But have you ever wondered why one person may seem to have a radiance or glow about them when another does not? You may be seeing their aura. Though not commonly accepted or agreed-upon by science, the aura is a subtle field of luminous radiation or magnetic energy that surrounds a person like a cocoon or halo.

Invisible to most people, psychics claim to be able to see the aura. And in those circles, it is well-known that the color of the aura indicates different moods and physical conditions for a person. Some psychics report that an evil person’s aura is black and constantly in violent motion while a saint may have a blue- to blue-green aura that pulses gently.

The word “psyche” means, first, to the Princess loved by Eros or Cupid (Psykhe). It derives from the Latin word for “animating spirit” and the Greek for “the invisible animating principle that directs the physical body. In common use, however, psyche refers to the soul, the personality, the human mind, or the “self” of psychological sciences. You will not find the term “psyche self-defense” in a dictionary or encyclopedia.

So, what the heck do we mean when we talk about psyche self-defense? We are talking about improving and maintaining a healthy, growing spiritual condition. The halos you see around religious figures in traditional paintings represents the aura that grows stronger with higher levels of consciousness. It is our piece of the divine, that part of God that is within each of us. It does shine through.

Throughout history, sages and holy people have understood the importance of spiritual development and working toward higher consciousness. In the modern world, particularly in Western materialistic societies, that important part of life seems near forgotten by most human beings. However, there are ways to touch the divine essence within us and to recover the joy of spiritual communion.

Meditation is perhaps the most effective way to attain higher levels of consciousness. Involving focusing thought on a single point, meditation is a process where concentration is heightened, yet thought is suppressed. Meditation allows a person to reach deep into the Self and renew that living-giving animation of spirit that we call Divine.

While meditation has traditionally been a spiritual practice, it works in ways that scientists can study and describe. Persons in deep meditation have slower heart rates, lower body temperatures, and less active brain waves.

The physical act of meditation usually means sitting quietly, focusing on breathing or repeating a word or phrase with the goal of minimizing active thought. However, it is possible to walk or stand while meditating. In practical terms, meditation helps quieten the internal chatter that goes on in the back of our minds throughout the day, and it’s stress-reducing powers have been documented scientifically. By reducing physical stress responses, meditation also increases ability to resist disease and increases overall vitality and energy.

On the spiritual level, meditation helps us tune out the daily noise of the material world to focus on our inner life and health. As people become more experienced through regular daily meditative exercise, they become more “in touch” with themselves, more confident, and more secure in their own being. Regular meditation strengthens character and fosters inner balance. The aura of a person practiced in meditation reflects a calm, steady emotional state and a non-worldly peace.

As you reach advanced levels of meditation, your body begins to reflect a stronger inner light evidencing spiritual growth. You will make better life decisions, because you’ll intuitively understand what is really important to your overall well-being and happiness. You’ll find yourself better able to cope with the stresses of daily life. In fact, you may not even notice them because regular meditation helps you focus and concentrate, learning to tune out the “noise” of life.

If you have decided to try meditation, don’t expect immediate results. Successful meditation requires patience and persistence as you learn what postures, breathing, and concentration methods work best for you. Once you’ve found the right combination for your daily meditation, you will begin to notice results within a matter of weeks. Your health will improve, your energy level will increase, and your sense of well-being will improve. And if spiritual development is your goal, you will find that you have a much stronger sense of your own soul and an unbreakable connection to your personal Higher Power.

It is important to remember that the aura has little power of its own. It derives from a person’s internal condition - physical, psychological,