Do Auras Exist? Exploring the concept of the human aura

by Lindsay Shapka in ,


Have you ever felt like your personal space has been invaded? Or, have you felt uncomfortable when a stranger stands too close? Was there ever a time when you told someone they were "glowing"? Have you been able to tell that something or someone was coming up behind you without even turning around? Can you sense that your friend is happy before they tell you? Do you ever feel connected to someone in a way that you can't explain?

These are just a few examples that can stand as evidence that a human aura exists.

Defining the human aura

The existence of an aura has long been a controversial subject due to the fact that like most ‘magical’ concepts, its existence cannot be scientifically proven or defined. 

Anyone that you talk to — expert or layperson — will define and describe the aura in different ways.

It is “the interaction of patterns of energy, vibrating at interwoven frequencies and intensities” (Harrower). A luminous atmosphere that surrounds all living things. A link between our inner self and the outside world. Or, a reflection of the spirit that resides inside our bodies.

Some scholars believe that it is a characteristic of the human spirit (energy), which remains whole even if the body doesn’t. This can explain why, when an individual has a missing limb, the outline of the arm will still be present in that person’s aura and they may feel like their limb is still there.

Who can see auras?

According to my research, anyone has the potential to see auras, but unless you are a child or an animal (think about how intuitive they seem to be) it is something that you will actively have to practice, study and — most importantly — believe in.  

Though there is scientific technology that can measure the electromagnetic field around the human body, what causes a lot of skepticism is that no two people who claim that they can see auras ‘read’ them or ‘see’ them the same way.

Some claim (think fortune tellers) that they can read a person’s education, background, potential, and future in their auras, while others may say that they can predict a physical injury or illness by seeing a ‘dent’ in the aura. There are those that believe that an aura’s colour will give a viewer information by the feelings that emerge from looking at the colour. 

The concept of the aura in history

The concept of a human aura is present in many different cultures throughout human history.

Traditional Chinese Medicine uses the idea of a human energy system as a basis of its healing practices, Ayurvedic medicine found in India teaches how to balance energy in order to achieve optimum health and well-being, and the Hindu concept of Chakras claims that energy is taken from the environment through one of the seven of them to help revitalize the body and spirit. 

A more ‘western’ concept is the practice of Therapeutic or Healing Touch, a medical practice that uses the power of the aura for practical purposes. It is defined by professionals as a practice that helps restore proper energy flow and entails the use of a ‘sixth sense’ and strong compassion that together aid in the re-balancing of energy. 

So, does the human aura exist?

There is evidence to support both sides.

Though there is a strong case for the skeptics, it's hard to deny the fact that there is some kind of energy surrounding our bodies.

But can anyone actually see this energy?

At this point, with nothing ‘proven’ in a conventional way, it seems that the only person who can answer this question is you! 

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Do auras exist?
 



Don't Touch The Monks in Southeast Asia!

by Lindsay Shapka in , ,


In Thailand approximately 95% of the population is Buddhist, which means that the country is chock-full of breathtaking temples (wat in Thai), elaborately carved statues of the Buddha, and saffron-coloured-robe clad monks (approx. 460,000 of them!). 

It is an expectation across the country that EVERY Thai male will become a monk for at least a short period in their life.

This practice, much like compulsory military service in countries like South Korea, usually occurs between the completion of school and the beginning of a career or marriage. It is not unusual however for males under the age of 20 to ‘take robe and bowl’ as novices, because a family earns great merit when a son becomes a monk. 

The time spent in a wat is traditionally supposed to last for three months and take place during the Buddhist version of lent that begins in July and coincides with the monsoon season.

Nowadays. however. most men spend as little as a week in the temple in order to accrue merit as a monk. 

As is the case in most organized religions, women do not have the same status as men, and are not permitted to become monks. Outnumbered by them almost 50 to 1 — I never actually saw one when I was in Thailand — these female devotees to Buddha shave their heads, wear white robes, and are called nuns. 

It is an expectation across the country that EVERY Thai male will become a monk for at least a short period in their life

The lower status of women in Buddhist practice was even more obvious to me when I learned that one of the 250 rules that monks follow is that they are not allowed to touch or be touched by women.

If you are female and want to give them alms or food, you must set the offering nearby or on their receiving cloth.

If you so much as brush against a monk on the crowded streets or water taxis of Thailand, they will have to return to the temple and perform rituals (think Silas from The DaVinci Code but less extreme) to cleanse themselves of your touch.

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Reads For The Road: Gang Leader For A Day by Sudhir Venkatesh

by Lindsay Shapka in , ,


Hoping to write a compelling thesis on urban poverty, first-year graduate student Sudhir Venkatesh walked boldly into the middle of Chicago’s most notorious housing projects one afternoon determined to gain some insight. 

His boldness — meant to impress his professors — instead impressed a gang leader named JT who, attracted to the idea of being written about, befriended Venkatesh giving him unprecedented access into the gang’s world.

For almost a decade, JT allowed him to observe as the gang operated their crack-selling business, evaded the law, made peace (or war) with the neighbors, and rose or fell in the gang’s complex hierarchy. 

Gang Leader For A Day: A Rogue Sociologist Takes to The Streets gives an eye-opening view of an “outsider looking at life from the inside” (pg xvi), and tells the story of the complicated friendship that developed between two men who — though they have ambition in common — are from completely different worlds.   




Quinceanera: Celebrating a Girl's Coming of Age on Her Fifteenth Birthday

by Lindsay Shapka in , ,


Quinceanera

Sweat was running down the faces of the guests, dressed in their best clothes, fanning themselves with newspapers and napkins. Nobody seemed to care though, tonight was a night to celebrate.

It was Jenny’s fifteenth birthday, her Quinceanera, and we were crammed into a hot, stuffy hall in Ojo de Agua, Honduras waiting for the celebration to begin.

There were hundreds of pale pink balloons hanging from the rafters and an arch of even more balloons, and streamers hung over the doorway. Fifteen fluffy looking cakes sat on display at the front of the room, unaffected by the heat, and a DJ dressed in a brown tweed jacket (he must have been sweltering) was quietly setting up in the corner. 

A hush suddenly went over the crowd and turning towards the door, I saw Jenny for the first time. She was standing under the arch on the arm of her father and was dressed in a long pink gown.

Glowing with excitement and pride, she took an enthusiastic step forward into the room.

The crowd erupted in cheers.   

It was time to start the party! 

What is Quinceanera?

In Mexico, Puerto Rico, Cuba, Central America and South America, Quinceanera is a major rite of passage for all females. Literally meaning ‘one who is fifteen’, this celebration marks the transition from childhood to women-hood.

Traditional ways to celebrate Quinceanera

Though all 15th birthday parties in these cultures will vary, there are some pretty cool traditions that, from my research, seem to happen fairly consistently.

  • Ceremony Of The 15 Candles
    The birthday girl hands out 15 candles to the people she considers to have been the most influential in her life.

  • Changing Of The Shoes
    The girl’s father, or a close male relative, exchanges her flat shoes for high heels to mark her transition from child to woman.

  • The Last Doll
    Either part of a ceremony or simply on display, this doll is another symbol of the last moments of childhood.

  • The Dress
    Traditionally the colour ‘pink’ represents purity and so the dress is usually an elaborate pink ball gown.

  • Makeup
    This celebration was meant to be the first time that the birthday girl wore makeup (not often reality in this century).

  • Choreographed Dances
    There are special dances, usually involving 15 people, that are performed throughout the evening. A girl’s Quinceanera was traditionally the first time that she danced in public.

  • Gifts
    They might be in the form of religious blessings, toasts, or physical objects like tiaras, flowers, and sceptres.

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Reads For The Road: The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho

by Lindsay Shapka in , , ,


If you haven't read The Alchemist yet, then you need to get yourself to a bookstore immediately, and if you have read it, then you should probably read it again. Yup, it's that good.  But, not only is it that good, I find that the message you take away from the book changes depending on the stage of life you happen to find yourself in. 

You might read Paulo Coelho's story and realize that you need to pack your bags and go on an adventure immediately or come to the realization that you have everything that you want right in front of you, you just hadn't realized it yet!  

…when you want something, all the universe conspires in helping you achieve it
— "The Alchemist" page 24

This enchanting story follows a shepherd boy named Santiago, who travels to the Pyramids of Egypt in search of buried treasure. Along the way, he meets a Gypsy woman, a man who calls himself a king, and an Alchemist who give him guidance on his journey.

What begins as a search for worldly goods, ends up turning into a meditation on the importance of listening to our hearts and the transforming power of giving in and letting destiny guide you to your dreams.

An absolute must-read. 

‘Why do you tend a flock of sheep?’

’Because I like to travel.’

The old man pointed to a baker standing in his shop window at one corner of the plaza. “When he was a child, that man wanted to travel, too. But he decided first to buy his bakery and put some money aside. When he’s an old man, he’s going to spend a month in Africa. He never realized that people are capable, at any time in their lives, of doing what they dream of.”

’He should have decided to become a shepherd’
— "The Alchemist" page 24



What Does Kosher Mean?

by Lindsay Shapka in ,


what does kosher mean?

The word 'kosher' gets thrown around in everyday language a lot lately, but do you actually know what it means? 

According to the website Judaism 101, 'kosher’ describes a set of biblical dietary restrictions.

Contrary to popular belief, though they may recite blessings over a dinner table, rabbis do not bless food to make it kosher, and the word ‘kosher’ does not describe a style of cooking.

For example, Chinese food can be kosher if it is made in accordance with Jewish law and, on the flip side, typical Jewish food like bagels can be non-kosher if prepared incorrectly. 

8 general rules for eating kosher

  1. Only animals with cloven hooves who chew their cud can be eaten (that means no camel, badger, hare, or pig burgers allowed). Aquatic animals with fins and scales are fine, but shellfish are a no-no. Birds of prey, scavengers, rodents, reptiles, amphibians, and insects are forbidden (Indiana Jones is definitely not Jewish).

  2. Animals must not have died from a natural death or been killed by another animal. There must be no diseases in their organs and they must be killed quickly with a deep stroke across the throat.

  3. There is a belief in Judaism that an animal's life (aka soul) is contained in the blood, so all of it must be drained before the meat can be eaten.

  4. You must not eat the sciatic nerve or blood-vessels surrounding it, and the fat that surrounds the vital organs is off limits.

  5. All fruits and vegetables are kosher but not the bugs that crawl on them so they must be carefully inspected.

  6. Meat and dairy must never be eaten together.

  7. Dish-ware touched by dairy can never be touched by meat and vice versa.

  8. Grape products like wine and juice, made by non-Jews are forbidden. (This rule stems back to ancient pagan religions’ use of wine in ritual).

Why are these rules in place?

The short answer? Because the Torah says so. 

Apparently though, the Torah does not actually give reasons for these rules and many adherents believe that following the rules without needing reasons shows obedience to God. 

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How Buddha's Birthday is Celebrated in South Korea

by Lindsay Shapka in , ,


The air was thick with anticipation.

A hush fell over the crowded streets as the last light slowly disappeared behind the horizon.

Suddenly, without warning, the low, deep boom of a drum echoed in the distance. As the sound grew closer, I could feel its vibrations deep in my stomach and my pulse start to race as I gave in to the crowd’s excitement. 

We erupted in cheers, as the drummer rounded the corner and the dark street came alive from the glow of thousands of elaborately painted and intricately sculpted paper lanterns.

I couldn’t stop myself from joining the people beside me yelling into the jubilant air.

Lanterns, prayers, and offerings

In South Korea, Buddha’s Birthday begins with a massive night parade filled with people in traditional, colourful costumes carrying elaborate paper lanterns that light up the streets. 

For the week following the parade, these lanterns cover the ceilings and exterior open spaces of Buddhist temples all over the country. Prayers and wishes are written on thin strips of paper that hang from them, swaying back and forth in the spring breeze in rhythm with the chanting monks.

The lanterns create ceilings of pink, orange, yellow, blue, and white so thick that you cannot even see the sky. Under these rainbow coloured ceilings, Koreans in stocking feet line up, waiting patiently for their turn to enter the temples so they can place offerings of food and incense in front of gold Buddha statues. 

When is Buddha's birthday?

Followers of Mahayana Buddhism celebrate the birth and enlightenment of Prince Gautama Buddha (b.563BC) from the end of April to the end of May (some celebrations last a day, a week, or the whole month). This ‘original’ Buddha — literally meaning ‘awakened one’ — was the spiritual teacher from the Indian subcontinent on whose teachings Buddhism was founded.

Buddha’s birthday was by far the largest celebration that I witnessed while living in Asia.

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Buddha's Birthday in South Korea