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Energy Fields

The word energy is tossed around in spiritual circles so often that it’s easy to assume we know exactly what it means, but as I sat down to research this book and attempted to commit a definition to paper, the word energy felt more slippery than I expected. What is energy? Are energy healers and physicists talking about the same thing? And how does energy differ from matter? Given that energy healing is, in part, about using energy to affect matter, how do energy and matter interact? These are just a few of the questions we’ll be exploring in this chapter and this book as a whole, and as I soon discovered after wading into the deep end of classical physics, quantum mechanics, biology, and other fields, science is often stranger than fiction. Getting a solid footing with the basics can help us appreciate just how miraculous and magickal the so-called mundane world truly is.

While the focus of this chapter is energy fields, to understand a field of energy, we first need to grapple with the concept of energy itself. In physics, energy is defined as the capacity to do work, and it’s interesting to compare this to a common definition of magick: the ability to create change in accordance with one’s will. In both cases, we’re talking about the ability to do something.

Energy is available in various forms, and these forms determine what sort of work or change is possible. As you turn the pages of this book, you are making use of mechanical energy, the energy of an object’s position and motion. Your cup of tea contains thermal energy, the motion of molecules within an object, and chemical energy comes into play as your body breaks down the bonds between the molecules in the tea. Other forms of energy exist as well, and energy can be converted from one form into another.

It was once thought that energy and mass were distinct, but Einstein, in his famous E=mc² equation, showed that mass is, in fact, another form of energy, which brings us to one of our questions at the chapter’s start: How does energy differ from matter? If matter is simply another form of energy, we need to look at what makes it different from other forms, and to do this, it’s time now to talk about energy fields.

One way to think of a field is as a zone of influence. To use a common example, a magnetic field is the area in which a magnet can exert its magnetic effect. In this scenario, we’re accustomed to thinking of the magnetic field as something that is being generated by an object—the magnet, in this case—but the Standard Model of particle physics turns this thinking on its head by describing fields as the source and particles arising from the field. Particles are (very) small objects that have physical or chemical properties, such as mass or volume. You can think of particles and other matter as local concentrations of energy within the field, but they are not independent of the field, just like a knot arises from tying a string but cannot exist independently of the string. It is the string, just as particles are the field.

According to quantum theory, each type of particle has its own field, which gives rise to individual particles. This explains why every particle of a type is exactly the same. For example, every single electron in the universe is exactly the same as all the other electrons, because electrons are “knots” in a continuous “string” called the electron field. When a field gains energy, it begins to vibrate or undulate, like ripples on the surface of a pond, and these ripples are particles. Individual particles might come and go, but the field giving rise to them is permanent.

There is a parallel between this indestructible field giving rise to temporary forms and the teachings of numerous spiritual traditions, which describe an eternal divine energy or consciousness that creates and reabsorbs the fleeting forms of mortal life.

Some particles arise and disappear so fast that we can’t observe them, but scientists know they exist due to their collective effects, which can be detected. These particles are called “virtual” particles, which is a bit of a misnomer, because they are no less real than observable particles, and they have been shown to play an important role in natural forces, such as the electromagnetic and weak nuclear forces. It’s interesting to think that some of the phenomena in the field of energy medicine could be a product of these unseen, virtual particles.

Earlier we defined energy as the capacity to do work, which means that energy is a process rather than a static entity, and if mass is energy, then mass, too, is a process. Think about this for a minute. The chair you’re sitting on, the body that’s doing the sitting—these are dynamic processes. The spiritual teachings of Hermeticism, an ancient philosophical and magickal tradition based on the writings of Hermes Trismegistus, espouse that everything vibrates; Buddhism teaches that things are impermanent and ever changing, and physics shows this to be true. These energetic processes can create the appearance of solid substance, but the fundamental truth is one of constant movement and ceaseless change.

An important takeaway is the underlying interconnectedness of everything. If all the particles in my body are ripples in the same field that gives rise to the particles in your body (and in the trees, the stars, and everything else), it’s hard to assert that we’re as separate as we tend to believe. And therefore, the idea that I could affect you by laying my hands on your body during a reiki treatment is entirely possible.

Human Energy Fields

Let’s expand our view beyond physics to encompass perspectives from the field of energy medicine. Surrounding and interpenetrating the human body is a multilayered energy field commonly known as the aura. Many energy healers perceive seven primary auric layers, which are associated with the seven main chakras (vortices of energy that reside within the body and the aura, each of which processes different types of energy), although additional layers have been perceived as well. Here, we’ll focus on the first seven.

Exercise: Perceiving the Aura

This exercise outlines how to practice aura gazing with people, but you might find that you are better able to perceive the aura of crystals, plants, or animals, so if this exercise is challenging, feel free to experiment with gazing at different types of auras. You’ll need a black background, like a piece of black cloth or poster board.

Find a comfortable place to sit where you can relax without being disturbed, and take a few minutes to close your eyes and focus on your breath. Allow the inhales and exhales to deepen as you settle into a state of calm and relaxation.

When you feel ready, open your eyes and place the black cloth or poster on your lap. Rub your hands together vigorously for a full fifteen to twenty seconds, and place them on the black background, fingertips an inch or two apart. Soften your gaze as you look at your hands, as if you’re trying to look just past them. Your vision might blur a bit—that’s totally fine.

Look for a soft glow or “fuzz” around your skin. You might notice it more strongly at the fingertips or near the palm. Continue to explore for a few minutes before releasing your focus and closing your eyes for a few breath cycles to let them rest.

You can also try this exercise with a partner, and I find it helpful if the person is sitting in front of a solid background, ideally black or a darker color, but a plain white wall works as well. Follow the same steps to come into a state of relaxation before gazing at your partner with a gentle focus, like you’re trying to look past them. Slowly scan around their body, as you might find it easier to see their aura in certain areas.

Figure 1: Aura

First Auric Layer

The first three inner layers of the aura are associated with the physical plane of reality, and the one closest to the body is associated with the physical body and the root chakra (the energetic center related to our experiences of safety, stability, and physicality). Energy healer Cyndi Dale sees this layer as being synonymous with the skin, serving as the boundary between our insides and the outside. 1 When this layer is intact and well functioning, we will find it easier to feel grounded, stable, and safe, among other benefits. This layer helps us draw in the energy we need to sustain the core functions of daily living and to establish the necessary boundaries that support self-esteem and healthy interactions with others.

The first auric layer has been perceived as mapping the structure of the body, complete with the forms of individual anatomical features, such as organs and bones. Barbara Ann Brennan describes it as “a definite structure of lines of force, or energy matrix, upon which the physical matter of the body tissues is shaped and anchored.” 2 I find it interesting to compare this auric layer with the continuous web of fascia (a type of connective tissue) that interpenetrates, provides structure to, and transmits information and force throughout the entire body. If you were to remove all the other tissues in the body, leaving only the fascia, what remained would be quite recognizable as a human body, down to astonishingly minute details.

Various spiritual traditions teach the importance of maintaining the health of your aura, and the innermost layer in particular is closely tied to your physical health. Working with this layer can be thought of as the epitome of preventative medicine, because you are interacting with the state of your energy before it condenses into physical form. Recall the concept of a field, the undulations of which are particles of matter. By initiating healing in the field, you can change the nature of the undulations and therefore the resulting matter, rather than attempting to shift the quality of the matter after it has already formed. I liken this to making edits to the blueprint for a chair, rather than trying to make changes after you’ve already cut and assembled the wood.

Exercise: Exploring the Physical Template

Find a quiet place to sit where you won’t be disturbed, get comfy, and close your eyes. Bring your focus to your breath, noticing the inhales and the exhales for a few cycles. Begin to slow your breathing down by gradually lengthening each inhale and exhale, feeling yourself becoming more and more relaxed.

In your mind’s eye, conjure up an image of your body. You might see an outline or a more three-dimensional visual; allow impressions to arise naturally. Say to yourself three times, “I now perceive the first layer of my aura.” Notice if the image changes in any way or if other forms of information come to you, such as intuitive knowings that pop up, seemingly out of nowhere, or sounds, smells, or sensations. When you experience one of these changes, focus on it. For example, if you see a glowing blue light around your left shoulder, focus on this light in your mind’s eye, and allow any additional sensations or insights to come through. You can also ask questions such as “What is most important for me to know about this blue light?” or “How does this blue light affect my physical health?”

If you’re more tactile, you can run your hands slowly over your body, a few inches from your skin, sensing any changes, such as hot or cool areas, tingling patches, sticky or tacky areas, “breezy” spots, and so on. Follow the same process as above for focusing on these areas, allowing additional insights to come through. When you’re finished, return to the mind’s eye image of your first auric layer, and see a clear stream of healing energy entering this layer, filling the energetic shell with a cleansing, balancing light.

Second Auric Layer

The next layer of the aura is the emotional body, associated with the sacral chakra (the energy center related to emotions, sexuality, and intimacy), and it is related to the energy of emotions and feelings. Returning to the concept of a field in physics, let’s use the example of a magnetic field to understand how auric layers function. Just as a magnetic field exerts an influence specifically on magnetized materials and not, say, a chunk of wood or a piece of fabric, each layer of the aura attracts or repels specific types of energy. The second layer transmits your emotional energy to the outside world, while also drawing to you emotional experiences that resonate with the energy present in this layer and repelling dissonant experiences. For example, if your aura has been patterned over time with the emotional energy of fear, you may be predisposed to find yourself in fear-triggering situations, or you might be more attuned or hypersensitive to fearful experiences. On the flipside, if your aura has been patterned with the emotional energy of joy, you will be more likely to experience and notice joyful experiences.

This is not about limiting ourselves only to positive emotional experience, however. Ideally, we are able to experience the full range of emotions without being overly attached to any one emotional state, and one way to support this is to tend to our second auric layer (see also Navel Healing Technique, page 230). When this layer is functioning optimally, we are able to remain fully present with and feel our emotions without clinging to the emotions we like or rejecting the ones we don’t. Emotions contain energy and information; thus, when we allow them to flow organically, our energy is permitted to move, which is vital to our health, and we also benefit from the useful information “encoded” in our emotions. If, on the other hand, we resist uncomfortable emotions, such as shame, we halt the natural flow, which can lead to pockets of trapped, stagnant energy. These pockets can emerge from the aura in physical form, manifesting, for example, as anything from sore, achy muscles to chronic illness.

We will also be left with blind spots connected to, in this example, shame-triggering experiences, because we aren’t accepting the information carried by the emotion of shame. This can lead to impaired decision-making that continues to generate predictable experiences, in the same way that we would continue to make the same, predictable math error if we never absorbed the information necessary to master multiplication. I find this analogy to be particularly useful, because it lessens the charge of a blame-oriented attitude. When we view recurring experiences simply as indicators that there is something new to learn, it’s easier to adopt an attitude of openness and curiosity, which is a very powerful pathway to health and change, rather than getting hung up on self-judgment.

Allowing our emotions to arise naturally is not synonymous with acting on our emotions. I like to approach the emotions as a self-knowledge tool, viewing them as messengers from my otherwise hard-to-access unconscious realms and giving me clues to how various aspects of myself are responding to a situation. When I allow my emotions to flow and I permit myself to fully feel them, my experience is that they always, quite naturally and of their own accord, ebb and fade. Once that cycle has run its course, then I can make decisions based on the information delivered via my emotions, but I try to avoid taking action while the emotional tide is still coursing through me; it’s like waiting for the entire message to download before attempting to respond. When our first and second auric layers are healthy, we are able to stay present and grounded (first layer) with the emotional tide as it arises (second layer), bringing with it valuable information and a flow of energy.

Exercise: The Flow of Emotions

This exercise is a practice in allowing emotional energy to flow through you, rather than resisting this flow and causing energy to become trapped and stagnant.

Bring to mind an animal or person for whom you feel love. Allow the emotion of love to arise, building in intensity for a few breaths. Visualize this emotional energy flowing through your body and energy field, perhaps as a river of colored light. Release attachment to the image of the animal or person and allow the emotional energy to run its course as you remain present with the sensations.

Notice as the intensity of the emotion naturally starts to fade. Recall the memory of the animal or person once more and explore your ability to bring in another flow of emotional energy. When this round of emotions fades, slowly come back to your breath, and when you’re ready, open your eyes.

Following this exercise, notice in daily life how your emotions rise and fall of their own accord. If an emotion is lingering, bring your awareness to your thoughts: Are you calling in additional waves of this energy by thinking about the initial trigger, perhaps by replaying events in your mind? Recognize this inner power to conjure up emotions long after the original event, and know that you can choose when to engage in this pattern. The more you practice exercising your power to choose, the easier it will become to allow your emotions to fade naturally.

Third Auric Layer

The third auric layer is associated with the solar plexus chakra (the energy center tied to the directing of our will through the choices we make), and in various traditions it is also linked to the mental body, which includes the thoughts and beliefs that shape our reality. Just like the emotional energy of the second layer, our thought energy can attract or repel experiences, and depending on the health of this layer, those experiences will be more or less in line with our well-being. Dale describes this layer as emanating from the third chakra to create a “mind field” around us, which can connect to the mind fields of others, creating a “holistic network of data that stretches beyond our current time/space continuum,” an idea that echoes the concept of morphic resonance discussed later in this chapter.3

It is in this third layer that we may encounter thoughtforms, which are energetic constructs created through the power of thought, and over time, we can reinforce a thoughtform through repetition. For example, in childhood we may have internalized the message “I am unworthy,” creating an unworthiness thoughtform. The more we put stock in that thoughtform by telling ourselves “I’m not worthy,” the stronger the thoughtform becomes, running like a computer program in the background and influencing how we see ourselves and the world, just as trapped, stagnant emotions in the second layer continue to exert an influence long after the original emotion has passed.

Tending to the third auric layer would include clearing out unhelpful thoughtforms, much like brushing your teeth, and I see this as tending to your daily thought landscape as you would a beloved garden. While it’s probably not possible to completely root out all unhelpful thoughts, we can plant the seeds of many beneficial thoughts, and over time, these thoughts will outcompete those that are not in line with our highest good. Just as with the emotions, this is not about trying to think happy, light thoughts 24/7; life is a rich tapestry not limited to any one zone of experience, but we can learn to expand on the thoughts that support us in making healthy decisions while learning from and releasing the thoughts that leave us feeling immobilized by, for example, fear, shame, or judgment.

I like to approach unhelpful thoughts by first allowing myself to be aware of them. This might sound obvious, but oftentimes these thoughts run in the background like white noise, and various practices, such as regular meditation, journaling, and therapy, can help bring them to light. When I become aware of a thought, I adopt an attitude of openness and curiosity, approaching it with the assumption that it has something valuable to teach me. For example, if you identify the thought “I am unworthy,” you can ask your higher self, “Can you show me a time when I first had this thought?” and “Can you show me some examples of how this thought affects me in the present?” before meditation or journaling. See what arises. Allow this inquiry to expand your self-awareness. Then, proceed to the next exercise to release the thoughtform.

Exercise: Clearing Thoughtforms with Healing Energy

In your mind’s eye, conjure up an image of your body. You might see an outline or a more three-dimensional visual; allow whatever comes naturally to arise. Say to yourself three times, “I now perceive my aura and any harmful thoughtforms.” Slowly scan the image, looking for thoughtforms, which often appear as dense or tangled, darker-colored or gray blobs of energy, floating in or attached to your aura. You can also run your hands over your body if you’re more tactile, setting the intention to locate any harmful thoughtforms.

When you locate one, see yourself grasping it with both hands and allow healing energy to flow into the thoughtform, filling every fiber of it with white light. Push the dissolving thoughtform out of your aura, where it will continue dissolving completely. If any holes or tears have appeared in your aura, seal them with healing energy by placing your hands over the damaged area and allowing the energy to flow. Repeat this process with any additional thoughtforms, and then release the image of your body and aura and slowly return to a normal state of consciousness.

Fourth Auric Layer

The fourth auric layer is associated with the heart chakra (the energetic center of love of self and others, relationships, and interconnectedness), and it serves as an intermediary between the lower and upper chakras. Brennan describes it as “the transforming crucible through which … the spiritual energy must pass through the fire of the heart to be transformed into the lower physical energies” and vice versa.4 We might think of this layer and of the associated heart chakra as a communication tower, relaying information and transmitting influence between the other auric layers and energetic centers, as well as with the environment.

Because the fourth layer acts as a relay between the upper and lower energy centers, we will find it easier to translate energies from the upper chakras, such as the desires of our higher self and guidance from Source, into our mental, emotional, and physical experience when this layer is healthy. This has interesting parallels to research conducted by the HeartMath Institute, particularly in regard to coherence. Without coherence, the workings of the body would be an ineffective jumble of activity performed by independent parts, rather than the synchronized, efficient processes of a living system, and the heart appears to play an important role in establishing this coherence: “when functioning in a coherent mode, the heart pulls other biological oscillators into synchronization with its rhythms, thus leading to entrainment of these systems.” 5

The fourth auric layer is sometimes referred to as the astral body, and as such, it is our interface with a plane of existence known as the astral plane, which contains blueprints of all potential shapes and forms, whether or not they are currently manifested in physical reality. This again has interesting parallels with the physics conception of an energetic field from which matter arises, and this in turn aligns with Brennan’s view that the fourth layer acts as an interface between physical and non-physical reality. When people talk of astral travel, it is thought that this energetic body is the part of us that can travel on the astral plane, connecting us to beings and realms beyond the constraints of time and space.

This theme of connection brings us to the topic of energy cords, which are energetic conduits tethering you to other people, places, things, or entities. Most energetic practitioners maintain that cords are not an optimal way of interacting with others and the world, because they bind us to people, places, or situations, making it more difficult to create and maintain the boundaries that support healthy connection. Cords between people allow for energy draining or “dumping,” and cords to places or events can drain our energy through repetitive thoughts of the past, preventing us from fully living in the present.

The most common resistance I’ve encountered around cord clearing is the fear that by dissolving cords, the connection with whoever or whatever is on the other end will be lost. And yes, sometimes that does happen, but more often, my experience is that I am able to relate more fully and authentically when I am no longer bound up with cords that are siphoning off my energy or allowing someone else’s energy to flow, unmitigated, into my system, both of which can lead to all manner of ickiness, including resentment and codependence. Think of it like being in relationship with someone because you both genuinely want to be versus forging a connection because you’re both chained to the same rock. A bit melodramatic, perhaps, but truly, the feel of a connection grounded in mutual love and respect is worlds apart from the feel of a tangled web of cords.

Exercise: Clearing Cords

In your mind’s eye, conjure up an image of your body. You might see an outline or a more three-dimensional visual; allow whatever comes naturally to arise. Say to yourself three times, “I now perceive my aura and any energetic cords.” Slowly scan the image, looking for cords, tendrils, ropes, or beams of energy running through or out of your aura. You can also run your hands over your body if you’re more tactile, setting the intention to locate cords.

When you identify a cord, see yourself grasping it with both hands. You will sometimes receive information regarding who or what the cord is attached to, but this isn’t necessary to complete the healing. Pay attention to where in your energy field the cord is attached, as you will often see connections with your health, physically, emotionally, mentally, or spiritually. For example, a cord attached to the heart can generate issues related to love, intimacy, and relationships. While grasping the cord, allow healing energy to flow through your hands, filling the cord with light, dissolving its attachments so you can gently and completely pull the cord out. Push the cord out of your aura and see white light traveling to the other end of the cord, dissolving it as it does so with love and light. Repeat this process with any additional cords.

When the process feels complete, allow healing energy to wash over your entire aura, sealing any holes or damaged areas with light. Let this energy fill the interior of your energetic shells, permeating every fiber of your energy field. Let the image slowly fade from your mind’s eye, and when you’re ready, open your eyes.

Fifth Auric Layer

The fifth auric layer is associated with the throat chakra and our etheric template. It is similar to the first auric layer but differs in that it is the perfect blueprint from which the first layer derives its form. I see this perfect blueprint as a set of downloaded operating instructions, so to speak, from our higher self. In my experience, the more we consciously seek to commune with sources of higher guidance, the more often this blueprint is refreshed, like updating your phone software to ensure that things run smoothly.

In quantum theory, there is an idea called the “many worlds interpretation,” which claims that anything that is possible already exists in some plane of reality. 6 In other words, if something isn’t impossible, then it’s already real, and the possibilities that we’re not seeing in our immediate reality may be unfolding in parallel universes. If that’s the case, could it be possible to access these alternate realities via the astral plane to glean information from the paths not taken by our current self? Many energy practitioners believe that this is, indeed, possible and that the fifth auric layer is a primary conduit for accessing this information.

This auric level is most responsive to sound healing, which is apropos given the energetic theme here of communication.7 While there are countless ways to incorporate sound into your healing practices (see Chapter 21), in the following exercise we’ll use a simple yet powerful chant to cleanse and balance your energy field.

Exercise: Healing with Sacred Chants

Sit or stand in a comfortable position, grounding through all points of the feet if standing, lifting up through the spine and crown of the head. Close your eyes and focus on your breath, taking as much time as you need to bring yourself into a state of calm and centeredness. Chant the word om three times, pausing when done to sense where you feel the vibrations in your body and energy field.

The meaning of om is complex, but we can loosely translate it as the union or oneness underlying all things. By chanting the mantra, you can unite all aspects of your being into a coherent whole, while also enhancing your connection to the world around you. I like to use chanting whenever I need an energetic reset, and with continued use, you will likely be drawn to use different mantras for specific situations. Follow your intuition!

Sixth Auric Layer

The sixth auric layer is associated with the third eye or brow chakra, which is related to our ability to see things clearly, both in the physical world and in a spiritual or psychic sense. Many healers perceive the sixth layer as being composed entirely of light, and it has been associated with the halo often depicted around holy people, such as saints. When this layer is connected to and in harmony with the heart center, we rest in the knowing that we are one with the divine, giving rise to unconditional love, both for ourselves and others, and when we make decisions from this place, our life becomes an expression of this love.

The connection between clear seeing and unconditional love reminds me of an experience I had a few years ago while driving. As I pulled up to a stoplight, I glanced over at the woman in the car beside me, and quite suddenly, it was as if a light switch had been flipped, illuminating her from within. I could still see her physical form, but it was transparent to reveal light layers within and overlays of light webs extending from her body. A young man jogged past me on the crosswalk and he, too, was a radiant being of light. I felt overcome with love, humbled by the stunning beauty of everyone and everything around me. The visuals faded within a couple of minutes, but ever since, when working with clients, particularly during energy work or tarot readings, or in moments of heartfelt connection with friends and loved ones, I will often see glimpses of what I call their “radiance,” and it’s always accompanied by an intense feeling of love. I believe that when we are able to truly see each other, without the layers of persona and life baggage obscuring our soul’s light, we can’t help but feel unconditional love.

Tapping into this light-love energy can help us see deeper layers of truth, beyond the obfuscations of the ego, which makes it a wonderful tool to use when we need guidance, a process outlined in the following exercise.

Exercise: Enhancing Clear Sight

Bring your focus to your third eye. Feel energy concentrating in this area; you might experience this as a hum or slight pressure between your brows. Now, imagine yourself looking out through your third eye, like a picture window. Notice if the window is hazy or obscured in any way, perhaps by curtains or other objects. Get curious about what you find. For example, if there are curtains, look at them more closely. Is there a pattern to the fabric, and if so, what does it remind you of? Ask any questions you might have, such as “What do these wooden boards over my window represent?”

When you’re finished exploring, see yourself holding a white cloth in your mind’s eye, and bring healing energy down through your crown and into the cloth, filling it with bright, white light. Use this cloth to wipe your third eye window clear, making multiple passes if needed. When this process feels complete, let the cloth dissolve into light, and look out of your window once more.

If there’s a situation in your life that you wish to see more clearly, ask any questions you have and see what insights arise with your newly cleared sight. When done, let the images fade in your mind and slowly come back to a normal state of consciousness.

Seventh Auric Layer

The seventh auric layer is also known as the causal body or ketheric template and contains all the inner auric layers in its durable sheath, while providing a grid for the physical body, chakras, and energy channels. It contains bands of colored light, each corresponding to different past lives, and connects us with Spirit.

When healthy flow and energetic dialogue between this and the inner layers is obstructed, we will feel a dissonance, because the various levels of our being aren’t able to exchange energy freely with Source. Without this exchange, we may experience any manner of challenges, such as lack of purpose, energy, health, or creativity. By reopening the dialogue with Source, we will be guided to the changes and shifts necessary to regain our sense of purpose, energy, and so forth. In my experience, this healing is most effective when we step up to cocreate with Source, rather than passively waiting for Source to “fix” us. You might be given insights into action steps that need to be taken, such as having an honest conversation with someone in your life, looking for a new job, or starting a daily walking practice. Source works through us, and our active participation is required. That said, there is a distinction between taking purposeful action as we partner with Source versus actions rooted in fear and the false belief that everything rests on our shoulders. The latter usually has an urgency to it and anxiety over what might happen if we don’t take action. Source-supported action, on the other hand, is inspired by genuine desire and curiosity. When you’re acting from fear and a desire to control, you will often feel depleted, drained, or confused, whereas Source-led action, while sometimes requiring hard work, gives back more than it asks of us; you’ll feel a sense of satisfaction and nourishment during and after engaging in these activities.

Learning how to discern between the two allows you to do self-inventory to determine whether the majority of your recent actions stem from a place of fear or Source. Make a list of the decisions and actions you’ve taken over the past three days. Which actions carry a mark of urgency, fear, or a need to control the outcome, and which were motivated by a genuine desire and a curiosity of the results? If you find yourself taking more fear-based actions, use the following exercise to open to a healthier flow between Source and your entire energy body.

Exercise: Connecting to Source

Envision a stream of healing energy, descending down into your crown, washing over the entire outer layer of your aura, including down your back and underneath your body, coating it with pure, white light. Bring your awareness back to your crown and feel this energy penetrate to the next layer of your aura, once again washing over the entire surface with a pure, white light. Return your awareness once more to the crown area, and feel as healing energy penetrates into the next auric layer, the fifth layer. Continue this process, letting each auric layer fully soak in the energy before moving progressively inward. When you reach the innermost layer, allow healing energy to permeate your entire body. Breathe here for a few cycles.

Expand your awareness to encompass your entire energy field, glowing with pure, white light. Sense how the energy moves throughout the various layers of your aura, creating dynamic flows and webs of communication. If there are any areas that feel resistant to this flow, bring your awareness here and allow the healing energy to gently dissolve any obstructions. Pay attention to any insights that arise, perhaps indicating choices or changes that need to be made in your day-to-day life. When the process feels complete, allow the imagery to fade, return your awareness to your breath, and come back to a normal state of consciousness.

Koshas

A parallel to the aura in yogic tradition are the five koshas, or energy sheaths.

Figure 2: Koshas

The First Sheath (Annamaya Kosha)

The koshas start with the physical sheath, or annamaya kosha. This layer is connected to the element of earth, and we nourish it, in part, by taking good care of our bodies: eating healthy food, getting plenty of movement and restful sleep, managing stress levels, allowing ourselves healthy sexual expression, and enjoying a wide range of physical experiences, from the feel of a supersoft sweater to an impromptu dance in the rain.

It is at this level that we manifest the content from the other layers of our being; for example, it is here that our thoughts and emotions crystallize into physical form. When working with the annamaya kosha, it’s helpful to ask ourselves, “What do I want to embody?” Are your thoughts, actions, and other expressions an accurate embodiment of these desired qualities, or are you devoting thoughts, time, and energy to things that aren’t in alignment with your goals? If you sense a mismatch, through this layer you can introduce more harmony by returning to your physical self-care practices. After all, it’s much harder to live in alignment with our highest self when we’re eating under-nourishing foods, denying our bodies healthy movement, and falling short on sleep. I think of this layer of experience as a foundation, the ground on which my other levels of experience rest, so when life feels out of whack, come back to the basics and treat your body like the sacred temple that it is.

The Second Sheath (Pranamaya Kosha)

The second sheath is the energetic layer, or pranamaya kosha, and it is composed of prana, or vital life force. Without this energy, we wouldn’t be alive, which explains prana’s connection to the breath, another indispensable thing for us living beings. Thus, working with the breath is a primary way of working with the pranamaya kosha, and this can be as simple as bringing your awareness to your inhales and exhales, something that we rarely do throughout the course of a busy day. By focusing on the breath, we can activate the parasympathetic nervous system, the “rest and digest” complement to the sympathetic nervous system’s “fight, flight, or freeze” mode.

Another word for the inhale is inspiration, and this certainly ties in with the pranamaya kosha’s connection to our vital life force. To keep this force strong and flowing, we must devote time and energy to practices that inspire us. If we’re constantly doing things that leave us feeling blah and drained, it should come as no surprise that our life force is dampened. Too often, we do things we love only after we’ve checked everything off the to-do list, but in order to have energy to carry out the tasks of daily living, we must stoke our inner fires by doing what we love on a regular basis. Pencil in time every day to focus on something that inspires you, and treat this like the non-negotiable wellness practice that it truly is.

The following breathing technique is called nadi shodhana, or alternate nostril breathing, and this practice never fails to leave me feeling clearer, calmer, and more focused. It’s great for balancing the left and right hemispheres of the brain, as well as harmonizing our internal polar energies (energies like active and receptive, doing and being, etc.).

Exercise: Alternate Nostril Breathing (Nadi Shodhana)

Find a comfortable seated position, and begin with a few rounds of calming inhales and exhales. Do this until you find a steady, smooth rhythm to your breath. With the thumb of your right hand, gently but firmly seal your right nostril closed and exhale through the left nostril. With the thumb of your right hand, gently but firmly seal your right nostril closed and take a deep breath in through the left nostril. Pause at the top of the inhale.

With your pinky or ring finger, seal your left nostril, exhaling out through the right. Pause, then breathe in deeply through the right nostril. Pause at the top of the inhale, then open the left nostril and seal the right nostril once more with the thumb. Exhale through the left nostril, ending where you began.

This is one round of nadi shodhana, and you can repeat for a few rounds or up to ten to fifteen minutes. If you feel light-headed or otherwise unwell, stop and return to normal breathing. This is a great practice to do in the morning or before bed to refresh and reset your energy through the breath.

The Third Sheath (Manomaya Kosha)

The third sheath is the emotional layer, or manomaya kosha, which regulates and expresses our emotional energy. We’ve already talked about the flow of emotions in regard to the second auric layer; here, let’s explore some of the ways the emotions influence our physical form. For starters, we experience our emotions through the vehicle of the body, perhaps as a fluttering in the belly, heat in the face, or a sudden wave of gripping cold. The work of researchers like Dr. Candace Pert has shown the emotions to be an interface between the mind and the body; thus, by working with our emotions, we can influence the physical.8

As a bodyworker, I am also fascinated by the parallels between chronic emotional states and physical patterns in the body, one of the most common being a state of depression or fatigue with a “sunken chest” and rounded shoulders. In a study by social psychologists Dana Carney, Amy Cuddy, and Andy Yap, participants were given a specific pose to adopt for a few minutes, such as slumping in a chair with arms folded across the chest or hands on hips with chest held high. Saliva samples were taken before and after the poses to look at levels of hormones such as testosterone and cortisol. The study showed that physical postures can change the cocktail of chemicals coursing through your system, dramatically affecting how you think about yourself and how you interact with the world.9

While we’re likely accustomed to emotions affecting how we feel in our body (racing heart, flushed cheeks, etc.), in the following exercise, you’ll reverse this process by using various physical postures to affect your emotional state.

Exercise: Emotional Healing through the Body (Manomaya Kosha)

Cultivating safety and calm: Start out in a kneeling position on the floor, using a yoga mat, blanket, or any necessary padding. Open your knees to a comfortable distance, such that as you fold your upper body forward, your chest can rest in between the legs. If this pose isn’t accessible, you can fold forward onto a chair, resting your head on your arms, or onto a pillow or bolster. Close your eyes and feel the cozy containment of this pose as you let your inhales and exhales deepen and lengthen.

Cultivating love and possibility: In a comfortable seated or standing position, start by placing your palms over your heart. Close your eyes and focus on the sensation of the breath and your heartbeat. Tap into a sense of gratitude for your miraculous body, for your beating heart and life-giving breath. When you feel ready, open your arms up and out, tilt your face to the sky, and broaden your heart space, beaming out love and opening to possibilities.

The Fourth Sheath (Vijnanamaya Kosha)

The fourth sheath is known as the knowledge or wisdom layer, or vijnanamaya kosha, and it governs our ability to discern. This layer has been connected with the inner witness, that part within us that can observe our internal states without judgment or attachment, thereby increasing our self-awareness and our ability to respond mindfully instead of reacting. It’s difficult to tap into this layer if we’re constantly immersed in distractions, like buzzing phones and mental chatter, so practices like meditation, solo walks in nature, and soothing baths can help us carve out the space and relative silence to connect with the vijnanamaya kosha.

The vijnanamaya kosha is a blend of the intellect and the five senses, so one way to work with this layer is by engaging all those faculties with awareness. The following exercise draws on ritual elements from my practice, and you’re free to adapt it as needed to make use of whatever tools you have on hand. The important part is to engage each of the five senses: touch, taste, sight, hearing, and smell.

Exercise: Cultivating Awareness through Sensory Delight (Vijnanamaya Kosha)

For this exercise, you will be taking a hot bath, and you’ll need a few supplies:

• Dried lavender or scented bath sachet of your choice

• Candle (scented, if desired)

• Salt

• Good-quality chocolate or other favorite food

Once in the bath, take a few minutes to feel the sensations of the hot water on your skin; perhaps closing your eyes to heighten your feeling sense and listening to the sound of the water’s movements. Add the dried lavender or sachet to the water, and breathe in the scent, crushing the herbs a bit to engage the sense of touch and smell. Light the candle and gaze gently at the flame, focusing on the sense of sight (and smell, if it’s scented). Look at the water, the floating herbs, and your body with the same gentle gaze, taking in any details. Take a handful of salt and gently exfoliate your skin, really tuning your awareness to the sensations and sounds. Finally, take a piece of chocolate and, before eating it, really take in the details: look at it, noticing the sheen or color; smell it; feel the texture. Then, take a bite, noticing the sounds, and absorb every nuance of the flavor and texture as the chocolate melts in your mouth. Give yourself plenty of time to engage all your senses, treating each movement, each scent, each visual, sound, and taste as a fascinating universe unto itself.

When you feel ready, pause and notice the state of calm and centeredness you have cultivated simply by engaging your senses with mindful attention. In this space, if you are seeking guidance on any area of your life, ask a question to your higher self. Stay in this state of calm openness and allow any insights to arise. Know that you can tap into this state anytime you wish by slowing down and using the five senses to bring you powerfully into a state of presence and awareness.

The Fifth Sheath (Anandamaya Kosha)

The fifth sheath is known as the blissful layer or anandamaya kosha, and it is here where the experiences and awareness of the other layers weave together to help us remember our True Self: the self that is eternal, divine, and resonating with the energy of bliss. In my book Living Reiki: Heal Yourself and Transform Your Life, I outline a seven-step process of transformation to help you remember this True Self, even amidst the busyness of day-to-day life. Here, we’ll focus on one of the most powerful shortcuts to bliss: helping someone else feel awesome. When we’re caught up in the drama of our own life, it’s easy to lose perspective on what really matters. We’re so focused on our irritating boss that we can’t connect to a sense of gratitude for our work. We’re frustrated by the number on the scale, and we forget how amazing our body is. And so on it goes. By stepping outside the story in our head and making a positive impact on someone else’s day, we reconnect with a sense of connection and the energy of gratitude.

What’s one thing you can do today to bring a smile to someone else’s face? Some ideas include the following:

• Surprising your coworker with a cup of her favorite tea

• Holding a door open for someone with a smile and a hello

• Asking the checkout clerk how their day is going and really listening

• Volunteering for the local soup kitchen, nursing home, trash pick-up team, etc.

• Leaving a little gift on a park bench or other public space with a cheery note

Morphogenetic Fields

Biologist and researcher Dr. Rupert Sheldrake has developed a theory describing another kind of field relevant to living organisms: morphogenetic fields. Sheldrake asserts that genetic information alone is insufficient to direct development, as evidenced by, for example, the fact that arms and legs contain the same genes, yet the body somehow “knows” that an arm must have a different form than a leg. In the 1980s, the discovery of homeobox genes, which were shown to determine the location of body parts within a developing embryo, could have been the missing puzzle piece, but when further research showed that the homeobox genes of widely different animals were nearly identical, it was again underscored that genes alone cannot account for the amazing differences between living organisms and the heritability of these “operating instructions.” Sheldrake proposed that in conjunction with genes, morphogenetic fields, specific to each individual species, store this added layer of information, similar to C. G. Jung’s conception of a collective unconscious that stores and transmits cultural information.

Like genetic information, morphogenetic transmissions can range from helpful to harmful. By working at this level of our energy field, we can effect healing surrounding faulty beliefs and ideas, physical health issues, emotional patterns, and spiritual issues that we have inherited from family and the human community as a whole. The following exercise uses healing energy to dissolve harmful programming in your morphogenetic field.

Exercise: Morphogenetic Healing with Energy Healing (Anandamaya Kosha)

Find a comfortable place to sit where you won’t be disturbed. Close your eyes, and bring your awareness to your breath, gradually lengthening the inhales and exhales. Continue this pattern until you feel calm, centered, and focused.

In your mind’s eye, see your body. It might appear as an outline or a more three-dimensional shape; you might also see various layers of your aura. Say to yourself three times, “I am perceiving my morphogenetic field,” and wait for the image to shift. For me, the field appears as a rather dense web of light, permeating and extending outward from my body in all directions. Slowly scan the web in the vicinity of your body, looking for any areas that appear different in color, density, or vibration. Focus your awareness on one of these areas, and ask, “How does this affect my well-being?” You might receive insights in the form of images, memories and thoughts, physical sensations, and so on. Ask any clarifying questions as needed.

When the exploration process feels complete, place your physical or energetic hands on this area and allow healing energy to flow through your crown and out through your palms, saturating the web with pure, white light. For me, the area will change in color, density, and so on, and I receive an intuitive sense of restored balance and harmony. Repeat this process for any other areas that appear. When done, allow the images to fade, and gently bring yourself back to a normal state of consciousness.

Now that you have an understanding of the fields of energy surrounding and interpenetrating your body, it’s time to look at the energetic channels that distribute energy within these fields. A proper flow of energy is vital for health on all levels of your being, and understanding these energetic pathways, the subject of the next chapter, will help you maintain this dynamic energy flow.

[contents]

1. Cyndi Dale, The Complete Book of Chakra Healing: Activate the Transformative Power of Your Energy Centers (Woodbury, MN: Llewellyn Publications, 2011), 180.

2. Barbara Ann Brennan, Hands of Light: A Guide to Healing through the Human Energy Field (Toronto: Bantam Books, 1993), 49.

3. Cyndi Dale, The Subtle Body: An Encyclopedia of Your Energetic Anatomy (Boulder, CO: Sounds True, 2009), 187.

4. Brennan, Hands of Light, 51.

5. “Chapter 4: Coherence,” HeartMath Institute, accessed March 07, 2019, https://www.heartmath.org/research/science-of-the-heart/coherence/.

6. George Musser, The Complete Idiot’s Guide to String Theory (New York: Alpha, 2008), 194.

7. Brennan, Hands of Light, 52.

8. Candace B. Pert, Molecules of Emotion (New York: Scribner, 2003).

9. Dana R. Carney, Amy J. C. Cuddy, and Andy J. Yap, “Power Posing: Brief Nonverbal Displays Affect Neuroendocrine Levels and Risk Tolerance,” Psychological Science 21, no. 10 (September 2010): 1363–68, doi:10.1177/0956797610383437.