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The Prana-aura


Many writers on the subject of the human aura content themselves with a

description of the colors of the mental or emotional aura, and omit

almost any reference whatsoever to the basic substance or power of the

aura. This is like the play of Hamlet, with the character of Hamlet

omitted, for, unless we understand something concerning the fundamental

substance of which the aura is composed, we cannot expect to arrive at a

clear understanding of the phenomena which arises from and by reason of

the existence of this fundamental substance. We might as well expect a

student to understand the principles of color, without having been made

acquainted with the principles of light.



The fundamental substance of which the human aura is composed is none

other than that wonderful principle of nature of which one reads so much

in all occult writings, which has been called by many names, but which

is perhaps best known under the Sanscrit term, Prana, but which may

be thought of as Vital Essence, Life Power, etc.



It is not necessary in this book to go into the general consideration of

the nature and character of Prana. It is sufficient for us to consider

it in its manifestation of Vital Force, Life Essence, etc. In its

broadest sense, Prana really is the Principle of Energy in Nature, but

in its relation to living forms it is the Vital Force which lies at the

very basis of manifested Life. It exists in all forms of living things,

from the most minute microscopic form up to living creatures on higher

planes, as much higher than man as man is higher than the simple

microscopic life-forms. It permeates them all, and renders possible all

life activity and functioning.



Prana is not the mind or the soul, but is rather the force or energy

through which the soul manifests activity, and the mind manifests

thought. It is the steam that runs the physical and mental machinery of

life. It is the substance of the human aura, and the colors of mental

states are manifested in that substance, just as the colors of chemical

bodies are manifested in the substance of water. But Prana is not

material substance--it is higher than mere matter, being the underlying

substance of Energy or Force in Nature.



While it is true, as we have seen, that all auras are composed of the

substance of Prana, it is likewise true that there is a simple and

elementary form of auric substance to which occultists have given the

simple name of the prana-aura in order to distinguish it from the more

complex forms and phases of the human aura. The simplicity of the

character of the prana-aura causes it to be more readily sensed or

perceived than is possible in the case of the more complex phases or

forms of the aura. For whereas it is only the more sensitive organisms

that can distinguish the finer vibrations of the mental and emotional

aura, and only the clairvoyant sight which can discern its presence by

its colors, almost any person, by a little careful experimenting, may

become aware of the presence of the prana-aura, not only in the way of

"feeling" it, but in many cases of actually seeing it with the ordinary

vision rightly directed.



That which is known as the prana-aura is of course the most simple form

or phase of the human aura. It is the form or phase which is more

closely bound up with the physical body, and is less concerned with the

mental states. This fact has caused some writers to speak of it as the

"health aura," or "physical aura," both of which terms are fittingly

applied as we shall see, although we prefer the simpler term we have

used here, i. e., the prana-aura. For the prana-aura does show the state

of the health of the individual radiating it, and it also really

contains physical power and magnetism which may be, and is imparted to

others.



The basic prana-aura is practically colorless, that is to say, it is

about the color of the clearest water or a very clear diamond. By the

clairvoyant vision it is seen to be streaked or marked by very minute,

bristle-like lines, radiating outward from the physical body of the

individual, in a manner very like "the quills upon the fretful

porcupine," as Shakespeare puts it. In the case of excellent physical

health, these bristle-like streaks are stiff and brittle-looking,

whereas, if the general health of the person be deficient these

bristle-like radiations seem to be more or less tangled, twisted, or

curly; and, in some cases present a drooping appearance, and in extreme

cases present the appearance of soft, limp fur.



It may interest the student to know that minute particles of this

prana-aura, or vital magnetism, is sloughed off the body in connection

with physical exhalations such as scent, etc., and remain in existence

for some time after the person has passed from the particular place at

which they were cast off. In fact, as all occultists know, it is these

particles of the prana-aura which serve to give vitality to the "scent"

of living creatures, which enables dogs and other animals to trace up

the track of the person, or animal, for a long time after the person has

passed. It is not alone the physical odor, which must be very slight as

you will see upon a moment's consideration. It is really the presence of

the particles of the prana-aura which enables the dog to distinguish the

traces of one person among that of thousands of others, and the feat is

as much psychical as physical.



Another peculiarity of the prana-aura is that it is filled with a

multitude of extremely minute sparkling particles, resembling tiny

electric sparks, which are in constant motion. These sparks, which are

visible to persons of only slightly developed psychic power, impart a

vibratory motion to the prana-aura which, under certain conditions is

plainly visible to the average person. This vibratory movement is akin

to the movement of heated air arising from a hot stove, or from the

heated earth on a mid-summer day.



If the student will close his eyes partially, until he peers out from

narrowed lids, and then will closely observe some very healthy person

sitting in a dim light, he may perceive this undulating, pulsing

vibration extending an inch or two from the surface of the body. It

requires some little knack to recognize these vibrations, but a little

practice will often give one the key; and after the first recognition,

the matter becomes easy.



Again, in the case of persons of active brains, one may perceive this

pulsating prana-aura around the head of the person, particularly when he

is engaged in concentrated active thought. A little practice will enable

almost any one to perceive faintly the dim outlines of the prana-aura

around his own fingers and hand, by placing his hand against a black

background, in a dim light, and then gazing at it with narrowed

eye-lids, squinting if necessary. Under these circumstances, after a

little practice, one will be apt to perceive a tiny outlined aura, or

radiation, or halo, of pale yellowish light surrounding the hand.



By extending the fingers, fan shape, you will perceive that each finger

is showing its own little outlined prana-aura. The stronger the vital

force, the plainer will be the perception of the phenomenon. Often the

prana-aura, in these experiments, will appear like the semi-luminous

radiance surrounding a candle flame or gas light. Under the best

conditions, the radiation will assume an almost phosphorescent

appearance. Remember, this is simply a matter of trained ordinary

sight,--not clairvoyant vision.



This prana-aura is identical with human magnetism, which is employed in

ordinary magnetic healing. That is to say it is the outer manifestation

of the wonderful pranic force. It is felt when you shake hands, or

otherwise come in close physical contact with a strongly magnetic

person. On the other hand it is what the weakly, human vampire-like

persons unconsciously, or consciously, try to draw off from strong

persons, if the latter allow them so to do from want of knowledge of

self protection. Who has not met persons of this kind, who seem to sap

one's very life force away from him? Remember, then, that the prana-aura

is the aura or radiation of life force, or vital power, which is the

steam of your living activity, physical and mental. It is the pouring

out of the vital "steam" which is running your vital machinery. Its

presence indicates Life--its absence Lifelessness.



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