| re's no serious uncertainty that the area of show | | | | and rapport'. Once your subject is relaxed and trusts |
| conjuring branded as 'mentalism' is undergoing | | | | you, you are able to suggest thoughts and thoughts |
| something of a rebirth these days. Partly that must | | | | to them which they are more likely to believe as |
| be to do with the success of new wave mentalists | | | | their 'defences are down.' They are also more likely |
| such as Derren Brown making their presence felt on | | | | to disclose information to you without knowing it. |
| prime time TV. In part, modern audiences desire | | | | This is the power of suggestion. So the next skill for |
| something leading edge - they don't want bunnies | | | | the mentalist to study is hypnotism. |
| from hats and pick-a-card routines anymore! | | | | 3. The Laws of Perception. |
| I'm happy mentalism's making a comeback as it's one | | | | In countless ways this is one that all magicians ought |
| of the most high impact techniques in any magician's | | | | to study to some degree as it is crucial to countless |
| repertoire. As a conjurer not scared to let somebody | | | | kinds of misdirection, however it applies in |
| in on 'secrets' with novices, I also know it's something | | | | exceptionally fascinating ways to mental magic. |
| everybody can learn with a little practice once they | | | | Knowing how the human mind tends to translate, |
| know what those secrets are. | | | | categorise and recall information is extremely |
| But let's get something cleared up from the beginning: | | | | significant. But don't worry, you don't need a college |
| mentalism is as much a conjuring TRICK as any other. | | | | grade in neuroscience to pick up what you must to |
| It might seem almost supernatural in its effects - and | | | | know! The most important areas for you to look at |
| you undoubtedly intend it to if you're performing it! - | | | | are how visual perception works, how people |
| but it is merely a series of smart psychological | | | | cogitate verbally and in metaphors, the process of |
| principles and close observations of behaviour that | | | | long and short-term memory and so on. So, the third |
| facilitate a mentalist to craft the illusion of telepathic | | | | aptitude for the mentalist is to study how to |
| powers. | | | | understand how the subject is perceiving himself and |
| It's only disreputable performers that make sham | | | | the situation. |
| claims of 'authentic psychic powers.' Happily the best | | | | And those are the underlying skills in a nutshell. Clearly |
| modern practitioners such as James Randi, Penn | | | | a full examination of all of these is beyond the scope |
| & Teller, Derren Brown, have denied their | | | | of an item such as this. Luckily, there's some |
| insincere claims and exposed their methods time and | | | | excellent literature out there on all of these topics |
| again. | | | | and some great books about mentalism itself. Any |
| So what are these tricks that permit mentalists to | | | | sound magic bookshop will have one or two |
| seemingly see your secret thoughts, read your mind | | | | respectable titles worthy of inquiry. Derren Brown's |
| and even manipulate what you are thinking? | | | | book 'Tricks of the Mind' is bang up to date. Classics |
| If you've a little experience in conjuring you won't be | | | | to look out for would be '13 Steps to Mentalism' by |
| surprised that the secrets and techniques are | | | | Corinda or Annermann's 'Practical Mental Magic'. |
| straightforward once you understand what they are! | | | | If you don't have time to investigate in that sort of |
| There are essentially three aspects to mental magic: | | | | depth, don't be anxious! You can still discover some |
| 1. Reading Body Language. | | | | simple yet extremely compelling mentalist routines |
| There is a good deal of literature out there lately as | | | | that are well-established and very effective and will |
| regards body language and how to interpret it but | | | | be successful for you after no more than a little |
| the main notion behind it all is that people tend to | | | | preparation if you respect the technique of the |
| communicate their thoughts and feelings not only | | | | routine. Impressive mentalism tricks to learn and |
| consciously in what they say but also unconsciously in | | | | execute even as a amateur are spoon-bends, card |
| the way they move, look, stand and react physically. | | | | predictions and the convincing 'book test' tricks. |
| And these 'non-verbal messages' habitually tell the | | | | Several of these can be found from good magic |
| truth even when the individual is verbally insincere. So | | | | dealers or if you favor a visual presentation and |
| the mentalist's main skill is to research and figure out | | | | explanation, as a video download - an increasingly |
| body language. | | | | trendy system for learning magic of all kinds as you |
| 2. The Power of Suggestion. | | | | can actually look at and listen to what's going on - |
| It is no surprise that Mentalism first came to | | | | examine again as many times as you choose, like |
| worldwide recognition amongst audiences and | | | | having a personal coach who never gets tired! |
| performers in the 1940s when there were significant | | | | Whether you want to pursue mentalism as a |
| advances being made in the still fresh discipline of | | | | significant side of your pro routine or just get a |
| psychology. One of the practical applications of this | | | | couple of stunning tricks under your belt to amaze |
| was the development and fine-tuning of hypnotism. | | | | your friends, I wish you every success with your |
| Efficient hypnotism can be summed up as 'relaxation | | | | 'mental magic'! |