Life, 1912-08-08 · page 12 of 40
Life — August 8, 1912 — page 12: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This page satirizes the "New Thought" spiritual movement popular in early 1900s America. The cartoon headline "Why Not Be in Harmony With Universe?" mocks pseudo-scientific spiritualism by depicting a charlatan named "Swami Baa Baa" offering occult instruction. The illustration shows a family tree transformed into a wheeled platform displaying spiritualist paraphernalia (a ship, representing travel to the ethereal realm). The satire targets gullible wealthy Americans paying "only one hundred dollars" for dubious lessons in "rhythmic vibrations" and "astral body" projection. The text humorously recounts testimonials—including a supposed appearance by Napoleon's ghost—exemplifying how Life ridiculed the era's embrace of pseudoscientific spiritualism as both pretentious and financially exploitative humbug marketed to the credulous upper classes.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
“WITH ALL MY WORLDLY GooDs I THEE LNDow” Why Not Be in Harmony With Universe? Swami Baa Baa is on Deck Day and Night At Life's Vibra- tion Parlors—Rhythmic Vibrations Within Reach of All E are prepared to place any re- spectable person in complete harmony with the universe for an initial payment of only one hundred dollars. This is ‘a special offer and good only for six weeks; after thot the price will be advanced. If you desire to become an adept in spiritualistic manifestations, in rhyth- mic breathing, or in the occultation of the subliminal self, enroll your name is a student and take a three months’ course in our institute, which is pleas- antly situated in the suburbs of Bos- ton, overlooking the Back Bay. Swami Baa Baa, who has been in charge of our vibration parlors since their inception, has a world-wide repu- tation and has been endorsed by all the principal bishops and leading di- vines of the country. Swami Baa Baa can be consulted every morning from nine until ten. Remember that our parlors are the first successful attempt made to place the disciples of New Thought in this country upon a community basis. No matter what you have, we can cure you. No matter what you are, we can make you a ruler of the universe. All power is yours for the asking. The following letter is one among thousands: “Yesterday, in response to in- structions from Yogi Baa Baa, I concentrated on a brass finger bowl for fifteen minutes, at the end of which time I was conscious of my astral body walking around me with the utmost freedom. At the second lesson I succeeded in projecting my astral body into the back yard. Owing to grand message re- ceived, and consciousness of tre- mendous power I shall soon (I am convinced) be able to send my astral body on all errands, thus enabling me to go into the silence and re- ceive harmonious vibrations from all beings. My gratitude to Baa Baa knows no bounds.” Swami Baa Baa lectures every after- noon to select audiences and explains the principle of concentration and complete surrender of identity only to emerge afterwards in universal ccs- tacy. Cl daily. If you have never felt or seen your subliminal self, call and have this won- derful revelation. Remember, all that you see is the only unreality, All ob- jects are expressed in terms of heat and vibrate according to caloric values. Therefore, if you would throw off the shackles of materialism, come and get on intimate terms with your sub- liminal self. Please bear in mind that the sub- liminal self and the astral body are entirely distinct. The subliminal self is a part of you; the astral body can ses in self-hypnosis forming be trained scientifically under the di- rection of the subliminal self. These are faint adumbrations. Swami Baa Baa explains everything. Would you converse with the spirits of the past? Special seances held every evening, at which any great man can be pre: ent by appointment; also any relative that you choose to talk with. The following conversation was recorded last evening with Napoleon, who came on fifteen minutes after being called by Swami Baa Baa. Among other things, Napoleon was distinctly heard to say, “ Fudge!” He also murmured “Pingpong!” He was heard distinct- ly to blow his nose. Later in the evening George Washington and Ben- jamin Franklin appeared and both giggled extensively. While seances are going on our Land plays: “Every Little Aura Has a Meaning of Its Own.” Auras of every person present will be analyzed by Swami Baa Baa at mod- erate charge, and, if not satisfactory, you can have your aura made over. Be assured that our message is one which must come home to the Ameri- can people in the end. When it is finally realized that all things are rela- tive and that the only reality lies in the syllable Om, which can be obtained by rhythmic breathing, then the fullest reakzation and harmonious supremacy will be attained. Practise rhythmic breathing by con- tinuous gazing on blue and yellow dis’ and repeat Baa Baa one hundred time: in succession. Have you learned to mutter to your-