Aura

In spiritual and esoteric teaching, the aura refers to a subtle energy field that – according to this view – surrounds and pervades the human being. The term describes a spiritual conception, not a medically proven or scientifically demonstrated fact.

What is the aura?

By aura is understood a field of subtle energy enveloping the body, described in numerous spiritual traditions. It is often ascribed several layers or levels which – so the teaching – are connected with a person’s physical, emotional and mental states. Important: this is a spiritual view and not a medical statement.

Can the aura be seen or photographed?

Some people report perceiving an aura or “seeing” it as colours. This is a subjective experience. For visible representation, procedures such as aura photography or Kirlian photography are offered. These methods are scientifically disputed: what they depict can be explained by physical factors such as moisture, pressure and electrical voltage, and they count neither as proof of an energy field nor as evidence of a health effect. Anyone interested in the practical engagement with this will find further articles, for example under Can a person’s aura be photographed? and The effect of the energy pyramids in aura photography.

How is the aura connected with the chakras?

In many teachings, aura and chakras are thought of together: the chakras are regarded as the energy centres of the body, whose state – according to this view – is reflected in the surrounding energy field, that is, the aura. Terms such as energy and Kundalini also belong to this spiritual conceptual field. All these conceptions are to be understood as a spiritual interpretation.

Autor: Tobias O. R. Alke