Al Borchers

The human body, composed of seven billion billion billion atoms, is often compared to a machine in that it has an engine, electrical system, movable parts, and a computer onboard. Such an analogy ignores four essential body aspects. Ancient, as well as contemporary literature, has explored human consciousness, spirituality, and the concept of a soul. Within this exploration has been the following four generally non-visible body energy fields: the etheric body, astral body, mental body, and the causal body.

The etheric body sometimes referred to as the ether-body or aether-body, is the first layer of the human energy field. It provides vitality and life to the physical body. It encompasses electromagnetic, chi, prana, and or Ki vitality. From a scientific viewpoint, it is composed of subatomic particles. The etheric body also attunes oneÂ’s consciousness to universal energy. Blue-violet color radiates from the etheric body. The etheric body is the same shape as the physical body.

Next is the astral energy field and it is generally posited between the mental and causal body energy fields. The idea dates back to at least the time of Plato. Some writers claim it is the spiritual counterpart of the physical body; however, Theosophists indicate the astral body is the link between the human nervous system and the cosmos. The astral body is an exact replica of the physical body and is the instrument of emotions. Like the other generally non-visible body energy fields, it extends beyond the actual physical body. Astral projection utilizes the astral body to travel to other dimensions. Finally, the astral body is a field of energy occupying the same space as the aura, but appears to have a higher degree of flexibility in that it is constantly reshaped by thought and emotion. The astral energy field functions as a vehicle of consciousness, which can exist separately from the physical body even though it is connected to that physical body.

The third body energy field is called the mental body. It presents an interesting challenge particularly in view of the quarrel over the location of the mind. It is believed this mental body energy field is located in the mind. Further, this field is the vehicle of thought vibration and enables the manifestation of the self. Healing at this energy field is stronger, longer-lasting than the other three-body energy fields. The reason for this is the suspicion that the mind energy field is all-encompassing, that is, it exists everywhere in the human physical body

The causal body is the fourth body energy field. It has its roots in Yogic and Vedantic concepts that have been forged into some of the basic principles of Theosophy, esotericism, and spiritual mysticism. It is here that the soul—the spiritual soul that survives the physical death of the body, exists. Since the soul is energy and if one accepts the major premise of the Second Law of Thermodynamics that energy cannot be destroyed, it makes sense then, that the soul survives the death of the body.

The individual’s role, then, is to be open, to be receptive, and to be cognizant of these body energy fields and resonate with them.

Much is being written about various modalities of alternative medicine. The term alternative medicine grinds on the nerves because it immediately sets up a potentially confrontational situation with what is called “traditional medicine.” Complimentary or supportive medicine is a much better term and contemporary medicine is better nomenclature for “traditional” medicine. What are the supportive or complementary healing techniques? A list would include Reiki, Qigong, Emotional Freedom Techniques, Chiropractic, Biofield Energy, Therapeutic Touch, Spiritual Healing, Faith Healing, Acupuncture, Acupressure, Yoga, Sufi Dancing, Polarity Therapy, Feldenkrais Method, Meditation, Visualization, Chakra Balancing, and Sound Healing (Vibrational Healing).

One healing method is older than those listed-shamanic healing. It has been around for at least 40,000 years. Interestingly enough, it has used and still does use many of the techniques that are incorporated in approaches to current complimentary healing. Two popular healing techniques have their history in the world of shamanism: healing hands and healing sounds.

What are healing hands? Healing hands are sometimes referred to as the “laying-on-of-hands” or as healing touch. Reiki is a good example of contemporary healing techniques using hands, having been introduced in the early 1920s. Like the shaman, the Reiki healer functions as a conduit for the universal life force.

A shaman uses his hands to locate an issue in his patient, then to redirect energy to that area so the person can begin to heal him or herself. What happens at this point is a realignment of the molecular vibrations of the body. As the realignment or bringing into balance takes place, the shaman’s hands may exhibit warmth, cold, or vibration. In the event the vibration becomes intense, the shaman may be referred to as a “tingler.”

Vibration segues to the second commonality in healing strategies that have come up to us through shamanism, sound healing. Today there are Mp3 files, tapes, DVDs, CDs containing electronic sounds to increase one’s vibration levels for healing. Some of these productions go from 396hz to 852hz. There is a vibrational sound to heal one’s DNA. There are still practitioners who use the old methods of sound healing, mainly drums, rattles, and flutes, and bowls (Tibetan and Quartz). The shaman, like many modern healing practitioners, uses voice in the form of chants and supplications to the spirit world.

It’s apparent the cliché “don’t throw out the baby with the bathwater” is a good reminder not to be so quick to dismiss that which our ancestors found useful.