What is the Aura?-April 2010 blog

Recently, I was watching a “Universe” episode on the National Geographic channel that was
on the planet Jupiter. In it was a description of the immense energy fields that are produced
by Jupiter (quite different than gravity or magnetic fields) that reach far out to space and
would be deadly to space explorers on the near moons. Earth has similar fields that protect
us from the cosmic rays produced by our own Sun but let in the beneficial elements of life
giving sunlight. The inter-reaction of these rays and the field are what cause the dazzling
light shows in the arctic regions known as the “Aurora Borealis”. similarly, all lifeforms that
have any mass also produce energy fields. We can be aware of these energy fields but it
takes practice and training to sense them on more than just the instinct level.

And there is no doubt we have instincts that sense energies around us. These senses can
even stimulate physiological responses in us such as the danger response that causes the
hairs on the back of our neck to stand up, yes, just like a cat or growling dog; this is a
natural “flight or fight” response we get that triggers the Arrector pili muscles in the hair
follicle to contract  giving us goosebumps. We have catch phrases that describe this
reaction (ie: he gives me the creeps’ or heebie  jeebies or willies) because it’s a common
experience to all people whether or not you pay attention to it. We also have slang for
positive responses just as good vibrations (vibes), warm fuzzies, euphoria, giddiness; all
over which are responses to hormones and chemicals in our body that are triggered by
responses from external stimuli that we “sense”.

Ancient cultures and traditions have identified these energies with names like Qi or chi (or
Ki in Japan), Chakras, Kundalini, halos. In the  books by Carlos Casteneda, the Yaquai
Indian shaman Don Juan describes the energy that surrounds human as a luminous egg.
The Aura is just another such name to describe this natural phenomena. It never ceases to
cause me to wonder how much wisdom the ancient people gathered about the world around
us because the didn’t have TV to distract them. In our modern world we rely more on
technology than our senses to shape our perception. In some cases this is a blessing but
more often it is a handicap.