Levitation (paranormal)

Levitation or transvection, in the paranormal or religious context, is the claimed ability to raise a human body or other object into the air by mystical means.

Quotes

• Tibetan monks have a mythical and mystical reputation for levitating. Marco Polo, in the 13th century, was the first to tell us about this mysterious land of Tibet where monks are said to practice levitation. It would seem that when their meditation reached a certain intensity, the body of the great lamas, at least in time, was affected by jolts, but without remaining suspended in the air. The Dalai Lama believes: “You Christians believe in many miracles; We Buddhists believe that through intensive meditation we can change the laws of the body – there is nothing extraordinary about it. »
  • Dalai Lama, quoted from François Gautier - Les mots du dernier Dalaï-lama (2018, Flammarion)

• A mendicant (yogi/jogi) lived nearby. He was known for his trickery and many ignorant persons had become his disciples. They considered his sorcery and tricks as miracles, and his performances as extraordinary feats. Many people brought amusing stories about the mendicant to Sayyid ëAli Hamadani. At last the Amir himself went to see the jogi. When he came to his presence, the Amir spoke a few words by way of an advice. But the miserable and wretched jogi rejected Amirís words. He boasted and said that he would show him whatever he knew while he would also like him (the Amir) to prove to him what he knew. Because of satanic pride he considered himself above the Sayyid. As the jogiís do, he raised himself above the ground till he came up in the air up to the height of a man. People present in the audience were surprised thinking that it was a miracle. Amir Sayyid ëAli realised that this jugglery of the jogi was only to mislead the people. He, therefore, decided to demonstrate his religious sense of honour and his Islamic bravado. He pointed towards his shoes, which rose up in the air and came down on the head of the mendicant. Because of repeated shoe beats he came down to his original position. This exercise could be compared to a falcon swooping on its prey. Humiliated and debased, the jogi was made to sit on the ground. Then Amir Sayyid Ali provided advice and guidance to him and made him aware of the torture of hell. But the black- hearted jogi was not prepared to concede. Amir Kabir felt greatly dismayed at his aberration and returned to his abode. Repenting at what had befallen him and tormented by his inherent wickedness, the jogi gathered his belongings and left for Hindostan. Amir Kabir ordered that the place of residence of the mendicant be levelled. An Estrada rose at the spot. A mosque and praying space were provided for God-fearing men. Here he conducted five-time congregational prayers. In compliance with his directions, his disciples and devotees would recite awrad-e fathiyyeh and awrad-e ëasriyyeh at this place. This practice continued for a long time. Sultan Qutbuíd-Din (A. H 788- 799/ A.D. 1386 -1396) had seen his followers making these recitations.
  • Muḥammad, A. K., & Pandit, K. N. (2009). A Muslim missionary in mediaeval Kashmir: Being the English translation of Tohfatu'l-ahbab. New Delhi: Voice of India. p 259-60