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A Series of Lessons on the Inner Teachings of the Philosophies and Religions of India1344
animals—in short that which is similar to what in the western world are
called “materializations’” in spiritualistic seances, although there is really no
connection between the two classes of phenomena, as we shall see as we
proceed. There is practically no limit to the variety possible to the person
possessing the ability to produce or rather to induce the illusive mental
state which lies at the bottom of this class of manifestations. An enterprising
Western magician, were he possessed of the power of producing this
illusion, would startle the world by sensational exhibitions of his wondrous
power. But the Hindu fakir does not seem to wish to “spread himself out”
in this way—such would be contrary to the traditions of his class and race,
and he prefers to move along in the same old ways that have been followed
by the many generations of teacher and pupils before him—for his trade
is an old one, and each fakir descends in a direct line from hundreds who
have preceded him, and from whom he has acquired the little “knack” of
producing the illusion, as well as the methods whereby he has acquired the
power of concentration.
For, let the truth be known, while the basis of these feats is the strong,
concentrated will and mind of the fakir, trained by methods handed down
from the centuries, still the details of the performance are practically those
of the magician of the West, and are arranged with an eye to effect and
“stage business.” This must be so necessarily, for the fakir is a public performer
and his business must be managed so as to produce the best effects. He
is not filled with the scientific spirit, nor is he possessed of high spiritual
ideals. He simply has come into the possession of certain methods of mental
training, whereby he is able to “psychologize” his audience, and to project
“thought-forms,” which will seem as realities to his spectators, and he uses
the power to entertain, amuse, and bewilder the crowds that flock around
him in his travels. Many Hindus and many Western men have endeavored
to extract the secret of the process from these itinerant wonder-workers,
but without avail—large sums of money have been offered them, but
they have spurned it. The truth is that they have taken sacred oaths to the