aura workshop handout

8/2/2019 Aura Workshop Handout

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All living things (people, plants, animals, etc.) are made up of a complexcombination of atoms, molecules and energy cells. As these ingredients coexist,they generate a large magnetic energy field that can be sensed, felt and even seenaround the physical body.This energy field has many characteristics, sound, color and shape. Thesecharacteristics are what we know as the 'aura'. Think of it this way, the energy fieldis the source. The characteristics of that source are the aura. We sense and feelthe energy field, but we can see or hear that field through it's aura (orcharacteristics).The real Aura around us is constantly changing, much like a flame or the hot airrising off tarmac and never has a smooth, regular shape. Each person hasindividual pattern and a specific mix of colours which is sometimes visible. TheAura shape, size and colour are dramatically different for a sick person, naturalhealer and a spiritually advanced individual.In the west we have got used to the term Aura and it is best to start with someexplanation of the term.

The word aura comes from the greek meaning gentle breeze, which is perhaps agood way to describe the feeling when you first become aware of touching theauric body.In modern terms from the victorian period it as been used to describe the subtleenergy body a field perceived to exist beyond the physical aspect of the humanbody, consisting of various levels some of which are more easily experienced thenothers.It is generally believed that all life as an auric field.Auras are commonly associated with people. Sometimes we even use them todescribe people, "He has an aura about him." or "Her aura just has a glow aboutit". But in fact all living things generate this field of energy. When associated to aperson, the aura can provide insight into the spiritual, emotional and physicalaspects of the individual. The same can be said for animals and plants, as they toohave emotions and a physical well being. But let's first focus on the human aspects.The knowledge and acceptance of auras has existed in various religions around


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the world for thousands of years. From Buddhist priest to Native AmericanShamans, The aura is a phenomena which is found in most culture in mosthistorical periods more usually represented in iconography relating to religious orpious figures or rulers. it is found in Ancient greece Roman Hindu and Buddhistart alongside the more familiar Christian Iconography, many culture have practicedtranslating and incorporating the use and interpretations of these energy fieldsinto their spirituality and myth.The Aura in IconographyThe Aura in itself appears rarly however the Halo which is simply the Auraaround the head which is usually the easiest to see has been often depicted, so for

reasons of simplicity I will mostly use examples relating to the haloric depiction ofthe Aura.Although the Halo is most associated with Christianity it is found in manycultures the earliest perhaps representation being with the Egyptians. Whomassociated with the Sun and in animal worship The above image of the Apis bullwith an halo between its horns is a common figure from this periodApis the Bull and Horus

The Halo in Egyptian art is often above the head rather then around it and isespecially associated with the Sun, Ra for example is often depicted with theSolar Disc,In the imagery of Egyptian art the device of the Halo can be seen to differentiatebetween the divine and human figures also the levels of importanceThe Greeks And RomansHalos arent such a feature of Greek and Roman iconography, again most oftenrepresented in relation to Solar dieties for example Helio in the image below.


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The Roman Empire forever drawing on the Greek tradition also use the Halo insimilar was representing gods goddesses and heroes.

Later on around 100AD Roman Emperors started to be depicted with halos oncoins and portraits for example In Roman Art the Halo of sanctity firstappeared in Hellenic culture maybe derived from the influence of the divineluster of Zoroastrian depiction of KingsThis may have come along with the cult of Mithraism where he is usually depictedwith a flaming Sun aura it became common practice for the central figure of an artwork be the mythic gods or important political figure to be surrounded by an haloof light

In Asia art the nimbus the Aura surrounding the head is often represented in theform of flames the earliest examples appearing on Chinese bronzes in the ZhouDynasty around 450 BC . Sometime the flames are very small and uniformovertimes of varied size and leaping around the body, especially in the depiction ofthe wrathful aspect of bodisatvas, however I have seen such auras on a number ofoccasions on a few people.


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Halos are also found in Islamic art especially in Persia miniatures, sometimes theprophet Muhammad is depicted with flaming halos. Although generally directdepictions are not allowed in some forms of Islam, however sometimes this would beovercome by the use of a veil across the face of Muhammad, later plan halos wouldappear around the heads of Sultans and Mughals.

The Christian Period


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Christian artists believed that the halo was symbolic of the light of grace bestowedby God. Before the rise of Christianity, pagans used halos to signify not onlydivine influence but also power, majesty or prominence. In Roman times, emperorswere depicted with halos. Even in the Christian Era, the symbols were used forfamous personages until 1600 AD when Pope Urban III forbade the use of thenimbus for persons who are not at least beatified.Christian artists began to portrayed Jesus Christ with a nimbus in the fourthcentury AD. By the end of the sixth century the use of this symbol became asgeneral as it had been in pagan art. Soon saints, martyrs, royal persons, and theVirgin Mary also giving rise to a formal structure relating to depiction of halos.Saints, for instance, were commonly given circular halos. Jesus Christ was usuallypainted with a cross proscribed by a circular halo. The picture above on the leftillustrates this best: the holy superior of a monastery on one side, Jesus on theother.Around 600, Gregory the Great permitted himself to be portrayed with a squarehalo. In general living people destined to become saints were represented in artwith square halos.


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William Blake reacted against this environment of rationality, which had seen thedisappearance of the Halos in the period of rationality and realism of portraitureand in his highly symbolic art the halo again makes a comeback. Blake longed foran age where imagination was again supreme over rationalism, and in his art seeksto express the godlike characteristics that resided in man. Blake was prolific in thelate 1700s and early 1800s, yet never achieved fame during his lifetime. He wasknow for his images of the devine and admitted to seeing the angelic realms onPeckham Rye where on occasion they still appear. The very same ones are therethat inspired Blake in his childhood, so a good place for the blocked artist to sitand meditate.

Van Gogh created a style consisting of wild, colourful brush strokes. He showeda preference for painting self-portraits; indeed some 30 finished paintings are stillin existence. Though many of these self-portraits convey Van Gogh's anguish(due to a combination of poor health and lack of success), some have halos that


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seem to convey the artist's inner spirit. In September 1888, van Gogh wrote: "Iwant to paint men and women with that something of the eternal which the haloused to symolize... Ah! portraiture, portraiture with the thoughts, the soul of themodel in it, that is what I think must come." With Van Gogh the halo returned, andwith it the idea of the majestic in man, the unseen spirit that resides within. Hisstyle seems obvious to somebody whom sees the spirit world since his style ofpainting graphically portrays the energy of the subject matter in the way Shamanssee it or children.

The Aura in Modern European historyIn the late nineteenth century, from about 1880 onwards, science was beginning tobe employed to attempt to elicit many psychic, mystic and paranormal answers. In apublication entitled 'Researches in Magnetism', Baron Karl von Reichenbachclaimed that some 'sensitives' could see a red light being emitted from the southpole of a magnet and a blue light from the magnet's north pole. He claimed thatsome sensitives could detect the position of a magnet through thick walls and evenwhen asleep. Not only magnets, light coming from crystals and finger tips was saidto be witnessed. This energy was given the name of 'Odic Force'. It is interestingto note that Dr. John Ashburner duplicated the experiments and confirmed theresults to be true.The idea that auras were somehow generated by the mind and nervous system wastaken further when, in the 1880s, Dr. Charle Fr observed glows being emittedby some patients suffering from intense mental anguish or hysteria, this he termedas the 'neuropathic aura'.Although science had generally come to disregard such evidence, there were stillsome that were attempting to investigate unexplained phenomena. In 1900, Dr.Walter J. Kilner of St. Thomas's Hospital in London was still attempting toinvestigate auras by using scientific methods. His claim was that by using aspecially prepared glass (coated in dicyanin dye) to view a subject standingagainst a black background, auras could be seen. He claimed that the subject'sbody was enveloped by an 'etheric double', in contact with the physical body andtwo layers of the 'aura proper could be seen to surround that.A psychologist, Dr. Shafica Karagulla who was looking into the claims of Edgar


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Cayce that this energy field could be used to heal also claimed to be able to seeauras and this became known as a form of 'higher sense perception'. Dr. Karagullaalso became convinced that variations within the energy field could also be usedfor diagnosis of aliments. After Kilner's findings, Karagulla took this a stagefurther and put forward the idea that the physical body was surrounded by aphysical energy field, which was overlaid by an emotional field that extended someeighteen inches from thee body and this, in turn, was enveloped by a mental fieldthat extended six inches further.This was added to when five 'vortices' were said to be seen, which could beassociated with five chakras in Hindu philosophy. The concept of aura andchakra integration was put forward by Dr. Edward Aubert who said that on thebasis of Karagulla's findings and the writings of others, "It seems that we live in avast ocean of interlacing energies". He went further by saying, "Each personappears to have his own method of selecting energy". Again, following closely tothe Hindu concept of chakras as energy focuses.Coming more to the present day and with more technology becoming available, inthe 1930s, several attempts were made to prove the existence of auras. HaroldSaxton Burr claimed success in using an electronic apparatus to measure energyfields emanating from a living organism, a tree. He called this the Life Field or L-Field and pointed to variations in this field under certain circumstances, such asphases of the moon and even sunspot activity. A year or so later, Kirlianphotography exponents claimed that this field had been photographed using theirmethods, more on this later.Science has become more positive about auras, although, in the main, not in anyparanormal or occult sense. It appears to be more the input of writers that developthe mystic qualities of these energies an focus points. Arthur E. Powell suggestedthat the 'etheric double' is a distinct entity in it's own right and can be separatedfrom the physical body but the separation takes away the subject's consciousness.Powell goes further by saying that the etheric double's function is to absorb vitalenergies, or prana, passing it to the physical body and that yoga is a practicewhereby this can be achieved under a person's will. Powell makes a distinctionbetween the etheric double and the 'astral body' which is able to disassociate withthe physical body, carrying the subject's awareness with it.Lyall Watson in 'The Romeo Error', stated that our psychical energy system asput forward by Burr, was William Tiller's (Stanford University) supposedconcept of the 'somatic system'. From those findings, Watson infers that the


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'human ensemble' is separated into seven auric levels, layers or bodies; the somaticsystem, the etheric double, a further three layers that associate with the mind andthe 'spirit body'.Today there is a resurgence of these ancient beliefs. Due in part to the increasedinterest in 'New Age' or Metaphysical studies. But perhaps some influence hascome from individuals turning toward more natural ways of living. Many people arelooking for new and less intrusive ways to care for the health of their mind andbody. People dissatisfied with the high cost of health care and over dependenceon chemical drugs in traditional medicines, are also turning to various "Alternative"healing methods.Since the early 1980s there has emerged a variety of alternative health practices.Some are just new ways of thinking about traditional approaches, others go backto the country doctor and prescriptions from the old wives tales. But many goeven farther, such as hands on holistic healing, aromatherapy, color therapy, andmassage therapy. But one thing many of these new practioners have in commonis an increased awareness of self and an understanding of how themind/body/spirit connection determines good or bad health. For this and otherreasons, many healers turn toward aura reading as a means of adding to theirdiagnosis of the whole person.

Aura photography!At nearly every New Age festival you can find commercially minded people whowill ask you to pay for a "photo of your Aura".Unfortunately most of so-called "aura cameras" use a photographic trick calledphoto-montage to create an illusion of the Aura. These cameras have lightsource(s) inside, which illuminate the film directly. Internal lights are controlled by asimple measurement of skin resistance. Although our skin resistance is related toour emotional state (lie detectors based on skin resistance measurement have beenin use for at least 60 years) it has nothing to do with an image of an Aura vibration.Any camera producing overexposed face images and "Auras" is a pure Fake.Unfortunately, most crooks call it "Kirlian.Do you want a proof? Make a test: take "Aura Camera" electrodes in yourhand(s) and DO NOT sit in front of the camera. Make sure that the camera isfacing a black screen. It will produce a Fake "aura" without you in the picture everytime


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Here is the exlaination of how it works from the owners manualbut the imitation of such a field based primarily on something called skinresistance. That is one of the physiological variables measured by agalvanometer as part of a polygraph or lie detector, whereby an unfeltelectrical current passes through the subject's hands and detects sweat-glandactivity associated with nervousness. (Cheap lie detectors-as well as the E-meters used by Scientologists in their controversial pyschotherapeutictechnique called auditing [Behar 1999]-are essentially only galvanometers.)As one source explains the aura camera's technique (while neglecting tomention that the electrical current is induced): The hand plates on theelectronic modules contain sensors that are located at specific acupuncturepoints on each hand. Each one of the points corresponds to a different areaof the body. Coggins said the sensors pick up the electrical current on the skinat each of those locations. This current is called skin resistance. Next, according to this source:

The computer plots the information from the sensors. Within the camera is a liquidcrystal display [LCD] of different colors. Each electrical frequency plotted bythe computer is assigned a different color. The higher frequencies are assignedwarmer colors-reds, yellows, oranges. The lower frequencies fall toward the coolerend of the spectrum-blues and purples. Greens and shades like turquoise,aquamarine, and yellow-green fall into the center of the vibrational spectrum.Coggins said he worked with psychics who helped him interpret the frequencies,and the colors they could represent. People with a lot of high energy in their field-red and orange-are described by most clairvoyants as vibrant and passionate.

Finally,The LCD flashes lights according to the pattern and frequencies plotted by thecomputer. The Polaroid film is thus exposed to the colored lights, which show upon the photograph in the areas of the body where the corresponding electricalcurrents were sensed (Sullivan 1999).Then in 1939, two Russians, Semyon and Valentina Kirlian accidentallydiscovered a camera that could capture the aura on film. In the late 1940s, the


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Russians began serious research into the auric field and how it pertains to thephysical body. But it wasn't until the 1970s, that Kirlian photography began inthe United States.Kirlian photography uses a high voltage camera which provides a method forconverting the non- electrical properties of an object into electrical properties.These converted electrical fields are then captured on film by means of high-voltage spark discharges. Kirlian photography became the first real scientificmethod of capturing the glow or energy field surrounding a living subject. Howeverthis same method produces results with anything with conductive propertiesincluding household keys rusty nails etc.What is really happening is energy is captured on film but it is physical electricalenergy that although unseen by the eye is strong enough to chemically change theemulsion on film to produce an image.If you still believe in these photos there is also a limiting factor this only producesblack and white imagesKirlian devices are limited to taking pictures of the Aura around fingertips orhands, mainly for the safety reasons due to high voltages. Hence the great numberof modern images that are taken of things that wont be electrocuted.

PracticalYou don't need to study for years as a Buddhist priest or Native AmericanShaman. Auras can be seen by anyone who spends the time and effort to develop,practice, study, and understand this forgotten sense.To begin with the most simple experiment is just to sit in a comfortable position ina low lit room looking at your hands in a relaxed fashion on a plan backcloth ortable or outstretched to the wall.Allowing the eyes just to observe and not really think about what you are doing.Put your hands together palms facing and just slowly move them slightly apartbeing aware of the space between them,Slowly move them apart and then back together again be aware of the sensationand at what point you feel your own fingertips.Notice any energy around the fingers or movement of light between the fingersoften a slight mist or glow is perceived.Practice this for a short time 15-30 mins everyday for a week keeping it simple, see


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if you notice greater perception.If you happen to own some dowsing rods try this little exercise:Get your partner to visualize their aura at about six inches away from the body.Ideally they should be standing and relaxed allowing themselves to breath a littleslower and deeper then they would normally to help create a relaxed state whilegentle visualizing their Aura.Then you approach using the dowsing rods they should cross at the point theymeet the Aura of your friend.Now move back away from them and ask them to repeat the exercise this timeagain with their eyes closed but expanding their Aura to a point without telling youwhere then you approach and again the rods should cross when reach the Aura,then without opening their eyes get your friend to indicate where they had placedtheir aura you will be surprised how often it is within a inch or two of the rodscrossingAnd if dont have some :The angle rods are most easily used by the novice and consist of two metal rodswith a right angled bend in them, these can be easily made from two wire lengths ofequal size or old wire coathangers, if using wire coat hangers the long edge of thehanger is used as the pointer and one side is the handle part which can have aloose fitting handle made out of emptied felt tip pen or similar and beads can beadded to the ends for safety if not the ends should be at least filed smooth.

In using the rods they should be held body-width apart in a comfortableposition approximately waist height in a neutral position facing forward, when youmove the slightest change in angle or grip will cause a response in the rods andsome degree of practice is needed to keep them straight until you are ready toexplore an area where a reaction will indicate a response. It is worth a number ofexperiments to learn to judge positive reaction.Remember that the rods simply amplify the minute muscle movements and itis the learning of how to interpret or divine what are true or force readings. You


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can build up a system of interpretation base on instinct or by developing a seriousof experiments in association with somebody else develop an analytical approachto any movements. Practice by using grid patterns and objects hidden by youpartner you may be able to establish you reaction pattern.Sit comfortably in a chair or other way that suits you again in dimly lit room facinga good sized mirror with plain edges to it.Relax you mind perhaps meditate for 10 mins or so then look at yourself in themirror initially looking at the mid-brow area of you reflection, then looking to theedge of your body see if you can notice any light next too or a few inches awayfrom your body observe for a while and then rest.Find yourself a nice live plant and just try to look at its edges in a dim light if detectanything try holding the plant and sending it love and care for around 5 mins thenlook at the plant to see if can detect any changes try doing this for a week.

Find yourself a friend one evening and in a darken room get your friend to standagainst a blank wall, start staring at your friends face initially looking at the mid-brow area of the head then slowly looking towards the hedges of the head. Youmay notice a moonlight like Aura around the person slowly bring your attentiondown the body seeing if you can see this light around the whole person. Makenote of the light sources in the room you will notice that often the side that shouldbe in shadow actually appears lighter then that which should be lit.After all this why is it useful to beable to see an Aura for me personally it showsour divine spirit and more importantly that of every living thing we are all of this

spirit, be you black or white, male or female, human or animal even plant once yousee the Aura you can start seeing the webs of connecting energy that unite us all.Perhaps all saw this connection there would be more care and understanding for allliving thingsSeeing Auras can also be used to improve your interaction with others. Bydetermining the current emotional state of someone, you may prevent a negative orstressful encounter. Finally, if you desire, you can learn to provide this service toothers. Helping family and friends live in greater peace and harmony withthemselves,with those they encounter and with nature as a whole.


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The Anatomy of an AuraThe size of an aura can vary depending on the subject, a human will have a largerauric field than the average house plant. A complete aura for a human can bebetween 6 to 25 feet or more all around the body.The inner-most aura extends only a few inches from the subject. This first sectionis usually a thin white light that outlines the entire body. Because this section isclosest to the body, some people believe the compact intensity of energygenerates the white color of this layer. Still others believe this is the bodiesprotective shield, sort of a natural force field. Like any force field it can be drainedor weakened in one area, or over charged in another, thereby creating slight coloror shape distortions in the aura.

The mid-section generally begins 3-4 inches from the physical body and canextend outward several feet. These layers of color reflect recent emotions,personal characteristics or traits, as well as, the current well being or health of thesubject.The inner section of the aura is generally the easiest to perceive. The mid-sectionof the aura is a little harder to see within a short amount of time. The energy canbe seen, however the perception of colors may take a little longer.You can use these 2 inner sections of the aura in your every day life. Perceivingand interpreting the colors of these sections can help you deal with people at anygiven moment, increasing your ability to get along with others. Or by allowing youto avoid a negative or stressful situation that maybe out of your control.If you see someone with a red lightening bolt dashing from their body, you can befairly sure they're angry or anxious about someone or something. Perhaps now isnot a good time to confront them with an issue. You can examine their aura later inthe day and determine if they have calmed down from the earlier encounter.Moving farther out, the third section reflects the more long lasting emotional and


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mental nature of the subject. The events of past lives and early memories from thislifetime are generally stored in this area. This outer section can be distinguishedfrom the others by the lack of intensity in the color of each layer. They appear asmore translucent colors and therefore are more difficult to see. Because this lastsection generally contains the 'hidden' history of a person, it should not be read orinterpreted without permission of the individual. Just as you wouldn't prodsomeone into telling you secrets of their life or to discuss painful memories, thesame courtesy should be extended to this outer fringe of their aura.The inner and mid-sections of the aura provide generalities that most peoplewould not considered as too personal. But if you feel uncomfortable with treadingon someone's 'space', by all means ask their permission. They may find yourinterest exciting and ask you to explain this second sight further.As you become proficient in your ability, these types of interpretations can beapplied to your interaction with animals, plants or any situation that may arise. Aslong as you keep a positive intent to your 'readings', the right interpretations ofthese energy fields can increase your quality of life and help your interaction withothers.In addition to the inner workings of the aura around living beings, some peoplebelieve objects (non- living objects) also have an aura. There is some debateconcerning the cause or origin of these energy fields. Some practitioners believethe molecular structure of these objects have an energy of their own and thereforethe object, such as a table, has a real aura. Others believe, the object is simplybeing surrounded by an energy residue from a person, animal or plant that hasrecently come in contact with it, such as a dog sitting in a chair. Still others believethe only non-living objects that may have an aura are electrical appliances, such asa lamp or computer. What a practitioner sees in those cases is the energy field ofelectricity that travels through the appliance and not the appliance itself.

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