I'll throw a coal into this fire

[gecko]

First of all, I want to say hello. My name is Brian, and I was once quite the skeptic myself. I didn't really believe in God, and I didn't really believe in the paranormal. I searched for years and years to find what I so desperately wanted to, to no avail, and I eventually began to find such amazing things.

I learned the power of prayer. I learned the power of faith. And yes, I learned the power of paranormal. And I can't be silent about it. Though I feel like the biggest idiot here, and I doubt any of you will believe me...I can't just sit here and not say anything. It would be a crime, no, it would be a sin.

I can't really say for sure how much I'll be on here, maybe not ever again, so please aim me at geckonfg or email me at geckonfg@yahoo.com if you need to talk. Flame me if you like. It's worth it if in the end I can help anyone.

Now, let's get to what I want to talk about. So many things I'd like to talk about. My amazing experiences with God and lucid dreams. Oh...the list could go on. But I'm going to talk about auras.

If you don't know, auras are a type of "energy" that all living creatures have. If you want to read more about this energy, I suggest a book title "The Secret Life of Plants". It's very compelling. But, ahem, on to the explanation.

All living things have auras. Similarly, all inaninmate objects have a color "glow" around them. Scribble a dark blue pen very hard into a sheet of white paper, until it is solid and large. Stare at it. Do you see yellow around it? I hope you will.

Seeing this light is a primitive means of seeing an aura. It's the same concept. If you really want to question this world, as a skeptic would, go on the ride of your life with me. Go to this website: http://www.thiaoouba.com/aura_eye_exercise.htm

I encourage you to look around it, and try the exercises. Until you are very good at it. Then, look in the mirror against a white wall, the room decently lit, and look at your own forehead. I pray, to the God of this world, that you can see it. See your aura. And, once you see that it is not the opposite color, you will know that it is something more than a light reflection. This aura may also change, which only reaffirms this belief.

In time, if you truly question your beliefs and go on this adventure with me, you may be able to see other auras. I fondly remember seeing a blatant red aura of my brother's cat after relaxing by myself, breathing deeply and just thinking about life for awhile. It was one of the most exhilarating experiences of my life.

I just want you to try. That's all I ask. I guarantee this is real. I don't want to make anyone mad, I dont' want to stir things up. I just want you to question your beliefs, as I did so long ago. And I know, if you can find this, you can find God, and so much more...and I can't find a purpose in this world greater than trying to help my brothers and sisters of this world find their father.

Haha, I probably sound like quite the quack. I understand everything you're thinking! A few years back I'd think I was a quack no doubt. I'd flame myself! What a concept. Just, keep an open mind, and try this. Or talk to me. Flame me. Yell at me. Just THINK about it. That's all I ask.

Good luck to all of you who are daring enough to step out of your comfort zone. May we all find what we are looking for on this journey.

I apologize deeply for how long this is. But this may change your life forever, so its worth it.

 

[SezMe]

Have you been in contact with Kramer regarding the $1 million challenge. Imagine the chance to "change your life forever" twice in one lifetime

Keep us posted.

 

[gecko]

wow thanks for such a quick reply. But how can I possibly prove something like that? The old "find where behind a wall I am" parable doesn't work, and I can explain why if you need.

 

[geni]

Stare at it. Do you see yellow around it? I hope you will.

Strightforward visual illusion it's a contrast effect. simular to this:

 

[arthwollipot]

I HAVE thought about it. I've thought about it a lot. I was once an apatheist - I didn't know whether there was a God or not and I didn't care. Then I was "saved" into a pentecostal church. Well, you can read of my experiences elsewhere. Once I started realising what bunk it all was, I drifted away. Straight into the neo-pagan spiritual stuff. I played hard. I cast spells, I tried to summon up ghosts.

None of it worked. I didn't see a single spirit. I didn't get mystical insight from the Tarot cards. God didn't answer my prayers, and never once did I see an aura.

So sorry Brian, but "been there, done that" and discovered it was rubbish.

 

[Vortex]

wow thanks for such a quick reply. But how can I possibly prove something like that? The old "find where behind a wall I am" parable doesn't work, and I can explain why if you need.

So, in other words, you have no evidence at all to support any of your outlandish claims?

 

[CFLarsen]

gecko,

Welcome to the forum.

I think it would be most enlightening if you hung around here, because I for one would very much like to know more about these auras you see.

Are you willing to be tested?

 

[SezMe]

wow thanks for such a quick reply. But how can I possibly prove something like that? The old "find where behind a wall I am" parable doesn't work, and I can explain why if you need.

There is a very simple way you could prove it. Here is a simplistic outline.

1. Select a Subject "A".
2. Confirm that you can see A's aura in a way you are comfortable.
3. Have A stand behind an opaque screen that just covers his shape. Confirm that you can still see A's aura.
4. Leave the room.
5. Come back in the room. Tell the tester whether A is behind the screen.
6. Repeat 4,5 several times.

If you can see A's aura, you should hit 100% If I were to perform the test, I would get 50% right (random guessing).

Details to be arranged.

I second Larson. Welcome to the forum and I hope you stick around to pursue this matter further.

Edited for fingers getting ahead of brain.

 

[Ladewig]

I learned the power of prayer.

What is the power of prayer?

 

[MRC_Hans]

Welcome here, gecko!

First of all, I want to say hello. My name is Brian, and I was once quite the skeptic myself. I didn't really believe in God, and I didn't really believe in the paranormal. I searched for years and years to find what I so desperately wanted to, to no avail, and I eventually began to find such amazing things.

Searching desparately for things to beieve is hardly being skeptical.

I learned the power of prayer. I learned the power of faith. And yes, I learned the power of paranormal.

Well, do enlighten us.

And I can't be silent about it. Though I feel like the biggest idiot here,

No worries mate, you are FAR from the biggest idiot here . For instance, you express yourself excellently.

and I doubt any of you will believe me...I can't just sit here and not say anything. It would be a crime, no, it would be a sin.

Then do get it off your chest.

I can't really say for sure how much I'll be on here, maybe not ever again, so please aim me at geckonfg or email me at geckonfg@yahoo.com if you need to talk. Flame me if you like.

As long as you act in a civil way, there is little risk of flaming.

It's worth it if in the end I can help anyone.

Certainly, and who knows? The one you help might turn out to be yourself.

Now, let's get to what I want to talk about. So many things I'd like to talk about. My amazing experiences with God and lucid dreams. Oh...the list could go on. But I'm going to talk about auras.

Ahh, fine! A nice and testable subject. We'll love it.

If you don't know, auras are a type of "energy" that all living creatures have.

Ahh, but which kind of energy will that be? After all, there is only a limited number of different kinds of energy.

If you want to read more about this energy, I suggest a book title "The Secret Life of Plants". It's very compelling. But, ahem, on to the explanation.

It is also very old. From the 1960ies. Yes, I read it. It is the one that claims that plants have higher morals than humans. Higher HUMAN morals even. And that plants can read our minds. I replicated some of the expriments in that book. Didn't work, I'm afraid.

All living things have auras. Similarly, all inaninmate objects have a color "glow" around them. Scribble a dark blue pen very hard into a sheet of white paper, until it is solid and large. Stare at it. Do you see yellow around it? I hope you will.

Just stare at any high-contrast vision, and you will see such a phenomenon. It is because of the way our eyes and vision system works. Do you want me to explain it to you?

*snip*
I pray, to the God of this world, that you can see it. See your aura.

Your prayers are heard. This is something anybody can learn to see. Because it is connected to how our eyes function.[7b]

And, once you see that it is not the opposite color, you will know that it is something more than a light reflection. This aura may also change, which only reaffirms this belief.

Yes, it is a side-effect to how vision works.

*snip*

Good luck to all of you who are daring enough to step out of your comfort zone. May we all find what we are looking for on this journey.

Have you considered that it might be you who is in a comfort zone? You are hiding behind your beliefs, while WE are out here in the stark world of realities.

*snip*

Hans

 

[MRC_Hans]

Re: Re: I'll throw a coal into this fire

What is the power of prayer?

For Christian prayers, between 0.1 - 1 W depending on how loud you pray. Muslem prayers from minareths go up to hundreds of Watts.

Hans

 

[MRC_Hans]

wow thanks for such a quick reply. But how can I possibly prove something like that? The old "find where behind a wall I am" parable doesn't work, and I can explain why if you need.

No need. We already know why it doesn't work .

Hans

 

[Ashles]

An interesting optical illusion:

Do you see the 'auras' in the intersections?

It works by a well known visual processing trick.

Explanation here

I have also worked in a holistic healing centre with people who claimed to be able to read auras via Kirlian photography.
They couldn't really.

Good luck to you if you feel a better person for your beliefs.

But don't asume that we haven't already thought about many of these things already. I have questioned my beliefs many times. It is what made me a sceptic.


Welcome to the forum, but if you are hoping to 'save' anyone then you may end up a tad disappointed.

And I wouldn't attach too much of your faith in what is basically a trick of visual processing.
'Auras' don't mean anything and they don't tell us anything, otherwise they would actually be used for useful applications like telling us when people were lying or whether they were in the next room etc.

One question - when you saw your brother's cat's aura, was it a bright summer's day? Was it outside?

 

[TheBoyPaj]

And an explanation of the negative after-image effect:

"When we stare at an object for some time, its image is projected onto the same place in our retina. After some time, the receptors in that area become "fatigued." This means that the molecules of visual pigment become bleached because of the unrelenting stimulation by one image or one color. Without a break to allow the visual pigment molecules to recharge, most of the molecules can not sense the arrival of new photons. If the object upon which we are fixating is one color, the receptors responding to the stimulus are differentially depleted, while the pool of other color receptors may be ample. Then when we stare at a blank wall or a white sheet of paper, those receptors whose visual pigments are depleted fire less frequently than they otherwise would. That is, they under-report the true strength of the stimulus."

from http://biology.dbs.umt.edu/biol405_03/labs/Lab Report writeup web.htm

Still, it would be nice to devise a test that doesn't involve standing behind a wall. Why is that not possible, Gecko?

 

[Ed]

We had a thread like this some time ago. To recapitulate:

Tell me, have you been tested for glaucoma recently? Do you get headaches?

 

[gecko]

wow, this is great!

First of all, I appreciate the mature tone everyone is taking for the most part. The internet is often a place for unneccessary rudeness and blatant ignorance. However, I will try to get to everything you have all said.

Indeed, to those of you who have talked about light and optical illusions. Indeed, a light "aura" is around every object, living or dead. That was just my point. So you can see it. However, if you are able to see it on a living object, the colors vary considerably and have nothing to do with the color of the actual being. Isn't that wierd? So auras and "light reflections" are seen in the same way, only the auras colors seem irrational or random in the realm of science.

I'm glad you're thinking with your head, whoever said the stand behind a screen thing. I'm not so keen on going into some million dollar challenge as a christian that has only done auric work for very short amounts of time though! Also, I've never tried to see an aura from behind a screen...i mean, maybe it should work, right? It would be wierd to not have a chakra to look at. Hmm, if some people could try to orchestrate this sometime and I could try to prove it it would be cool and all, if anyone lives in colorado, but I admit I'm unsure of my abilities and its something I don't ever practice(my whole purpose of talking about paranormal is to try and help people find God).

Ah, and finally to the power of prayer part. I can't make you believe in the power of prayer, you just have to take my word for it lol. Sure, the examples I have can be coincidence, but I'm not so sure.

My biggest example is extremely personal and embarrassing, so please try to be somewhat understanding in my hesistance towards talking about it. When I was about 13, I was addicted to the sick(at least from a christian perspective) habit of masturbation. No doubt, this is something that plagues most all men, especially at this age. Anyway, after a couple years of dealing with this burden, and just about giving up, I started praying. I hadn't really believed all my life, but something was about to turn around.

Wierd stuff started happening. I doubt anyone will believe me here. One day, I was thinking about it, about to do something I shouldn't have, and people came home. It was far earlier then they were supposed to. Of course, there was some rational explanation that "followed".

Another time it was the cat coming up to me. Once it was a song that perfectly applied, out of a playlist of 2,000. Other times somebody would start talking to me on aim that i never talked to or didn't like me. But it was always something.

I know this all sounds wierd, but its all so true. You can go all Hume on me and say I'm making up cause and effect relationships...but somewhere along the way it has to be more than coincidence. I think this was it.

I understand your skepticism towards it all. In this world of science or reason it seems as though everything once thought to be magical is being discovered to be reasonable and rational. So, why wouldn't everything just become like that? That is the opinion many hold.

There is nothing natural or logical about the experiences I've had with prayer. This is just one example of so many. Maybe I'm just trying harder, maybe I'm looking for findings where they don't exist, maybe I'm just a nutcase. But I'll die looking, die loving God, and die a nutcase then.

Finally, about the aura thing. Nay, I doubt that I can actually prove it to you. Why do you think I gave you that website to take a look at? Because I don't think it would take that long to learn. And this isn't one of those "you have to believe to learn" bs arguments. You can learn. You can see. If you try.

If none of you want to take the time to do this, very well. If none of you want to believe a word I say, I guess that's all right too. I will try to stick around so you can all learn more about me and the amazing story that has been my life though.

Just remember, this is your life. Even if its a 1/1000000 possibility, what if there is a god who loves you? What is everlasting life awaits? Isn't it worth spending your life trying to find out?

Have a nice day. See ya around.

Brian

 

[Psiload]

***snip***
If you don't know, auras are a type of "energy" that all living creatures have. If you want to read more about this energy, I suggest a book title "The Secret Life of Plants". It's very compelling. But, ahem, on to the explanation.

***snip***

Claims of "plant perception" were thoroughly debunked long ago.

http://skepdic.com/plants.html

All living things have auras. Similarly, all inaninmate objects have a color "glow" around them. Scribble a dark blue pen very hard into a sheet of white paper, until it is solid and large. Stare at it. Do you see yellow around it? I hope you will.

So you can differentiate between animate and inanimate objects? i.e.- between an artificial plant, and a real one? Can you do this from a distance?

I'll bet you one million dollars(of the JREF's money) that you can't... and I'll even double dog dare you to try.

 

[TheBoyPaj]

Just remember, this is your life. Even if its a 1/1000000 possibility, what if there is a god who loves you? What is everlasting life awaits? Isn't it worth spending your life trying to find out?

Personally? No. If there's no evidence for something, spending your life preparing for it (to the exclusion of other more immediate pursuits) seems a little pointless to me.

I will try to stick around so you can all learn more about me and the amazing story that has been my life though.

Well, if you must. It might be relevant to put that stuff in Community though.

 

[rppa]

However, if you are able to see it on a living object, the colors vary considerably and have nothing to do with the color of the actual being. Isn't that wierd? So auras and "light reflections" are seen in the same way, only the auras colors seem irrational or random in the realm of science.

The website you gave seems to disagree with you.

These auric colors are not random. Following is a list of Auric Pairs of colors for all clean colors of the rainbow (monochromatic colors).

red gives turquoise aura, turquoise gives red aura
orange gives blue aura, blue gives orange aura
yellow gives violet aura, violet gives yellow aura
green gives pink aura, pink gives green aura

Furthermore, the "training" exercises are the kinds of optical illusion that many of us are already familiar with. They have everything to do with the physiology of human vision, and nothing to do with mystic energy.

When I was about 13, I was addicted to the sick(at least from a christian perspective) habit of masturbation.

I found this statement very telling of the limited nature of your experience with this big broad world. Most people, Christian or not, would not consider masturbation to be a "sick habit" though that 19-th century attitude does still persist here and there.

 

[Ashles]

Yeah but that website also think that the world is going to explode because of global warming:

A wacky theory
Witten by a man who has a PhD and is apparently "Head of Geophysics Division, Scientific E Research P/L, Melbourne, Australia" yet who strangely isn't aware that the earth has been much hotter in the past and had much higher CO2 levels.
A link

Brian, I am afraid that website is a very average example of the genre, making amazing claims about auras, healing and astral travel that are not borne out by reality or actual experiments.

It's hardly a wild ride.

Also I am confused where you say this:

Just remember, this is your life. Even if its a 1/1000000 possibility, what if there is a god who loves you? What is everlasting life awaits? Isn't it worth spending your life trying to find out?

Maybe Allah is the 1/1000000 possibility. Are you researching him?
What about fairies.
Bigfoot.
Crop circles...

There just isn't enough time.