The thought of the etheric body, also known as the vital body or energy body, is just a key component in a variety of esoteric, spiritual, and metaphysical traditions. It is considered to be always a subtle counterpart to the physical body, acting as a link involving the physical and spiritual realms. Unlike the physical body, which comprises dense matter, the etheric body is regarded as made from a better, more subtle kind of energy. This energy is often described as a luminous field that permeates and surrounds the physical body, extending several inches beyond it. The etheric body is believed to play a crucial role in maintaining physical health, because it may be the template or blueprint upon that the physical body is built.

In traditional Chinese medicine, the etheric body is closely related to the idea of Qi or vital energy. Qi flows through the body's meridians, a network of energy channels, to sustain life and health. Once the flow of Qi is balanced and unobstructed, the physical body remains healthy. Conversely, blockages or imbalances in the flow of Qi can lead to illness. Acupuncture, Tai Chi, and Qigong are practices targeted at regulating and enhancing the flow of Qi within the etheric body to market overall well-being. Similarly, in Ayurveda, the etheric body is connected to the idea of prana, the life span force that animates all living beings.

The etheric body is often described in terms of chakras and nadis in Hindu and Buddhist traditions. Chakras are energy centers located along the spine, from the bottom to the crown of the pinnacle, each associated with various physical, emotional, and spiritual functions. Nadis are energy channels that carry prana throughout the body. There are considered to be 1000s of nadis, with the three most significant being the Ida, Pingala, and Sushumna. The etheric body is reported to be intricately attached to these energy structures, influencing and being influenced by their states.

In Western esoteric traditions, such as for example Theosophy and Anthroposophy, the etheric body is considered the first layer of the human energy field. In accordance with Theosophists like beyond the physical body Besant and C.W. Leadbeater, the etheric body comprises etheric matter, which can be finer than physical matter but nevertheless part of the material world. Rudolf Steiner, the founder of Anthroposophy, also emphasized the importance of the etheric body, describing it as the life span force that animates the physical form. He believed that the etheric body plays an essential role in growth, healing, and regeneration.

The etheric body is considered to connect to the physical body through the endocrine and nervous systems. It's thought that the chakras are attached to the major endocrine glands, and that the flow of energy through the nadis influences the nervous system. This interaction is believed to lead to the regulation of bodily functions and the maintenance of health. Once the etheric body is strong and balanced, it supports the physical body's vitality and resilience. However, when it's weakened or disrupted, it may result in physical and emotional problems.