USC2001 Discovering Science – Energy

AURA: A SCIENTIFIC EXPLANATION FOR ITS MYSTICISM

By

HO Guang Fu (Biology)

POK Sharon (Biochemistry)

TAN Shu Ling, Stella (Economics, Statistics and Mathematics)

 AURA

Origin of Aura

The theories of vitalism run parallel to many schools of spirituality and this

is how Aura came about. Dating back to the 3000 BC, ancient spiritual tradition of

India spoke of a universal energy known as prana. This universal energy is

known to the source of all life. This energy moves through all forms to give

objects life. Yogis work with this energy with breathing techniques, meditation,

and physical exercise to produce altered states of consciousness and longevity.

Prana pervades the entire physical body, involving another body known as the

etheric body.

2000 years later, the ancient Qigong masters in China knew of meditative

discipline that was believed to balance and invigorate the human energy field.

They called this vital energy that pervades all form, whether animate or

inanimate, Qi. The Qi is the vital energy of the body while gong depicts the skill

and technique of moving the Qi and working with it. It is believed that

practitioners of Qi use mind control to move and control the Qi to not only

improve health and longevity, but also to enhance awareness, psychic powers,

and spiritual development.

The ancient Qigong masters also developed Tai Chi, Kung Fu, and the

martial arts. In addition, they were the first to implement the acupuncture model.

Acupuncturists insert needles, or use moxa and magnets at specific acupuncture

points to balance the yin and yang of the human energy field. Yin and Yang

theorists believe that the universe is characterised by continuous, cyclical change

1
and Yin and Yang represent the polar opposites or the duality of nature. When

the Qi is balanced, the entity has good health. On the other hand, when the Qi is

not balanced, the entity is in poor health.

The Kabbalah, the Jewish mystical teachings written about 538 BC, calls

these energies the astral light. Later on, Christian paintings and sculptures show

halo around the head of Christ and other spiritual leaders. Similarly, we see this

halo on statues and paintings of Buddha, and also see energy or light coming

from the fingers of many gods of India. In fact, there are references made to the

phenomenon of the human energy field (HEF) or the Aura of the body, in 97

different cultures.

Defining Aura

The closest definition of Aura, we have found, is given by Joseph Ostrom

in his book Aura: what they are and how to read them. Aura, as Ostrom defines,

is a collection of electromagnetic energy of varying intensities which are

emanated from the 6 bodies – physical, vital, etheric, mental, emotional and

spiritual. These particles of energy are suspended around the human body in an

oval shape field. This oval field spans the body with an average border of 3 feet.

It is also found above the head and hence below the feet into the ground.

[Ostrom, 2000]

Ostrom’s definition of Aura is almost metaphysical in nature although he

does use scientific terms. By referring to Aura as a type of energy emitted out

from the etheric, mental, emotional and spiritual bodies of humans, he has

2
brought in the notion of the existence of a divine being or acts of divinity. By

recognizing that Aura is a type of energy and associating this energy to

metaphysical bodies other than the physical one, Ostrom is actually defining

Aura metaphysically. However, his reference to “electromagnetic energy”,

“particles of energy” and “field” gives his definition a slightly scientific flavour. By

referring electromagnetic energy to the energy emitted from different

metaphysical bodies, Ostrom is essentially attributing the nature of Aura to being

an electromagnetic field of a human. The idea of having an electromagnetic field

surrounding a living body can be explained biologically and thus the idea is

nothing novel. Secondly, Ostrom has quantised the emitted energy as particles,

thus giving an indication that Aura is emitted out in packages—which physical

sciences would refer to as photons of light. This also tallies with the explanation of

biophoton emission from all living system. Thirdly, the field of Aura, seen by some

people with supernatural powers, is supposed multi-coloured layers of light.

Ostrom’s definition of Aura thus satisfies this observation with the understanding

that the emitted photons of light is not within the visible region seen by the naked

human eye. Since Ostrom claims that Aura has divine origin, his definition of

Aura as a form of electromagnetic energy is more metaphysical rather than

scientific, although he has tried to associate Aura with physical sciences.

The apparent shortfall of Ostrom’s definition of Aura lies in his association

of Aura with human beings. Using metaphysical reasoning, it is believed that all

living animals—some even include plants—have souls and spirits. This will

contribute to the existence of etheric and spiritual bodies in these beings. Not

3
looking at other animals but domestic pets for instance, dogs and cats, they do

have emotions and they display mental capabilities. This would constitute

emotional and mental bodies as well. Taking a look at this issue from a scientific

point of view, from the understanding of biology, all living beings would emit

electromagnetic energy albeit in very low quantities (we will discuss this issue

later on in the paper). Therefore, one would argue that Ostrom’s definition of

Aura is warped and biased against other living beings metaphysically and

scientifically.

Ostrom’s definition may hold true after all if one is to examine from the

language’s perspective. Although Aura, or electromagnetic field emission from

living bodies, is not exclusive to humans as it can be seen in other living

organisms, it can be a specific term to describe that particular electromagnetic

field emitted out from the human bodies and is used exclusively on humans. This

is analogous to the word he and she. It is also highly suspected that the word has

historical origins as there are references and pictures of religious leaders – Jesus

Christ, Siddhartha Gautama (the Buddha), Lao Tzu – having halos around their

heads and the existence of unexplained field of energy surrounding their bodies.

The word Aura thus is carried over from religious texts and is used on humans

ever since then.

Essentially, the idea is not to deduce the origin or the exact meaning of

the word but to understand the way the word is to be used. The fact that all living

beings emit low levels of electromagnetic energy and biophotons is beyond

reasonable doubt. However, the understanding of how this form of

4
electromagnetic energy is emitted has eluded everyone. At our present

understanding, we can only conclude that physical bodies emit electromagnetic

energy. Nonetheless, whether other bodies, including etheric and spiritual bodies

if they do exist, really emit this form of energy is beyond the scope of science.

Aura can be classified as an extraordinary claim that is both controversial and if

correct, revolutionary in calling for revision of our current understanding of some

aspect of the natural world. We acknowledge the fact that every living being

emits electromagnetic fields from different bodies, but Ostrom’s stand on using

Aura on human holds more truth. Perhaps the more appropriate term for non-

humans would be para-Aura or pseudoAura since living organisms such as

bacteria and plants do not display mental abilities and the idea of them having

souls is beyond metaphysical acceptance.

The definition for Aura can thus be streamlined to mean, “A term used to

describe a collection of particles of electromagnetic energy emitted from all living

physical bodies and other metaphysical bodies, in particular emission of

electromagnetic energy from human beings”.

Bio-Electromagnetism as an Explanation For Aura

Magnetite – the Crystal Source of Aura? [Coetzee, 2002]

Extensive researches into biogenic material with ferromagnetic1 properties

shed interesting insights to how living organisms orientate themselves and seek

1
Ferromagnatism is the phenomenon exhibited by substances such as iron that show increasing
magnetisation with applied magnetising field and persists after the removal of the applied field.
[Coetzee, 2002]

5
directions. Magnetite, a type of ferromagnetic mineral, is found to be biogenic2 in

bacteria, navigating animals such as bees, birds and fishes, and in human brain.

Being ferromagnetic in nature, magnetite found in animals poses many questions

for scientists to discover. Even more shocking is its existence in human brain and

the quest to unravel the mystery behind the evolutionary advantage of having

magnetite in human brain.

Magnetite joins other biogenic magnetic materials found in humans and

interacts more heavily with external magnetic fields than others. Magnetite

crystals are found to be linear, membrane-bound chains of a few micrometers in

length and up to 80 per chain. It is a ferromagnetic mineral found in iron ores with

the chemical formula Iron (II) Iron (III) oxide, or Fe3O4. Magnetite crystallises into

a cube with crystal alignment {111} to maximise its magnetic moments.

Incidentally, biogenic magnetite crystals have structure configurations, which

differ from their counterparts found in ores, and they interact more strongly with

external magnetic fields than do diamagnetic or paramagnetic materials such as

deoxyhaemoglobin, ferritin and hemosiderin.

In living organisms, biomineral magnetite undergoes strict and precise

biological regulation. Between each compass magnetite particle and a

magnetoreceptor, there is some unknown kind of mechanical coupling so that the

position of the particles can be carefully monitored by a sensory organelle in the

body. It is only when needed that magnetite is produced in the cells. For

magnetite-containing bacteria, these crystals orientate their hosts with respect to

the Earth’s magnetic field thereby giving directions to these bacteria. In animals
2
Biogenic materials are materials produced by a biological organism. [Coetzee, 2002]

6
such as bees, fishes and birds, one can also extrapolate the function of

magnetite to these creatures.

In the brains of humans, magnetite crystals (Figure 1) are found in

pyramidal cells in the two cerebra [Kirschvink et al., 1992]. Because of its

ferromagnetic nature, presence of magnetite transforms pyramidal cells into

electro-crystals immersing in extra-cellular fluid, which operates as a liquid

crystal oscillator. In response to different light pulses, orientation of every

molecule and atom in cells changes. When

electrical nerve impulses from neurons reach

the dendrites3, micro-amperage of magnetic

field is generated and this activates the

magnetite crystals in pyramidal cells,

becoming piezoelectric oscillators producing

circular polarised light pulse that travels

Figure 1: Single Magnetite Crystal in
the Human Brain [Coatzee, 2002] throughout the body as transverse photonic

bundle of energy. By travelling as phonic bundles, it would mean that light energy

is actually the end product of stimulated pyramidal cells of cerebra with origin in

the brain. It is hence interesting to note that at this juncture, the idea of light

emitted out from the body corresponds to the physical representation of Aura as

light surrounding a living body.

3
Process extending from the cell body of a neuron that is relatively short and typically branched
and receives signals from axons of other neurons. [Lodish et al, 2000]

7
Exploring Bio-Electromagnetism As The Scientific Evidence of Aura

Looking it from the physicists’ point of view, biomineral magnetite could be

one of the contributing factors to electromagnetic field or “light” emitted out from

living bodies. Firstly, for magnetite-containing bacteria and other animals with the

biomineral in their cell membranes, the presence of magnetic fields as a result of

this ferromagnetic compound will generate the corresponding electric field and

vice versa. The induction of electric energy due to magnetic energy is then

transmitted to the rest of the body in the form of electromagnetic field. Secondly,

there are extreme similarities between magnetite-containing pyramidal cells of

cerebra and other cells containing the same biomineral. In both cases magnetite

would have transformed these cells into electro-crystals operating as liquid

crystal oscillators in extra-cellular fluid. When stimulated electrically, these cells

produce polarised light pulse, which propagates as photons. This could be one of

the explanations for the presence of “light” or at least low levels of energy

surrounding a living body, which when observed in humans could be the much

speculated and mystified Aura. This is a plausible explanation for the presence of

electromagnetic field emitted from all living bodies that have the biomineral in

their cell membranes. In addition, ferromagnetic compounds in cells and in

bodies give living organisms polarity and direction. This could possibly the cause

of the existence of a magnetic field surrounding the organisms. What about other

non-magnetite containing living organisms?

8
 For vertebrates, the presence of the central nervous system could be the

explanation for electromagnetism. The nerves and transmission of nerve

impulses involves electrical energy. Typically the resting membrane potential of a

neuron is –65mV [Bear et al, p. 60] and this electrical voltage are essential for

the functioning of the neurons. Potential difference can also be found in other

cells due to the presence of cell membranes and the necessity to set up potential

differences across the cells for normal cell functioning. The nervous system

sends information throughout the body by propagation of action potential along

axons. Propagation of action potentials along nerve fibres involves a series of

depolarisation4 and hyperpolarisation5 of membrane potential which sees the

changes in membrane potential along the entire axon. It is unidirectional and

nerve impulses generated propagate without decrement at any point along the

nerves [Bear et al., pp. 89-91]. Hence nerve information is essentially sent as

electricity throughout the body along nerve fibres. This generates a magnetic

field along the nerve fibres due to the magnetic effect of electric current,

discovered by Oersted in 1820 [Nelkon and Parker, p. 320], and this relationship

between the magnetic field and of the current is expressed by Maxwell’s

corkscrew rule6 [Nelkon and Parker, p 321]. The network of nerves will

congregate at the vertebrate column, commonly known as spinal cord, where it

will relay the nerve information to the brain, which is the main centre of the

4
Change in the potential that normally exists across the plasma membrane of a cell at rest,
resulting in a less negative membrane potential. [Lodish et al, 2000]
5
Change in the potential that normally exists across the plasma membrane of a cell upon
depolarisation to bring the membrane potential back to basal state. [Lodish et al, 2000]
6
Maxwell’s corkscrew rule shows the relationship between the direction of the lines of force and
of the current. If we imagine ourselves driving a corkscrew in the direction of the current, then the
direction of rotation of the corkscrew is the direction of the lines of force. [Nelkon and Parker,
1995]

9
central nervous system. Using Oersted’s observation and the Maxell corkscrew

rule, it is not surprising that there is electromagnetic field surrounding the

vertebrate column. As the vertebrate column spans almost the entire body of the

vertebrate, the net electromagnetic field of the spinal cord would appear as if it is

radiating from the physical body. Thus it is not unusual to expect electromagnetic

field to be generated around the body of a vertebrate with central nervous

system. However because of the complexity of the whole network of nerves, it is

expected that there are many overlaps in the magnetic fields surrounding the

neurons at a particular region of the body.

While not all living organisms are vertebrates, all of them – prokaryotes

and eukaryotes – are made up of cells whose cell membranes and membranes

of organelles are responsible for setting up potential differences. Electrochemical

(or electro-potential) gradients are necessary for exchange of solutes or ions

between cells and the external environment, or cell organelles with intracellular

organisms [Alberts et.al., p. 376]. These electrochemical gradients aids in both

passive and active transport of ions in and out of the cells. Depending on the

type of ions, the electrochemical gradient generated can be either positive or

negative as determined by Nernst Equation [Bear et al. pp. 62-64]. The general

membrane potential of a cell is –60mV and the value differ for different cell types.

Active transport involves moving of solutes against their electrochemical gradient

using adenosine triphosphate (ATP) as the energy source. Na+-K+ ATP

Phophatases (ATPases) in animal cells hydrolyse ATPs to pump out cellular

sodium ions so as to maintain a suitable sodium gradient for the uptake of

10
nutrients actively for the maintenance of osmotic balance [Alberts, 377-381].

Similarly, intracellular calcium ions concentration is maintained by ATP-driven

Ca2+ pumps in the plasma membrane and the endoplasmic reticulum membrane.

For plants, fungi and bacteria, H+ ATPases replace the functions of Na+-K+

ATPases, acting in the same way for solute uptake. A different type of H+

ATPase is found in the membranes of some intracellular organelles such as the

lysosomes of animal cells and central vacuole of plant and fungi cells. The

presence of ion-gated channels on cell surfaces also allows ions to enter and

leave the cells easily. For voltage-gated channels, they regulate passive

movement of ions by responding to cell membrane potentials [Alberts et al., pp.

385-390]. A patch-clamp recording shows that a single ion channel in the

membrane of a muscle cell can generate a current of 5ρA every time it opens,

and it opens every three times in 25ms [Alberts et al., p. 389]. This shows that

there is a constant bulk of electrical activities happening at cellular levels in every

living organism.

Other than having potential gradients across membranes, all living cells

have organelles with electrical activities for sustenance. Mitochondria and

chloroplasts are the most important organelles in living cells. The presence of

electron transport chains (ETC) in mitochondria and chloroplasts allow

generation of energy through chemiosmotic coupling, leading to interplay of

chemical and electrical forces. The coupling of ATPases with electrochemical

gradients drives the movement of protons across mitochondria and chloroplasts

membranes, leading to the transfer of electrons. It is the transfer of electrons with

11
complexes such as NADH and other cytochrome electron carriers that releases

large amount of energy [Alberts et al., pp. 421-425]. As electrons in mitochondria

and chloroplasts move down the ETC, their electrical potential becomes more

positive and energy is produced and harvested [Alberts et al., pp. 426 and 435].

The intrinsic nature of harvesting energy through coupling and generation

of electrochemical gradients has helped living organisms to survive, and at the

same time provide a logical explanation for the existence of electromagnetic

fields in all living organisms including plants and microbes. Defined by physical

sciences, electricity is current which is due to the flow of free electrons [Parker,

268]. In an electrochemical cell, it is the flow of ions in a direction that generates

the potential difference, which can be harvested as electricity. Flow of electrons

and ions in and out of the cell is a constant activity in all living cells. Going by the

definition of electricity, there would be a constant flow of electricity within every

cell, and thus in every organism. Due to the magnetic effect of electricity, there is

probably electromagnetic field in cells that are alive as only living cells synthesise

12
energy. Thus every living organism would logically have electromagnetic field

around them as they are made up of millions of cells with constant movement of

ions and electrons at membrane level. This reasoning suits the metaphysical

notion of Aura as a form of energy emitted out from living beings. The process of

death will bring to an end of one’s auric field, and this also tallies with the fact

that when cells die all electrochemical gradients are lost.

The deductions for the possible existence of electromagnetic field

surrounding all living organisms serves as a biological explanation for the

existence of an electromagnetic field around all living organisms. Because only

living organisms have cells and undergo a series of electrons and ions exchange,

this sets up electricity that will produce electromagnetic field. Medical scanning

devices such as CAT scanners and electro-encephalogram scanners are able to

visualise the electromagnetic field surrounding humans. The ability to pick up

13
electromagnetic field by these modern medical equipment demonstrate that the

existence of such a field is not metaphysical, but rather biological in nature with

its possible explanations.

Living System’s Bio-Electromagnetism versus Earth’s Electromagnetism

The next interesting step is to find out if the Earth’s electromagnetic field

would have any effect on all living systems since electromagnetism is also

present in the latter. The magnetic fields of a body will be affected if another

magnetic body is brought close enough. The Earth’s magnetic field is much

greater than any living system’s which resides peacefully on it and there are

many arguments with regard to the extent of Earth’s electromagnetic field on

living systems. There have been claims that electromagnetic waves, even those

of extremely low frequency (ELF) between 50 to 60Hz, are involved in

carcinogenesis with data from several epidemiologic studies, and their affects

living systems right down to cellular and molecular levels [Lacy-Hulbert, 1998].

Constructive interactions of Earth’s electromagnetic fields with living systems’

include osteochondrogenesis7, bacteriostasis8, ATP generation, protein synthesis

and membrane transport. Destructive interactions include modifications in cell

proliferation [Scarfi, 1999] and differentiation [Santoro, 1997], changes in second

messenger such as Ca2+ [Carson, 1990] and inositol-1,4,5-triphosphate (IP3)

[Korzh-Sleptsova, 1995], and alterations of gene transcription [Goodman, 1992

and Phillips, 1992] in diverse biological systems.

7
Osteochondrogenesis simply refers to the formation of bones [Coetzee, 2002]
8
Bacteriostasis is the inhibition of the growth of bacteria without destroying them

14
 Under the Second Law of Thermodynamics, it is expected that there will

be such interactions between the electromagnetic field of living systems and the

Earth’s – an interaction not to increase the entropy of the universe but to resist

the reaching of maximum entropy. The Second Law of Thermodynamics says

that the entropy of the universe is constantly increasing until to a level of

maximum entropy. The maximum entropy is reached when a system is not alive,

isolated and placed in a uniform environment with absence of motion,

electrochemical and temperature gradients. The whole system will fade away into

an inert lump of matter with no observable events occurring when this permanent

stage is reached [Schrodinger, pp. 67-75]. Living systems try to defy the principle

of maximum entropy by maintaining constant exchange of materials with the

environment for a much longer time than an inanimate object would do. This

satisfies the premise for the existence of bio-electromagnetism in all living

system. Living systems at cellular level also divide – for growth, tissue renewal

and reproduction – to produce more nuclear information, which as negative

entropy, try to reduce the overall increase of entropy. These processes try to

prevent the living system from reaching its own maximum entropy. However all

processes in nature increase the entropy of the universe and this would also

include interactions between the Earth’s and the living systems’ electromagnetic

fields, and the decoding of genetic information during the process of transcription

and translation. Decoding of genetic information is positive entropy thus every

time a cell divide, the entropy of the living system in which the cell is in increases.

Therefore whenever living systems try to be more complex at cellular levels to

15
display great order, entropy and interactions with the universe increases

invariably. It will come to a stage when the living systems feed upon their own

negative entropy and when this occurs, maximum entropy of the system is

reached and the living system collapses. This is reflected as the death of the

living organisms. All living organisms die after undergoing a period of growth and

death thereafter can thus be seen as the attainment of the maximum entropy by

the organism’s living system and living system’s inability to go against the

Second Law of Thermodynamics.

Biophoton Emission as an Explanation For Aura

There are generally two classes of light emission from living systems,

namely bioluminescence and low intensity photon emission. The former is

associated with organisms such as fireflies which are able to emit light of

intensity high enough to be seen by the naked eye; the latter involves the

permanent photon emission of intensity ranging from 10 to 104 photons/s.cm2

covering continuously the spectral range of at least 200 to 800nm. [Popp et al,

1981; Popp et al, 1992] However, human cells are only capable of emitting

ultraweak intensities of biophotons, which could account for part of the Aura of

the physical body.

The phenomenon was first discovered in 1923 by Russian medical

scientist Professor Alexander G.Gurvich (who named them "mitogenetic rays")

and in the 1930s widely researched in Europe and the USA, biophotons have

been rediscovered and backed since the 1970s by ample experimental and

16
theoretical evidence by European scientists. In 1974 German biophysicist Fritz-

Albert Popp has proved their existence, their origin from the DNA and later their

coherence (laser-like nature), and has developed biophoton theory to explain

their possible biological role and the ways in which they may control biochemical

processes, growth, differentiation etc. Popp's biophoton theory leads to many

startling insights into the life processes and may well provide one of the major

elements of a future theory of life and holistic medical practice based on such an

approach. The importance of the discovery has been confirmed by eminent

scientists such as Herbert Froehlich and Nobel laureate Ilya Prigogine. Since

1992, the International Institute of Biophysics, a network of research laboratories

in more than 10 countries, based in Germany, is coordinating research in this

field that promises rapid development in the next decade.

Detailed studies have been done in this realm that has ascertain that such

ultraweak emission cannot be decoupled from biological processes such as

mitotic and meiotic cell divisions, apoptosis (programmed cell death), oxidative

metabolism, carcinogenesis, etc. [Mei, 1994] This is because photons are

involved in all atomic and molecular interactions within biological systems as a

product of physiological processed and activities of their regulator. Thus, it is

appropriate to use the word biophoton to stress that it a form of cellular

communication that is related to physiological processes in organisms.

Before we proceed to the physical explanation of biophoton emission from

a living body, we need to discuss the concept of coherence of waves. Two

sinusoidal oscillations of the same frequency are said to be mutually coherent if

17
they exhibit a constant phase relationship during the course of time. All other

oscillations that do not exhibit a constant phase relationship during the course of

time are said to be incoherent. Figure 4 below is a simple diagram in

representing coherent and incoherent wave sources.

Coherent Incoherent

Figure 4: Illustration of what coherent and incoherent waves are. [Rubik, 1993]

According to the biophoton theory, it is critical that the postulated

bioelectromagnetic field within the cell be coherent [Popp et al, 1992], of which

one of the reasons is that coherent light sources have some remarkable

characteristics such that they must be regarded as integral wholes. The other

reason is that coherent light is able to transmit more information than incoherent

light. This is because when the emitter and source are more coherent, less

energy is required for resonance and hence easier for communication.

The biophysical explanation of such visible light observed around the

physical body of a living being is the ultraweak biological light emitted from within

the whole body or cell. Experiments haven shown that interfering with a living

system increases the intensity of the light emitted. For instance, the treatment of

Saccharomyces cerevisiac (yeast) with varying durations of low and high-doses

UV illumination resulted in increased induced photon emission (IPE). [Mei, 1994]

18
he drastic changes in light intensity under the influence of virtually all external

agents could indicate that the light emitted is a centrally regulated response of

the whole.

Biophoton emission of cells with living systems are dependent on changes

in the physiological states of the organism so much so that even small changes

can affect the intensity of photon emission. It has been demonstrated that the

spectral distribution or colour of the light is independent of the type of external

perturbation. This observation supports the biophysical viewpoint, because the

complexity of the temperature dependence of the light emission cannot be

understood within the framework of the classical biochemical model based on

individual reactions. From experiments done, they found that light emission from

both chloroplasts and leaves is dependent on the temperature. Hideg et al.

discovered that with decreasing temperature, the cell cycle is delayed. Since the

peak of the photon emission (mainly at 250-380 nm) corresponds to telophase

9
and cytokinesis10 of mitotic cell division, [Konev et al, 1966], it elucidated the

direct relation between temperature and cell division. These observations, among

others, suggest central control within the living state that is nonlocal and possibly

electromagnetic in nature. These correlations may indicate that the light is a

sensitive, global expression of biological regulatory processes. They predict that

the reactions resulting in photon emission of chloroplasts are associated with a

slow backflow of electrons from reduced Nicotinic Adenine Dinucleotide

9
Final mitotic stage during which the nuclear-envelope re-forms around the two sets of separated
chromosomes; the chromosomes decondense; and cytokinesis is completed. [Lodish et al, 2000]
10
The last stage of mitosis, where the two daughter cells separate, each with a nucleus and
cytoplasmic organelles. [Lodish et al, 2000]

19
Phosphate (NADPH) to oxygen via the plastoquinone pool, in other words,

chlororespiration. [Bennoun, 1982]

Antagonists of the biophysical luminescence reject the hypothesis since

cells are optically opaque and therefore cannot use light for intercellular

communication. However, experiments testing the tissue transparency show that

this objection is overruled. The transparency of tissues to the light from

organisms is at least two orders of magnitude higher than that of comparable

artificial light of higher intensity. The high degree of coherence of biophotons may

be a result of the high transparency. Moreover, due to multiple propagation and

diffraction, coherence of incident light actually increases with the distance

travelled certain media. The biophoton theory even speculated these optical

characteristics of living tissues. Furthermore, it is known that certain deeply

situated organs such as the pineal gland and the brain are light sensitive. All of

this would allow for a rapid, extensive biocommunication network in the body

through light.

Biological light emission may be caused by deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA).

Changes in DNA conformation are known to occur when certain chemicals such

as ethidium bromide are added to cells, and the light emitted from them changes

in a direct, quantitative fashion. Cell fractionation studies show that most of the

light comes from isolated cell nuclei. Moreover, isolated chromatin11 emits more

intense light than cell nuclei.

11
Complex of DNA, histones, and nonhistone proteins from which eukaryotic chromosomes are
formed. Condensation of chromatin during mitosis yields the visible metaphase chromosomes

20
 In 1999, a well-developed biophysical hypothesis for the ultraweak

biological light is that of Popp et al who propose that the biophotons are released

from a coherent electromagnetic field within the organism that serves as a basis

of communication in living tissues. In this model, the biophoton is trapped and

reemitted by DNA, which undergoes physical resonance, resulting in light

emission with at least some coherence, in which the light waves dance together

in synchrony like a corps de ballet. Cellular biochemistry is thus conceptualised

as a highly dynamic, space-time structure with long-range order. Biochemical

processes may be integrated by the endogenous bioelectromagnetic field that

has a primary organizational and informational role. Conformational states of

DNA may serve as the photon storage of the coherent modes of the

electromagnetic field within the cell.

Nagl and Popp have proposed a detailed model in which cellular DNA is

considered as a high energy, electronically excited molecular complex that both

chemically and energetically regulates all nuclear information transfer in the cell.

In this model the biophoton emission from the DNA is energy emitted from the

cell that contains information about the state of the whole cell. Furthermore,

emission and absorption of biophotons by DNA regulates the energy state of

both DNA and the whole cell. [Nagl et al, 1983]

Biophoton emission, as claimed by many researchers, could answer for

the existence of the Aura of the human body. Despite its spectrum stretching

from the ultraviolet to the infrared region, the emission is, nonetheless, of weak

intensity and hence it is not visible to the human eye. The experimental data

21
obviously show the presence of a ubiquitous biological light. The hypothetical

bioelectromagnetism and biophoton explanations for Aura remain controversial

among scientists and further research is needed to substantiate this concept.

KIRLIAN PHOTOGRAPHY

It has always been believed that Kirlian photography reflect the Aura of the

human body due to its ability to capture on film the multicoloured concentric rings

that outline the object being studied. In the following discussion, we will be

explaining the nature of Kirlian photography and at the same time, comment on

its accuracy in casting the Aura on film. Could it be entirely true, hold partial truth

in its claim or could it just be a dubious technique afterall?

Origin of Kirlian Photography

Kirlian photography was named after Russian researchers Semyon

Davidovich Kirlian and his wife, Valentina who discovered the phenomenon by

accident while working with high-voltage photography in 1939. However, they

were not the first to work with this kind of photography. In fact, the German

physicist and philosopher Georg Christoph Lichtenberg (1742-1799) observed

star-like patterns produced in resin dust by electrical discharges and was the first

to observe a corona discharge from a human hand. After the introduction of

photography, the Czech physicist Batholomew Navratil (1848-1927) and the

Russian engineer Yakov Narkiewicz-Yodko (1848-1904) were the first to record

electrical discharges from animate and inanimate objects and to investigate the

22
effect. Later, in 1880, Nicola Tesla photographed many corona discharges

(sparks) using his famous Tesla coil.12

Nevertheless, the Kirlians had this type of photography named in honour

of them as they were the first to discover many aspects of it and spent more than

30 years developing it. It all started when Kirlian, an electrical repairman in the

city of Krasnodar, was called to see to a repair at a local research institute where

he saw a demonstration of a high-voltage device used for electrotherapy. As a

patient underwent therapy, Kirlian noticed small flashes of light between the

patient’s skin and the machine’s glass electrodes. Kirlian tried to photograph the

light by substituting a metal electrode for the glass one used in the machine to

prevent exposing the film. Using himself as a subject, he was able to photograph

the corona discharge. The Kirlians further studied various aspects of electro-

photography and made instruments to examine high-frequency currents on living

tissues as well as inanimate objects.

Kirlian Equipment

Kirlian photography involves the transferring of a high frequency charge

through a metal plate attached to a (Polaroid) film camera base. The equipment

consists of an exposure plate and a generator that produces a high voltage field

of variable pulse and frequency. Figure 5 shows the Kirlian photography set-up.

12
Kirlian Photography. <http://www.themysticeye.com/info/Kirlian.htm>

23
 Object
Air Gap

Sheet Film

Insulating
Material
HV
Conductive
Plate

Figure 5: Basic cartoon of the set-up of a Kirlian camera.

The exposure plate is made out of a conductive material, usually a metal

with a thin layer of insulating material on top. The film lies on top of the exposure

plate with emulsion side up such that it faces the object to be photographed. The

object is placed on the film and the high-voltage source is connected to the plate.

The high-voltage electricity creates a corona discharge (or spark) around the

object and since the object is usually in direct contact with the film, the film

accurately records the corona discharge from the object. Most of the discharge

takes place between the air gap formed between the finger and the film. The Kirlian

device is turned on for a short time to make the exposure. After the film is

developed, the Kirlian photograph is complete and shows different colours that

appear in a bright corona surrounding the object. It is important to note that in

photographing inanimate objects, the object is connected to a ground while for

animate subjects, the subject should not be allowed to touch a ground as this will

lead to a nasty shock. Pictures (1) and (2) show an experimental setup of the

Kirlian equipment.

24
 Picture (1): Side view of a DIY Kirlian equipment. (Courtesy of Mr. O. S. Yim.)

Picture (2): Top view of a DIY Kirlian Equipment. (Courtesy of Mr. O. S. Yim.)

How the Kirlian Image is Produced

The Kirlian image or corona discharge is created by what we term cold

electron emission, which happens when a strong electric field exists between 2

conductive plates. The subject often takes the place of the negative plate

(cathode) while the exposure plate acts as the positive plate (anode).

25
 The process begins when the high voltage field produced by the generator

creates a potential difference between the plates that is great enough for the

cathode to eject a free electron. The free electron is attracted and accelerates

towards the anode. However there are a few different reactions that the electron

might undergo while travelling towards the anode. Although the reactions occur

simultaneously they contribute different percentages to the overall corona

discharge. One reaction is that the accelerating free electron collides with atoms

or molecules of air and excites them. This causes the atom’s outer shell

electrons to go to a higher energy level. The atoms usually stay in this excited

state for approximately 10-8 seconds before emitting a photon of energy and

returning to its ground state. This reaction generates discharge that is high in

ultraviolet light due to the high percentage of nitrogen (N2) gas that exists in the

air and which is ionised in the process.

Another possible reaction occurs when free electrons collide with the

atoms in air and produce positive and negative ions. If an atom or molecule of air

captures a free electron, it becomes a negative ion. If, however, a collision with

an electron knocks out an existing outer shell electron, it becomes a positive ion.

When a positive ion is created, it also has an additional free electron accelerating

towards the anode. This new free electron will go on to collide with atoms of air

and cause more reactions. This causes an exponential growth of free electrons

and positive ions, which starts an avalanche between the electrodes through

collisions and ionisation of atoms or molecules of air (mostly nitrogen gas). This

is shown in Figure 6 below.

26
 Figure 6: A cross
section of electrical
streamer between
the high-voltage
plates. [Iovine,
1994]

As mentioned earlier, the corona discharge is rich in ultraviolet (UV) light

that we cannot see. The UV light is due to the photoionisation of the high

percentage of N2 gas that exists in the air. However an interesting thought to

entertain would be whether discharges of different colours would be produced by

27
shooting the Kirlian photographs under high percentages of other atmospheric

gases. This is another area that is still under research and is thus inconclusive as

yet.

However many Kirlian photographs show a whole range of colours such

as red, green and blue. (You can refer to some examples of Kirlian images in the

Appendix.) So if the discharge is predominantly blue-violet as we said earlier,

then there must exist some explanation for discharge of other colours. Colour film

consists of 3 silver halide layers with each designed to a specific colour of light;

red, blue and green as shown in Figure 7 below. With Kirlian photography, the

electrical discharge is generated by photoionisation of nitrogen gas and if the film

on the top of the exposure plate buckles slightly, an air gap where

photoionisation can occur is created. The buckling can occur from too much

pressure or uneven pressure from the object placed on top of the film. The UV

light created in the air gap can thus activate the silver halide crystals from the

backside of the film and form for example, a red latent image in the back layers,

regardless of the colour of the discharge.

28
 Protective Overcoat
Blue Sensitive Emulsion

Yellow Filter

Green Sensitive Emulsion

Red Sensitive Emulsion

Antihalation Layer

Film Base

Figure 7: Colour Film Structure

Does Kirlian Photography Show Electromagnetic Field Strength?

In this section, we attempt to give an explanation of how Kirlian

photography shows the electromagnetic field strength of an object. In earlier

sections, we mentioned that the corona discharge is caused by cold electron

emission which happens when a strong electric field exists between two

electrodes. If the field is strong enough, electrons can be emitted from the

negative plate (the object) and accelerate towards the positive plate, forming the

discharge. We note that the main component of the electromagnetic field

strength of an object is the electric field strength and thus, an object with higher

electric field strength will have a greater electromagnetic field strength. Here, we

assume that d, the distance between the cathode and anode is kept constant

throughout and that all quantities mentioned are taken to have positive values for

simplicity.

29
 First, we consider objects that are electrical conductors such as coins or

keys which contain free electrons. Suppose that the electric field strength of the

object is E’ initially. When a high voltage impulse is sent to the conductive plate,

an electromagnetic field is induced around the object and we let its electric field

strength be E”. Thus the overall electric field strength of the object is E’+E”. The

formula relating E, the electric field strength of the object, V, the potential

difference between the two electrodes and d, the distance between the 2 plates

is:
E=V/d

Therefore, when E=E’, the potential difference between the electrodes is V’=Ed

and we let the number of electrons emitted from the negative plate be N’. Then

when an electromagnetic field is induced around the object, the overall electric

field strength is E’+E”. Using the formula, the potential difference, V” =(E’+E”)/d.

Mathematically, it is clear that V”>V’ and thus the number of electrons emitted

here will be N” which is greater than N’ since a higher potential difference

between the two electrodes means that the negative plate will eject more free

electrons easily. Thus more electrons will accelerate across the plates, ionise the

air and cause an avalanche between the electrodes. As a result the Kirlian image

formed will be relatively brighter and we can usually say that the electromagnetic

field strength of the object is relatively higher if we see a brighter image.

In the case of a non-conductive object such as rubber or wood, the Kirlian

effect is less prominent. This is because such objects have no free electrons and

as a result their electric field strength, denoted by E*, is weaker. Thus, we expect

30
E* to be lesser in magnitude that E’. To produce a corona discharge, a high

enough potential difference must be applied across the plates so that electrons

can be ejected from the object. Thus if the same potential difference is applied as

in the case of a conductive object, one can expect either a very weak Kirlian

effect or no Kirlian effect at all. Thus in real life, few scientists actually report on

photographing non-conductors because the Kirlian effect may be non-existent or

very weak and this may be insignificant from their point of view.

Nevertheless, the brightness of the Kirlian image produced gives us some

idea of the electromagnetic field strength of an object. However, we must also

consider that many other factors too affect the Kirlian effect on film and thus, the

electromagnetic field strength of an object is not necessarily always directly

related to the brightness of the Kirlian effect. We shall examine some of these

factors in the next section.

Factors Affecting the Kirlian Image

Many factors affect directly or indirectly the form, colour and brightness of

the corona discharge in Kirlian photography. We seek to examine briefly what

these factors are and explain how they affect the corona discharge.

In an article titled “Image Modulation in Corona Discharge Photography”

published in a 1976 issue of Science, researchers John O. Pehek, Harry J. Kyler

and David L. Faust reported that moisture is a main determinant of the form and

colour of Kirlian photographs taken of human subjects. [Pehek, 1976] For

example, the researchers discovered that a finger hydrated in water will decrease

31
the density of the corona discharge though the magnitude of decrease depends

on the temperature. Their investigations also showed that the range of the

corona discharge, defined as the length of streamer images extending radially

from the subject-film boundary, are affected by factors like the water vapour

content of the atmosphere and the geometric characteristics of the surface of the

subject. The researchers also stated that the formation of secondary corona

images, characterized by a lack of image sharpness, is affected by the strength

of the electric field at the film-insulator boundary which is dependent on the

amount of moisture present and the voltage conditions of the Kirlian photography

process. Thus, since moisture is a main determinant of the form of the corona

discharge among other factors, factors like sweat activity and skin resistance

would also affect the amount of moisture present and indirectly effect upon the

form of the discharge.

As mentioned earlier, the conductivity of the object affects the prominence

of the Kirlian effect recorded on film. An object with higher conductivity will have

a stronger electromagnetic field strength and thus give a brighter Kirlian image.

By increasing the potential difference or reducing the distance between the two

electrodes, one can also produce a brighter Kirlian image. Consequently, we can

say that because of the presence of such factors, a brighter Kirlian image may

not be solely correlated with electromagnetic field strength.

Also, contrary to some beliefs, the Kirlian image may not necessarily show

the colours of the Aura of an object since as explained previously, the film type

and time of exposure affects the colour of the corona discharge.

32
The relative polarity of the electrodes also plays a role in determining the form of

the corona discharge. If the object is more positive than the conductive plate, the

streamer pattern in the corona discharge seem to expand radially from the

object. However if the object is more negative relative to the conductive plate,

then the streamer pattern in the corona discharge seems to converge towards

the object. This is shown in Figure 8 on the next page. There also exists several

many other factors that affect the corona discharge such as the pressure on the

plate, frequency of discharge and the pulse width which we will not attempt to

explain in great detail. Essentially we try to highlight the point that the central

concept in carrying out Kirlian research is to first control the various factors that

affect the form, colour and brightness of the corona discharge so that we can

conclude that any variations in the discharge is due to the object under test. We

acknowledge that complete control is hard, if not impossible to achieve but

attempts should be made to control most of the factors. Otherwise, one must

concede that any experimental results achieved could be caused partly by any of

these factors and not solely by the object itself.

33
Figure 8: Streamer patterns generated around an object that is (A) more positive
and (B) more negative than the high-voltage plate. [Iovine,1994]

34
Does Kirlian Photography Show Aura?

Many a controversy have been raised over Kirlian photography and the

many claims made by its supporters that it can show the human Aura. Advocates

of Kirlian photography further claim that Kirlian images reveal health and emotion

by changes in the brightness, colours and patterns of the light while critics call for

scientific evidence and verifiability to support the claims. Many skeptics maintain

that the technique merely shows a discharge of electricity, which can be

produced under certain conditions. As such there has been segregation into two

schools of thought—the pro-Kirlians and the anti-Kirlians. Although the debate

seems to perpetuate in what seems like a cycle, the various opposing views aids

us in our understanding of the dynamics behind the Kirlian photography

techniques.

Kirlian photography shows the electromagnetic field of a body through

emission of short impulses of high voltage to the exposure plate. Pro-Kirlians

claim that the image shows the human Aura and have been challenged by anti-

Kirlians to prove this scientifically. However the former argues that the lack of

technical standardization gives different results and thus makes it difficult to

come up with any proof. This is because taking the Kirlian photographs at

different places and times may give rise to differences in physical conditions

which may inadvertently affect the quality of the image. Faced with this

argument the anti-Kirlians then argue that since the Kirlian photography

technique is unpredictable and not duplicable, then there is no way to claim that it

is true by scientific standards. Science demands that an action, performed in the

35
same way under the same circumstances, must yield the same results to be

proven as concrete. However, the Kirlian images can change (n terms of colour)

even if two photographs are taken of the same body consecutively with a small

time lag where we can assume no major changes in physical or mental

conditions of the subject. This throws further sketicism on whether the technique

can show the Aura of the subject or be considered scientific at all.

The pro-Kirlians respond to this by criticizing that science is restrictive,

rigid and requires hypothesis, evidence, duplicability and parameters that cannot

be applied in all cases. Nevertheless, scientific methods are apparently not as

rigid as described by the pro-Kirlians and it is important at this point to give a

brief summary the methodology as it is often misunderstood.

First, we must ask a meaningful question or identify a significant problem,

and we should be able to state the problem or question in a way that it is

conceivably possible to answer it. We must then gather relevant information to

attempt to answer the question or solve the problem by making observations.

Next, we try to propose a solution or answer to the problem or question. In

science, this is called a scientific hypothesis and is one of the most important

steps a scientist can perform, because the proposed hypothesis must be stated

in such a way that it is testable. A scientific hypothesis is an informed, testable,

and predictive solution to a scientific problem that explains a natural

phenomenon, process, or event. The hypothesis is then tested before it is

corroborated and given any real validity. Usually experiments are conducted and

experimental data tested to see if it supports the hypothesis. The testability or

36
predictiveness of a hypothesis is its most important characteristic. If the

hypothesis fails the test, it must be rejected and either abandoned or modified. A

modified hypothesis must be tested again. If the hypothesis passes the further

tests, it is considered to be a corroborated hypothesis, and can now be

published. The hypothesis is also verified by other scientists. If further

corroborated by subsequent tests, it becomes highly corroborated and is now

considered to be reliable knowledge. The technical name for this part of the

scientific method is the "hypothetico-deductive method," so named because one

deduces the results of the predictions of the hypothesis and tests these

deductions. The final step of the scientific method is to construct, support, or cast

doubt on a scientific theory based on the hypothesis that was tested and verified.

Thus, in response to the pro-Kirlians, we argue that if it is possible to

duplicate the Kirlian photographs such that images produced show consistency

within certain bands and are roughly of the same size and general profile, then it

would conform to scientific methods on the whole. We argue that if flexibility

within certain boundaries is allowed in areas like quantum physics, then the

same should also be applied for Kirlian photography.

Pro-Kirlians have also raised the issue that a list of 25 factors, created by

a team of physicists and psychologists from Drexel University, can affect the

quality of a Kirlian image. These factors include the skin and any recent physical

activity. Thus it is hard, if not impossible, to duplicate any Kirlian image as any of

these factors may have changed in a short period of time. The anti-Kirlians turn

the argument around by questioning the accuracy of Kirlian photography

37
techniques especially in the field of medical diagnosis in the face of so many

factors. Indeed Kirlian photography has been used in medical diagnosis for the

detection of cancer cells. In cancer cells, inducible Nitric Oxide Synthases (iNOS)

are stimulated and activated. As a result, there is overproduction of nitric oxide in

cancer cells according to Howard Hughes Medical Institute (HHMI) News.13

These cells that exude nitric oxides cause changes in the blood flow surrounding

the tissue. [Harvey, 19] This is probably the explanation of different images

formed by cancer cells and normal cells. Compared to normal tissue, cancer

tissue from the stomach showed a microdiffused discharge pattern with fine white

or grey granular shadows. Researchers then analyse the nature of the discharge

channels, their geometry, and energetics to elucidate tumour diagnosis.14

Another explanation for the different Kirlian image of cancer cells as compared to

normal cells could be the difference in photon emission. In the article “Photon

emission from normal and tumour human tissues”, In 1992, Grasso et al wrote

about the low intensity of inducible photon emission (4-8 photons per 104 cells)

by normal cells while tumour cells were observed to have relatively higher

emissions (37-36 photons per. 104 cells). Tumour cells are said to undergo loss

of coherence and of the ability to store light because of their inducible emission

property. [Bischof, 1998] From the physical point of view, this activity

corresponds to a photon store which can always be characterised by its so-called

resonator value Q. Q is defined as the ratio of stored energy U to lacking energy i

13
Howard Hughes Medical institute. Researchers discover cell switch death.
<www.hhmi.org/news/stamler.html>
14
Kirlian Photography Experiments.
<http://www.Kirlian.org/Kirlian2.htm#Human%20Relations%20in%Kirlian%20Images>

38
(Q=U/i). The higher the Q-value is, the higher is its storage capacity. The

essential point is that Q describes as well the potential information, which can be

transferred by the stored electromagnetic energy. The higher the Q-value would

harness a higher potential information of the system under consideration. [Popp,

1999] Tumour cells have low Q values, which indicates their inability in storing

photons and are thus able to have higher emissions of biophotons.

Pro-Kirlians do foresee its applications in diagnostic medicine. It has been

used in the detection of cancer with only sporadic success rate. Some envision

that it will eventually be integrated to computerized tomography (CT) scanners

(advance versions of axial tomography or CAT scanners) and magnetic

resonance imaging (MRI). The former utilizes a thin beam of X-rays to

photograph an object from 360 degrees whereas the latter method used no X-

rays, but engages magnetic fields to produce imaged of body cells and water in

tissues.

Of course the many factors that affect the image as well as the lack of

standardization, as many anti-Kirlians point out, do pose a problem in

distinguishing among the different states. Thus whether Kirlian techniques are

totally effective in showing the physical and mental states of subjects in the field

of medical diagnosis is still debatable as yet.

As mentioned earlier, proponents of Kirlian photography claim that it

shows the Aura of a subject through the colours, intensity and pattern of the

Kirlian image. However, anti- Kirlians argue that Kirlian effects are not observable

in a vacuum although we know that electromagnetic fields exist in a vacuum.

39
They assert that the image obtained may just be something that is excited by the

high voltage impulses from the generator and people just assume that what they

see is an Aura because of some preconceived ideas of what an Aura might look

like. However the image is not visible in vacuum because the technique requires

photoionisation of nitrogen atoms and moisture for conductivity, both of which are

not present in a vacuum.

Nevertheless, at this juncture, we would like to take up the point brought

up by the anti-Kirlians that some people might assume that the Kirlian image

represents an Aura because of some expectations of how an Aura might appear

to be like. Indeed, when using colour film, the Kirlian image takes on many

different colours but the colours produced does not necessarily represent the

colour of the subject’s Aura because the corona discharge in the atmosphere is

mostly blue-violet due to the photoionisation of nitrogen gas. Thus the imprinting

of colour on the film is likely to be caused by mechanical and electrical factors.

The corona discharge generates high quantities of ultraviolet light that can

activate the photosensitive silver halide crystals in the layers of the colour film.

To prove this, we can take several photographs of an object and change the

exposure times while keeping the frequency the same. The colour of the image

will vary in the series of images. [Iovine, 1994] Thus what we see may not

necessarily be the colour of the subject’s Aura. In fact the colour and form of the

image is affected by a number of factors such as the amount of moisture present

and which will be further discussed in a separate section. Therefore we cannot

conclude definitely that the Kirlian image shows the Aura of the subject.

40
 Essentially, the notion of whether Kirlian photography techniques can

show Aura is still enshrouded in controversy and the task to prove it scientifically

remains daunting. There is no clear answer on whether Kirlian photography can

show Aura for all we have are the arguments put forth by proponents and critics

that still draws no conclusion for the issue. Perhaps with more research in this

area, we can give a more definite answer. At this point in time we can only either

say that Kirlian techniques have nothing to do with Aura or perhaps concede that

maybe it measures some part of the Aura of a subject.

AURA, BIO-ELECTROMAGNETISM AND KIRLIAN EFFECT

Proofing the existence of a bio-electromagnetic field does not necessary

proof the existence of Aura. According to Ostrom’s definition of Aura, it is a

collection of electromagnetic energy from 6 different bodies mentioned earlier, of

which the physical body is only one of them. Electromagnetic energy from the

physical body has been explained biologically but there is no scientific

explanation for the energies that are emitted from the other 5 metaphysical

bodies. Taking the definition at its strictest sense, explaining bio-

electromagnetism from the physical body is not enough to contribute to a

scientific explanation for the existence of Aura, as interpreted by Ostrom,

because the physical body is only part of the 6 bodies which Aura is thought to

be emitted from. Alternatively, there are some who believe that the Kirlian Effect

shows the existence of Aura scientifically. However even if Kirlian photography

allows the visualisation of electromagnetic field surrounding objects, it does not

41
proof, scientifically, that Aura is what the Kirlian photograph has shown. This is

because the Kirlian camera probably has taken only the electromagnetic field of

an object’s physical body, if one believes that what is shown by the photograph is

in fact the electromagnetic field and not any other phenomenon. Even if one

ignores the metaphysical contributing factors of Aura, there are too many doubts

to believe that Kirlian Effect is accurate in its visualisation of electromagnetic field

because of its working mechanism.

If one is to put aside the metaphysical component of the definition of Aura,

it is still very unscientific to conclude that non-living, non-conducting objects have

electromagnetic field, or Aura in its strictly scientific sense – which is taken as

electromagnetic energy from the physical body. Any non-living object is not

considered biological thus any biological explanation would not work for these

objects. However Kirlian photographs have shown that non-living, non-

conducting objects can produce effects similar to those seen when living

organisms are used. Referring back to Ostrom’s definition of Aura, this

observation does not show any auric field, or the existence of Aura in inanimate

objects, because an inanimate object does not have the 6 bodies mentioned, at

least for spiritual, emotional and mental. Looking at the situation from the

scientific point of view, it is also not possible that a non-conducting object can

emit electromagnetic field, even when excited with high voltage for the very fact

that it does not conduct electricity since it is non-conducting in nature. Hence this

cast doubt to the reliability of using the Kirlian camera, or Kirlian effect, to proof

the existence of Aura, or at least electromagnetic energy emission from all

42
physical bodies including inanimate ones. The probable explanation for a positive

Kirlian Effect seen is that there could be microorganisms such as bacteria, fungi

spores and other microscopic eukaryotes on the surface of the inanimate objects.

Since these are biological living organisms, they would display bio-

electromagnetic energy which is captured by the Kirlian camera. There is also no

report of sterile non-conducting inanimate objects showing the Kirlian Effect.

Therefore this reduces the Kirlian effect seen in inanimate object as false positive

result, nothing extraordinary in scientific discovery.

CONCLUSION

Kirlian photography has produced effects which shows close parallelism to

Aura, a metaphysical and paranormal concept of an energy field surrounding all

living objects. However it is still debatable whether Kirlian Effect is Aura because

of the many unanswered questions and unaddressed issues related to the

technology. Even if Kirlian photography does show the existence of

electromagnetic field surrounding all living objects – as well as non-living objects

– this electromagnetic field would not necessary be the fields referred to in

Joseph Ostrom’s definition of Aura. Interestingly enough, biological sciences

have provided sufficient evidences and explanations for the existence of

electromagnetic field in all living systems and their natural-occurring emission of

photons. These explanations are the closet that science can get to explain Aura,

although the latter goes beyond physical existence into the metaphysical realms.

43
 The metaphysical existence of Aura cannot be explained concretely

unless the existence of the other 5 bodies, together with their associated

electromagnetic fields and photon emission, are proved scientifically. Nature has

again escaped going under the scalpel of science. Ironically it is the mysteries of

Nature that stimulate the inquiring minds of scientists. Every time Man makes a

scientific discovery, it is one step closer to the understanding of Nature.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

We would like to express our sincerest gratitude to Dr. Kuldip Singh who

has assisted us in many times when we were in doubt. We appreciate his

patience for without his guidance, our independent focus study would not have

been completed.

Due to financial and resources constraint, we were not able to set up the

Kirlian equipment ourselves. Therefore, we need to thank Mr. Yim Onn Siong

who has done it prior to our project and has generously shared his work with us.

Finally, we owe it to a few other SPS mentors who have offered valuable

opinions despite their busy schedules.

44
 REFERENCES
Alberts et al. Essential Cell Biology: An Introduction to the Molecular Biology of the
Cell. New York: Garland Publishing, 1998.

Bear, Mark F, Barry W Connors, and Michael A Paradiso. Neuroscience: Exploring The
Brain. USA: Lippincott Williams & Wilkins, 2001.

Bennoun P, Evidence for a respiratory chain in the chloroplast. PNAS, 1982;79:4352-4356.

Bischof, Marco. Biophotons: The Light in Our Cells. Zweitausendeins, Frankfurt:1998. p.

522.Popp, F. A., K. H. Li, Q. Gu (eds). Recent Advances in Biophoton Research and
its Application. World Scientific, Singapore: 1992.

Carson, J.J et al. Time-varying magnetic fields increase cytosolic free Ca2+ in HL-60 cells.
Am, J. Physiol. 259 (1990): C687-C692.

Coetzee, H. Biomagnetisn and Bio-Electromanetism: The Foundation of Life. 28 Sep. 2002.

The Academy For Future Science.
<http://www.affs.org/en/articles/biomagnetism.html>

Goodman, R. et al. Exposure of human cells to electromagnetic fields: effect of time and field
strength on transcript levels. J. Electro. Magnetobiol. 11 (1992): 19-28.

Grasso, F, C. Grillo, F. Musumeci, A. Triglia, G. Rodolico, F. Cammisuli, C. Rinzivillo, G.

Fragati, A. Santuccio and M. Rodolic, Photon emission from normal and tumor
human tissues, Experientia, 1992;48:10-13.

Harvey, Christine Lynn, Publisher & Editor-in-Chief. New Living. Stony Brook, NY. 631:751-
8819.

Hideg E, Scott R. Q and Inaba H, High-resolution emission spectra of one-second delayed

fluorescence from chloroplasts. Federation of European
Biochemical Societies Letters. 1989;250:275-279.

Howard Hughes Medical institute. Researchers discover cell switch death.

<www.hhmi.org/news/stamler.html>

Iovine, John. Kirlian Photography: A Hands-On Guide. TAB Books, USA:1994.

Kirlian Photography. <http://www.themysticeye.com/info/Kirlian.htm>

Kirlian Photography Experiments.

<http://www.Kirlian.org/Kirlian2.htm#Human%20Relations%20in%Kirlian%20Image>

Kirschvink, J.L., Kobayahshi-Kirschvink, A. and Woodford, B. Magnetite biomineralization in

the human brain. Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. 89 (1992): 7683-7687.

Korzh-Sleptsova, I.L. et al. Low frequency MFs increased inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate levels
in the Jurkat cell line. FEBS Lett. 359 (1995): 151-154.

45
Konev S. V, Lyskova T. I, Niesenbaum G. D, Very weak bioluminescence of cells in the
ultraviolet region of the spectrum and its biological role. Biophysics. 1966;11:410-
413.

Lacy-Hulbert, A.L., Metcalfe, J.C. and Hesketh, B.. Biological responses to electromagnetic
fields. FASEB J. 12 (1998): 395-420.

Lodish, H, A. Berk, S. L. Zipursky, P. Matsudaira, D. Baltimore, J. E. Darnell. Molecular Cell

Biology. 3rd Edition. New York, Scientific American Books: 2000.

Mei, W. P. About the Nature of Biophotons. Journal of Biological Systems, 1997;2:25-42.

Nagl W. and F. A. Popp. A physical (electromagnetic) model of differentiation. 1. Basic

considerations. Cytobios,1983;37:45-63.

Nelkon, P. and Parker, P. Advanced Level Physics. London: Longman International

Education, 1995.

Ostrom, Joseph. Aura: What they are and how to read them. Thorsons: London, 2000.

Pehek, John O., Kyler, Harry J., Faust, David L. “Image Modulation in Corona Discharge
Photography.” Science 4 (1976): 263-70).

Phillips, J.L. et al.. Magnetic field-induced changes in specific gene transcription. Biochem.
Biophys. Acta. 1132 (1992): 140-144

Popp, F. A. International Institute of Biophysics. Biophysical Aspects of the Psychic

Situation. Biological Impacts and Consciousness Research. 1999
<http://www.datadiwan.de/iib/ib0203e_4.htm>

Popp, F. A, B. Ruth, W Bahr, J, BÖhm, P. Grass, G. Grolig, M. Rattemeyer, H. G. Schmidt,

P. Wulle. Emission of visible and ultraviolet radiation by active biological systems.
Collective Phenomena, 1981;3:187-214.

Popp, F. A, K. H. Li, Q. Gu. Recent Advances in Biophoton Research and its Applications.
World Scientific, 1992.

Rubik, Beverly. Natural Light from Organisms: What, if anything, can it tell us. Noetic
Sciences Review #26, Page 10. Summer 1993.
<http:www.noetic.org/Ions/publications/review_archives/26/issue26_10.html#photo>

Santoro, N. et al. Effect of extremely low frequency (ELF) magnetic field exposure on
morphological and biophysical properties of human lymphoid cell line (Raji).
Biochem. Biophys. Acta. 1357 (1997): 281-290.

Scarfi, M.R. et al.. Micronucleus formation and cell proliferation in human lymphocytes
exposed to 50Hz sinusoidal magnetic fields. Health Phys. 76 (1999): 244-250.

Schrodinger, Erwin. What is Life? The Physical Aspect of the Living Cell with Mind and
Matter and Autobiographical Sketches. Order, Disoder and Entropy. Canto,
Cambridge: 1967. pp. 67-75.

46
 APPENDIX15

A coin. [Iovine, 1994] A Singapore 50-cent coin. [Yim]

A key. [Iovine, 1994] A key. [Yim]

15
Pictures courtesy of Mr Yim show the Kirlian Effect taken by a Do-It-Yourself Kirlian camera as
compared by those which are taken by a commercial Kirlian Camera.

47
Leaves. [Iovine, 1994]

A leaf. [Yim]

48
A starfish (left) and a fish (right) [Iovine, 1994]

A cockroach. [Yim]

49