Aura is Described as a Subtle Field of Energy

Aura (आभा) or energy field is a colored emanation said to enclose a human body or any animal or object. In some esoteric positions, the aura is described as a subtle body. Psychics and holistic medicine practitioners often claim to have the ability to see the size, color, and type of vibration of an aura. In spiritual alternative medicine, the human being aura is seen as part of a hidden anatomy that reflects the state of being and health of a client, often understood to even comprise centers of vital force called chakras. Such claims are not supported by scientific evidence and are thus pseudoscience. When tested under scientific controlled experiments, the ability to see auras has not been proven to exist.

Aura Meaning

In Latin and Ancient Greek, aura means wind, breeze, or breath. It was used in Middle English to mean “gentle breeze”. By the end of the 19th century, the word was used in some spiritualist circles to describe a speculated subtle emanation around the body.

Concept of Aura Origin

The concept of an aura, often described as a subtle field of energy surrounding a person or object, has origins in various cultural, spiritual, and philosophical traditions. Here are some key aspects of its historical and cultural origins:

Ancient Religions and Philosophies

• Hinduism: The concept of an aura is closely linked to the idea of prana, the vital life force. Ancient Indian texts such as the Upanishads mention prana and its manifestations, which include the aura.
• Buddhism: In Buddhist art and literature, enlightened beings are often depicted with halos or auras, symbolizing their spiritual power and enlightenment.

Classical Antiquity

• Ancient Greece and Rome: The aura was sometimes considered a luminous body that emanated from the soul or spirit of individuals. Philosophers like Plato and Aristotle discussed the idea of a surrounding essence or ether.

Western Esotericism

• During the Renaissance and later periods, Western esoteric traditions like Hermeticism and the works of alchemists began to incorporate the idea of auras. They were often linked to spiritual and mystical practices.
• Theosophy: In the 19th and early 20th centuries, Theosophists like Helena Blavatsky popularized the concept of auras, describing them as energy fields that could be perceived and interpreted.

Modern Interpretations

• In the 20th century, the concept of auras was further explored by New Age spirituality. It became associated with ideas of chakras (energy centers in the body) and holistic healing.
• Scientific Perspectives: Although not widely accepted in mainstream science, some researchers have attempted to study auras using techniques like Kirlian photography, which purportedly captures the energy fields around objects.

Overall, the concept of an aura blends elements from ancient religious beliefs, philosophical musings, and modern spiritual practices. It remains a topic of interest in both metaphysical studies and popular culture.

Auric energy

Auric energy refers to the subtle energy field that is believed to surround living beings, particularly humans. This energy field is often described as being composed of different layers or levels, each corresponding to various aspects of physical, emotional, mental, and spiritual well-being. Here are some key aspects and concepts related to auric energy:

Composition and Layers

• Etheric Layer: Closest to the physical body, this layer is associated with physical health and vitality.
• Emotional Layer: Extends beyond the etheric layer and is linked to feelings and emotions.
• Mental Layer: Further out, this layer relates to thoughts, beliefs, and mental processes.
• Astral Layer: Connected to the astral plane, it deals with interactions and connections to others.
• Higher Spiritual Layers: Include the etheric template, celestial, and causal layers, representing higher levels of consciousness and spiritual awareness.

Chakras and Auric Energy

• Auric energy is often discussed in conjunction with chakras, the energy centers in the body according to Hindu and New Age belief systems. Each chakra is believed to correspond to different aspects of the physical and spiritual body, and the aura is seen as a reflection of the energy flow through these chakras.

Perception and Interpretation

• Some individuals claim to have the ability to see or sense auric energy. They describe it as various colors and patterns around a person’s body, which can change depending on the individual’s physical health, emotions, and spiritual state.
• A blue aura might indicate calmness and clarity, while a red aura could suggest strong emotions or physical vitality.

Healing and Balance

• Practices such as Reiki, acupuncture, and other forms of energy healing often focus on balancing and clearing the auric field to promote overall well-being.
• Meditation, visualization, and other spiritual practices are also used to cleanse and strengthen the aura.

Scientific Perspective

• While the concept of auric energy is widely accepted in metaphysical and holistic health communities, it lacks empirical support from the mainstream scientific community. Studies attempting to measure or photograph the aura, such as those involving Kirlian photography, have not provided conclusive evidence of its existence.

Cultural and Historical Roots

• The idea of an energy field surrounding the body can be traced back to ancient spiritual and religious traditions, such as Hinduism’s prana, Chinese qi, and the Christian halo around saints.

Auric energy remains a central concept in many spiritual and holistic healing practices, embodying the belief that there is more to human existence than the purely physical and that this energy can influence and reflect one’s health and spiritual state.

Role of Aura

The concept of an aura plays various roles in spiritual, metaphysical, and holistic health practices. Here are some of the primary roles and functions attributed to the aura:

Indicators of Health and Well-being

• Physical Health: The aura is often seen as reflecting the physical condition of the body. Changes in the aura’s color, brightness, or integrity are believed to indicate physical health issues or vitality.
• Emotional and Mental State: The aura is also thought to reflect a person’s emotional and mental states. For example, certain colors or patterns in the aura might indicate stress, happiness, anger, or mental clarity.

Interpersonal Communication and Connection

• Energy Exchange: The aura plays a role in the exchange of energies between individuals. People can sense each other’s auras, which can influence their interactions and relationships.
• Empathy and Intuition: A strong or sensitive aura is thought to enhance one’s empathetic abilities and intuition, allowing for a deeper understanding of others’ feelings and intentions.

Diagnostic and Healing Tool

• Energy Healing: In practices such as Reiki, acupuncture, and other energy healing modalities, practitioners often work with the aura to diagnose and treat imbalances or blockages in a person’s energy field.
• Aura Cleansing: Techniques like smudging, visualization, or using crystals are employed to cleanse and strengthen the aura, promoting overall health and well-being.

Spiritual Development and Enlightenment

• Chakra Alignment: The aura is closely linked to the chakra system in many spiritual traditions. Balancing and aligning the chakras is believed to enhance the aura, facilitating spiritual growth and enlightenment.
• Higher Consciousness: A well-developed and vibrant aura is often associated with higher states of consciousness and spiritual awareness. Practices like meditation, yoga, and mindfulness can enhance the aura, aiding in spiritual development.

Personal and Environmental Influence

• Manifestation: Some believe that a person’s aura can influence their ability to manifest desires and attract positive outcomes. 
• Environmental Harmony: The aura is also considered a mediator of one’s interaction with the environment. Harmonizing one’s aura with the surroundings can promote a sense of peace and balance.

Applications of Aura

How Aura is Tested?

The concept of testing or measuring the aura, often described as an energy field surrounding living beings, primarily falls within the realm of metaphysical and holistic practices rather than conventional science. Here are some of the methods and tools used to test or visualize the aura:

Kirlian Photography

• Technique: Developed in the 1930s by Semyon Kirlian, this method involves placing an object on a photographic plate and applying a high-voltage, high-frequency electrical field. The result is a photograph that shows a glowing outline or corona, which some interpret as the aura.
• Interpretation: Proponents believe that the patterns and colors captured in Kirlian photographs reflect the subject’s aura, though skeptics argue that the images are simply a result of moisture and other variables.

Aura Cameras

• Aura Imaging: Specialized cameras claim to capture images of the aura by using biofeedback sensors to measure electromagnetic fields around the body.

Biofeedback Devices

• Measurements: Some devices measure physiological parameters such as skin temperature, galvanic skin response, and heart rate variability. Practitioners interpret these readings as indicators of the state of a person’s aura.

Intuitive and Psychic Perception

• Aura Readers: Some individuals claim to have the ability to see or sense auras directly. These aura readers use their intuition or psychic abilities to interpret the colors, shapes, and patterns they perceive in a person’s aura.
• Techniques: Methods include meditation, visualization, and developing heightened sensory awareness to detect subtle energy fields.

Dowsing and Pendulums

• Dowsing Rods: Practitioners use dowsing rods to detect the boundaries and strength of the aura. The rods are believed to move in response to energy fields.
• Pendulum Reading: A pendulum is held over different areas of the body, and its movement is interpreted to assess the aura’s condition.

Energy Field Measurements

• Electromagnetic Field (EMF) Meters: Some practitioners use EMF meters to detect fluctuations in electromagnetic fields around the body, which they interpret as related to the aura.
• GDV (Gas Discharge Visualization): Similar to Kirlian photography, GDV uses a high-voltage, high-frequency electrical field to visualize the aura, often capturing images of fingertips and interpreting the energy emissions.

However, they continue to be popular in holistic and alternative health practices, where the focus is often on the perceived benefits and experiences of the individuals involved.

A Scientific Explanation of Aura

Several scientific concepts can provide explanations for some experiences and observations often associated with auras:

Electromagnetic Fields (EMFs)

• Biological EMFs: All living organisms emit weak electromagnetic fields due to the electrical activity of their cells, particularly the nervous system and heart. Devices like EEGs (electroencephalograms) and ECGs (electrocardiograms) measure these fields, but they are not visible to the naked eye and are generally too weak to account for the traditional concept of auras.
• Environmental EMFs: The human body is also constantly interacting with electromagnetic fields from the environment, including those from electronic devices and power lines. 

Infrared Radiation and Heat

• Body Heat: The human body emits infrared radiation, which is essentially heat. This heat can create a thermal image of the body that varies in intensity based on blood flow, metabolism, and other physiological factors. 

Visual Phenomena

• Afterimages: After looking at a bright light or certain colors for a period, the human eye can experience afterimages due to the photoreceptors in the retina becoming temporarily desensitized. This can create illusions of colored outlines around objects or people.
• Peripheral Vision: Peripheral vision is more sensitive to light and motion and less precise in color detection. Sometimes, what people describe as seeing an aura might be the result of peripheral vision detecting subtle changes in light and movement.

Psychological and Neurological Factors

• Synesthesia: Some people experience synesthesia, a condition where stimulation of one sensory pathway leads to automatic, involuntary experiences in a second sensory pathway. For example, someone might “see” colors when they hear music. This could potentially explain why some individuals perceive auras around others.
• Mental and Emotional States: The brain can project internal states outward, sometimes leading to the perception of auras. Stress, anxiety, or heightened emotional states can alter a person’s perception, potentially creating visual or sensory experiences interpreted as auras.

Biofield Hypothesis

• Biofield Research: Some researchers in alternative medicine propose the existence of a “biofield,” a field of energy and information that surrounds and permeates the body. This concept is still speculative and lacks broad scientific validation, but it attempts to bridge traditional scientific understanding with metaphysical concepts.

Placebo Effect and Suggestibility

• Psychosomatic Responses: Belief in the existence of auras and related practices can lead to psychosomatic responses where individuals feel real changes in their physical or emotional state due to their beliefs and expectations.
• Suggestibility: People who are more suggestible or open to metaphysical explanations might be more likely to perceive or report experiences related to auras.

While these scientific explanations do not validate the traditional metaphysical concept of auras, they provide a framework for understanding why people might perceive or believe in auras. The topic remains a fascinating intersection of biology, psychology, and cultural beliefs.

Color coding of Aura

Here’s a general guide to what different aura colors are thought to indicate:

1. Red

• Attributes: Energy, strength, passion, vitality
• Indications: A red aura often indicates a strong-willed, passionate, and energetic person. It can also suggest anger or stress if the red is murky or dark.

2. Orange

• Attributes: Creativity, joy, sociability, ambition
• Indications: An orange aura is associated with creativity, sociability, and a zest for life. It may also point to someone who is ambitious and enjoys challenges.

3. Yellow

• Attributes: Optimism, intellect, happiness, clarity
• Indications: A yellow aura typically represents joy, intellect, and a positive outlook. It signifies someone who is optimistic and mentally alert.

4. Green

• Attributes: Healing, balance, compassion, growth
• Indications: A green aura is often seen in healers and those who are in tune with nature. It indicates balance, growth, and compassion.

5. Blue

• Attributes: Communication, calm, truth, intuition
• Indications: It suggests someone calm, communicative, and highly intuitive.

6. Indigo

• Attributes: Intuition, perception, spirituality, wisdom
• Indications: An indigo aura signifies deep intuition, spirituality, and inner wisdom. 

7. Violet/Purple

• Attributes: Spirituality, imagination, idealism, psychic abilities
• Indications: A violet or purple aura indicates a strong connection to spirituality and psychic abilities. It also suggests someone with a rich imagination and idealistic views.

8. White

• Attributes: Purity, truth, higher consciousness
• Indications: A white aura is associated with purity, truth, and a higher state of consciousness. It is often seen in those who are spiritually advanced.

9. Pink

• Attributes: Love, compassion, nurturing, sensitivity
• Indications: A pink aura represents love, compassion, and nurturing. It suggests a person who is sensitive, caring, and often in tune with the emotional needs of others.

10. Brown

• Attributes: Grounding, practicality, materialism
• Indications: A brown aura can indicate a need for grounding or a focus on practical, material concerns. It might also suggest a person who is hardworking and reliable.

11. Black

• Attributes: Protection, mystery, potential negativity
• Indications: A black aura is often associated with protection and the absorption of negative energy. However, it can also indicate unresolved issues or potential negative emotions.

12. Gray

• Attributes: Transition, neutrality, detachment
• Indications: A gray aura might suggest someone is in a state of transition or detachment. It can indicate neutrality or indecision.

13. Gold

• Attributes: Spiritual enlightenment, divine protection, wisdom
• Indications: A gold aura is a sign of spiritual enlightenment, divine protection, and great wisdom. 

14. Silver

• Attributes: Abundance, spiritual insight, intuition
• Indications: A silver aura suggests abundance and spiritual insight. It can indicate a highly intuitive person with a strong connection to the spiritual realm.

These interpretations can vary based on different spiritual and metaphysical traditions, and the reading of auras is often subjective, relying on the intuition and experience of the practitioner.

Where and how Aura can be learned?

Here are some ways and places where you can learn about auras:

Books and Literature

• Books on Auras and Energy Some popular authors include Barbara Brennan (“Hands of Light”), Ted Andrews (“How to See and Read the Aura”), and Richard Webster (“Aura Reading for Beginners”).
• Spiritual and Metaphysical Texts: Books on broader spiritual and metaphysical topics often include sections on auras. These texts can provide context and a deeper understanding of how auras fit into larger spiritual practices.

Online Courses and Tutorials

• Udemy, Coursera, and Other Platforms: Online learning platforms offer courses on auras, energy healing, and related topics. These courses often include video tutorials, reading materials, and practical exercises.
• YouTube: Many practitioners and teachers share free videos on YouTube that cover various aspects of auras, including how to see them, interpret them, and use them in healing practices.

Workshops and Classes

• Spiritual and Holistic Health Centers: Many cities have centers dedicated to holistic health and spiritual development, which offer workshops and classes on aura reading, chakra balancing, and energy healing.
• Yoga and Meditation Studios: Some yoga and meditation studios offer classes that incorporate teachings on auras and energy fields as part of their curriculum.

Mentorship and Apprenticeship

• Find a Practitioner: Learning directly from an experienced aura reader or energy healer can be very effective. Look for practitioners who offer mentorship or one-on-one training.
• Spiritual Communities: Joining a spiritual or metaphysical community can provide opportunities to learn from experienced members and participate in group practices.

Practice and Personal Experience

• Meditation and Visualization: Regular meditation and visualization practices can help you become more attuned to subtle energies, including auras. Techniques often include focusing on the breath, visualizing light around the body, and practicing mindfulness.
• Energy Exercises: Practices like Qigong, Tai Chi, and Reiki involve working with energy and can enhance your sensitivity to auras.

Workshops and Retreats

• Spiritual Retreats: Attending retreats focused on spiritual growth and energy work can provide immersive learning experiences.
• Holistic Health Expos: These events often feature workshops and seminars on a variety of topics, including aura reading and energy healing.

Formal Education

• Holistic Health Schools: Some institutions offer certifications and diplomas in holistic health and energy healing, which often include training on auras and related practices.

Reading and Interpretation Tools

• Aura Photography: Some holistic health centers offer aura photography sessions, where you can get a visual representation of your aura and learn to interpret it with the help of a practitioner.
• Biofeedback Devices: Certain devices claim to measure and display aspects of the human energy field. 

Remember, while exploring these resources, it’s essential to maintain a critical and open-minded approach. The scientific community generally views auras and related practices with skepticism due to the lack of empirical evidence. However, these practices can be meaningful and beneficial within the context of personal and spiritual development.

Conclusion

The concept of an aura, an energy field believed to surround living beings, intertwines ancient spiritual traditions with modern metaphysical practices. Through various methods such as meditation, energy healing, and specialized photography, individuals seek to understand and work with auras to promote well-being and personal growth. Whether viewed as a metaphysical reality or a symbolic tool, the aura continues to captivate and inspire those exploring the depths of human energy and consciousness.

Frequently Asked Questions