DYNAMIC THOUGHT/PART 10
CHAPTER X
THE LAW OF ATTRACTION
IN
the previous chapters we have seen that all forms of Radiant Energy, viz.,
Light, Heat, Electricity and Magnetism, arose from the Motion of the Particles
of Substance. It now becomes important to learn just what cause this
"Motions of the Particles." Science is somewhat hazy and foggy on
this subject, but in a general way decides that it is caused by "the
mutual relations and positions of the particles, arising from their respective
attractive qualities," as a recent writer has expressed it. Well, this is
better than the old way of seeking refuge and retreat in a mere volume of dense
words. It is indeed the only logical conclusion, this one that the operations
of the Law of Attraction are manifested in the Motion of the Particles.
This
great Law of Attraction is the greatest Law in Nature. It operates on all planes
of life. It is always in evidence. Let us consider it.
Let
us begin by considering the most magnificent and constant exhibition of that
Law—Gravitation. Gravitation is the Riddle of the Universe, and the one form of
Energy that balks Science—so much a mystery that Science does not even hazard a
"guess" at its nature—no theory of the origin and nature of
Gravitation is to be found in "the books." Let us see what
Gravitation is.
It
is more than the power that "pulls things to the earth," as the
average man would define it. It does more than cause water to run down hill,
and turn mill-wheels to drive machinery. Water-power results from Gravitation,
but even the Energy of Niagara Falls is insignificant when compared to the
other manifestations of the Mother of Energy—Gravitation.
Webster
defines Gravitation as: "That attraction or force by which all bodies or
particles in the universe tend toward each other."
Following
that definition, let us add that: Every particle of Substance has an
attraction for every other particle.
In
view of our belief that this "attraction" is a form of mental effort,
let us regard the term "Attraction" as being a form of what we call
"Desire," or even "Love," in the mental world. If you will
think of it in this way, you will be better able to fall in with our lines of
thought.
And,
in addition to every particle of Substance having an attraction (love or
desire) for every other particle, it has the means and power to draw
that other particle toward itself, and to move toward that other particle at
the same time. Webster gives a very clear idea of this when he defines
Attraction as: "An invisible power in a body by which it draws anything
to itself; the power in nature acting mutually between bodies, or ultimate
particles, tending to draw them together, or to produce their cohesion or
combination, and conversely resisting separation."
The
majority of persons, when thinking of "Gravitation," are satisfied
with the idea that it is a power that "pulls things down to the
ground," and do not think of it as a force that "pulls things"
other ways besides "down," and which is possessed and exercised by
the speck of dust as well as by the whole earth—by the molecule as well as by
the mass. The reason of this is that this power is so slight in small bodies of
Substance that it is unnoticed; and that only when the mass is sufficiently
large to make the "pull" strong does one perceive and appreciate that
the force exists. The lack of information on the part of the average person
regarding this subject is amazing, particularly when the importance of the
knowledge is understood.
The
attraction that holds the molecules of Substance together is Gravitation. The
attraction that "pulls" a piece of Substance to the earth is
Gravitation. The attraction that keeps the suns and planets in their orbits is
Gravitation. Let us see the operations of the Law.
In
Astronomy you may learn that the movements of the planets around the sun and
the moons around their planets—their regular and constant relative positions—are
caused by the force of Gravitation. If it were not for this attraction by the
Sun, the planets would fly out into space, like a stone from a sling. The
Attraction of Gravitation acts on the planets just as does the string of the
whirling sling that keeps the stone from flying away during the whirling until
the string is released. Some astronomers think that our sun revolves around
some greater sun, and this again around a greater, and so on to infinity. If
this be so, then the Attraction of Gravitation is that which holds them all in
their orbits and places in spite of their motion.
And
in Physics, you may learn that this same Attraction of Gravitation prevents the
people and objects on the surface of the earth from flying off into space.
And that it holds the portions of the earth together, preventing them from
flying apart.
And,
remember this, for it is important—the Attraction of the Earth, great and
powerful as it is, is nothing more than the combined attractive
power of its constituent molecules, or atoms, or parts. The centre of the Earth
is the Centre of the Attraction, because it is the centre of the aggregation of
its Particles.
It
must not be supposed that the Earth simply attracts "downward," that
is, toward its centre. On the contrary, large masses of earth—large mountains,
for instance—exert a certain degree of Attraction of Gravitation, and
experiments have shown that a "plumb" is slightly deflected by reason
of the proximity of a large mountain. And the reason that bodies "lose
weight" as they descend from the surface of the earth is because they
leave "above" them a certain large portion of the molecules composing
the earth, which mass of molecules exert an attraction proportionate to their
mass, which attraction balances the attraction of the mass of earth
"beneath them."
Science
teaches that if the earth were hollow in the centre, the weight there would be
Zero, or nothing at all, and that a body would float in the space at the centre
of the earth just as does a balloon in the air, the reason thereof being
that the attraction would be equalized—equal attraction from every direction,
counterbalancing each other. Considering the earth's radius to be 4000 miles, a
body that weighed 100 pounds on the surface would weigh but 75 pounds at the
depth of 1000 miles; but 50 pounds at a depth of 2000 miles; but 25 pounds at a
depth of 3000 miles; and Nothing, or Zero, at a depth of 4000 miles, which
would be the Centre of the Earth. This, of course, supposes that the Substance
of which the earth is composed is of uniform density from surface to centre.
From
an equal distance above the surface of the earth, bodies released, or dropped,
will reach the surface at exactly the same degree of speed, and in exactly the
same time—this irrespective of weight or size. In other words, a cork or piece
of lead, no matter what their sizes may be, will travel with equal rapidity. In
case where the "lighter" substance travels more slowly (compare a
feather and bullet, for instance) the difference is caused by the light object
meeting with more resistance from the air. This apparent exception has been
explained away by the experiment of dropping the bullet and the feather in a
vacuum tube, in which there was no resistance from air, the consequence being
that both descended precisely at the same instant. Another similar experiment
is to place the feather upon a piece of iron whereby the resistance of the air
is prevented, and the feather will maintain its position during the drop, and
will reach the ground resting on top of the iron, just as it started.
And,
remember this please, that the small object attracted by the earth exerts an
attraction on its own account. If the two were of the same size they would
exert an equal attracting power, but as one is smaller its attracting power is
very slight compared with that of the large mass. But it is true that the
particle of dust attracts the earth precisely as the earth attracts the
particle of dust—the difference being solely a matter of degree depending upon
the "mass" of the body. The amount or degree of the combined attracting
power is determined by the combined total of the two masses. Distance lessens
the degree of attraction—thus as bodies are lifted above the earth the weight
decreases very gradually, and by very slight degrees, but constantly and
invariably. The poles of the earth are flattened, and, consequently, the weight
of an object slightly increases as it is carried from equator to pole.
Concluding
our consideration of Gravitation, it will be well to call your attention to the
fact that Gravitation differs from the forms of Radiant Energy known as
Heat, Light, Electricity and Magnetism in several very important particulars,
which seems to go far in the direction of proof that the latter are by
incidents or consequences of the former.
In
the first place, Gravitation, so far as is known, is not dependent upon, caused
by, or maintained by, any other Force or form of Energy. Nor does it seem to be
derived from some great reservoir, from which it obtains its supply of Energy.
On the contrary, it seems to be a "thing-in-itself," self-supporting,
self-existing—an intrinsic thing, in fact. It does not seem to be lost to
bodies by radiation. And consequently there seems to be no need of a body
replenishing its supply, as there is no loss. Gravitation seems to be a
constant something, remaining always with bodies and neither being
lost or acquired. It exists between the Atoms, Molecules, Masses—all in the
same way. In fact, one is tempted to think of the planets and worlds in space,
as Molecules of some greater Mass held together by Gravitation just as are the
Molecules held together. Remember, that the Molecules and Atoms are not in
absolute contact, but there is always a "space" between them,
although the space or distance may be "insensible" to us. "As
above, so below," says the old occult aphorism, and it seems to be
so.
Then
again, Gravitation is believed to act instantaneously, and does not
require Time to pass between bodies, as does Light, Heat, Electricity,
Magnetism—Radiant Energy. Light travels through the Ether (as light-waves) at
the rate of 184,000 miles a second. The same is true of Heat and of
Electricity. But Gravitation travels instantaneously. For instance, if a new
star were to spring into existence at some inconceivable distance from the
earth it would require thousands of years for its light to reach us. But its
Attraction of Gravitation would be felt instantly. Do you realize
what this means? It means that Gravitation is in some way connected with the
Ether, or "conveying medium," that an impulse communicated at some
point of space trillions of miles away is felt at once at our
point in space, and vice versa. There is some awful mystery here, and the laws
of Substance, and Force, as generally understood, do not account for it. And
the theories regarding the Ether do not throw light upon it. But wait a
bit!
But
more than this. Science holds that Gravitation does not require a
medium—that it seems to be its own medium—needing no "Ether" or
other medium to transmit its influence. In this respect also, Gravitation
differs from the form of Radiant Energy. And more, it is not
"cut-off" or interfered with by any intervening body, for its force
operates through such intervening bodies. For instance, in an eclipse of the Sun,
the Moon passes between the Earth and the Sun, but the Gravitation is not
affected in the slightest, for the bodies would evidence such change
immediately were it to occur.
So
Gravitation acts instantaneously; is its own medium, and may not be interfered
with by an intervening body. It, indeed, is in a different "class"
from Light, Heat and Electricity.
And
now let us consider the other forms of Attraction.
In
the previous chapters we saw that the form of Attraction called
"Cohesion" caused the molecules to tend to each other, and to remain
in more or less close contact, the differing degrees of Cohesion determining
the Density, etc., of the body. Were the Attractive force of Cohesion suddenly
removed, the most solid bodies, as well as the lightest ones, would instantly
fly into very fine powder, thus being resolved into their constituent
molecules. The separation of the Molecules, that is, the "setting further
apart," occasioned by Heat, is spoken of by Physicists as
"Repulsion." But the writer holds that repulsion is an entirely
different thing, and that the heat merely causes the Molecules to lose a
portion of their Attractive power for each other. Until the heat being
withdrawn, the Molecules respond to the uninterrupted Attraction. The Molecules
are like lovers who are attracted toward each other, and remain attached unless
separated violently, or by some fading of Attraction. Consider Heat as a
disturbing element—a "misunderstanding" between the molecular lovers,
who under its influence draw somewhat apart, and are only reunited when the
obstacle is removed, and harmony again manifested.
As
we have shown you in a previous chapter, the so-called "properties"
of Matter, i.e., Hardness, Tenacity, Malleability, Ductility, etc.,
are simply evidence of a persistent Cohesiveness of the Molecules—a strong
"love" or "desire" for each other that caused them to adopt
every possible means in their power to resist, and prevent, the separation of
the Molecules forming the mass. It was like a desperate attempt to prevent the
"breaking up of the family."
Each
so-called Special Physical Property of Matter is seen to be but the action of
the Molecule resisting separation, in obedience to that law of its being called
"Attraction," or "Gravitation," or "Cohesion," or
"Adhesion"—but which might as fitly be called "Desire," or
"Love." And, remember, that this law does not seem to be merely one
of self-preservation of the Molecule—for it remains intact even after the
separation from its companions or family. It is more, for it is a law that
causes it to bend all its energies in remaining within "molecular
distance" or close companionship with its family, and resisting
disintegration. It is like the "social instinct" in Man, if one may
be pardoned from using the figure.
Now
for the Attraction of the Atoms—"Chemical Affinity," or
"Chemism," as it is called. An Atom, you know, is the chemical unit
of Matter, and the smallest particle of Matter that can enter into combination
(leaving the Corpuscle out of the consideration, for the moment). These Atoms
exhibit and manifest an Attraction for each other that causes them to form
combinations or "marriages," and thus to combine, forming a molecule.
But remember, always, that when Atoms "combine" they do not merge
their identities—they simply "marry," and nothing more. Each atom
maintains its own identity, and is found intact if the "marriage" is
destroyed by chemical process, which might be called the termination of the
molecular marriage, by "divorce," that is, by one Atom forsaking
its mate and seeking a new "affinity" in the shape of some more
attractive (or attracting) Atom. For, alas, the Atoms are more or less fickle,
and often leave their life-partners for some other fascinating Particle. At
times there is manifested a condition of "how happy could I be with
either, were t'other fair charmer away"—there is a conflict of
attractions.
There
is more "flirting" and "affairs of the heart" in the world
of Atoms than in the region of the Molecules, for while the latter are apt to
seek only the companionship of their own "family," or some nearly
related family, the Atoms have quite a number of possible
"affinities," and will invariably desert a lesser attraction for a
greater one (thus forming a new molecule) and leave the deserted one to get along
alone as best it may, or else form a new alliance with some other affinity who
is either impervious to the attraction of the more brilliant charmer, or else
is out of the danger of temptation.
But,
if we analyze and carefully consider this "Chemical Affinity,"
"Chemism," we will see that it comes well under the definition of
"Attraction" as given by Webster, and quoted in the first part of
this chapter. It certainly comes under the rule of "the power in nature
acting mutually between bodies, or ultimate particles, tending to draw
them together," etc.
The
writer thinks that he is justified in asking you to consider Gravitation,
Cohesion, Adhesion and Chemical Affinity as related forms of the same thing. If
you do not like to call this "same thing" by the name of
"Gravitation," suppose we call it "The Law of Attraction,"
of which Gravitation, Cohesion, Adhesion, Chemical Affinity or Chemism are but
different aspects. (This "relation" is described in Chapter XIII.)
And
the writer believes that this "Law of Attraction" is the underlying
cause of all that we call Energy, Force, Power, Motion, etc., in the Physical
world. For if "Gravitation" accounts for all "Mass Motion,"
or "Mechanical Motion"—if Molecular Cohesion, and the vibrations
accompanying it, manifest in forms of "Molecular Motion"—and if
Atomic "Chemical Affinity" or "Chemism," manifest in
"Atomic Motion"—and if even the Corpuscles in their movements obey
this same "Law of Attraction" in some form—and if all Force and
Energy is but a "Mode of Motion"—then, if all this be true, are we
not justified in claiming that this "Law of Attraction" is the Basis
of All Energy, Force and Motion? And are we not justified in thinking of this
"Law of Attraction" as always manifesting in the direction of drawing
together particles of Substance—be those particles suns, planets, masses,
molecules, atoms or corpuscles—in pursuance of some basic law imposed upon
All-things, by That-which-is-above-Things?
The
following quotation is interesting, in our consideration of this subject:
"There
are other forces besides gravity, and one of the most active of these is
chemical affinity. Thus, for instance, an atom of oxygen has a very strong
attraction for one of carbon, and we may compare these two atoms to the earth
and a stone lodged upon the top of a house. Within certain limits, this
attraction is intensely powerful, so that when an atom of carbon and one of
oxygen have been separated from each other, we have a species of energy of
position just as truly as when a stone has been separated from the earth. Thus
by having a large quantity of oxygen and a large quantity of carbon in separate
states, we are in possession of a large store of energy of
position. When we allowed the stone and the earth to rush together, the energy of
position was transformed into that of actual motion, and we should therefore
expect something similar to happen when the separated carbon and oxygen are
allowed to rush together. This takes place when we burn coal in our fires,
and the primary result, as far as energy is concerned, is the
production of a large amount of heat. We are, therefore, led to conjecture that
heat may denote a motion of particles on the small scale just as the rushing
together of the stone and the earth denotes a motion on the large. It thus
appears that we may have invisible molecular energy as well as visible
mechanical energy."—Balfour Stewart.
To
the writer it seems that the Particle of Substance finds within its
Mind-principle (for you know we have seen that all Substance had something akin
to Life and Mind) a constant craving, imbedded in its very nature, which causes
it to seek Satisfaction. This craving for Satisfaction results in Unrest, and
seeks a solution along two lines. These two lines are indicated by two entirely
different Desires that it finds within itself—the first being a Desire or
Inclination to seek the companionship of some other Particle—the second being a
Desire or Inclination to be Free of Attachment or Entanglement.
The
Desire for Attachment arises from the force of the Law of Attraction that
exists between each Particle of Substance. The Desire for Non-attachment arises
from some inward inclination for Freedom. These two Desires
or Inclinations may be called the Desire for Impression and the Desire for
Expression.
The
Desire for Impression (or pressing in) manifests along lines of action tending
toward Attachment, Moreness, Companionship, Combination. The Desire for
Expression (or pressing out) manifests along the lines of action tending toward
Individuality, Freedom, Independence, Unattachment, etc. And both are strong
cravings—and both tend to produce Unrest, which results in Motion. The
"pull" of the Desire of Impression exists always, and is always
modified and counteracted by the "push" of the Desire for Expression.
And, resulting from the play of these two Desires, or Forces, result Activity,
Motion and Change. Like the two conflicting angels in the Persian
mythology—Ahriman and Ormuzd—these two Desires wrestle with each other in the
theatre of the Universe—constant Motion and Change being the results.
And,
if the writer may be pardoned for dropping into Mysticism for the moment, may
it not be that these conflicting Desires for Separateness and Unity,
respectively, are but different forms of the Desire for Satisfaction through
Oneness. Impression seeks Oneness by combination with other separated
Particles, but finds it not. Expression seeks Oneness
by drawing apart and endeavoring to realize it in that way, but
finds it not. But both are but different aspects of the same Desire for
Satisfaction, and only when the Mind recognizes Oneness in Diversity does
Satisfaction come. And thus the lesson of the Particle becomes the Lesson of
the Man.
These
conflicting Desires of Inclinations of the Particles—the one urging it along
the lines of Attraction—the other along the lines of Separation—produce the
Dance of the Atoms—the Motion of the Particles.
When
the Particle manifests along the lines of Expression it pushes itself away from
the other Particle, and, consequently, also pushes the other Particle away.
When it manifests along the lines of Impression, it pulls itself toward the
other Particle, and at the same time pulls the other Particle toward itself. In
both cases the "medium" of the pulling extends over the space
separating them, as will be described in future chapters. This pulling and
pushing is called by Chemistry "Attraction and Repulsion" of the
Particles.
It
is perhaps unnecessary to state that the Force of the Attraction of Cohesion or
of Chemical Affinity is much stronger than that of Gravitation, in the case of
the same Particles. Otherwise, if one picked up a piece of iron, the Attraction
of Gravitation would cause its particles to separate and fall to the ground,
whereas, the Attraction of Cohesion and that of Chemical Affinity enable the
Particles to counteract the pull of Gravitation, and thus remain intact.
Compared with Cohesion or Chemical Affinity, the pull of Gravitation is
incomparably weak. The force which holds together two atoms of water represents
a high degree of dynamic power, and the shock of forcible separation of
chemical atoms produces something akin to an explosion. So we see that the
Attraction of the Particles, while of the same nature as Gravitation, is much
higher in intensity.
But
notwithstanding the power of the Attraction, it seems to be a matter inherent
in the nature of the Particle, and to represent a something like Will, in
response to Desire.
The
varying "push and pull" or the two Desires, would necessarily cause a
revolution of each Particle on its own axis, and a revolution around each
other—besides many instances of rushing together and away from each other. In
these forms of Motion is to be found the cause of the vibrations producing
Radiant Energy, known as Light, Heat, Electricity and Magnetism.
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