The Magic Carpet Revealed

OM Times is a leading voice of the Conscious Community with articles covering the full spectrum of Conscious Living. Click here to see all we share.
Revealing the Magic Carpet

by Lisa Shaw

As a child, did you delight in the exotic, mystical stories of magic carpets, manifestation through puffs of smoke, and genies? Most of us did, either through storybooks that unleashed our imagination or through colorful and hypnotic animation in movies and on television. The names, the clothing, The Arabian locales and cultural accoutrements increased the exotic appeal of the story, which appeared, like many other compelling tales, in the 1001 Arabian Nights.

Who wouldn’t desire a genie to grant our deepest desires, or a magic carpet to transport us at will through will to any destination, floating safely and comfortably above the ground? The magic carpet story has multiple versions, the most familiar being that of Prince Hussein, Sultan of the Indies. A lesser known tale is of Solomon’s magic carpet. Yes, that Solomon, the King who was reputed to be a metaphysician/sorcerer, honored by both Judaism and Islam. In both traditions, Solomon is imbued with the ability to command the wind and exert God-given dominion over earthly creatures. He was especially aligned with the sky and its natural inhabitants, giving commands to eagles, and enjoying protective escort from birds who shielded the magic carpet from the sun. Add this to the greater-known legend of his wisdom, a brilliance with such reputation that people journeyed great distances to benefit from his unparalleled counsel.

How can we benefit from these ancient stories today? Consider the context: a genius whose wisdom is supplemented by a necessary spirituality. The focus on Solomon isn’t limited to his life decisions; its more significant and infrequently shared emphasis is spiritual connection. Devoted to God, accompanied by creatures whose home is the heavens, Solomon was said to have commanded the wind. The description of his magic carpet was thus: “Whoever sitteth on this carpet and willeth in thought to be taken up and set down upon other site will, in the twinkling of an eye, be borne thither, be that place nearhand or distant many a day’s journey and difficult to reach.”

OM Times is a leading voice of the Conscious Community with articles covering the full spectrum of Conscious Living. Click here to see all we share.