The aura - the subtile body
Quantum physics describes the universe as energy, with energy and matter interchangeable. Psychology, Eastern therapy, and complementary medicine all have terms for life as energy. The aura can be viewed as an energy field surrounding the body, interacting through spiritual and psychological levels via structures called chakras. In other words the aura is an energy field that surrounds the physical body and is discernible to those of psychical sight. The 7 main chakras have their origin in the physical body but they also exist in all the layers of the aura. The speed and vibration level of the energy is increased with each level. One can say that the human consciousness is manifested on 7 levels or in the 7 layers that is the aura.
How Reiki affects the aura
Before a Reiki attunement a persons aura might normally only extend a few decimeters outside the persons body. The attunement strengthens the aura and gives a permanent aura of about 2 -3 meters. At the same time the consciousness, the inner strength and the ability to intuitively see what needs to be changed in order to achieve maximum health is increased. Through the Reiki attunement and the strengthening of the aura you get the tool to take control over your life and development. During a Reiki treatment not only the organs and the energy flow within the body are affect but also the different bodies of the aura are affected. When using distance healing or the mental/emotional symbol the aura seems to be more affected than the actual organs in the body.
The different layers/bodies in the aura
The Physical body, is the most tangible manifestation of our consciousness. Its function is to be here and now, to be conscious of what we do: walking when walking, eating when eating etc. We all know the fears of the physical body - sickness, aging and death. to the Solar Plexus Chakra. The Etheric body, is a thin invisible layer, approx. 2 cm thick, around the physical body. This is where the energy is reflected when it flows through meridians and chakras. The etheric body or double acts as a template for the physical body and appears as an energy matrix. It is described in Chinese medicine as meridians that transmit chi (ki) through the body. Consciousness is expressed in terms of sensations like physical pleasure or pain.
Many of our dreams can be found in the etheric body. With the aid of mantras, symbols, essence etc. one can affect the function of this part of the aura. Connected to the Root chakra.
The third body is the Emotional body. The emotional body is egg shaped and contains the other 2. This body reflects the feelings and emotions we have. Emotions like happiness, hope, love, anger, sorrow, hate are all found here. The emotional body is also connected to our past which can cause problems. The body is laced with wishes and desires from the past and this can cause tensions. It is important to learn how to handle different emotions during a day, the risk is otherwise that they become suppressed and stored in the emotional body and can later be the cause of blockages and disturbances leading to medical problems. Connected to the Navel chakra.
The Mental body's function is to teach us self knowledge. The mental body as it's name implies reflects the conscious mind, logic, intellect and active thinking.
We shape our reality with our minds. Our mind is the constructor, the builder. It reflects our ability through which we develop our learning and personality. Mental heath or mental illness is reflected in this level. Connected
The Astral body. Unconditional love. Connected to the Heart chakra. The astral aura is the bridge between the physical world and the spiritual realm.
The Etheric Template body (divine will) can be identified with memory and our thought processes. Here all our memories, forgotten, remembered or pushed away, are mirrored. The Etheric Template also stores the present and all the possible futures. Connected to the Throat chakra.
The Celestial body mirrors the subconscious mind that is a part of the inactive part of our brain. By listening to your subconscious, your intuition, you can make your journey through life more simple and rewarding. Consciousness expresses itself as higher feelings like universal love; love that goes beyond human beings and friends into a universal love for all life. Connected to the Third eye chakra.
The Causal body (Ketheric Template) is the last body. The energies in this body spins with a very high frequency. This is where the soul communicates with the conscious mind via the subconscious mind in the mental body.
Consciousness is expressed in higher concepts of knowing or belief systems. This is where the initial creative impulse begins; not just linear knowing, but integrated knowing. Connected to the Crown chakra.
system of meridians
The Chinese, in the 3rd millennium B.C., posited the existence of a vital energy which they called Chi (life force, life energy). All matter, animate and inanimate, is composed of and pervaded with this universal energy. Same as we need blood to flow freely through our body's circulatory system we also need Chi to flow freely through our system of meridians. Simplified one can say that the meridians are the equivalent of our blood vessels but instead of transporting blood this system transports Chi or life energy. Sickness can occur when there is a blockage in the meridians and the Chi no longer can flow freely or when the yin and yang balance of the Chi is disturbed.
12 primary meridians
There are two systems of channels or meridians, namely primary and secondary meridians. Primary meridians pass through internal organs but secondary do not. There are 12 pairs of primary meridians with Chi flowing in continuous circulation through the following organs: lungs, colon, stomach, spleen, heart, intestines, urinary bladder, kidneys, pericardium, triple warmer, gall bladder and liver. The primary meridians are named by the organ they are connected to i.e. lung meridian, heart meridian etc.
Almost all points used in acupuncture and acupressure are situated along the primary meridians. Please note that just because the meridians are named according to the organs they pass through it does not mean that they only correspond to these organs and their functions. The meridians also consist of complex interrelated systems for the circulation of Chi.
Yin and Yang
This Chi contains two polar forces, the yin and the yang. When the yin and yang are balanced, the living system exhibits physical health; when they are unbalanced, a diseased state results. Overly powerful yang results in excessive organic activity. Predominate yin makes for insufficient functioning. Either imbalance results in physical illness. The ancient art of acupuncture and acupressure focuses on balancing the yin and the yang. Reiki and the meridians
A Reiki treatment will balance the yin and yang and facilitate a smooth flow of Chi through the meridian system. Blockages in meridians can be dissolved by Reiki and help restore the body's healthy flow of Chi.