Amorillum - Leanna N. Stead

Evolution through Vibration

A Theory Concerning the Progression of the Soul

Introduction

To say that an exploration of the evolution of the soul is complicated is analogous to saying that the core of the Earth is hot. Philosophers have debated the principle for millennia. Every major religion has bodies of literature detailing the makeup, progression, and eventual destination of the soul. Any dictionary search will yield at least eight different definitions of the word. How is it possible, then, to compartmentalize such a vast concept through mere words?

Baha’u’llah, father of the Ba’hai faith, writes that the soul is "…a sign of God, a heavenly gem whose reality the most learned of men hath failed to grasp, and whose mystery no mind, however acute, can ever hope to unravel."[1] The Hindu Upanishads describe the human, or Atman, soul in a quest for reunion with the universal truth. The Catholic Encyclopedia states that "the soul may be defined as the ultimate internal principle by which we think, feel, and will, and by which our bodies are animated" [2] before launching into an impressively detailed historical and philosophical outline of various perspectives on the soul.

The question of the location, structure, function and progress of the soul has fascinated humankind from the time we could conceive such a thing. From the earliest Aristotelian rhetoric to our hodge-podge of modern-day belief systems, we have directed an amount of energy and effort to qualifying the nature of our own essence that is literally unimaginable. It is to this staggering body of work that I now contribute my own thoughts.

A (Very) Brief Look at the Structure of the Soul

My idea of the soul is that it is completely indivisible from the entirety of the human being. I feel it not to be any number of separate parts that form a whole but, rather, the whole being in and of itself. If any part of the being is altered, so also is the soul; and it is thus logical that the body, will, heart and mind must achieve a synchronicity of function for any progress to occur.

Of course, this is not to equate evolution of the soul with the ultimate goal of spiritual union. One must necessarily travel to any destination, after all; and each of us must make our own choice about the path we take. Whether we confine our road to a single system of belief or explore a variety of ideas, we are actively seeking the goal of spiritual evolution through ideological and/or theological understanding. The crux of the matter is not so much the way, but the understanding that a way exists.

We return, then, to the idea of the soul as a composite. To my way of thinking, the essential energy that animates every human being may be found not through combining the separate portions therein (for instance, the mind, the will and the emotion, as illustrated in the Christian definition of the Tripartite Man) [3], but rather at the root of every single one of those elements. Nor, as the Christian perspective states, do I feel that the soul is any type of separate entity. I submit that, since everything is energy, and that energy can only change form, that human beings possess a unique structure of energy that is capable of reason, emotion, and will. It is this energy – this vibration – that gives us animation, spirit and form. Without this configuration we would not be human; we would be something else entirely. While these statements may not seem logical in and of themselves, they are certainly no more implausible than the formation of an entire human being from a tiny collection of cells -- or the existence of ordered instruction that generates the formation of the blastocyst in the first place.

I will admit here that I am no scholar. I cannot feel comfortable with aligning myself with any particular faith at this point in my life, though I am open to learning from various philosophies; and I wonder sometimes if I will ever feel particularly drawn by a single system of belief. My worldview is grounded in the idea that everything is comprised of energy; and that energy is, in itself, the vehicle of the divine. Thus I hold an energetic view of spiritual progression, wed to a basic working knowledge of seven major chakras and the colors to which they correspond.

In my theory, the vibration of each color is correlated with its frequency in hertz (Hz), or cycles per second, and of its wavelength in nanometers (one nanometer equals one billionth of a meter, or 10-9 meter). The essential progression of the soul is described as a process by which the individual causes the kundalini energy to rise through the chakra system (see Fig. 1), thereby activating the chakras in succession. Each chakra is possessed of increasingly short wave patterns of energy and thus, higher frequency. Each stage is associated with its respective chakra, the color associated with that chakra and the relative average wavelength of the color as measured along the spectrum of visible light (see Fig. 2). The seven colors that fall within this narrow range – and narrow it is – are those we customarily assign to the chakras. The linkage of the two concepts is thus not so far a stretch; it is more an effort at synthesis of two related ideas.

You will note that the color spectrum (with the exception of violet, which I will explain) is composed of an alternating sequence of primary and secondary colors. Though indigo is not named as part of the modern visible spectrum, I include it here because of its common association with the brow (ajna) chakra. Between each primary color is a color that is a composite of the two surrounding it; and this is key to the progression, for without the influence of the color to follow, one would have a great deal of difficulty working through the respective stages! I personally regard violet as a "tertiary color" – in other words, it is the perfect synthesis of the red (pure physical) and blue (pure emotional) energies, but also representative of a metaphorical return to the beginning of the spectrum. Violet is the color of true awareness and self-realization, the total synthesis of the physical, intellectual, emotional and spiritual energies. It is the shortest wavelength of the visible spectrum and possesses the highest frequency.

(figures 1 and 2 temporarily unavailable)

Works Cited

[1] Pages 158-159, Gleanings From the Writings of Baha’u’llah. US Baha’i Publishing Trust, 1990 pocket-size edition.

[2] Maher, Michael and Bolland, Joseph. Soul. Transcribed by Tomas Hancil and Joseph P. Thomas. The Catholic Encyclopedia, Volume XIV. New York: Robert Appleton Company. Nihil Obstat, July 1, 1912. Remy Lafort, S.T.D., Censor. Imprimatur. John Cardinal Farley, Archbishop of New York. (Article available at http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/14153a.htm ).

In essence, my theory attempts to characterize seven distinct stages of soul progression. The successive development is outlined using the spectrum of visible light, with each hue correspondent to an individual chakra. The use of the spectrum to represent the chakra system is not a new idea. However, the further characterization of each major stage as it appears in the following model is, as far as I am aware, unique. I emphasize once again that these are only ideas, that any opinions are welcome.

In the explanation of each stage is an assortment of personality traits and their associated potential lessons. There are “positive” and “negative” attributes to each growth period. I therefore offer a disclaimer of sorts – each list is meant only as a general guide. The traits listed are not all-inclusive; every individual is different, and therefore possesses a unique philosophy of the world and their part therein. I have chosen to list the most outstanding characteristics as they are categorized in my mind through my years of conscious clairsentient observation.

It should be noted that an individual may be working through more than one chakra at a time. This is likely to occur as a function of karmic carryover, and may be a source of some confusion for the individual until the past is examined for energy and lessons left unresolved. Personally, I believe this to be more of a difficulty in the earlier stages, as the soul is not initially given to introspection, as we will see shortly. However, the problem may occur at any stage, depending on the past and present experiences of the soul in question.

The Seven Stages of Evolution

RED

Red is a primary color, and is the first color of the visible spectrum. Individuals at this stage are working primarily from the muladhara, or sacral, chakra – the chakra concerning physical survival and self-preservation. Their characteristics are correspondingly physical: they are often possessed of great physical strength, tend to be tactile, do not relate easily to emotion, and find the most comfort in the physical proximity of other people. These are individuals who are not overly acquainted with emotion. They may be aggressive when angered, whether it manifests through words or actions. They are often unable to articulate what motivates their feelings and may be impatient. They are not overly interested in the larger picture and prefer to remain grounded, close to the physical, concerning themselves with the material and tangible rather than the abstract portions of reality. They may also come across as somewhat self-absorbed, though nothing could be farther from the truth.

They are neither selfish nor incapable of feeling. When nurtured in an environment in which they feel comfortable and secure, the “red” individual will work to understand the experience of their emotions and the expression of ideas, however difficult the experience may prove, throughout their lives. They are steadfast, reliable and have a very solid presence. They are generally very secure with their place in the world around them. Those at this stage do face their obstacles, but they possess the necessary strength and intuitive logic to overcome them. Red wavelength: between 780 and 622 nanometers [nm] (average: 700). Chakra frequency: 396 Hz.

ORANGE

The second color of the spectrum, and the first secondary color. With entrance into this stage, individuals are now working primarily with the abdominal second chakra, the svadhistrana. Upon entrance into this stage, the person dwells in a place between the physical and the intellectual. They are beginning to take special note of themselves and the world around them and to ask questions.

The entry into orange instills a seed of intellectual curiosity. These individuals are not comfortable simply with the physical – they want to explore it as well. They are often very detail-oriented, and though comfortable around people, they may prefer a good debate to a dance club. While the articulation and deep understanding of emotion is still difficult, it is not so much of a problem for someone at this stage to articulate their ideas. Often these people are excellent public speakers, organizers, and financial planners. Orange wavelength: 597-622 nm (average: 609). Chakra frequency: 417 Hz.

YELLOW

Yellow is also a primary color, and is associated with the manipura, or third chakra, located in the solar plexus. The province of this color is mainly mental -- these individuals blend pure abstract intellect with the beginnings of emotional synthesis. They are capable of speaking their motives as well as their ideas; through personal and external reinforcement, they will grow accustomed to the patterns of healthy argument and the view of the self as a capable, competent person.

These are people who are more comfortable with ideas than with other people for company – more inclined to the earth sciences than the social. However, they are willing to try to understand others in the interest of curiosity, if for no other reason. They tend to appear in the technical industries – computers, for instance – and, if they are so motivated, teaching. The perfect expression of a concept, the major goal of this stage, is a thing of beauty for these individuals; their greatest joy is to solve whatever puzzle is put before them. Yellow wavelength: 577-597nm (average: 587). Chakra frequency: 528 Hz.

GREEN

As the next secondary color, green represents a more equal balance of intellect and emotion. Those at this stage are working primarily through the anahata, or fourth, chakra. It makes sense, then, that this stage allows the individual to fully articulate their emotions as well as understand those of others; those of a scientific inclination in this stage are more likely to express their natural compassion for others through counseling and/or other social sciences. There are many activists at this stage as well, as activism is the most potent expression of emotional commitment to a cause or idea. The major goal at this point in the process is to learn perfect compassion for the self as well as those in one’s surroundings.

There is a potential for variance at this stage that may manifest in the overemphasis of one over the other. Such individuals may pursue an idea with little or no thought of the emotional consequence, or may seek to express a pure emotion with little thought of the reason behind its manifestation. Ideally, these individuals are comfortable with being around people and being alone. They possess diplomacy, tact and the ability to compromise as the situation requires, and are able to act as a “bridge” between those both lower and higher than themselves. Green wavelength: 492-577nm (average: 535). Chakra frequency: 639.

BLUE

As the stage most aligned with the vishuddha, or fifth, chakra, this phase of evolution is primarily concerned with the experience and sense of pure emotion. Individuals in this stage are able to communicate their emotions clearly as well as understand those of others; it is their primary goal to assimilate the experience of every emotion possible. There is a great deal of energy at this stage, as emotions are limitless. Yet there is also a great deal of risk, for those who cannot exercise sufficient willpower to control the exploration of their sensitivity can become unstable due to extreme highs and lows. For those with insufficient control, there is little or no experience of the “happy medium.” There is also the risk of addictive behaviors; the problem of addiction, after all, is directly linked to the feelings one experiences while engaged in the activity to which s/he is drawn.

Ideally, those in this stage of soul evolution are able to develop a sense of discipline and will while still young; if properly reinforced, they are able to sense and separate their own emotions from the feelings of others and learn from each new experience. They are frequently drawn to healing professions as well, though with a more spiritual emphasis, whether the emphasis be personal (interpretative) or professional (occupational). Blue wavelength: 455-492nm (average: 474). Chakra frequency: 741.

INDIGO

This stage is a stage of vision – of seeing what lies beyond the physical as well as the emotional. When one enters the indigo stage, their alignment with the ajna chakra lends them a gift of awareness – whether energetic or visual – that is, if they can trust themselves enough to practice it, unparalleled in its accuracy. This is not to say that the indigo individual is never wrong in the assessment of character – but their ability to “see within” to the potential and/or the true motivations of another person is not to be taken lightly. This stage represents the first real synthesis of the physical and emotional aspects of the environment – the stage when the individual first truly perceives the energetic makeup of themselves as well as everything around them, and begins to define themselves as a being connected rather than apart.

In a way, the indigo stage is an especially risky stage in its own right, because this period holds a power unlike any other phase save violet. With the entrance into indigo comes the entrance into spiritual power – the recognition of and first exercises in the art of employing the life energy to effect changes in the system and the surroundings. If the indigo is not properly nurtured as a child, while their energy is still asserting itself, the individual may find themselves crippled by its misdirection – or worse, broken by the abuse to the energy that hinders them from becoming whole. The reason for this is because indigo is a phase of fragile strength, a strength that is fully dependent upon the realization that balance requests vacillation between the two aspects of fixed physical/intellectual and intangible spiritual/emotional.

The ideal of the indigo is the full realization of potential for future spiritual mastery. The term “mastery” is employed only loosely here – it is important to remember that, in order to master oneself, one must not conquer, but recombine.

As the emotions are fully recognized and understood by this point, the self-aware indigo is able to articulate their own motivations as well as provide others with guidance to their own. They are natural diplomats and energy workers, and are often possessed with “clair” abilities such as clairaudience, clairsentience, clairvoyance, and the like. Claircognizance, the clear assimilation of knowledge for immediate use as necessary, is also not unheard of at this stage. Indigos may work in any profession that requires the regular use of intuition – counselors, teachers, writers, healers – and are particularly drawn to the alternative professions, such as the healing of the body through energy rather than more conventional means. Indigo wavelength: 435-455 nm (estimate only). Chakra frequency: Not given. There are only six tones in the scale of resonance used as the basis for this theory, which is the sacred solfeggio. The last tone is used in this context as correspondent to violet. See “Further Reading” for more details on the history of these tones.

VIOLET

The final stage is violet, the stage of self-actualization and divine awareness. The violet stage is the achievement of total synthesis, the full realization of the self as a spiritual-physical being that affects and is affected by everything in the environment. It is also the stage at which one realizes that the physical world is but a temporary home, one that is a necessity for the process of evolution to occur before the individual gains passage to the realms beyond our limited, physical existence. The physical becomes truly temporary at this point; and though it is recognized that the body must be cared for to ensure complete passage, it is neither so important nor relevant as was once believed in the earlier stages of evolution. The body becomes the internal shell; the soul becomes the outward manifestation of the self. All energy that is absorbed is now transmuted without effort; all resonances, both positive and negative, are transformed to pure, divine radiance that is affecting to all around the individual in the violet stage.

The individual at this stage is drawn to everything and nothing simultaneously, for they are both connected and apart. While they retain their individual characteristics – physical manifestation and personal energy signature – they become something more than themselves, and yet less. The total release of the ego is the key to achieving this stage, and it cannot occur before this stage because the total awareness of self must precede the release of the same. This makes violet the total recognition of divine with the self as well as self within the divine – the total union of the individual with the energetic realm – the ascension of the energy to return, full circle, and flow completely through the entire spectrum of existence on all possible levels. The key to the divine realm within the self is violet in color – and it allows one to access all things and be open to learning all things.

The violet individual may work in any capacity they choose, though they are largely found in the role of mentors, spiritual leaders and ascended masters. They are largely removed from society due to its preoccupation with the material; their recognition of the fact that the material is simply temporary often leads them to avoid immersion in it. Nevertheless, they are a part of the world, and do employ their physical reality to educate and guide others to rise to their fullest capabilities. They are not only a bridge between individual souls, but also a bridge between worlds; to be in the company of a master is to have a window into the worlds beyond our own. Violet wavelength: Within this context, 390-435 nm (average: 412). Chakra frequency: 852 Hz.