Introduction to Auras

by Marilyn Muir, LPMAFA

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Have you heard about Auras? Have you ever personally viewed an Aura? Would you like to? Let’s start with a relatively simple explanation of the concept and then we will explore “how to”.  

From my ministerial teaching material:

Most people believe that we live, move and have our being within the confines of our skin, our personal outer limit. Those with even a slight degree of sensitivity know that we are far more than we appear to be; and that each of us encompasses much more area than we physically occupy. That part of us which extends beyond our skin, although not visible to our ordinary vision, is referred to as an aura. The aura is extremely subtle, ethereal and fine, and may be perceived in multiple ways. The aura is not a single thing, but comprises many layers or levels, and it is in a state of constant flux or change. Auras are not limited to humans. They can also be perceived around plants, animals, and inanimate objects.

That most people do not perceive or see the aura is largely a case of ongoing conditioning or negative programming. Children readily see auras and literally are punished or reprimanded if they mention it. It doesn’t take long for parental, societal, or peer pressure to eliminate the aura from their awareness. However, just as readily, children can almost instantly see or perceive the aura once they are given permission to do so. Damage done to children by prior denial is quickly and easily reversed. It is harder for adults to perceive quickly as the negative programming not to perceive is more deeply rooted.

Those who naturally perceive the aura are usually unaware that others don’t see it or don’t know that it exists. They are usually and sometimes rudely informed that they are crazy or seeing things. The higher the degree of sensitivity of the individual, the easier it is for them to perceive the subtle bodies and diminish prior negative programming. This is a general statement; remember there are always exceptions to any rule. Think of the older religious paintings with the halo or nimbus around the heads of the figures. Artists easily perceived the light auras on their subjects and painted it on their canvases, denoting spirituality. They painted what they saw. The aura around the head area can be quite strong.

Just what is the aura? It has been described as your radiant energy, your personal surround; the various subtle bodies surrounding your physical body. In psychology this is known as Proxemics* or your bubble of personal space. Definitions could be endless. Most people have experienced an intrusion into their own aura (personal space), but have not realized the nature of the experience or put the label “auric” on the experience. Watch people in elevators or in crowded situations. They can be incredibly uncomfortable as others press close to them, and actually enter their auric space. Think of the phrase “don’t invade my space!”  Does it simply mean their room or personal property, or can it literally mean their personal space, their aura?

How to:    There are multiple ways to experience the aura, but we are going to focus on “seeing” for this exercise. Because what we are attempting to experience is very subtle, a few helpful hints can make it easier. You will be holding your gaze very steady, so limiting or eliminating distractions can help. A quiet space, no animals, bells or whistles to startle the quiet (shut off the phone). A simple background, such as an undecorated wall, with dim lighting can reduce shadows and distractions. You get the idea – simplify, in order to stay focused!

I would suggest you ask a friend to sit a few feet in front of you, facing you, in that simple background. It is important for them to sit still and allow you the quiet time you need to focus. Conversation can occur later; chatter is a distraction. You should be directly looking at their still face. You must also remain still. Your whole concentration will be with your eyes. Once you have begun, do not shift or change position. Should you or your viewing object move, you will have to begin over. You won’t lose any ability; it just requires practice.

I am going to suggest you look at the head / neck area of your subject. Holding your eyes steady, stare at the space slightly above and between your subject’s eyes in what is referred to as the “third-eye” region. It is not mystical, it is convenient, about two to three inches from the edges of their head. Allow your eyes to relax; and just that easy, their aura can pop inro your view. Resist the impulse to shift your eyes to look directly at the aura forming around their head. If you move your eyes or vision, you will have to begin again. My explanation is that you do not see the aura with your direct vision, you see it with your peripheral vision. Develop patience on your part and on the part of your stationary subject. If necessary, allow your eyes to go slightly out of focus. Once you see the aura forming around the head, keep your eyes steady and simply study what you are seeing.

Know that you are not trying to make anything happen, you are allowing it to happen. Your mental state should be receptive, anticipatory. Give yourself permission to relax and allow your natural ability to surface. Know that you are asking your eyes (and your mind) to do something different. You have all sorts of conditioning factors embedded in your consciousness, and you may have to wrestle with them. Your eyes can play tricks on you as well. You are asking them to perform an unknown; they may not cooperate at first. What tricks? Your eyes can blur, twitch, itch or even go black, all temporary defense mechanisms. Practice eliminates these effects.  Trade seats with your subject. You be the still subject and allow them to do the “seeing”. Practice this simple method until it becomes comfortable. Then it will be time to expand your participation and knowledge.

What if you don’t have a partner / subject with which to study, cooperate and share? Is there another simple way for you to see / observe your own aura? I am assuming you have a pair of hands attached to your body. Follow the control of distractions described earlier.  Hold your hands, open palms about five to six inches apart, in front of your body, about shoulder height, elbows bent. Do the same intent but relaxed gaze on your own hands. Again, do not move your physical posture or eyes, especially once the auric energy around your hands becomes visible. Should you do so, moving your position will necessitate you starting over. What you are attempting to see is very subtle energy. You should not try to “will” it into visibility; instead you must “allow” or “encourage” it to become visible.

Pay attention to the word “subtle”. Each person’s experience is unique. My own personal description of the energy reminds me of seeing heat waves off a highway on a hot day. Stay still and just observe. You may or may not see color at first. I personally first saw rippling energy very soft white in color. I was very patient with my young children when they asked what I was doing. Imagine my surprise when they instantly saw my aura’s color (blue at that moment) in a split second of viewing. I couldn’t do that! I learned to not judge another’s skills by comparing them with my own. Practice! Skill will develop in the manner, strength and way that belongs to you personally. 

This is only a minute beginning to auric studies. I suggested a human face to begin because you initially need to control distractions. You can discuss with another person without moving. You can stare at a pet’s head, but can you get the pet to sit still? There are several simple ways to experience your own aura and the auras of others, visually and non-visually. Once you have opened that spiritual door, there will be more ways to explore your emerging spiritual abilities.  

* https://dictionary.apa.org/proxemics

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This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 4.0 International License.