S p i r i t ua l i t y S t u d i e s 6 - 2 Fa l l 2 0 2 0 5 7 Srikanth N. Jois Tab. 5. Spearman Ranked Correlation of Triguna and Prānic Experience Based on Qualitative Perception Temperature Light Finger palm Pulsation Sattva Rājas Tamas Temperature 1 .125* 0.079 .027 0.025 -0.004 -0.034 Light 1 .004 0.011 0.076 0.219 0.238 Finger palm 1 .126* -0.056 0.056 0.026 Pulsation 1 -0.085 0.076 0.045 **Correlation is significant at.01 level * Correlation is significant at.05 level 3 Discussion Human existence is viewed as one-dimensional concerning a purely physical body in a scientific worldview. Hence, all human experiences are understood only in terms of physiological and biochemical processes. However, in different cultures across the globe, a human being is understood as multidimensional involving more than just a physical body. The most common idea is the existence of a soul in addi - tion to the physical body. Since the soul is not amenable to empirical scrutiny psychology that developed in the West rejected it as the proper subject matter and focused on what is directly or indirectly observable. Notwithstanding this development, the idea of the soul has persisted across cultures in some form or the other and contemporarily there has been a resurgence of interest in understanding the extra physical dimensions of human existence. In certain Indian traditions, the physical body is called sthulasharira , which is gross in its composition . Besides, Indian traditions also recognize sukshmasharira, which is a subtle body, not observable by sensual perception (Patra 2017, 29– 30). While modern science operates within the confines of sthulasharira , Indian traditions give equal importance to both sthula and sukshmasharira . Prānic energy exchange and pranic healing practices are associated with sukshmasharira and hence conducting direct empirical research involving visual observation and measurement is a difficult task. Though a person can experience the variations in prānā its measurement and quantification are still far from perfect. It is found that individuals differ in the intensity to which they experience prānā and also in how they experience it (Jois et al. 2020, 504–506). Contemporarily researchers have attempted to understand the quantitative and qualitative differences in the experiences of prānā in terms of known and established physical variables that include thermal, mechanical, electrical, and magnetic processes (Jois et al . 2020, 504–506). It is demonstrated by studies that the experience of prānā is possible through sensory experiences involving tactual and kinaesthetic processes. Studies have documented that prānā can be experienced (Jois 2017, 37). Major prānic energy sourc - es are the sun, earth, and air. Prānic energy can be absorbed by any living organism and it will enter to the physical body and may rest at cell level because, prānāor vital energy is also filled in the human cell, which is guided by the mind-
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