by W. H. Lindgren

Created on: October 31, 2010

The term "orgone," as devised by Dr. Wilhelm Reich, is literally described and defined as the "universal life force." They are two different names for the same concept. Specifically, orgone is Dr. Reich's name for his own definition that seems to encompass all of the various kinds, types and forms of external energies that affect humans and all other aspects of nature: chi (ki, qui), prana, mana, pneuma, odyle, qigong, bioenergy, elan vital, entelechy, animal magnetism, etc. In a sense, then, orgone and several other terms are specific names for the more general idea of the universal life force. Dr. Reich also used another term, "bioenergy," to describe the internal life force as it functions within the body.

The essential function of orgone is that all living forms operate more successfully by absorbing this substance from the atmosphere, where it is freely available. Dr. Reich asserted that orgone was generated by the Sun (and all other stars), radiated into the Earth's atmosphere and was absorbed by all organic entities. Orgone is repelled by inorganic objects. Orgone is an ever-present form of energy that may be found throughout the Kosmos. The universal life force is evidenced by the presence of orgone, which Dr. Reich described as small, blue molecules that may actually be seen with the naked eye. Unlike many of the other life force energies, a person must have the "Goldilocks" amount of orgone: not too much, not too little, but just the right amount. Almost all of the other specific types of the universal life force are based on the idea that the more of it that is available to a living entity, the healthier and more vital that life will be.

The line of reasoning for each of these individual terms follows from the apparent fact that all living things exhibit a vitality that has been generally defined as the "universal life force." The observation that living things radiate heat and energy seems reasonably obvious. The universal life force is a concept common to almost all of the energy based therapies and the field of alternative medicine. In many of these therapies, universal life force also has a spiritual aspect that goes beyond the physical healing modalities. And in some there are variations of mental, emotional and psychological therapies that are based on "whole person" analysis and treatment, which is the case with Dr. Reich's orgone.

Orgone, then, is a specific, descriptive name applied by Dr. Reich to the generalized concept of a universal life force. The two terms are interchangeable within his framework of therapy. In a larger context, orgone is one of many different names used by practitioners of energy therapies to specifically describe the more generalized phrase "universal life force."

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