Brian Nduva
Last Updated: 22nd February 2025
How does Vril compare to other speculative energy sources, such as orgone energy, chi, or prana?
The concept of Vril first appeared in The Coming Race (1871), a novel by Edward Bulwer-Lytton. The book describes an advanced subterranean civilization, the Vril-ya, who harnessed a powerful energy source called Vril. This energy granted them superior abilities, including telekinesis, healing, and control over life itself.
In The Coming Race, Bulwer-Lytton portrays the Vril-ya as a highly evolved race, far superior to humans due to their command over Vril. This mysterious force grants them telepathic powers, healing abilities, and even the potential to create or destroy life. Described as a universal life force, Vril can be wielded for both destructive and restorative purposes.
The Vril-ya use Vril to power flying machines, weapons, and even mental control, likening it to electricity, magnetism, and vital energy. Controlled through mental concentration and discipline, Vril elevates the Vril-ya beyond human limitations, forming the foundation of their utopian society beneath the Earth's surface. The novel’s protagonist, a surface dweller, witnesses their levitating devices, advanced weaponry, and instantaneous healing technologies. While the Vril-ya are generally peaceful, they regard surface dwellers as primitive and dangerous, raising ethical concerns about such immense power.
Parallels to Vril exist in various spiritual traditions. In Vedic philosophy, Prana is the life force manipulated through yoga and breathwork. In Chinese medicine, Qi (Chi) is balanced through Tai Chi and acupuncture. Similar concepts include Karl von Reichenbach’s Odic Force and Wilhelm Reich’s Orgone Energy, both describing an all-pervading energy accessible through training.
Helena Blavatsky, founder of the Theosophical Society, associated Vril with Akasha (etheric energy). She believed Bulwer-Lytton’s novel contained hidden truths, linking Vril to the lost civilizations of Atlantis and Lemuria, which allegedly mastered such energies before their decline.
During the 19th century, scientific advancements in electromagnetism, electricity, and ether theory influenced discussions on Vril. Franz Anton Mesmer’s Animal Magnetism proposed a fluid-like energy for healing, resembling the mental control of Vril. Luigi Galvani’s experiments on bioelectricity suggested that electricity might be intrinsically tied to life itself. Scientists also studied the luminiferous ether, an invisible medium believed to transmit light and energy, often linked to esoteric forces like Vril.
The fusion of scientific exploration, mysticism, and speculative fiction helped Vril emerge as a fascinating concept. Though originally a literary creation, it resonates with historical and scientific theories on vital energy. Whether regarded as fiction, esoteric truth, or an undiscovered scientific force, Vril remains a symbol of humanity’s quest for hidden knowledge and power.
The Vril-ya, as described in The Coming Race, possessed extraordinary abilities due to their mastery of mental and energetic forces. Vril energy, often considered an all-encompassing life force, is deeply connected to sexual energy, which can be transmuted into creativity, heightened consciousness, and spiritual enlightenment.
Libido, seen as a manifestation of Vril energy, is believed to be a powerful force that can either be dissipated through carnal desires or consciously redirected toward higher states of awareness. Esoteric traditions emphasize energy transmutation, advocating for the retention and redirection of sexual energy to enhance mental clarity, vitality, and personal empowerment. This concept is foundational in Tantra, Taoist alchemy, and Western esoteric practices, which consider sexual energy a transformative force.
Polarity is a key aspect of Vril sexual energy, where masculine and feminine forces, often compared to electric and magnetic currents, must be harmonized to amplify life force energy. Many spiritual traditions suggest that balancing these dual energies leads to expanded consciousness, unlocking latent abilities and fostering inner power.
In modern metaphysical thought, Vril sexual energy is often explored through sacred sexuality, which focuses on the intentional use of sexual energy for healing, spiritual ascension, and deeper human connection. Practices such as Tantra, Kundalini awakening, and Taoist sexual alchemy promote energy conservation for longevity and enlightenment. Additionally, energy healing modalities like Reiki, Qi Gong, and pranic healing propose that sexual energy can be channeled for emotional, physical, and spiritual well-being.
The fusion of Vril energy, sexual transmutation, and sacred sexuality suggests an untapped potential within humanity, offering profound possibilities for transformation. Whether examined through ancient traditions, psychology, or metaphysical exploration, this connection remains a compelling topic for those seeking greater awareness, holistic healing, and empowerment.
Modern research and innovations surrounding Vril energy remain largely within speculative and metaphysical frameworks rather than established scientific disciplines. However, growing interest in alternative energy, quantum physics, consciousness studies, and esoteric traditions continues to fuel discussions on the potential applications of Vril energy in the modern world. This exploration bridges historical interpretations with emerging theories in human potential, energy fields, and even speculative technology.
Metaphysical and Esoteric Research on Vril Energy
In contemporary metaphysical studies, Vril is often examined in relation to bioenergetics, chi, prana, and other life-force concepts. Researchers in energy healing modalities, such as Reiki, Qi Gong, and Kundalini activation, suggest that Vril may be an underlying force that sustains and governs biological and spiritual well-being. Some modern esoteric scholars argue that ancient traditions already understood and harnessed Vril-like energy through meditative techniques, breath control, and ritualistic practices.
Additionally, some believe that Vril is closely linked to consciousness expansion. Within the framework of quantum consciousness theories, the idea emerges that human thought and intention may influence the energetic field of reality. Proponents of this theory argue that Vril energy could be accessed and directed through focused intention, visualization, and vibrational alignment, potentially unlocking new cognitive and spiritual capabilities.
Quantum Physics and Vril Energy
Some researchers speculate that Vril energy may have a scientific foundation within the emerging field of zero-point energy and quantum vacuum fluctuations. The zero-point energy field, a recognized concept in physics, suggests that even in a vacuum, energy fluctuations occur due to quantum activity. Some alternative researchers argue that Vril energy could be an early conceptualization of this quantum energy, with the potential to be harnessed as a power source.
Although mainstream physics does not recognize Vril as a tangible force, theoretical physicists exploring torsion fields, scalar waves, and hyperdimensional physics suggest that unknown energy forces may exist.
Technological Speculations on Vril Energy
Some futurists and speculative engineers consider Vril-like energy a potential key to advanced propulsion, alternative energy sources, and even interdimensional travel. Theories suggest that Vril could be linked to antigravity technology, possibly explaining accounts of suppressed or lost advancements. Some believe ancient civilizations or secret modern programs have explored such forces, hinting at propulsion beyond conventional physics.
Additionally, neuroscientific research into electromagnetic fields may reveal interactions between human consciousness and energy fields, potentially validating esoteric claims that Vril can be harnessed through mental focus or heightened awareness. Advancing in this direction could bridge consciousness studies with energy science, offering new insights into human perception and its influence on the environment.
Though outside mainstream science, interest in alternative physics and energy research suggests that similar concepts may become serious scientific inquiries in the future. Whether metaphorical or tangible, Vril remains an intriguing idea that challenges conventional understandings of energy and human potential.
The Future of Vril Energy Studies
Despite its origins in speculative fiction, the concept of Vril continues to inspire metaphysical research, spiritual exploration, and alternative scientific theories. As advancements in quantum physics, bioenergetics, and consciousness studies continue, the potential for discovering new energy fields remains open. Whether or not Vril energy is eventually validated, the search for hidden energy forces and untapped human potential remains a driving force in both esoteric and scientific communities.
How might Vril energy relate to or extend existing theories of zero-point energy, quantum fields, and scalar waves?
Vril is regarded as the fundamental force in Vrilism, a primal energy that not only predates the universe but also gives rise to it. It is seen as the cosmic womb from which all existence emerges, an omnipresent force that permeates every atom and living being. More than just a concept, Vril is considered the very essence of life itself, the spark that animates inert matter and transforms it into conscious existence.
To truly grasp the nature of Vril, one must move beyond the materialist perspective of conventional science and adopt a view of reality as Vrilists do: a vast, multidimensional field of energy vibrating at different frequencies. In this framework, what we perceive as solid matter is merely energy in a denser form, temporarily coalescing from the quantum fabric of reality before dissolving back into the infinite potential from which it came. Our sensory experiences, then, are akin to waves briefly cresting on an endless ocean. That ocean, the boundless, all-encompassing energy that sustains and shapes all forms, is what Vrilists recognize as Vril.
Imagine accessing an ancient energy so potent and profound that it has been safeguarded in secrecy for centuries. This is the mystery of the Black Sun and the powerful force known as Vril, an unseen current of energy capable of transforming both the individual and the world.
The Black Sun, or Schwarze Sonne, is more than a symbol, it represents hidden knowledge, limitless power, and access to a universal force that defies conventional understanding. Mystics and seekers have long pursued Vril, described as a life-giving energy that flows through all living things, a force of willpower and creation.
Unlike traditional energy sources, Vril is harnessed through meditation, ritual, and focused intention. Those who master it can influence their reality, manifest desires, and wield immense personal power. By aligning with the Black Sun and channeling Vril, one steps into a realm beyond the mundane, where thoughts shape destiny and unseen forces respond to the will.
The Vril-ya are an advanced subterranean race who have mastered Vril, an energy source that powers their civilization. They use it for flight, healing, weaponry, and even mind control. Their society is structured, with women often taking leadership roles, and they have created mechanical servants that function like pre-modern robots. Vril serves as a limitless energy that fuels everything from transportation to weapons of mass destruction, capable of wiping out entire cities in moments.
The narrator learns that the Vril-ya were once surface dwellers but retreated underground after a cataclysm. Their civilization thrives in an ordered, utopian manner, yet they hold an ominous future for humanity. As their underground domain continues to expand, they plan to eventually reclaim the surface world, seeing humanity as inferior. The novel presents a vision of a highly advanced yet detached race, wielding unimaginable power through Vril, which remains a compelling symbol of hidden potential and esoteric knowledge.
Edward Bulwer-Lytton’s Vril, The Power of the Coming Race is a fascinating work of fiction with deep esoteric influence. Though often mistaken for a political or racial treatise, it is a speculative novel exploring inner-earth civilizations and mysterious energies. Comparable to utopian and lost-world literature like Atlantis: The Antediluvian World, it presents an advanced subterranean society wielding "Vril," a mystical energy source blending magic and early electrical concepts.
The novel heavily influenced later occult movements, including Theosophy and early 20th-century social and political ideologies. At the time of its release, exploration was expanding, fueling dreams of lost civilizations, which then transitioned into early science fiction and fantasy.
Despite its fictionality, Vril shaped cultural and intellectual currents, inspiring everything from literature to mystical traditions. Its significance lies in bridging folk magic, Renaissance occultism, and modern speculative fiction, making it an important historical and literary piece. It remains an engaging read for both entertainment and esoteric study.
Ancient Egyptian spiritual traditions emphasized the link between sexual energy and higher consciousness. They believed that properly harnessing one's bioenergetic field could lead to increased vitality, heightened awareness, and even spiritual immortality. Sexual energy, particularly the orgasm, was considered more than just a biological function, it was a gateway to enlightenment and other dimensions of existence.
This belief was connected to the chakra system, with a particular focus on the heart chakra.
The idea was that sexual energy could clear and activate energy pathways, allowing a person to access their purest consciousness. Similar concepts appear in other traditions, such as Kundalini Yoga, where the activation of the internal energy channels, Ida and Pingala, is seen as a path to awakening. These channels, represented as intertwined serpents, rise along the spine, piercing the chakras and leading to an ecstatic, enlightened state.
Egyptian mysticism associated this process with figures like Isis and Horus. The Temple of Isis, for instance, taught initiates to channel and refine their energy to strengthen their "Ka" (light body) and "Ba" (celestial soul). The interplay of male and female energy was crucial, symbolizing a balance within the self. In alchemical traditions, love and emotional connection were seen as necessary for these practices to work, particularly in sacred relationships. This philosophy led to the belief that divine union, when practiced correctly, could charge the body with powerful life force energy.
Ancient Egyptians also explored biomagnetic energy through physical tools like staffs and wands, which were believed to amplify and direct this force. The early study of magnetism can be traced back to Egypt, where priests used these instruments to enhance energy fields. Their knowledge influenced later civilizations, including the Greeks, who expanded upon these ideas in their own esoteric traditions.
A key aspect of this practice was the controlled use of sexual energy. Egyptians sought to cultivate and amplify their aura rather than dissipate energy through uncontrolled release. They believed that ejaculation caused a loss of vital force, while transmutation of this energy led to higher states of consciousness. This aligns with tantric and alchemical practices found in various mystical traditions worldwide.
The ultimate goal of these techniques was to attain a heightened vibrational state, allowing one to merge with divine consciousness. Practitioners aimed to reach a state of blissful ecstasy, often described as a union with the god or goddess within. The belief was that by refining and directing their life force, individuals could achieve enlightenment, personal transformation, and a deeper connection to the cosmos.
This ancient wisdom, though shrouded in secrecy for centuries, continues to influence modern spiritual seekers. Whether practiced alone or in sacred partnership, it represents one of the most direct paths to expanded awareness and self-discovery.
The novel Vril, The Power of the Coming Race is an early science fiction work published in 1871. It was written by Edward Bulwer-Lytton, a once-famous but now largely forgotten author who coined several well-known phrases like "the pen is mightier than the sword" and "it was a dark and stormy night." Bulwer-Lytton was not only a successful writer but also a politician and an influential figure in the British colonial empire. He was even offered the throne of Greece at one point. He had an interest in the occult, esotericism, and mystical ideas, which heavily influenced his writing.
The novel follows an unnamed American narrator who, after an accident in a mine, discovers an advanced underground civilization. These subterranean beings, known as the Vril-ya, are descendants of an ancient race that supposedly once lived on the surface of the Earth but took refuge underground after a great flood. Over time, they developed a utopian society, vastly superior to that of the surface world, thanks to their mastery of a mysterious energy force called Vril. This substance grants them extraordinary abilities, from healing to destruction, and is believed to be the key to their advanced technology and way of life.
Much of the book is dedicated to describing this civilization's social structure, philosophy, and government rather than following a traditional plot. The Vril-ya have evolved beyond war and social conflict, forming a rigid but seemingly harmonious society. However, their values reflect the author's own elitist and authoritarian ideals. The novel presents a utopian vision in which superior beings dominate, a concept that later influenced various esoteric movements, secret societies, and even some aspects of Nazi ideology.
Despite its flaws, the novel is significant for its early depiction of a subterranean world and its contribution to the idea of hidden civilizations, which became a recurring theme in later science fiction. It also reflects contemporary scientific ideas, particularly theories about electromagnetism and unification principles in physics, as concepts like Vril echo real-world scientific debates of the time.
Although largely forgotten today, the book had a lasting impact on fringe thought, inspiring conspiracy theories and mystical interpretations. Some readers even believed Vril was real, leading to the formation of secret societies that claimed to possess knowledge of this hidden power. While the novel itself is a mix of outdated philosophy, pseudoscience, and speculative fiction, its influence on science fiction and occult mythology remains undeniable.
Tantra, rooted in ancient Sanskrit traditions, is a spiritual system aimed at harnessing universal energies to achieve liberation. It employs various tools such as mantras (sacred sounds), mudras (symbolic hand gestures), and meditation to refine and direct subtle energies. These practices align closely with esoteric traditions worldwide, including the secretive hand gestures found in Masonic rituals. The energy manipulated through Tantra is often linked to prana, Qi, or Vril, a universal life force that exists across many mystical traditions. This force is also described as light, a term synonymous with Lucifer, which etymologically means "bearer of light."
Alan Watts, a British philosopher, played a significant role in introducing Eastern philosophy to the West. He explored the nuances of Tantric teachings, particularly those related to sexual energy, emphasizing a non-dualistic approach to intimacy. Rather than perceiving sexual pleasure as merely a release of tension, as Freud suggested, Watts explained Tantra as a path of deep contemplation. In Tantric imagery, the male and female figures remain in still union, symbolizing an equilibrium of energies rather than a pursuit of climax. This practice allows the two individuals to dissolve into a singular, unified consciousness.
Tantric sexual practices focus on the transformation of Kundalini energy, which is believed to reside at the base of the spine. Rather than expending this energy in an orgasmic release, practitioners aim to circulate it upward through the chakras, ultimately reaching the crown of the head. This process, sometimes called coitus reservatus or Ketse in Persian traditions, is thought to transmute physical energy into spiritual enlightenment. Many mystical schools share this belief, advocating for the refinement of sexual energy to awaken higher states of awareness.
Ultimately, Tantra is not just about sexuality; it is a sophisticated system of energy cultivation that aligns with the principles of universal consciousness. It weaves together breath, movement, and awareness to create a bridge between the material and the spiritual realms. Whether through Masonic symbols, Eastern mysticism, or Western esoteric thought, the pursuit of harnessing Vril or prana remains a fundamental aspect of spiritual evolution.
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The Holochain Forum hosts discussions on decentralized applications and currencies. One notable thread, "Vril: The Ultimate Currency Project," delves into the conceptualization of Vril as a form of energy currency. Participants engage in in-depth conversations about designing a Ripple-like system using Holochain tools, addressing topics such as mutual credit systems, energy exchange, and the theoretical underpinnings of Vril as a currency.
https://forum.holochain.org/t/vril-the-ultimate-currency-project/4590