“Some people are practically vampires, and live upon the magnetism of others, unconsciously, usually, although some have acquired the knowledge that they may love in others, strength in this way, and practice their wicked arts consciously. This conscious use of their power is a form of black magic, and is attended with certain psychic penalties and punishments. But no one can be thus drawn upon, either by the unconscious demand of others, or by conscious design, after they have once learned something about this human magnetism, and its laws.
“Human magnetism, or Pranic Energy, is a most potent therapeutic force, and, in one form or another, it is found in the majority of cases of psychic healing. It is one of the oldest forms of natural healing, and it may be said to be almost instinctive in the race. A child who has hurt itself, or who feels pain, at once runs to its mother who kisses the hurt part, or places her hands on the seat of the pain and in a few moments the child is better. … This instinctive use of the hand is a form of conveying magnetism to the afflicted person, who is usually relieved by the act.” ~William Walker Atkinson
Energy Vampires
It is true that some people are energy vampires. It is also true that most of them are completely unaware of the fact. Those few who are aware, and are doing it intentionally are, as Atkinson says, practicing a form of black magic. I know that a popular novel from about twenty years ago, I can’t recall the title, recommends that spiritual people take energy from other living beings including plants and animals, but I repeat what Mr. Atkinson says: that is practicing black magic and is evil. It is fine to ask another to share some energy with you when your energy is low, but not to take it without permission. It is also fine for you to send some of your prana to another life form, and request that it share some of its energy with you. In this exchange of energy, you learn from each other. An even better solution is to use sun gazing and get energy from the sun.
Magnetism and Energy
Atkinson uses the words magnetism and energy interchangeably, but this can be confusing. While magnetism is related to electricity, all energy cannot be considered magnetism, and the life energy or spiritual energy that is primarily of concern here is not magnetism. While it is generally true that people who are abundant in spiritual energy tend to have a magnetic personality, this is not actual magnetism.
Psychic Penalties
It is true, as Atkinson notes, that there are psychic and spiritual penalties for those energy vampires who intentionally take energy from others. But penalties are not limited to spiritual vampires. Anyone who misuses spiritual energy may pay a penalty for doing so. Misuse includes using it for materialistic ends, using it to gain some advantage over others, or using it to harm others. The penalties may be the loss of such energy or having things suddenly turn against you.
Potent Therapeutic Force
Spiritual energy is indeed a potent therapeutic force. When psychic or spiritual healers work, one of the primary things they do is to try to fix blockages of energy flow in the subject. Sometimes, we have enough energy, but we have blockages that prevent it from flowing properly. Acupressure and acupuncture are all physical ways of repairing energy blocks, and they have been proven to work in many cases. Prayer is also a good way to improve another person’s energy flow so that it improves their health. There is nothing wrong with sending energy to others who need it and want it, but taking energy from others is wrong.
From the SUN TALK collection by Harold Boulette