The implementation of illusion in the methodologies of Indian mysticism.

摘要

Illusion is the crucial variable in the performances of Indian mystics. Mysticism is the ability to communicate directly with God/the divine. Hindu mystics, known as fakirs, implement illusory practices into public performances to profess the supposed ability of a relationship with the divine, by conveying (from the audience's perspective) supernatural powers. A constant in these various feats is the underlying theme of violence and/or mortality, thus creating a type of formula. The volatility of what the audience witnesses is what makes the illusion so effective, and therefore, the performances are actually a form of preaching. This thesis, based on library research, looks specifically at the Hindu population throughout India. The focus of the research is in the early twentieth century, when the interest in the supernatural occurrences of the country was much greater than it is now. I use the theoretical framework of symbolic anthropology to analyze the notion that fakirs are aware that their performances are not conducted through divine intervention. This implies that at least some of those practicing (the Western conception of) magic, cross-culturally, may in fact do so not out of faith, but as a tool of influence.