In this final instalment of our series about magnetism, Hazrat Inayat Khan gives a very clear explanation of five different planes through which magnetism may do its work. The previous post may be found here.
There are five aspects of magnetism, which manifest through the various planes of existence.
1) Physical magnetism, which depends upon the physical system, the circulation of the blood and a balanced development of the muscles together with cleanliness of the body both internally and externally, and the refinement of movements, pose and posture. During childhood the freshness of the body, together with innocence, has attraction, and during youth its development is attractive. During middle age the cultivation of mind has the power of attraction. But in old age, neither freshness nor development of the body remains the same, nor does the power of mind. If then there is any attraction, it is only the illumination of the soul which has a great magnetic influence over man’s surroundings. If this is absent, then nothing remains for him in life, and he becomes a burden both to himself and others.
2) Mental magnetism, which depends on the power and harmony of thought. This can be obtained by being fully absorbed in beautiful and harmonious thoughts, and by suppressing all irritable tendencies, such as anger, passion, greed, attachment, jealousy and pride. The reason why an artist, poet, musician, sculptor, or a thinker proves to have a more arresting personality than a politician or a businessman is because his interest keeps his mind absorbed in the thought of beauty, love, and harmony, while several other occupations of life distract the mind from these thoughts. Just like physical culture brings new life to the body, so in the same way thought culture brightens one’s personality.
3) Magnetism of heart is a still greater and more miraculous magnetism. If the heart is tuned properly by kindness and love, then magnetism itself gushes out and attracts every being coming in contact. There is a well-known story of Hatim, the most eminent Sufi of the past, who became so well-known that the world began to revere him for his generosity and love. Once the King of Persia became jealous of him, seeing him so adored by everybody, and he promised the chief of the assassins some part of his territory if he would cut off the head of Hatim and bring it to him. The assassin left this country with great pleasure expecting the reward. After many days’ journey he arrived in the city where Hatim lived. Hatim, as was his custom, went to see if there were any stranger in the city whom he might in any way assist.
It chanced that evening that he met the assassin, and seeing him, a stranger, he invited him to stay the night with him as his guest. He brought him to his house. The guest was quite touched with the hospitality and kindness which he received. The next day when morning broke and everybody began to go about on his daily pursuits, Hatim very kindly asked his guest if he would stay with him until he had become familiar with the city, and if he could help him in any way with any matter that he wished to accomplish. The guest said, “But you are too kind to be able to help me in my purpose.” Hatim answered, “But you can tell me and I will try my best to at least advise you.”
The man softly whispered, “I have come here to cut off the head of Hatim and take it to my king. For doing so, I am promised a large portion of territory and if you will help me in this I will give you also a share.” Hatim answered, “O, it is very easy, I thought you had something more difficult.” He entered the house and fetched his shining sword, giving it into his hand, he said, “Here is the sword and this is the head of Hatim.” The would-be assassin was so startled to see that such persons are really living on this earth, who are ready to sacrifice their life for others, when he, the most cruel of men, had come to take the life of such a person for a transitory reward. He knelt at the feet of Hatim and broke into emotion, and said, “I would rather prefer to be thy slave, than to have the territory of the king.” Such is the magnetism of the heart. When the heart is developed with love, it wins God as well as man.
4) Spiritual magnetism is produced in man when he, at the command of his own will, becomes absorbed in the abstract, making his senses controlled and inactive, enjoying the undertone of the universe on which all the music of the universe is based. When he views the light of God within himself, the forms of this world are nothing but its shadows. Then he becomes that which he sees beyond the body, mind and heart. Thus he rejoices in ecstasy and feels one with the whole universe, harmonious with friend and foe, tolerant to good and bad alike, innocent towards high and low. This state of ecstasy then attracts, just like an electric current, all who may come in contact with him, either consciously or unconsciously.
5) Divine magnetism is still greater. It does not only attract man, but both beasts and birds, peris, houris, jinns and angels. Even things are attracted by it. For the person becomes the center for all attraction. To this thorough perfection, a person can only come by renunciation and annihilation of the individual self. The Sufis call this state “Qutbiyat.” With this are crowned the most chosen ones of God. There are five grades of annihilation and in each grade a new step on the path of perfection is taken, until one arrives at the last grade called Rasul, complete annihilation in God, the Only Being.
God bless you.