Formation of Magnetic Centre – Finding Conscious Influence

Formation of Magnetic Centre – Finding Conscious Influence

From my friend Dharmesh Shah of the Ahmedabad Center

By popular accounts, it is said that Buddha was born on a full moon day in the eastern part of India. Upon his birth, the king and the queen, his parents, summoned the astrologers to tell them of the future of the prince. There was a consensus among the astrologers that their son would either become a great king or a great ascetic. However, the king wished for his son to succeed him to the throne and went to great lengths to have his wishes come true. He confined the prince within the palace, removing him from the realities of life. The king surrounded the prince with earthly pleasures and luxury, so that he would grow accustomed to them and not desire anything else.

One day, when the prince goes outside the palace in his chariot, he encounters what is called the “Four Sights” and this results in a strong ‘Magnetic Centre’ being formed in him. He sees for the first time an old man, a diseased man, and a corpse. After seeing these three harsh sights, he comes upon the fourth sight - an ascetic who had devoted himself to finding the cause of human suffering. This sight gives him hope that he, too, might be released from the sufferings arising from being repeatedly reborn, and he resolves to follow the ascetic's example. Soon, he renounces his life as a prince and chooses the spiritual path.

There are different routes through which a Magnetic Centre is formed inside a person. For some, they realise that material wealth does not give joy, and they start to seek a higher purpose in life. In other cases, intense suffering could lead to the development of a Magnetic Centre, such as when a person loses a close family member or friend. The suffering leads one to search for answers, to search for truth, to seek the purpose of life. If the Magnetic Centre is strong enough, one sets off on the quest for a spiritual school.

Mr. Ouspensky said, “Magnetic Centre cannot replace a school, but it can help to realise the need of a school; it can help to begin to look for a school, or if one meets a school by chance, Magnetic Centre can help to recognise a school and try not to lose it. Because nothing is easier to lose than a school. Real Magnetic Centre will only accept Influence C.”

It takes luck and a correctly developed Magnetic Centre to embark on the spiritual journey with Influence C [conscious influence]. With the help of the Magnetic Centre, one is led to a group or a School. Over time, one hopefully passes from a Magnetic Centre to a deputy steward and then a steward. After long and disciplined work on sleep and imagination, one starts to develop Higher Centres.

Follow then the shining ones, The wise, the awakened, the loving, For they know how to work and forbear. Follow them As the moon follows the path of the stars. ─ The Sayings of The Buddha

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Head of Buddha, Pakistan (3rd C.), National Museum of Asian Art