The Etheric Vehicle (The Vital Body) Summar um mar y: A col col l ection cti on of stateme tatemen n ts by the Ti betan betan "Life itself, itself, the training t raining to be given in the future, the co nclusions nclusions of o f science, and a new mode of civilisation, will all increasingly be focussed on this unique (etheric) substance, w hich is the true form towhich all physical bodies in every k ingdom in nature conform. Note that phraseology. . . . The etheric body exists in subtle etheric etheric matter, and factually there is no true gap; there is simply the ignoring by humanity o f an aspect of the physical bod y, which is of o f far more importance than is the dense physical vehicle. The consciousness of men today is physicalastral, and the factor of conditioning energies is ignored, ignored, overlooked, and -- from the angle of consciousness -- non-existent.
One of the main obligations of occu lt students today, is to testify to the fact of the etheric body; modern science is already testifying testifying because its researches have now landed it in the realm of energy. Electrotherapy, the growing recognition that man is electrical in nature, and the realisation that even the atom, in apparently apparent ly inanimate objects, is a living vibrant entity, substantiate this occult point of view. Generally speaking, science has preceded esotericism in its recognition of energy as a do minant factor in all form expression. . . . The fact of all manifested forms being forms of energy, and that the true human form is no exception, is the gift of science to humanity and not the t he gift of occultism." (Telepathy (Telepathy and the Etheric Vehicle, Vehicle, p. 139/40) "Here is a basic statement -- one that t hat is so basic that it governs and controls all thinking anent the etheric body: The etheric body is primarily p rimarily composed of the dominant energy or energies to which the man, the group, the nation, or the world reacts in any particular pa rticular cycle or world period. If you are to understand clearly, it is essential that I lay down certa in propositions anent the etheric body, which should govern all a ll the student's thinking; if they do not, he will be approaching the truth from the wrong wro ng angle; this, modern science does not do. The limitation of modern science is its lack of vision; the hope o f modern science is that it does recognize truth when proven. Truth in all circumstances is essential, and in this matter science gives a desirable lead, even though it ignores and despises occultism. Occult scientists handicap themselves either because of their presentation of the truth, or because of a false false humility. Both are equally bad. There are six major propositions which govern a ll considerations of the etheric body, and I would like to present them to students as a first step:
i. There is nothing in the manifested universe-solar, planetary, or the various kingdoms in nature which does not possess an energy e nergy form, subtle and intangible yet substantial, which contro ls, governs, and conditions the outer physical body. This is the etheric body. ii. This energy form -- underlying the solar so lar system, system, the planets, p lanets, and all forms within their specific rings-pass-not -- is itself conditioned conditioned and governed by the dominant do minant solar or planetary energy which ceaselessly and without break in time, creates it, changes and qualifies it. The etheric body is subject to ceaseless change. This, being true of the Macrocosm, is equally true of man, the microcosm, and -- through t hrough the agency of humanity -- will eventually and mysteriously prove true of all the sub-human kingdoms in nature. Of this, the animal animal kingdom and the vegetable kingdom are already evidence. iii. The etheric body is composed co mposed of interlocking and circulating lines of force, e manating from one or another, or from one or many, of the seven planes or areas of consciousness of our planetary Life. iv. These lines of energy, and this t his close interlocking system of streams of force, are related to seven focal points or centres to be found within the etheric body. These centres are related, each of them, to certain types of incoming energy. e nergy. When the energy reaching the t he etheric body is not related to a particular centre, then that center remains quiescent and unawakened ; when it is related and the centre is sensitive to its impact, then that centre becomes vibrant and recept ive, and develops as a co ntrolling ntrolling factor in the life of the man on the t he physical plane. v. The dense physical body, bo dy, composed of atoms -- eac h with its own individual life, light and energy -- is held together tog ether by and is expressive of the energies which compose t he etheric body. These, as will be apparent, are of two natures: (a) The energies which form (through interlocked "lines of forcef ul energy") the underlying etheric body, as a whole and in relation to all physical forms. This form is qualified then by the general life general life and vitality of the plane on which the Dwe ller in the body functions, and therefore where his consciousness is normally focused. (b) The particularized or specialized energies by w hich the individual (at this particular point in evolution, through the circumstances of his daily life and his heredity) chooses to govern his daily activiti act ivities. es. vi. The etheric body bod y has many centres of force; responsive to the manifold energies of our planetary Life, but we shall consider only the seven major major centres which respond to the inflowing energies of the seven rays. All lesser centres are conditioned by the seve n major centres; this is a point which students are apt to forget. It is here that knowledge of the ego ic and of the personality rays is o f prime usefulness. It can be seen, therefore, how exceedingly important this subject of energy becomes, because it controls and makes the man what he is at any given g iven moment, and likewise indicates the plane on which he should function, and the method whereby he should govern his environment, circumstances and relationships. If this is grasped by him, it will enable him to realize that he
will have to shift his whole attention from the physical or the astral planes on to the etheric levels of awareness; his objective will then be to d etermine what energy should control his daily expression (or energies, if he is an advanced disciple). He will realize also a lso that as his attitude, attainment and comprehension shifts to higher levels, his etheric bod y will be constantly changing and responding to the t he newer energies. These energies he will w ill be will-fully bringing in; this is the right use of the wo rd 'will-full'." 'will-full'." (Telepathy (Telepathy and the Etheric Vehicle, Vehicle, p. 141/3) "According to the point in evolution will be t he extent of the area which the etheric et heric body covers beyond the outside of o f the physical body. It may extend for a few or many inches." (Telepathy and the Etheric Vehicle, Vehicle, p. 145) "Within "Within the physical p hysical body, the network of the et heric body is to be found permeating every single part. It is peculiarly associated at this time with the nervous system, which is fed, nourished, controlled and galvanized ga lvanized by its etheric counterpart. This counterpart is present in millions millions of o f tiny streams or lines of energy, to which the Eastern occu ltist ltist has given the t he name of 'nadis'. These nadis are the carriers of energy." (Telepathy ( Telepathy and the Etheric Vehicle, Vehicle, p. 145) "The seven centres are not within not within the dense physical body. They exist only in etheric matter and in the etheric so-called aura, outside the physical body." (Telepathy (Telepathy and the Etheric Vehicle, Vehicle, p. 146) "The powerful effect of the inflow of energy, via the energy body, bod y, has itself automatically created these centres, or these reservoirs of force, these focal po ints of energy, which the spiritual man must learn to use, and through the means of which he can d irect energy where needed." (Telepathy and the Etheric Vehicle, Vehicle, p. 146) "Each form (because it constitutes an aggregated area o f substantial lives or atoms) is a centre within the etheric body, of the form of which it is a constituent part. It has, as the basis o f its existence, a living dynamic point po int which integrates the form, and preserves it in essential being. This form or centre -- large or small, a man or an atom of substance -- is related to all other forms and expressing energies in the environing sp ace, and is automatically receptive to some, and repudiates others through the process pro cess of non-recognition; it relays or transmits other energies, radiating from other forms, and it thus becomes in its turn, an impressing impressing agent. You see, therefore, where differentiated truths approach each ot her and blend, forcing us to use the same terminologies in order to express the same factual truths or ideas." (Telepathy (Telepathy and the Etheric Vehicle, Vehicle, p. 179/80) "The etheric body . . . has one main objective. This is to vitalize and energize the physical body, and thus integrate it into the energy body of the Earth and of the solar system. system. It is a web of energy streams, of lines of force and of light. It constitutes part of the vast network of energies which underlies all forms, whether great or small (microcosmic or macrocosmic). macrocosmic). Along these lines of energy the cosmic forces flow, as the t he blood flows through the veins and arteries. This constant, individual -- human, planetary p lanetary and solar -- circulation of life-forces through the etheric bodies of all forms is the basis of all manifested life, and the expression expression of the essential nonseparateness of life." ( Esoteric Healing , p. 2/3)
"An understanding of what I have said, w ill lead the earnest student to a more practical application of his attitude to the centres, and also to a fixed endeavor to make his sphere of radiatory activity more useful to his fellow men. The reason for this will be t hat his attitude will express the quality of the subjective spirit and not the qua lity -- hitherto rampant -- of o f objective matter. Forget not that the etheric body bod y is a material and substantial body, and is therefore an integral part of the physical plane; forget not that it is intended, intended, first of all a ll,, to carry the energies of the emotional and of the mental plane in the unconscious u nconscious experimental stage of incarnation; that it is also intended to carry the threefold energies of the soul in the stage of consciously of consciously gaining experience; and that also, as the antahkarana is built, it is intended to carry the energies of the Monad in the stage of consciously expressed divinity. See you, t herefore, herefore, the beaut y of the spiritual process, and the planned aid given to the sons of men at all stages of o f their return to the centre from whence they came?" (Telepathy (Telepathy and the Etheric Vehicle, Vehicle, p. 176) "In the etheric body, which is an exact replica of its denser counterpart, we have the organ o f active radiatory fire, and . . . the vehicle of prana. Its function is to store up the rays of raditory light and heat which are secured from the sun, and to transmit them, via the spleen, to all parts of the physical body. . . . When the physical furnace burns brightly and when the fuel of the body (pranic rays) is adequately assimilated, the human frame will function as desired." ( A Treatise on Cosmic Fire, Fire, p. 57). "The etheric body is mould of the physical bod y. . . . The etheric body is archetype upon which the dense physical form is built, whether it is the form of a solar system or o r of a human body in any one incarnation. . . . The ether ic body is a web or network of fine interlacing interlacing channels, formed of matter of the four ethers, et hers, and built into a specific form. . . . These pranic emanations when focalized and received react upon the dense matter which is built upon the etheric scaffolding and framework. . . . This etheric web, during incarnation, forms a barrier between the physical and astral planes, which can only be transcended when consciousness is sufficiently developed to permit escape. . . . When a man has, through meditation meditation and concentration, expanded his consciousness to a certain point, he is enabled to include the subtler planes, and to escape beyond the limits of the dividing web." ( A A Treatise on Cosmic Fire, Fire, p. 81/82). "The etheric body is really a net-work net-wo rk of fine channels, which are the co mponent parts of one interlacing fine cord . . . t he silver cord. . . . The etheric web is composed for the intricate weaving of this vitalised cord." ( A Treatise on Cosmic Fire, Fire, p. 98). "Etheric congestion may lead to many forms o f disease and of mental incompetence . . . once portion of the etheric body being congested may lead to the entire physical condition condition being upset, resulting in diverse co mplaints." mplaints." ( A Treatise on Cosmic Fire, Fire, p. 109). "Remember always that in dealing with the ethe ric body we are dealing with physical with physical matter ." ." ( A A Treatise on Cosmic Fire, Fire, p. III). "The etheric body is the next aspect of the world substance to be studied stud ied by scientists and investigators." ( A A Treatise on White Magic, Magic, p. 76).
"The etheric body is composed of o f force currents, and in it are vital centres linked by lines of force with each other and with the nervous nervou s system of the physical man. Through these t hese lines of force, it is connected also with the etheric body of the environing system . . .
The etheric body is vitalised and controlled by thoug ht, and can (through thought) tho ught) be brought into full functioning activity. This is done by right thinking and not by breathing exercises and holding the nose. When this is grasped, much dangerous practice will be avoided and people will come into a normal and safe control of that most potent instrument, the vital body. That this is end may rapidly be consummated is my earnest wish." ( A A Treatise on White Magic, Magic, p. 77). "It is through the etheric body that all of the energies flow, whether emanating from the soul, or from the sun, or from a planet." ( A A Treatise on White Magic, Magic, p. 105). "One of the principal objects of endeavor at the present time on the part of those whom you call the Elder Brothers of the race, is to stimulate, stimulate, purify and co -ordinate the etheric body. This etheric body is not only the t ransmitter ransmitter of prana, but is the medium for all the energies which we are considering. Its importance also lies in other directions: a. Being of physical plane matter, literally, literally, etheric consciousness is the next step ahead of the race. This will demonstrate at first as the ability to see etherically and to cognize etheric matter. b. It is the field of exploration exploration immediately ahead of the modern scientist. scientist. In ten years time, many medical practioners will be recognising it as a fact o f nature. c. Most of the diseases that the physical body bo dy suffers from at present, have their roots in the etheric body. There are few, if any, purely physical diseases. Disease has its source in astral and etheric conditions. d. The etheric emanations of o f people can be great contaminators. In the purification, therefore, therefore, of this body lies the secret of a sweeter and saner humanity. e. The secret of safe and sane clairvoyance and clairaudience depends upon the purification of the etheric vehicle." ( A A Treatise on White Magic, Magic, p. 372) "When the man is on the Path Pat h of Discipleship and, therefore, upon the reversed wheel, leading to initiation, the etheric body beco mes the transmitter transmitter of soul sou l energy and not of personality force." ( Esoteric Esoteric Astrology, Astrology, p. 352) "The etheric body is fundamentally that most important important response apparatus which man possesses, producing not only the right functioning of the five senses, and consequently providing five major points of contact with the tangible tangible world, but it also enables a man to register sensitively sensitively the subt ler worlds, worlds, and, when energized and controlled co ntrolled by the soul, the spiritual realms stand wide open also.
The etheric body is potent receiver of impressions, which are co nveyed to the human consciousness through the medium of the awakened centres. There is, for instance, no true clairvoyance until either the solar plexus or the ajna centre is awakened. These transmitted impressions and information become the incentive whereby conscious act ivity ivity is initiated. initiated. There T here are many words used to describe these forces and their actuating effects: such as impulses, incentives, influences, potencies, desires, aspirations, and may such t erms which are only synonyms for force or energy, and thus t hus convey the same general idea. All of these words refer to forms of activity of the etheric body, but only o nly as the physical body registers them, and acts under their impression. The whole theme of motivating force is one of great interest.
The vastness of the subject is, however, so real that only little by little can humanity grasp the situation and come to tthe he realization that man is essentially (through his etheric body) an integral part of a great vibrant Whole; only in time will he he learn that, through the processes of evolution, can he hope to register all the different areas of divine expression. Only when the etheric bod y is swept into activity under the influence and through the 'impressed forces' of the soul, the mind, and temporarily, of the astral body, can man become aware of all the worlds, all phenomena, and all states of consciousness, and so achieve that o mniscience which is the birthright of all sons of God." ( Esoteric Esoteric Healing , p. 83/4). "You are right in your belief that one can be perfectly healthy, but have little resistance to fatigue. The principal factors in re-establishing or making a better et heric control are: 1. Sunshine 2. Careful diet, with the emphasis e mphasis upon the proteins and vitamins. 3. The avoidance of fatigue and worry. Against all the above, at this time, climate, world co nditions, nditions, environment, and our o ur civilization militate, and the individual has therefore to resign himself to a state of affairs which lies outside his individual contro l.
A normal, sane, regulated life is the best means for establishing a b etter measure of vitality. . . You need to remember, however, that where there is a devitalized etheric body, and conditions are such that a re-establishment of a vital control seems difficult difficult or impossible, there must be recognition of karmic limitations, and a willingness to submit to them and leave a ffairs to work themselves out. This particular life is not the only one there is. Frequently, therefore, in any particular incarnation, conditions cannot be changed, and are prolonged by inner rebellion and revolt. A disciple has to learn the lesson of going on, as the expression is, in spite of and not because of circumstances." ( Esoteric Esoteric Healing , p. 326/l7).
References: http://www.esoteric-philosophy.net/ethericbod.html
