aura

The Aura is the visual expression of several levels that surround the physical human body. These seven (or eight if we include the Etheric) levels of the human entity are divided into two groups, generally called the Individuality and the Personality. The Individuality (Upper Spiritual, Lower Spiritual, and Upper Mental) is the immortal part; the Spiritual Aura, which survives from incarnation to incarnation. The Personality (Lower Mental, Upper Astral, Lower Astral, Etheric, and Physical body) is the transient part; the Mental/Emotional Aura and the Etheric Body. It is built up during a single incarnation and discarded when it ends.

Pure or Abstract Spirit. The 'Divine Spark'. Substance and energy directed from the GreatUnmanifest. Astrological symbol: * The Sun

ETHERIC - The tenuous energy-web of near -matter which links the Physical with the subtler planes and maintains it in being. Astrological symbol: * The Moon

These various levels also act as a psychic shield, an interface, and a form of communication with other organisms. It can indicate the emotional and mental state of individuals, as well how spiritually developed they are. Every living organism has an Aura, and with practice it is quite possible to see it.

The easiest Aura to see is that of a tree at dawn or twilight. It normally manifests as a misty gray field around the topmost branches. In humans, the Aura is generated by the action of the Chakra Centers spinning. The result is that three distinct Auras exist, layered like the skin of an onion. Some advanced psychics are able to see all the eight levels within these Auras, but generally most are only able to see the three main Auras we have mentioned below.

The gray misty area closest to the body is generally referred to as the Etheric body, which normally extends about one to three inches over its surface. The term 'Ether' refers to a state between energy and matter. Gifted psychics often describe the Etheric Body as being composed of energy lines forming a sparkling translucent web along which sparks of bluish white light move. This gives a pulsating effect. It is generated by the first four Chakra Centers, these being related to the elements of Earth, Air, Fire and Water.

The action of these four Centers in conjunction with the fifth, the Etheric Chakra, results in the formation of this part of the aura. The Etheric Body vibrates at the same frequency as Spirit, and acts as a vehicle for it. It therefore helps to shape and anchor the physical body, which is why hugs the surface of the body so closely. For this reason it is sometimes referred to as the Etheric Double. Its main purpose is to feed the body with life force or Prana, as it is called in the Vedic scripts.

The second part is the Mental/Emotional Aura. It is generated by the sixth Chakra, the Brow Center or Third Eye. It made up of even finer energy than the Etheric Body, and unlike that body it is normally ovoid in shape. How far it projects depends on the immediate mental and emotional state of the individual; in someone who enters a room full of strangers, the aura will withdraw closer to the body. When that person feels more comfortable with the people around, it will begin to return to its normal size.

In an extrovert person it can project out as far as several feet, but in an introvert may remain always close to the body, almost withdrawing into the Etheric Body. A trained psychic sees this part of the aura as made up of a variety of colors. These, like the size of the Aura, indicate the mental, emotional and occasionally the physical state of its owner.

Within this body can sometimes be seen thought forms. These manifest as blobs of varying brightness, color and form. The clearer and more well-defined the idea, the clearer and more well-formed is the thought form associated with it. The color of the form represents an emotion attached to it - e.g. red for anger. These thought forms are in a continual state of flux. Those we focus on regularly remain static within the aura, becoming important forces or convictions within our lives, and thus transfer themselves to the Spiritual Body.

The last, and the least easy for even a sensitive to see, is the Spiritual Body. This connects with the last of the Chakras, the Crown.

In a spiritually developed person it can extend from the body for some distance; it is said that the Spiritual Body of the Buddha Gautama, in his last incarnation, could be seen for six miles. This part of the aura exists on the Astral plane, and is the individual's connection with the world of Spirit.

It is in this, combined with the Mental/Emotional Body, that the individual's consciousness moves during Astral travel in the higher planes; but during out-of-body experiences on the physical, material plane, it is only the Mental/Emotional section of the Aura which detaches from the physical body. This happens involuntarily sometimes during sleep, giving what is often referred to as 'lucid dreaming'.

Because of the Etheric body's responsibility for continuing the life functions, it remains attached to the body until the moment of death. Like the Mental/Emotional Body there are colors present, but these indicate the character and personality of the individual rather than just his or her present emotions. After physical death the consciousness leaves the physical body and withdraws into the Astral.