Kirlian Photography Showing the Presence of The Souls or Aura of Life

 

 

This article is dedicated to all medical doctors, their patients with all sorts of incurable diseases including cancers, as well as to all learned scientists and researchers. Fath in God, our Maker are the only exceptions.

 When I was in school in the late 1950’s I came across a simple article showing to me by a classmate of mine that there was an aura surrounding a human body taken by a Soviet photographer.

Much later I came to know that this Russian photographer's name was Semyon Kirlian who was also an inventor and researcher of Armenian descent who invented Kirlian photography.

Today, having acquired far more scientific knowledge than when I was in school, I have been wondering what is this aura that surrounds a human body?  

As far as I know, Kirlian photography, also known as electrophotography, is a technique that captures the phenomenon of coronal discharges. Let us have a look at what this technique entails and the aura it captures around the human body:

Semyon Kirlian in 1939 observed that if an object on a photographic plate is connected to a high-voltage source, an image is produced on the photographic plate.

The method became more widely known in the 1970s and has been associated with capturing the "aura" or biofield of living organisms, though this interpretation is controversial and not universally accepted in the scientific community.

Photography involves placing an object, such as a part of the human body (usually a fingertip), on a photographic plate. This setup is then subjected to a high-voltage, high-frequency electric field that causes an aura

According to scientists the high-voltage field causes ionization of the gas around the object, resulting in a visible corona discharge. This discharge is captured on the photographic plate or film as a glowing outline or aura around the object.

Not just an image of an aura, but colours and patterns too. The resulting image shows a range of colours and patterns, which some proponents claim can indicate physical and emotional states.

How do we interpret these images around a living body, and their claims. Proponents of Kirlian photography often claim that the images reveal a biofield or energy field that reflects the health and vitality of the subject.

 Some alternative medical practitioners suggest that the characteristics of the aura can provide insights into a person’s physical, emotional, and spiritual condition and can be used for diagnosis. Others think there is something psychic and paranormal associated with the soul of a human body. There are claims in the paranormal community that Kirlian photography can capture the presence of spirits or the life energy of living beings.

However, the mainstream scientific community remains sceptical of the more esoteric claims associated with Kirlian photography. They attribute the phenomena observed are generally attributed to physical factors such as moisture content, pressure, and conductivity of the skin. One major criticism by scientists is the lack of reproducibility and consistency in the results. Environmental conditions like humidity and temperature significantly affect the images.

Nevertheless, most scientists admit and agree there is an aura but why is there an aura surrounding a body?  Physicists explain it in the eyes of their physics as due to ionization of the air and moisture surrounding the object, and not an aura of life force.

But biologists disagree. But both are scientists in their expert fields. When an experiment was carried out using two pieces of cotton wool, one wet, the other bone dry, were placed together with a living leaf or any living organism together with a dead dry leaf and all photographed together, only the living leaf and the living organism showed up an aura. Both the wet and dry cotton wool together with the dead leaf did not. When the physicists were questioned and challenged, they remained silent and did not wish to answer. Something is not right with the physicists. They become scientifically illogical. 

Some biological researchers have used Kirlian photography to study the stress responses of plants and animals. Other researchers use this as a field of art to create visually striking images that capture the interplay of electricity and organic materials. Whatever their experiments, I think high-voltage equipment used in Kirlian photography can be dangerous, so proper precautions and expertise are necessary.  Specialized high-voltage generators and photographic plates are required, making it less accessible for casual experimentation. So please don’t try this at home.

Kirlian photography is a fascinating technique for physicists who wish to capture the coronal discharge around objects subjected to a high-voltage electric field. While it has been surrounded by mystical and pseudoscientific claims, the scientific explanation generally attributes the images to ionization of the surrounding air. Kirlian photography continues to intrigue people in various fields, from biologists, conventional and alternative medicine to art.

But I have something different to offer as a clinician and a retired biomedical research scientist. I ask, could this aura be some kind of Qi energy associated with life, something that is living? In other words, could this aura or some kind of bioenergy field be associated with our state of health? What about diseases? Is this aura becoming less apparent during illness or in diseases? My take on this is, the aura captured in Kirlian photography could represent some form of Qi energy or a bioenergy field associated with life and health. This has been a topic of significant debate even by respectable scientists. Let me offer my examination of this concept and its implications.

I believe in this concept of Qi energy and bioenergy fields surrounding all living things including the trees in the forest.  Let me explain. This Qi energy (or "Chi") is a fundamental concept in traditional Chinese medicine and philosophy, representing the vital life force that flows through all living things. It is believed to be crucial for health and well-being. Leaving aside drug-based conventional medicine that only believes and relies wholly on chemical drugs to alter a diseased chemistry, many alternative medicine systems propose the existence of a bioenergy field or aura that surrounds the body. This field is thought to reflect an individual’s physical, emotional, and spiritual state. To my belief Kirlian photography is the direct photography of this Qi energy or the energy of life or the soul of the person.  I believe that the glowing patterns captured in Kirlian photographs represent the bioenergy field or aura, potentially corresponding to Qi energy of the life and the soul of a person.  I believe these images can provide insights into an individual's health and energetic state and perhaps can be used as a diagnostic tool in medicine instead of all those radiological images similar to those images or “auras” created by magnetic fields from an MRI (magnetic resonance imaging). Do you wish to question me on this?   

According to my view there is an energy flow, where disruptions or imbalances in the aura might indicate problems in the flow of Qi, which could correspond to health issues or diseases.

But according to mainstream science the phenomena observed in Kirlian photography is due to physical factors such as ionization of gases, moisture, and the conductivity of the skin. The colours and patterns are influenced by environmental conditions and are not directly linked to any bioenergetic properties. I don’t think I agree with some of my scientific counterparts.

According to some scientists there is a lack of empirical evidence supporting the idea that Kirlian photography can reliably diagnose health conditions or reflect the state of Qi energy. According to some of them there are weak links between Kirlian images and specific health states, but I disagree. I think health, disease and Qi energy have correlations. We only need studies to show that, which unfortunately has not been done. I could not find any published papers in the literature that disprove this link. Some studies have attempted to explore potential correlations between Kirlian photography and health, but these studies often suffer from methodological flaws and have not provided conclusive evidence. We need highly qualified and highly trained scientists to design the studies for us to establish a link between Qi energy, vitality, and disease state. Unfortunately, Big Pharma and pharmaceutical companies will not be very happy about such a study as it is so obvious that any evidence yield will badly affect the sales of their products. Some scientists claim that changes in the aura captured by Kirlian photography can indicate health problems. For example, they suggest that a less vibrant or less apparent aura might correlate with illness or disease. But other skeptics argue that any observed changes in the Kirlian images are more likely due to variations in physiological conditions (like skin moisture and temperature) rather than reflecting underlying health issues or bioenergy fields.

But I think one of the main challenges in using Kirlian photography for health diagnostics may be the lack of reproducibility due to electrical interferences. But I am not sure.   The results may also be influenced by many external factors like moisture, electrical discharges from external sources such as the use of electrical devices making it difficult to obtain consistent and reliable images. But this problem is also exactly the same with using other electronic medical devices such as ECG, vital signs monitor used in hospitals where they don’t allow you to use your hand phones, laptops, portable fans, and other electrical devices. The same problem when you are flying, where they ask you to switch off all your hand phones to prevent radio communications interference by the pilot. So why blame this diagnostic potential only for Kirlian photography? Why not also for ECGs and all other radiological images?  I think there is confusion here that interpretation of Kirlian images can be highly subjective, with different practitioners potentially drawing different conclusions from the same images.

While Kirlian photography produces intriguing images that some interpret as representing Qi energy or a bioenergy field, we need studies to correlate these with state of health, vitality and in disease.

Kirlian photography showing auras in plants and trees and other living organisms has also been shown. When a leaf, for instance, is placed on the photographic plate, it produces a similar corona discharge, showing a glowing outline. These images often show intricate patterns and colours that can vary based on the health and condition of the plant. Some proponents suggest that this can be indicative of the plant’s vitality and health. Similarly, they also have auras emitted by living trees but not in dead trees or in wood.

What about the aura in death? It is commonly reported that the intensity and vibrancy of the aura decrease significantly after death. They attributed to the cessation of electrical activity in drying of tissues is due to lack of moisture which they claim are crucial for producing the corona discharge seen in Kirlian images. There is a significant claim among proponents that the aura or glow is more pronounced in living organisms compared to non-living ones. When an organism dies, the biological processes that contribute to moisture content, metabolic activity, and conductivity cease, which could cause the aura and bioenergy field to disappear. They gave the excuse that the primary phenomenon captured by Kirlian photography is the ionization of air around the object, influenced by moisture and other physical factors.

Others think that in living beings, the continuous biological processes maintain certain physical properties (like moisture and electrical conductivity), leading to a more dynamic and intense corona discharge. After death, these processes stop, leading to changes in these properties and a less intense discharge?

Scientists observed changes in the images, especially before and after death, are primarily explained by changes in physical properties such as moisture content and electrical conductivity.  In other words, it was the moisture or water some scientists believe that gave this aura.

 Let me ask them – those elite learned scientists, wouldn’t the presence of moisture or water be associated with all life. In other words, if there is no water there is no life, and hence there will be no aura of the presence of life. Could this be Qi energy that makes biomolecules jump alive in the presence of moisture or water resulting in Kirlian image may I ask and challenge the learned scientists?  

We all accept that Kirlian photography can produce interesting and visually striking images of living organisms, including in plants, trees, forests, humans and animals, even though the interpretation of these images as auras or representations of life force remains a mystery.

Despite what science tries to explain using physical means, we cannot deny that these auras are emitted only by living things, not when they are dead, because even dead bodies still have a lot of water and moisture in them, and yet they show no aura anymore. This is a very vital and challenging question I ask, and we cannot deny this. If we use moisture and water as an excuse to explain, then what about the oceans, seas, rivers and even the clouds would all show up aura using Kirlian photography, but they don't, only living organisms do. No one can challenge that. In short, auras are emitted only by living things and aura themselves maybe some kind of bioenergy we are yet to understand

The presence of distinct aura surrounding living things is thoughtful and raises important points regarding the differences observed between living and non-living entities. It is true that living organisms, including plants, trees, animals, and humans, tend to produce more vibrant and dynamic auras in Kirlian photography. This can be attributed to their active biological processes, in part their moisture content, and dynamic electrical properties. When an organism dies, these processes cease, leading to changes in the Kirlian images. While there might still be moisture present, the reduction in electrical activity and changes in tissue properties can significantly affect the resulting aura.

Non-living entities like large bodies of water like oceans, seas and clouds are primarily composed of water and do not exhibit the same corona discharge in Kirlian photography as living organisms. This discrepancy might be due to the lack of structured biological tissues and the absence of biological electrical activity that characterizes living organisms. Moisture or water is fundamental to life. Water is essential for all known forms of life, and its presence is critical for the biochemical processes that sustain living organisms.

Let us look at the connections between water, life, and the concept of Qi energy. Water is involved in nearly every biochemical reaction in living cells. It acts as a solvent, a medium for chemical reactions, and is crucial for maintaining cellular structure and function. In the context of Kirlian photography, the presence of water (and consequently moisture) in living tissues enhances electrical conductivity, which is necessary for the ionization processes that create the observed corona discharge or aura. The corona discharge captured by Kirlian photography is significantly influenced by the moisture content of the object. Living organisms, being naturally moist due to their cellular water content, produce a more vibrant and dynamic discharge compared to non-living or dehydrated objects. Without water, life cannot be sustained, and thus the dynamic electrical properties necessary for the Kirlian effect would not be present. This supports the idea that the presence of an aura in Kirlian photography is linked to the presence of water in living tissues. If this is the explanation some scientists think, then why does Kirlian photography show there are no more auras left when life ceases even though there is still plenty of water left in any freshly dead body. Furthermore, neither the oceans, seas, lakes, nor the clouds that are all dead show any aura. Unfortunately, scientists kept quiet on this. They did not want to answer.

Qi (or "Chi") is a central concept in traditional Chinese medicine, representing the vital life force that flows through all living things. It is believed to be responsible for health and vitality, maintaining the balance and harmony of the body's functions. The idea that Qi energy could be what animates biomolecules and makes them "alive" is an intriguing one. While traditional science does not recognize Qi as a measurable physical entity, the concept aligns with the notion that life involves complex interactions of biomolecules facilitated by energy (such as ATP in cells).

The philosophical view of Qi provides a holistic framework for understanding life and health, emphasizing the interconnectedness of physical, emotional, and spiritual aspects of existence. While it is not empirically measurable by current scientific methods, it remains a valuable perspective in many cultures and practices.

The idea of Qi energy as a conceptual tool to describe the vitality and interconnectedness of life processes is compelling. It provides a meaningful framework in many traditional healing practices, even if it is not quantifiable by modern scientific methods. Thus, while the aura in Kirlian photography can be seen as an intriguing intersection of physical science and holistic philosophy, its interpretation as a direct representation of Qi energy remains more within the realm of metaphysical beliefs than empirical science.

Then if this is so, what about in disease state. Is this aura less prominent when a person is seriously ill, or having cancer

The relationship between disease states and the "aura" captured by Kirlian photography is a topic that has been explored by some researchers. Some proponents of Kirlian photography suggest that the aura or corona discharge becomes less prominent or exhibits changes in patterns when a person is seriously ill or suffering from conditions like cancer. They agree that the vitality and bioenergy of a person diminish in disease states, which is reflected in the Kirlian images. There are claims that Kirlian photography can be used as a diagnostic tool to detect health issues, with the idea being that disruptions or anomalies in the aura indicate underlying health problems. Various health practitioners have reported evidence where changes in Kirlian images corresponded with the health conditions of individuals. For example, they might observe that the aura is less vibrant or shows irregular patterns in patients with serious illnesses. Some small-scale studies and experiments have been conducted to explore these claims. These studies often involve taking Kirlian photographs of individuals with known health conditions and comparing them to those of healthy individuals. However, others claim that these small studies frequently lack rigorous scientific controls and reproducibility, making their findings questionable.

What about trees showing aura? Kirlian photography can indeed capture the corona discharge or "aura" around living trees, plants and in the forests.  Again, some think that this phenomenon is due to the moisture and electrical conductivity within the plant tissues.

When a leaf or part of a tree is placed on the photographic plate and subjected to high voltage, it emits a glowing outline. The patterns and intensity of this glow can vary depending on the health and condition of the plant.

When a tree or plant dies, the biological processes that maintain moisture and electrical conductivity cease. Consequently, the characteristics of the Kirlian image change. The aura or corona discharge is likely to become less prominent or even disappear after the tree or plant dies. This is because the moisture content drops, and the tissues lose their ability to conduct electricity effectively. Again, this is how some explain this phenomenon despite limited scientific research specifically focused on living trees and dead wood with moisture in them.

Some continue to claim that in a healthy, living state, trees and plants show a more vibrant and dynamic Kirlian image due to their high moisture content and active biological processes. But as a plant dies, the moisture content decreases, and the biological processes stop, leading to a reduction in the intensity and clarity of the Kirlian image. Over time, as the plant completely dries out, the aura may disappear entirely.

Once again, I like to challenge the elite and learned scientists why then clouds with tons of moisture in them, plus all the oceans, seas, lakes and rivers did not show any Kirlian aura but fish and living creatures caught out from them showed aura, Unfortunately, they kept quiet and offer no explanation.

While the physical explanations such as moisture and conductivity may play a part, they may not fully account for the complexity of the phenomena observed. The interplay of various biological factors including the presence of Qi energy might contribute to the unique auras of living organisms.

I think Kirlian photography provides a fascinating visual representation of Qi energy even if it was only electrical properties present in all living organisms, including plants and trees.

I also think interpreting these images as evidence of a bioenergy field or life force extends beyond our current scientific understanding.

The concept of bioenergy is a holistic view on bioenergy and vitality. Many traditional and holistic practices, such as Traditional Chinese Medicine, Ayurveda, and various indigenous healing practices, posit the existence of a vital life force or bioenergy (e.g., Qi, Prana) that is integral to life and health. While mainstream science has not yet provided empirical evidence for these concepts, they remain valuable frameworks for understanding health and vitality. Mainstream medicine believes only in chemical drugs produced by Big Pharma to “cure” for money making for both of them.  Medical doctors are definitely not interested in bioenergy of life and images generated by a living body. Then they need to throw away all those chemicals produced by Big Pharma.  They believe only chemical drugs can “cure” any disease including diabetes, cancers and autoimmune disease, not living bioenergy pumped or breathed into a body by their Creator in whom they have no respect. They believe and respect only the Big Pharma and their chemical drugs in strong words for them.   

But for me who is also a scientist and clinician I beg to differ from my counterparts. Advancing our understanding of bioenergy and its potential manifestations in phenomena like Kirlian photography could benefit from interdisciplinary research that bridges the gap between biophysics, biology, and holistic health practices. Improved imaging technologies and experimental methodologies might help elucidate the underlying mechanisms and validate or refute the existence of bioenergy fields. Despite the physical explanations provided by current science, the distinctive auras captured by Kirlian photography around living organisms suggest there might be more to explore and understand. The possibility of a bioenergy field or life force remains an open question that warrants further investigation.

While science provides valuable insights into the physical mechanisms at play, acknowledging and exploring the limitations of our current understanding can lead to new discoveries and a more comprehensive view of life and vitality. Thus, Kirlian photography remains a fascinating area of study, bridging the realms of physical science and holistic perspectives on health and energy.

The interplay between scientific explanations and holistic perspectives is fascinating and can lead to a deeper understanding of complex phenomena.

Science cannot explain everything. I hope medical doctors and some sceptical scientists understand this.  My name is lim ju boo