Book SummaryHands of Light, by Barbara Ann Brennan

1-Page Summary1-Page Book Summary of Hands of Light

Investigating the structure and makeup of the human aura.

Barbara Ann Brennan envisions the human body as surrounded by a luminous energy configuration, often referred to as the Human Energy Field. Our health and well-being are influenced by the aura that surrounds and infuses our physical body, shaping our perception of reality. Brennan combines insights from spiritual practices and scientific research to present a comprehensive portrayal of the aura surrounding humans, which she organizes into seven distinct layers, each associated with particular aspects of human behavior and experience.

The aura consists of seven separate layers.

Barbara Ann Brennan depicts the aura as a phenomenon with multiple layers, with each subsequent layer composed of finer material and vibrating at a frequency higher than the one below it. Each stratum symbolizes a unique facet of being, extending from the palpable realm of the material to the sublime sphere of the spiritual, and in unison, they create a unified whole. To discern each progressive stratum, one must elevate their awareness to resonate with its unique frequency. Imagine a set of clear spherical shells, one enveloping the other, all occupying the same space, rather than an onion-like structure that can be readily taken apart. Our broader selves encompass these less expansive forms.

The etheric body maintains a close association with the physical body's sensory experiences and operations.

The initial layer of the aura, often referred to as the Etheric Body, originates from the idea of "ether," signifying a state that bridges energy and physical substance. Barbara Ann Brennan describes this occurrence as a glowing network pulsating at a frequency of fifteen to twenty cycles per minute, extending up to two inches beyond the surface of the skin. This particular layer mirrors the entirety of the body's structure, including all related organs and anatomical components. The matrix is essential for cellular development, providing the underlying structure of physical matter, which is characterized by a shimmering radiant blue light. Barbara Ann Brennan introduces the idea that physical tissues are actually a manifestation of the vital energy from the Etheric Body, not the other way around. The etheric body displays a spectrum of colors from a soft blue to various grays, with the former suggesting a more fragile physical condition and the latter denoting a more robust physique.

The emotional body corresponds to our sensations and the events that provoke emotional responses.

The second layer of the aura, known as the Emotional Body, surrounds and interpenetrates the initial layer. The second layer is characterized by a significantly greater capacity for change compared to the first and is not a mirror of the physical body's form. The aura appears as a spectrum of cloud-like colors made of a fine substance, extending from the body by one to three inches. Brennan associates this layer with the strength and clarity of our emotional experiences, suggesting that the colors reflect the intensity and transparency of these emotions. Vivid hues, indicative of robust and thriving emotions like love and excitement, contrast with muted or dark tones that imply feelings of confusion or repression. As an individual works through their feelings, the colors within this specific layer become more vivid, clear, and sharply delineated.

The third layer, often referred to as the mental body, is linked with our thought processes and cognitive abilities.

The Mental Body, which constitutes the third aura layer, extends past the confines of the emotional and etheric layers. This stratum, composed of more delicate substances and oscillating at an elevated frequency, relates to our cognitive processes and conceptual frameworks. The book describes a luminous yellow aura that becomes brighter and more expansive around the head and shoulders during mental tasks. Within this yellow light, she observes thought forms—blobs of varying brightness, shape, and color that represent our ideas. The clarity and strength of a thought form reflect the exactness and focus of the idea it represents, with different hues enveloping the form to signify the associated emotions. Habitual thoughts become powerful forces that can impact our lives.

The Astral Level functions as a bridge that connects the physical world with the spiritual realm, representing both the essence of love and the connections among people.

The Astral Level, known as the fourth layer, signifies a significant shift in the aura's composition. The transition represents a shift from the three layers associated with the physical domain to a higher trio of layers connected to the spiritual domain. The Ethereal Presence appears as a formless being, intermingled with vividly colored vapors that radiate a warm pink luminescence, symbolizing affection. The field usually extends from six inches to a foot beyond the body's surface. Brennan views this stratum as the channel that allows our capacity for love to expand from personal relationships to encompass all of humanity. The heart chakra serves as a conduit, converting spiritual energy into physical form and the other way around, demonstrating the profound influence of love.

The Etheric Template Body functions as the blueprint for the etheric layer, associated with the higher will and the manifestation of physical shape.

Barbara Brennan describes the Etheric Template Body as the blueprint that shapes the etheric layer, which in turn acts as a template directing the formation of the physical body. This layer, as described by Brennan, reaches into a more abstract realm, with projections that are either distinct or semi-transparent, set against a backdrop that is reminiscent of a deep blue architect's schematic, but situated in a more elevated dimension, typically extending from eighteen to twenty-four inches away from the physical form. This...

Hands of Light Summary The interplay of energy fields is deeply connected to individual wellness, sickness, and personal development.

Brennan suggests that illness originates from an imbalance in our energy field that occurs when we lose touch with our true selves. Our disconnection from our authentic essence may foster adverse thoughts and actions, which in turn can obstruct the flow of our vital energy, culminating in the manifestation of disease within our physical form. She perceives sickness not as a fault or penalty but as an opportunity for personal development and spiritual awakening, underscoring the need to address certain imbalances.

Disruptions and blockages in an individual's energy field can lead to health issues, causing a detachment from their true essence.

Brennan suggests that every illness stems from losing touch with our inherent spiritual nature, which maintains a deep bond with a pervasive energy that spans the universe. Our failure to remain in touch with the more elevated elements of our existence causes us to stray from the essential laws that dictate the order of the universe. Misalignments in the human aura may disrupt the smooth flow of energy, resulting in blockages and irregularities that manifest as physical or mental health issues. Brennan emphasizes that the decline and...

Hands of Light Summary Methods for evaluating and interacting with the surrounding energy fields of individuals.

Brennan provides actionable advice and techniques for honing the skill to perceive, evaluate, and interact with the auric fields surrounding individuals. She emphasizes that these techniques require dedicated practice and diligence, yet they are an intrinsic part of our human potential, available to anyone who earnestly embarks on the path of education.

Gaining insights via Enhanced Sensory Perception.

Brennan considers the capacity to perceive beyond the usual sensory experiences, which she refers to as High Sense Perception (HSP), crucial for engaging with the aura that envelops people. HSP accesses a range of cognitive capabilities that surpass the commonly recognized five senses in order to gain knowledge.

Enhancing sensory experiences, such as vision, along with the ability to hear and feel, can broaden an individual's perception and aid in acquiring knowledge that goes beyond conventional boundaries.

Brennan suggests that everyone has an innate capacity to sense subtle energies, which can be honed and enhanced with consistent practice and specific exercises. She explains methods for enhancing perception through sight, sound, and touch by concentrating deeply,...

Hands of Light Summary Exploring the broader context for recognizing the expansion of awareness and understanding in the realms of spirituality and metaphysics, particularly when it comes to healing and recuperation.

Brennan advocates for a therapeutic method rooted in the understanding that individuals are multifaceted beings capable of expanding their consciousness and achieving harmonious oneness with the divine.

Life as portrayed by Heyoan.

Brennan often integrates wisdom from her spirit guides to clarify her ideas and experiences. Heyoan introduces a persuasive structure that deepens our comprehension of existence, the constraints of our sensory experiences, and the journey toward restoration.

The concept of the perception window is associated with Buddhist philosophies regarding the fundamental nature of the soul and the deceptive nature of reality, in addition to the ideas proposed by physicist David Bohm concerning the Implicate and Explicate Orders.

Heyoan explains that each of us perceives reality through a limited “window of perception,” defined by our current level of consciousness and our ability to sense a particular range of vibrations. The notions of Brahman, the transcendent and elusive bedrock of being, alongside Maya, the material cosmos that eludes our complete sensory comprehension, are linked to Buddhist doctrines. The book also draws parallels with David...