What is Life Force Energy and Prana?
June 20, 2026 | Updated October 9, 2026 | By Soul on a Journey | 8 Min Read
What Is Subtle Life Force Energy?
The Energy That Animates All Life
Subtle life force energy is considered one of the primary energies that permeates and animates all living things — outside of the divine spark. It’s generally extracted from the gross elements like earth, water, fire, air, and ether. Life force energy — broadly referred to as vital energy and intelligent energy (Law of One, 63.6), prana (Vedic teachings), and chi or qi (Traditional Chinese Medicine) — is said to power vital activities like breathing, digestion, and movement. It is often split into two distinct aspects (feminine and masculine) to create the polarity necessary for 3rd density.
In the mainstream scientific community could life force energy be synonymous with adenosine triphosphate (ATP)? ATP is the primary source of energy for cells and the chemical currency that powers cellular movement. Perhaps life force energy acts as the electrical current while ATP is the battery. This would mean without life force energy, ATP can’t be used by the cell.
Autobiography of a Yogi (43:356-358) offers a plethora of information about the subtle life sustaining energies we use for each of our material bodies. For example, our gross physical bodies are sustained by a less-refined form of life force energy. These bodies take in the gross elements — food (earth/water), breath (air), and heat (fire) — and extract life force energy from them through processes like cellular respiration and metabolism. We consider the gross elements to be the building blocks of matter, but they also act as batteries that hold and release life force energy for our use. It’s like the elements are the hardware and life force energy is the electricity.
Subtle astral bodies are said to be composed of a more refined, luminous form of life force energy. This energy is drawn directly from the cosmic energy reservoir of the material universe (lifetrons, astral light) rather than the gross elements. Perhaps subtle astral bodies are considered life force energy itself so they don’t need to consume it. Causal bodies, on the other hand, are not composed of life force energy, but of pure ideas or thought-seeds. Ergo, as our material bodies ascend in refinement, our sustaining energy moves from gross matter to subtle light to pure thought.
The notorious kundalini energy is considered an awakened, balanced, unified, potent form of life force energy. Kundalini — first referenced in the Upanishads between 500 BC and 1,000 BC — is derived from the Sanskrit term “kundal” meaning coiled and “ini” meaning power. The process of kundalini is said to represent our potential spiritual power. It helps us to balance and unify our feminine and masculine polarities, as often signified by Shiva (divine masculine) and Shakti (divine feminine).
Subtle life force energy — broadly referred to as vital energy, intelligent energy, prana, and chi or qi (Traditional Chinese Medicine) — is said to power vital activities like breathing, digestion, and movement.
What Is Material vs Spiritual Energy?
Energies Derived from the Divine Light of Brahman
It may not come as a surprise that there are several types of energies associated with our energy system and the universe, according to the Bhagavad Gita (7:5-6). We describe them generally as material and spiritual energy. Both types of energies are considered to be derived from the divine light of Brahman (pure consciousness, intelligent infinity). It’s just that each type essentially represents separate ends of Source’s creative energy spectrum.
Material energy is considered the lowest in vibration on Source’s creative energy spectrum. It’s synonymous with the unconscious aspects of prakriti (apara prakriti) and intelligent energy (light/love). It is the energy that forms the material universe, breaking down into the mind, ego, etc. Perhaps it’s also synonymous with universal light energy (Law of One, 54:26-27). Mahamaya falls under the category of apara prakriti. It’s pesky mahamaya that creates the cosmic illusion of maya and binds unliberated souls to the samsara cycle of life and rebirth.
Spiritual energy is considered the highest in vibration on Source’s creative energy spectrum. It’s often linked to eternity, knowledge, and bliss or sat-chit-ananda, as explained by the Bhagavad Gita (7:5-6). Spiritual energy is also considered synonymous with the conscious aspects of prakriti (para prakriti) and intelligent energy (love/light), according to the Law of One (54:26-27). As a sustaining energy, it enters and animates the material world. Per Vedic teachings, yogmaya is considered an aspect of para prakriti used to veil the magnificence of Source (Bhagavad Gita, 7:25). Basically, Source dims its awesomeness to make it easier for us to establish a personal relationship.
BODY TYPE
ELEMENT BASE
RELATIONSHIP TO LIFE FORCE
Gross Physical Body
Earth, Water, Fire, Air
The User: Uses life force energy to move muscles, fire neurons, and repair cells.
Subtle Astral Body
Refined Life Force Energy (Prana)
The Battery: Stores and distributes life force energy to the gross physical body via the energy centers.
Causal Body
Pure Spiritual Energy (Para Prakriti)
The Source: The blueprints that dictate how the energy should flow.
What is the Principle of Gender?
What comes to mind when we say the word gender? Gender comes from the Latin genus, which means type. This term has major social conditioning attached to it. When we mention gender, we’re generally referring to the types of feminine and masculine energetic principles, natures, or polarities. Rarely are we referring to the construct of biological sex or gender identity associated with the material body (costumes we wear). Let’s dive deeper…
For example, The Kybalion’s principle of gender (39-41) suggests that everything in the organic universe manifests both feminine (yin) and masculine (yang) principles. This also coincides with The Kybalion’s principle of polarity (149-158) and Taoism’s yin and yang. They suggest that everything in the material universe is dual, has two opposite poles, and has a balancing point.
Are feminine and masculine principles seen as complementary? Our research suggests they’re essential for spiritual evolution as well as the creation, sustenance, and dissolution of the material universe since one principle represents action/function and the other enables those actions/functions. While there is agreement on the concept of these two complementary principles existing, the terms used to describe them differ.
What Are Feminine and Masculine Principles?
Complementary Principles
According to Hinduism teachings, the two complementary masculine and feminine principles are often seen in the context of purusha and prakriti (Bhagavad Gita, 13:20). Purusha is often associated with consciousness and the passive, unmanifested principle. Prakriti is often associated with cosmic matter and the active, manifested principle. Within prakriti there are also masculine and feminine principles at play pertaining to para prakriti (spiritual energy) and apara prakriti (material energy, matter). Both prakriti and purusha seem to represent the underlying principles, nature, and qualities of material existence itself.
Masculine and feminine qualities are also represented by celestial gods (lords) and their counterparts who perform cosmic functions. For example, there is Lord Brahma (creator), Lord Vishnu (sustainer), and Lord Shiva (destroyer) — who are often associated with the masculine principle. Their counterparts are Saraswati (intelligence), Lakshmi (prosperity), and Shakti/Parvati (courage) — who are often associated with the feminine, receptive principle, as suggested by the Bhagavad Gita (10:34). Each are said to be divine expressions of the creative, preservative, and transformative energies that operate within the material universe.
The Law of One seems to view the complementary principles in the context of intelligent energy being light/love and love/light — with the main distinction being the ratio of light to love. Light is considered the active principle associated with action, spiritual effort, and giving form to matter. While love is considered the receptive principle associated with grace, magnetism, and holding creation together. Perhaps this is similar to David Wilcock’s (Researcher of Ancient Civilizations, 1973 – 2026) model of the two aethers (The Divine Cosmos, C1).
In Taoism, yin represents receptive, passive, and contractive forces, while yang represents active, assertive, and expansive forces. The Bible doesn’t seem to explicitly state the two complementary principles, which is typical biblical symbolism. But, it does elude to them when describing Adam and Eve (Genesis: 2:21-23). Eve seems to represent feeling and enabling. On the other hand, Adam seems to represent reason, according to Autobiography of a Yogi (16:148). Gnostic teachings seem to refer to these principles as wisdom of the heart and wisdom of the mind.
FRAMEWORK
FEMININE PRINCIPLE
MASCULINE PRINCIPLE
(Samkhya)
Prakriti
- Manifested Universe
- Matrix or Womb of Matter
- Contains all Potential Material Phenomena
Purusha
- Unmanifested, Pure Consciousness
- Detached, Silent Witness
- Triggers Prakriti to Unfold into Manifest
Hinduism
(Shaivism / Tantra)
Shakti (Divine Mother)
- Dynamic Energy
- Kundalini
- Kinetic Power Vibrating Potential into Reality
Shiva
- Silent, Unmanifested Potential
- Absolute Stillness of Infinite Potential
- Pure Consciousness
Hinduism
(Creation &
Preservation)
Reversal of Samkhya
Saraswati
- Creative Flow
- Actualization into Physical Form
- Gives Expression to Intent
Lakshmi
- Magnetizes Abundance
- Sustaining Grace
- Cohesive Flow
Brahma
- Creator, Architect
- Unmanifested Mental Seed
- Projects Intent
Vishnu
- Preserver
- Structural Blueprint
- Directs Cosmic Order (Dharma)
Taoism
Yin
- Wuji: Receptive, Silent Void
- Unmanifested Matrix, Holding Potential
- Magnetic Void Drawing Inward, Holds Form
- Earth, Darkness, Space, Moon
Yang
- Taiji: Active, Outward Vector
- Manifested Impulse of Light and Movement
- Electric Broadcast Radiating Outward
- Heaven, Light, Time, Sun
Aetheric Physics
Magnetic Aether
- Operates in Unmanifest Time/Space
- Compresses and Gathers Energy Inward
- Holds the Unmanifest, Sub-spatial Matrix
Electric Aether
- Projects Into Manifested, Physical Space/Time
- Broadcasts Energy Into Physical Density
- Outward Radiation Creating Matter and Light
Law of One
Love / Love-Light / Intelligent Energy
- Second Distortion
- Prioritizes Unmanifest Spiritual Attraction in Time/Space
- Magnetic Force Holding Matrix Together
Light / Light-Love / Intelligent Energy
- Third Distortion
- Prioritizes Physical Radiation in Physical Space/Time
- Photon-Based Action Giving Form to Matter
- Energy Crystallized into Physical Action
Principles Unified
While the terminology and usage may differ between resources, our research suggests there’s one principle that’s associated with broadcasting out, radiating energy outward toward a target, and the electrical signal. It’s characterized by focus, conscious intention, and structure. We refer to this as the masculine principle. There’s also the complementary principle associated with drawing in, pulling energy towards the center, and the magnetic field. It’s characterized by space, receptivity, absorption, emotional/intuitive depth, and matrix creation. We refer to this as the feminine principle.
Let’s put this in perspective. Perhaps we must first receive and realize the inner truths of our true nature (humanity + divinity) through our feminine nature. This is because realizing or receiving inner truths requires an inward, receptive, and intuition state. And the feminine principle serves as the vessel, quiet space, and magnetic field that draws insight inward from the metaphysical world (time/space).
Once we’ve realized these inner truths, we can then express and manifest those truths with conscious intent through our masculine nature to achieve gnosis (direct knowing). This is because translating an inner realization into tangible, conscious action in the physical world (space/time) requires an outward, focused, and directive force. The masculine principle serves as the electric signal of willpower that manifests and builds structures based on those truths.
This balanced awareness and acceptance of both our feminine and masculine polarities as well as our imperfections (humanity) and total perfection (divinity) seems to be essential for discernment, wisdom, and spiritual growth, according to the Law of One (57:33). Essentially, we must realize and unify the separation of these dualities through an ongoing pursuit of inner silence and increased awareness. This is said to lead to liberation.
So let’s get the energy flowing fellow souls!
