Harmonizing Humanity with Nature’s Blueprint

by Imani Etilé

Sometimes, we step into a space that feels relaxing and rejuvenating for a reason we can’t exactly place. Think of a massage therapist’s office. Maybe relaxing music is playing in the background and aromatherapy oils are in the air or maybe even just the ambient warm lighting gives a welcoming glow. What is it about sound, smell, and lighting that brings relaxation to the human senses? There are multiple fields of emerging science that seek to explain the phenomena of harmony within the human body which include the study of subtle energy fields in quantum physics. The main concept to understand from these fields of research is that energy and matter are one and the same. Meaning that anything and everything of physical substance has its own vibrational pattern of energy. New age spirituality has popularized concepts of energies as ways of discerning whether people, places, or things are in a more positive or negative state of being. Oftentimes these terms are used purely as a way of explaining something intangible that people sense, however there is little mainstream knowledge regarding the scientific studies and evidence that contribute to explaining the phenomena of feeling good or bad energy. While ideas about energy qualities are mainly believed by people who consider themselves part of spiritual circles and rejected by those who are strict believers’ science, emerging studies in the field of quantum physics begin to blur the lines between seemingly separate spheres of thought.

In his newest book BioGeometry Signatures: Harmonizing the Body’s Subtle Energy Exchange with the Environment, Dr. Ibrahim Karim authors from an educational background of architecture and health sciences. His credentials showcase the level of dedication he has given to his fields of study, holding a Doctorate degree (PhD) and a Doctor of Science (Dr. Sc.) after completing his undergraduate studies at the prestigious Federal Institute of Technology (ETH) in Zurich, Switzerland. His career in architecture began shifting into the realm of alternative medicine when his fascination with the Egyptian Pyramids of Giza took a dive into the scientific explanations for the mystical nature ancient holy landmarks. What is it about the specific locations of these thousand-year-old sites that made the Egyptians choose to construct such monuments? Some researchers look to the alignment of stars for the answer, but Dr. Ibrahim Karim found his not through instruments of cosmic observation but rather those that are able to track energy frequencies and translate them into diagrammatic patterns.

Paying close attention to the energy qualities and patterns that were present in sacred the sacred sites took hold of Dr. Karim’s interest, pushing him to find the ways that energy flows in our ow human bodies not just geographic locations. BioGeometry Signatures is his fourth publication in the field of subtle energy frequencies which shares a depth of knowledge of the flow of energies in the body. By using specialized pendulum instruments that are able to pick up subtle energy patterns, Dr. Ibrahim Karim has been able to decipher 2-dimensional diagrams, which he has named “signatures” that show us the energy flow pattern in specific organs or areas of the body in relation to the environment which the body inhabits. He explores this relationship between living organisms and their surrounding environment through the lens of BioGeometry, the name which he coined for the study of energy patterns he originally found at ancient Egyptian sites. The primary application of this knowledge which he illustrates in his book is the use that BioGeometry Signatures can serve for harmonizing the body. Since the instruments he uses are able to track energy flow patterns when the body is most in harmony with its surroundings, he inversely applies the harmonious signatures onto the corresponding areas of the body to promote harmony. Dr. Karim has brings his readers into a new realm of alternative healing science that draws upon the ancient knowledge of the Egyptian civilization.

As an emerging professional in the architecture field, I find the most revelatory aspect of Dr. Karim’s findings to be that shapes and forms truly have quantum physical energetic qualities. Architects are trained to design spaces that respond efficiently to the human condition and yet rarely is it considered whether the actual or elements within a space are beneficial or detrimental to the body. We are currently in a pivotal moment in the design community where there is growing awareness for the imperative to prioritize human health and wellness in design practices. In a contemporary landscape marked by escalating levels of stress and environmental degradation, we as architects must face the reality that architecture is and of its time. The built environment reflects the collective consciousness which we have reached as a society and culture and reflects exactly where we stand with understanding the world around us through mainstream science. The truth is that the science we are being taught in schools draws upon outdated material. New studies and research in new forms of science, such as what Dr. Ibrahim Karim has conducted and showcased in his book BioGeometry Signatures: Harmonizing the Body’s Subtle Energy Exchange with the Environment have vastly advanced just over the last 50 years. The scientific side to architecture focuses on the fundamentals of science and physics: basic knowledge of what it takes for a building not to fall down and respond sustainably to its environment. The field of architecture always boasts its interdisciplinary nature and yet fails to truly bridge important gaps of knowledge that can vastly improve human health and vitality in ways that are also aesthetically beautiful. Dr. Karim’s research points at two main factors from which we can learn to design healing environments: the first being nature and the second being ancient architectures, specifically in this book ancient Egyptian architectures.

The human body itself takes on many highly complex shapes and forms that are designed for optimized function. The diagram of the Vitruvian man is an example of the geometric perfection of the human body. In fact, everything in nature has its own geometric form that you can see if you look close enough. Because the human body has its own geometry and because geometric shapes have their own energy, a final relationship between energy and form comes to light. Dr. Ibrahim Karim has pioneered groundbreaking research in a field which he named BioGeometry. In BioGeometry, it is understood that vibrations have effects on the human body. Musical notes, colors, scents, taste, shapes, design and angles can affect us because they all have their own vibrational frequency. For example, color results from the effect of refraction of angles through a prism on our sensory system and angles are components of shapes, which, as we now know, have their own energies.

In BioGeometry Signatures: Harmonizing the Body’s Subtle Energy Exchange with the Environment, Dr. Ibrahim Karim shares his findings that energy flows in specific patterns in the human body. By using specialized instruments that can pick up subtle energy patterns, Dr. Ibrahim Karim has been able to decipher 2-dimensional diagrams, which he has named “signatures,” that show us the energy flow pattern in specific organs or areas of the body. Specifically, he explores the relationship between living organisms and their surrounding environment through the lens of BioGeometry.

In comparison to ancient architecture, modern architecture has taken an approach that is mostly rooted in materiality, functionality, and social implication. Diagrams are frequently used in design to set up schematic concepts and visualize elements such as circulation flow and egress. Rarely in Western architecture does the diagrammatic representation of form take into consideration the biological response that a human might have with space from a perspective of resonance. There is much more representation of balancing and harmonizing practices in Eastern forms of design as seen in Feng Shui, a more commonly known form of energy force harmonizing practice in interior design that originates in China. What is missing from mainstream design conversations is the thousand-years old knowledge of incorporating energetic resonance into every phase of design as a way of positively impacting people’s experience of the built environment by designing spaces that harmonize the human body. Dr. Ibrahim Karim explores how energetic harmony in the human body helps to heal it from diseases and illnesses. Resonance and dissonance in the body is made apparent through the “signatures” or diagrams which he has extracted. In relation to his findings, I position myself as an enthusiast of this new science and find a great source of optimism and inspiration for the positive impacts that incorporating BioGeometry Signatures can have on architectural practice.

Dr. Ibrahim Karim writes in the context of the 40 years of research that he has dedicated to studying BioGeometry. As conceptualized and developed by Dr. Ibrahim Karim himself, BioGeometry is an interdisciplinary field that explores the relationship between living organisms and the geometric shapes present in their environment. Unlike traditional geometry, which often focuses solely on mathematical properties and measurements, BioGeometry discovers the energetic qualities of shapes and their impact on living systems. At its core, BioGeometry posits that certain geometric forms possess inherent energetic qualities that can influence the health, well-being, and balance of biological organisms, including humans. These geometric shapes are believed to emit subtle energy fields that interact with the body’s own energy systems, affecting physiological, psychological, and even spiritual aspects of health. Practical applications of biogeometry encompass a wide range of fields, including architecture, urban planning, design, and holistic medicine. By incorporating specific geometric patterns and configurations into the built environment, practitioners of BioGeometry aim to create spaces that resonate harmoniously with the human body.

As briefly explained in the introduction, one of the central tenets of BioGeometry is the concept of “qualitative resonance,” which suggests that certain geometric shapes can resonate with specific frequencies or energies found in nature. Human bodies and nature are, after all, one and the same. By aligning these shapes in a particular manner, they can enhance the flow of beneficial energies while mitigating the effects of harmful ones, leading to a more balanced and harmonious living environment. As previously mentioned, BioGeometry signatures have taken form as an alternative and supplementary form of healing and Dr. Karim has used his BioGeometry Signatures technology to treat patients dealing with HIV Aids as well as finding amazing results with simple injuries. Overall, BioGeometry represents a holistic approach to design and environmental planning that seeks to harmonize the relationship between humans and their surroundings. Through the conscious use of geometric forms and their energetic properties, GioGeometry offers a framework for creating spaces that support physical health and emotional wellbeing. What allows BioGeometry Signatures to be applied to various fields such as design, agriculture, and holistic medicine are the simplicity of their forms. By focusing on the field of architecture, the relationship between two-dimensional diagrams and three-dimensional space comes to life and with it an understanding of how space can harness both ancient and modern knowledge about energy flow relationships in the human body. If buildings are meant to house bodies, would it not then be most beneficial for the building to be designed to harmonize with the body?

Current architectural practice certainly addresses environmental factors into its design; however these considerations are almost always based on the natural forces that act upon a building’s stability and structure. For example, contemporary buildings when well designed take into account climate, seismic activity, wind forces, compactness of the soil, and gravity. These are the environmental factors that are necessary to incorporate into architectural design for a building’s own survival. But what if we went ten steps further to incorporate the energetic environment of a space? What if people could feel as energetically harmonized indoors as much as in nature? This is not a strategy to get people to stay inside more and get outside less but rather a way to ameliorate health and wellbeing in the built environment so that we experience less of the burnout commonly felt by staying indoors all day long. Dr. Karim’s findings are a monumental advancement in understanding how the human body responds to environmental factors and provides proof that shapes and forms hold strong energetic power, a key concept that the ancient Egyptians and many other ancient civilizations knew and built into their designs.

I believe that Dr. Karim’s work can be a tool in a toolbox of knowledge that architects can use to incorporate more biophilic design into their practice to celebrate the innate connection between humans and nature in the built environment. These design principles emphasize incorporating natural elements, patterns, and processes into architectural spaces to enhance the well-being of occupants (Space Refinery, Everything You Need To Know About Biophilic Design). Inspired by nature’s forms, colors, and light, biophilic design seeks to create environments that resonate with human biology and psychology, promoting health, productivity, and overall satisfaction. The integration of biophilic design principles into architecture aligns seamlessly with Dr. Ibrahim Karim’s BioGeometry framework, as both fields of study prioritize the harmonization of spaces with the natural world to support human well-being. Whether BioGeometry Signatures are incorporated 2-dimensionally in the surface landscape of interior spaces or translated into form, the level of conscious design to even consider such design methods pushes architecture beyond the boundaries that it, for the most part, currently inhabits.

As architects grapple with the complexities of contemporary urban living, Karim’s work offers a beacon of hope, illuminating a path towards a more sustainable and regenerative built environment. By embedding BioGeometry principles into their practice, architects have the opportunity to not only enhance the physical health of occupants but also nurture their emotional, psychological, and spiritual well-being while being more conscientious of the relationship that the built environment holds with nature. We can agree that architecture has far surpassed the point of serving solely as shelter. Designing the built environment is an extremely complex practice that involves multifaceted streams of knowledge and expertise. As we move towards a hybridized future, the architectures of urban, suburban, and rural landscapes can and will also shift to reflect these changes. Bringing to light research such as what Dr. Karim has shown in this book tangible ways that interconnectedness between living beings and the spaces they inhabit can be adopted into architectural practice.

Dr. Karim’s findings are the new golden ratios of the human body. Think back to the Vetruvian man and his perfect proportions. This diagram that we are all familiar with has been absorbed into mainstream understandings of the human body and its relationship to its surrounding space. Dr. Karim’s work draws upon and expands beyond the physicality of geometry that we see in nature by tracking energy patterns in the body. BioGeometry signatures serve as a bridge between the tangible and intangible realms, offering architects a tangible framework through which to infuse their designs with deeper layers of intention. In essence, BioGeometry Signatures act as conduits for the flow of vital life force energy, facilitating a dynamic exchange between individuals and their built environment. BioGeometry signatures invites architects to re-envision their role as stewards of both physical and metaphysical realms, pioneering a new age in architectural design that transcends conventional boundaries and embraces the inherent interconnectedness of all things. This research provides empirical validation for the effectiveness of alternative healing practices and ancient wisdom traditions that have been transmitted through generations and it is time for architects to start thinking about how our designs really can heal people.

Sources

Karim, Ibrahim. BioGeometry Signatures: Harmonizing the Body’s Subtle Energy Exchange with the Environment. BioGeometry Energy Systems, Ltd., 2016.

Journey, The Enlightenment. “How Does Subtle Energy Work? Understanding the Mechanics of a Profound Force.” Medium (Digital magazine), 26 June 2023.

Lobell, John. “Quantum Theoretical Issues in Architecture: It’s A Lot Stranger Than We Think.” John Lobell RSS, 2023. johnlobell.com/quantum-theoretical-issues-in-architecture-its-a-lot-stranger-than-we-think/

Refinery, Space. “Biophilic Design and How IT Benefits Creativity and Focus.” Space Refinery, 8 Mar. 2024. www.spacerefinery.com/blog/biophilic-design-101

Rev. Dr. Antonika Chanel DACM LA.c. “Dr. Ibrahim Karim: Pioneering the Path to Energy Wellness through Biogeometry.” Medium (Digital magazine), 5 Dec. 2023.