student will close his eyes partially, until he peers out from
narrowed lids, and then will closely observe some very healthy person
sitting in a dim light, he may perceive this undulating, pulsing
vibration extending an inch or two from the surface of the body. It
requires some little knack to recognize these vibrations, but a little
practice will often give one the key; and after the first recognition,
the matter becomes easy.

Again, in the case of persons of active brains, one may perceive this
pulsating prana-aura around the head of the person, particularly when he
is engaged in concentrated active thought. A little practice will enable
almost any one to perceive faintly the dim outlines of the prana-aura
around his own fingers and hand, by placing his hand against a black
background, in a dim light, and then gazing at it with narrowed
eye-lids, squinting if necessary. Under these circumstances, after a
little practice, one will be apt to perceive a tiny outlined aura, or
radiation, or halo, of pale yellowish light surrounding the hand.

By extending the fingers, fan shape, you will perceive that each finger
is showing its own little outlined prana-aura. The stronger the vital
force, the plainer will be the perception of the phenomenon. Often the
prana-aura, in these experiments, will appear like the semi-luminous
radiance surrounding a candle flame or gas light. Under the best
conditions, the radiation will assume an almost phosphorescent
appearance. Remember, this is simply a matter of trained ordinary
sight,--not clairvoyant vision.

This prana-aura is identical with human magnetism, which is employed in
ordinary magnetic healing. That is to say it is the outer manifestation
of the wonderful pranic force. It is felt when you shake hands, or
otherwise come in close physical contact with a strongly magnetic
person. On the other hand it is what the weakly, human vampire-like
persons unconsciously, or consciously, try to draw off from strong
persons, if the latter allow them so to do from want of knowledge of
self protection. Who has not met persons of this kind, who seem to sap
one's very life force away from him? Remember, then, that the prana-aura
is the aura or radiation of life force, or vital power, which is the
steam of your living activity, physical and mental. It is the pouring
out of the vital "steam" which is running your vital machinery. Its
presence indicates Life--its absence Lifelessness.