that quite literally saved my life. When, 30 years ago, a respected spinal specialist gave me his diagnosis, my future did not look promising. By the age of 50, I would likely need a walking stick, and later perhaps even two—or a wheelchair. It was the diagnosis of a highly competent doctor, and it probably would have come true. Yet life and I chose a different path. Meridian Chi Kung played a major role in that journey.
— Dirk Oellibrandt
During this evening, you will be introduced to the Life Projects Meridian Chi Kung method. There are hundreds of Meridian Chi Kung systems, all sharing the principles of cultivating energy through conscious movement and working with the meridian system. At the same time, each system has its own unique characteristics. Dirk Oellibrandt will carefully explain and demonstrate the distinctive elements of this particular method.
Meer info & inschrijven: https://lifeprojects.be/en/life_projects_events/meridian-chi-kung-online-introduction-2026/ |
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5 ELEMENT YOGA ONLINE - AUTUMN 2026
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Dates: (Brussels time)
24/09/2026 19:30 -21:00
01/10/2026 19:30- 21:00
08/10/2026 19:30 -21:00
15/10/2026 19:30- 21:00
22/10/2026 19:30- 21:00
12/11/2026 19:30- 21:00
19/11/2026 19:30- 21:00
26/11/2026 19:30- 21:00
03/12/2026 19:30- 21:00
17/12/2026 19:30- 21:00
Teacher: Elke Wilssens
Location: online, via Zoom
Both beginners and those with previous experience are warmly welcome to join this journey inward — towards a quieter mind, a peaceful heart and a vital, energised body.
The postures and movements of 5 Elements Yoga are not difficult in themselves and are practised within a relaxed, yin-based space.
Each posture is built up step by step, guided by deep listening and respect for the space your body gives you. Your body is incredibly wise and has a profound capacity for self-healing and self-regulation, as long as we provide it with the right conditions. 5 Elements Yoga is a beautiful way to awaken and reconnect with this innate wisdom of the body.
The movements and postures are mainly practised lying down or seated. We do this consciously, so that we can feel the support of the earth beneath us and allow ourselves to sink more deeply into surrender and relaxation. These yin qualities of earth and water are often missing from our daily lives, causing us to push beyond our limits, burn out and remain stuck in our heads.
In each class, we move through the nourishing cycle of the Five Elements: WOOD, FIRE, EARTH, METAL and WATER. Each element carries its own unique quality of movement and energy, as well as its own colour and connection to specific organs and meridians.
More info & registration: https://lifeprojects.be/en/life_projects_events/5-elements-yoga-online-autumn-2026/ |
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MERIDIAN CHI KUNG 6 BASIC MOVEMENTS
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Dates: (Brussels time)
30/09/2026 19:30 -21:00
07/10/2026 19:30 -21:00
14/10/202619:30 -21:00
21/10/2026 19:30 -21:00
28/10/2026 19:30 -21:00
11/11/2026 19:30 -21:00
18/11/2026 19:30 -21:00
25/11/2026 19:30 -21:00
02/12/2026 19:30 -21:00
16/12/2026 19:30 -21:00
Teacher: Davy Carlé
Location: Hamme
Meridian Chi Kung is a series of exercises that stimulate the flow of energy in the meridians. It is a practice in which you rediscover your true nature through the movements. Dirk Oellibrandt is the founder of this movement theory. His teacher in this field was the body itself.
The movements are linked to the five elements (metal, earth, fire, water, and wood) and the meridian pairs associated with them. It’s about moving through the elements within yourself, becoming familiar with how the different elements manifest within you, and developing the potential inherent in them. By being present in this form of movement with your awareness and intention, you create natural change on the physical, mental, and spiritual levels. Nature acts as a mirror in this process, for there, everything simply is what it naturally is.
The exercises are designed to be accessible to everyone. They stimulate a flow of energy that opens up the meridian network and creates space from within. It is a playful and inviting practice that brings joy.
More info & registration: https://lifeprojects.be/en/life_projects_events/meridiaan-chi-kung-6-basis-bewegingen-najaar-2026/
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ALCHEMY OF LOVE - DEEPENING WEEKEND
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Dates: (Brussels time)
25/09/2026 17:00 - 19:00
26/09/2026 07:30 - 18:30
27/09/2026 07:30 - 18:30
28/09/2026 07:30 - 18:30
29/09/2026 07:30 - 10:00
Teachers: Dirk Oellibrandt, Katrien Laurens
Location: Frandeux
An in-depth event for couples who previously participated in the ‘Alchemy of Love’ weekend and desire further deepening of their relationship.
During the original weekend, evaluating the relationship using the 7 energy centers (chakras) was one of the themes. We used it there as an evaluation tool to see where you met each other, and where you are now. But there are many more possibilities in this approach, which we will continue to use during this extended weekend in the beautiful Château Frandeux. In these 3.5 days we will take the time for an alchemical reflection: where do you stand as a couple? Where do you understand and support each other, and where does it hurt? Where is there still untapped potential for growth – individually and together?
It will give you a good, but certainly also a new image of how you can further deepen your love relationship and at the same time help each other as a person, man or woman to grow further. The 7 energy centers become a signpost to growth, deepening and transformation in your relationship.
More info & registration: https://lifeprojects.be/en/life_projects_events/alchemy-of-love-deepening-weekend-sep-2026/ |
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ALCHEMY OF BODYWORK PRACTICE EVENING
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Date:
24/09/2026 from 19:15 to 21:00
Teacher: Mieke Van Zon
Location: Den Bosch
Have you ever taken an Alchemy of Bodywork training? Then you’re very welcome to join us for this evening of practice, where you can practice what you’ve learned in one flowing session. Whether it’s been a while or you’re still fresh in the habit, this is the perfect opportunity to refresh and deepen your bodywork skills.
You bring a practice person yourself for this evening, but you will not work with the person you bring. This allows you to attune to a new body and learn to give a treatment from the moment itself.
For example, you can practice the Full Body Treatment or techniques from a Bodywork week or the Bodywork Essentials. You will also have the opportunity to receive feedback and practical tips.
The evening will be guided by Mieke van Zon, with assistance from Mirjam Diependaal, both LP-certified bodyworkers with many years of experience in bodywork.
We start with a short series of body-oriented exercises (about half an hour), after which the treatments take place. We close the evening with a shared meditation. Will you join us? After registration, you will receive an email with all practical information. We look forward to welcoming you!
More info & registration: https://lifeprojects.be/en/life_projects_events/alchemy-of-bodywork-practice-evening-september-2026-the-netherlands-s-hertogenbosch/ |
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ALCHEMY OF LIFE YEAR TRAINING
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Dates: (Brussels time)
10/10/2026 09:30 - 17:30
21/11/2026 09:30 - 17:30
12/12/2026 09:30 - 17:30
09/01/2027 09:30 - 17:30
27/02/2027 09:30 - 17:30
13/03/2027 09:30 - 17:30
10/04/2027 09:30 - 17:30
01/05/2027 09:30 - 17:30
29/05/2027 09:30 - 17:30
26/06/2027 09:30 - 17:30
Teachers: Dirk Oellibrandt, Mieke Van Zon, Elke Wilssens
Location: Hamme
This Alchemy of Life – Training – on Saturday runs over 10 Saturdays and reconnects you with your inner potential and the available resources as they are all around you. An extremely practical method to discover, cultivate and connect your typical life qualities with your environment. It also makes profound transformations possible with lasting results. Themes that are discussed include: what is my life project, how will I sit back on the throne in my life as King/Queen, the true nature of life, meditations, self-massage, bodywork, 5 elements yoga, meridian chi kung, life force ritual , man woman, …
It is a powerful awareness journey that first guides you inwardly through your physical, emotional, mental and spiritual layers, on a journey to discover what you naturally carry within as potential. But also to those layers that obscure and block this potential. After which the spiral can naturally flow out and your Life Project can become clearer and more rooted.
More info & registration: https://lifeprojects.be/en/life_projects_events/alchemie-van-leven-jaartraining-2026-2027/ |
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Copyright © Life Projects, All rights reserved.
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