Final answer:
Mesmer called the force that he believed in as a natural, energetic transference influenced by astronomical bodies 'animal magnetism.' This belief is related to various cultural concepts of a universal force, such as 'mana' in Polynesian culture, 'K'in' for the Maya, and 'teotl' in Aztec metaphysics.
Step-by-step explanation:
Franz Anton Mesmer, an 18th-century German physician, believed in a natural, energetic transference that occurs between all living things, which he felt was influenced by astronomical bodies. He referred to this concept as animal magnetism. This force, according to Mesmer, could have healing properties and was a universal fluid that could be harnessed and directed. Mesmer's ideas were controversial and eventually discredited by the scientific community, but they influenced the development of modern hypnotherapy and also contributed to the mystery and fascination with energetic transference in various cultures and spiritual practices.
Throughout history, many cultures have believed in similar forces or energies that govern life and can be manipulated through religious or mystical practices. Examples include the mana from Polynesian culture, the K'in of the Maya civilization which symbolized the sun's force, and the pantheistic and monist force called teotl in Aztec metaphysics. These concepts compare to the understanding of universal forces that embody the workings of nature or the cosmos, though they vary widely in cultural context and specific interpretation.