The document provides an introduction to the topic of auras from various perspectives. It discusses how auras have been described throughout history in various spiritual traditions and more recently in scientific research. While the concept of auras may be dismissed by some as pseudoscience, empirical research by organizations like the HeartMath Institute have found measurable electromagnetic fields and interactions between people, proving auras cannot be fully dismissed. The document also notes that while many perspectives on auras exist, exploring this complexity can provide a rich journey of continual discovery into this fascinating topic.

1. Introduction To Auras
While the topic of auras may be thought of as a new age or mystical subject, it is interesting to note that
this term is frequently used, even by people who may not have given the subject much thought, when
describing the nature of another person. You have likely heard someone described as having a “vibrant
or magnetic aura”, or a person describe their new romantic partner as having an “aura about them” that
makes them feel wonderful. Is this common parlance simply a figure of speech, or is it a reflection of
something deeper that many people sense at a subconscious level?
Many people are inclined to think of this topic as standing in contrast to a scientific perspective
grounded in the traditions of 20th
century philosophy of science. It is important to note that for all it has
achieved, mainstream western science remains for the most part, committed to a physicalist, or
materialistic outlook. Even most non-scientists cannot help but be influenced by this dominant paradigm
in one way or another. What this means for the subject at hand is that any talk of a literal, non-corporeal
aura is likely to be dismissed out of hand by materialists, as nothing more than a metaphorical way of
talking about the emotional impact of someone’s personality.
Yet for people not so inclined to limiting assumptions, it may be of interest to note that empirically
trained scientists are now contributing a growing body of research that has firmly established the reality
of what can only be called a very real and tangible aura around the individual body. The HeartMath
Institute has published over 100 papers and studies to date which deal directly and indirectly with areas
of research relevant to the understanding of auras. The HeartMath Institute has conducted extensive
research involving the measurable electromagnetic field around people. This has included investigation
into the measurable interactions between people involving these electromagnetic fields.
Now, while such research cannot be used to draw any specific conclusions about higher spiritual
dimensions or aspects of our beings, it proves once and for all that the topic of auras can no longer be
relegated to bin of other subjects that are often dismissed as superstitious nonsense. This and other
research provides a wealth of knowledge to compliment any investigation into this deeply fascinating
and multi-faceted topic.
Auras: What’s In A Name?
Regardless of whether one prefers to think of auras in terms of scientific concepts like an
electromagnetic field, or in deeply complex or mystical terms, the fact remains that the literature
surrounding the topic of auras is as rich and varied as that of the philosophy on say, ethics, politics, or
religion. The concept of auras is deeply entwined with the occult concept of multiple bodies beyond the
flesh and blood body that we are all familiar with. Whether these bodies are understood in terms of
concepts like the astral, etheric, mental, emotional, spiritual, causal, pranic, or subtle bodies, they share
common ground with the concept of auras. Thus, different people may in fact be talking about aspects
of the same thing, even if the language is entirely different.

2. Auras and different bodies are widely seen as different aspects or layers of our being. In fact, some
authors refer not to the etheric or causal body, but to the etheric or causal layer of the aura. It is
important to note that these different usages are not mutually exclusive nor necessarily identical; it
would be perfectly reasonable to talk about a causal body which has its own emanations, thus resulting
in what one person may understand as a causal layer of the aura. Recognizing the wide variety of related
language helps to expand the horizon for the potential seeker or spiritual adventurer eager to learn as
much about the aura as possible.
Auras in History and Literature
While the topic of auras has, to some, a strong association with new age thought, it is clear that there
has at least been recognition of this phenomenon throughout ancient recorded history. We see
depictions of the Buddha, Christ, and various saints with various sorts of halos or spiritual auras around
their person. Ideas relating to auras and their colors are found throughout Eastern traditions like
Buddhism, Jainism and Yoga. The topic of auras is found in Kabbalah, the mystical aspect of Judaism,
Sufism, and western occult societies like the Rosicrucian order, which has some basis in Esoteric
Christianity.
Anecdotes of mystical occurrences that could be interpreted as a manifestation of a higher body or a
higher auric presence are frequent throughout esoteric literature up through modern times.
One striking example from the 19th
century is found in the hagiography of the Indian mystic, Swami
Vivekananda. Narendra, as he was originally called, was known by his peers for his sharp, analytical
mind, and his appreciation for western philosophy and the scientific method which started from a young
age. This set him apart from the other students of his then teacher, Ramakrishna. After Ramakrishna
had fallen ill and passed on, Vivekananda was walking in some gardens with a young student at night.
His hagiography states that he saw a glowing apparition appear before him that was the perfect image
of his deceased master. Believing it was a hallucination, he said nothing. However, after the young
student with him pointed excitedly and said “See, Naren, see!”, he was convinced of the reality of what
he had witnessed.
An event like this could be interpreted in many different ways. If it was taken to be an entirely different
phenomenon, it could be dismissed as irrelevant to the study of auras. And yet, if we talk about higher
levels of the aura, up to and including the causal level, who’s to say that an event as reported by
Vivekananda’s disciple, if taken at face value, was not a manifestation of such a level that transcends
physical death?
The important point isn’t whether or not this particular event happened as Vivekananda’s disciple
reported it, but that it can challenge certain theories concerning the human aura, for instance any
theory that auras are basically a phenomenon generated by the physical body. While this is definitely
one aspect, we can eliminate schools of thought which say that it is nothing more than this, if we take
accounts like this at face value. By integrating approaches from different angles together, it is possible
to build a more solid framework with which to evaluate certain perspectives concerning auras.

3. Colors, more colors, and shapes!
Virtually every article and book concerning auras will talk about the meaning of different colors, and
different authors or spiritual traditions will often have their own perspective. This brings up the question
of which interpretation or approach to take, if you feel compelled to pick one. But there is another
variable in the mix – geometry! There are many teachings and descriptions of various geometric
manifestations that are related to auric phenomenon.
The new age church called The Summit Lighthouse which uses a synthesis of various worldwide mystical
traditions as part of its basis, mentions specific geometries and alchemical transformations which result
in the manifestation of precise geometry are described as part of their studies on the Human Aura. One
student’s website shares a Polaroid which depicts a dense, milky white spiral the thickness of an arm
around a now-deceased female devotee. Based on appearance, there are two likely explanations:
Photoshop or a genuine phenomenon involving this person’s aura.
The sacred geometry of the merkabah is widely associated with a number of mystical concepts, one of
which is developing or manifesting the body of light. This concept sounds an awful lot like deeper levels
of the aura which transcend the physical level!
Sacred Geometries are also intimately involved with the traditional concept of Chakras, which are in
turn closely tied to most teachings on auras. Virtually all teachings on chakras traditionally describe 7
chakras along the spinal column. Incidentally, the locations of the chakras also correspond to nerve or
other vital centers along the spine. Many systems which describe the colors of chakras are paralleled by
systems describing the meaning of colors in the aura. The number seven is a common theme when it
comes to talking about the number of chakras, number of bodies, or the number of levels or aspects of
the human aura.
Traditionally, the Eastern concept of chakras involves precise geometries and meaning associated with
each chakra. Similarly to how there is a wide variance today concerning theory and interpretation of
auras, there is a wide variety with respect to chakra geometry, with many new age depictions involving
none in particular. Depictions of Eastern spiritual figures are often show with certain geometrical
patterns in the aura around them. If geometry is an important aspect of the closely related concept of
chakras, as well as certain approaches to auras, then it is an aspect that cannot be ignored if our
approach is to be complete.
What This All Boils Down To
Exploring the world of auras is both a fascinating and complex one. Not only are there numerous
different and related aspects to the topic, but there are many angles from which to explore the issue.
These include older, established traditions and teachings, new age channelings or systems of thought,
scientific research by entities like the HeartMath institute, and philosophical or mystical thought that
can help make sense of the massive variety of what can be discovered.

4. This variety and complexity can be intimidating to some who just want a simple, straight answer. To
others who appreciate that no one person or group is likely to have all the answers, or even an accurate
one, the enormity of theory and history is a testament to an exciting journey of continual discovery that
this topic can potentially be.
This book will cover the topic of auras from a wide range of angles, and draw on a number of sources of
information such as those mentioned above, e.g. Eastern traditions, new age schools of thought,
science, and western esotericism. By the end of this book, you will have a thorough overview of and an
appreciation for the richness of the subject of auras.
Enjoy!