It appears to be a form of DBD (dielectric breakdown discharge). Setting aside the para-physical claims, that aspect of it seems reproducible, as a fun science demo, at least.

I consider it a given that any living organism radiates (heat) energy: there is constant energy and matter exchange with its surroundings; a foundational aspect of life. I consider it at least a possibility that by looking at this radiation, you can find correlations between balanced “health” (new age speak: intact Aura), and potential imbalances, and thus that it may work as a diagnostic tool.

And Rupert Sheldrake later in that decade with his theory of morphic resonance.

His son Merlin Sheldrake has written a book about fungi called Entangled Life which is quite sensible and doing very well. I noticed that the book was very carefully referenced with detailed end-notes, some like mini-essays with references to papers by a wide range of authors. These notes comprise about a third of the word count of the book. Unusual in a popsci book of this kind. I can't help thinking that this approach might be a reaction to Sheldrake senior's writings and the reaction to them.

OA is a nice Web site with practical information on what could be an interesting art-practice.

(Loved the 1970's) I concur, Sir.

An aside: Arthur C. Doyle toured US to sumptuous throngs lecturing on consciousness, the spirit realm and seances in 1920s-ish, iirc. Someone alive in 1970 might have had recollections of that coverage/seen ACD in person and would be in a position to pass on the whiff of ether to an younger generation: hungry for transcendence and shedding of burdens.

The book Superlearning (also by Shelia Ostrander) made a big impression on me as a high schooler. The idea of using rhythms, music, relaxation to shift one’s brain into a highly receptive state to learn and memorize was super compelling.