Cosmologists claim that there should be more matter in the universe than that is visible to the naked eye. According to scientists the visible matter only account for about 15% of the matter present in the universe. Therefore invisible matter accounts for 85% of matter. They refer to this invisible matter as dark matter and some forms of this matter are referred to as anti-matter.

Dark matter provides most of the gravitational pull necessary to keep the planets, solar systems and galaxies together. There is also a form of energy referred to as dark energy. Dark energy provides the acceleration for the universe to keep expanding.

The general view among scientists is that anti-matter is annihilated when it comes into contact with ordinary matter. Esoterists refer to anti-matter or dark matter as etheric matter. They firmly believe that scientist's view that the etheric matter becoming annihilated by gross matter is erroneous. The two forms of matter interpenetrate each other and therefore etheric matter is not destroyed when comes into contact with gross matter.

The dark energy is referred to as etheric energy by the esoterists. A mesh made of etheric matter underlies the bodies of every living organism and they form the chakras or energy centres and nadis or channels through which the etheric energy (also referred to as prana or bio-energy) flows in the body. Disturbances to the flow of etheric energy cause physical illness. When there is an obstruction to flow of bio-energy or etheric energy it is referred to as having a blockage by the alternative therapists.

According to British Esoterist, artist Benjamin Creme there are three planes or states of gross matter solid, liquid and gaseous. Above these three planes of gross matter there are four planes or states of etheric or subtle matter generally not visible to the naked eye.

As humanity evolves these etheric planes are gradually becoming visible to the naked eye. Lot of people sees them as strands of matter generally transparent, or as streams of purple or grey smoke floating in the air. They generally fall to the ground or move in the direction of the gaze when the eyes are moving.

Etheric matter is seen as very dynamic and constantly changing strands and one can see these as separate strands or as clumps of strands like in a brush but constantly changing its position and shape. They may also appear as marbles or as strings of beads. They have a tendency to move downwards because of the gravity or move with your gaze when you fix your gaze on it.

Etheric matter is usually seen in more detail when it is seen through the light reflected by a shiny surface. People who wear spectacles will usually see two disks of light on either side of them when they are under an electric light, as light is reflected by the shiny surfaces of their glasses. If the person tried to look through these disks of reflected light they might be able to see the etheric matter in more detail. Otherwise it is usually seen as grey smoke floating in front of them.

Different people's experience with regard to etheric planes may be different. The reason for this may be that some people only see the lowest or the forth etheric plane while others may see the third and the forth and still others may see second, third and the forth which is probably rare. The first etheric plane may be the last which people may be able to see some time in the future as humanity evolves.

Though our scientific knowledge is constantly advancing and there may be many forms of matter, particles or energy which the science is not yet aware of or have not yet developed instruments capable of detecting or registering these different forms of matter, particles or energy. I am using the word anti-matter or etheric matter as a generic term to include many forms of subtle matter which the science is not yet aware of or barely scratching the surface.

Etheric matter may be composed of particles other than protons, neutrons or electrons which as we know form gross matter and most definitely we have not yet discovered these particles.

I have included an artist's impression of the strands or threads of etheric matter so that those who are seeing them may be able to recognise what they are seeing. Most of us are able to see the etheric matter. But we do not recognise it as such and therefore tend to ignore it. Because the etheric plane is made of tiny strands of transparent matter we are only able to see what is directly in front of our eyes. Also what we are seeing as strands or beads may not be a solid form of this matter but a gaseous or a liquid form of the same matter.