7rcTIX1xP

The Eleventh Lesson: Hindu Wonder-Working.1353
manifested in other countries. It is generally attributed to a suppositious
quality called “Levity,” which is held to be the opposite of Gravity, and which
counteracts the effect of the latter. But other authorities hold that Gravity
is not neutralized but rather is overcome by the effect of Prana directed
in a manner similar to the other feats. The fakir generally leans backward
gradually, and when he begins to feel buoyant he calls upon the attendants
to lift his heels from the ground and to support him in the air for a few
moments, after which they withdraw, leaving him suspended in the air. After
a few minutes the fakir is generally able to move himself about—to “float” in
fact—until the power gradually decreases and he sinks slowly to the ground.
It must be remembered that he passes into a state of intense concentration,
becoming oblivious to the outside surroundings, and at the same time he
breathes rhythmically in slow measured time.
In the above connection it is interesting to compare the above-mentioned
complete levitation with the partial levitation so often resulting from the
familiar Western experiment whereby a heavy person is lifted into the air
by the finger-tips of his companions, who have been breathing rhythmically
and in unison. While the process does not appear to come under the
classification of the other feats performed by the use of Prana, there seems
to be very good ground for believing that in some way Prana is employed
to counteract the effects of Gravity.
The fakirs themselves seem to be at a loss to account for the phenomena,
saying merely that they merely “let themselves go,” holding at the same time
a strong mental image of suspension in the air, and then “hold themselves
up” by a concentrated effort of the Will directed into the Mental Image,
or Thought Picture. They claim that it tires them out in a short time, and
that they can feel themselves “giving out,” just as under a physical strain.
They acquire the means of producing the feat by frequent practice under
the instruction of their masters in youth, but they also declare that some
of the pupils never acquire the method at all, in spite of the instructions
and practice, and that the teachers are unable to induce the power where