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David Thiel Inner circle Western Canada...where all that oil is 4005 Posts |
I remember the first time, years ago, when I'd been hired to perform at a table for small groups of people. I'd spent months studying col* reading and readings in general. I'd sharpened my body language skills. I'd studied systems like Psychometry A to Z. But still I remember my knees sweating just a little as I moved all my trusted props off of the table, stepped off the safe shore and jumped headfirst into an utterly "propless" two hours.
As the first person came to the table the very first thing I "divined" about them was wrong. I don't mean 'a matter of interpretation' wrong. I mean it was 'no doubt about it...where did you get THAT from?' wrong. I forgot everything I'd read about gently pumping and circling in on specific intuitions. Know what happened? Nothing. The world did not end. I did not feel the continent sliding into the ocean. The volunteer didn't rally the villagers to come at me with tar and feathers and pitchforks. I read all the posts here from guys agonizing about going 'propless' and read endless threads as the merits of various systems are debated and complicated formulas are memorized and electronic wonders are applied. And all of those things have merit. But you know something? IF you could read minds/do readings etc. for real, you WOULD miss once in a while. Maybe you put it down to an intense thought from someone else nearby in the audience. Maybe it's just a random impression. Maybe it's just wrong. Want to develop your skills as a mentalist? Go out there and fail at something. Do it right in front of people. Note that I'm not saying "fail over and over." I'm suggesting that you take one wild leap of intuition and ride that puppy. If you're right, it's a miracle. But you're most likely to be wrong. Watch carefully what happens...and I'm fearlessly predicting that what happens will be...nothing. Actually that's not true. 1) You'll be changed because this is the first step toward NOT thinking like a magician (where everything HAS to be perfect) and thinking like a mentalist...where you are trying to find your way through a place with many uncertainties...but you are flexing a muscle/talent that maybe YOU don't even fully understand. 2) You'll learn the PROCESS of a reveal. It's not all blurted out at once. It's a slow exploration...a drawing out...a gentle seduction instead of...well...you can do the math. 3) You'll learn that being truly propless has nothing to do with being propless. It has everything to do with the YOU you present to the audience and the confidence you have when you present it...and the way you, as the performer, take control of your stage and the volunteer. 4) You'll see the glimmerings of a whole new world of possibilities opening up to you, a shiny new weapon in your arsenal...something you can apply to everything you do on stage and a way to transform 'readings' into a truly wonderful experience for your sitter AND you. 5) Your anxiety and stress levels will drop instantly and you'll be able to concentrate on the process of being a mentalist instead of throwing routines and pre-designed effects at an audience. I'm talking more 'you.' Relax, guys. Mentalism is a beautiful and joyful experience for the performer (and hopefully) the audience. Maybe it's an idea to concentrate on YOU instead of that shiny new prop some guy is selling. Success as a performer can't be bought. Trust me. I've tried. All those effects that are sold as 'reputation makers' are utterly useless until the performer realized that HE or SHE is the only true reputation maker. Success only comes through hard work...and the willingness to truly blow it and fail in the most spectacular fashion possible while you're learning. (And never stop learning...or being teachable.) A post offered with respect to my fellow performers. David
Whatever doesn't kill you makes you stronger. Except bears. Bears will kill you.
My books are here: www.magicpendulums.com www.MidnightMagicAndMentalism.com |
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JanForster Inner circle Germany ... when not traveling... 4190 Posts |
Thank You, David, what a great post! Jan
Jan Forster
www.janforster.de |
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Anton4 New user Rensselaer, NY 56 Posts |
David,
As someone who is still learning, I find many of your posts thought provoking and educational. Thank you. |
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rasp Inner circle 1124 Posts |
That made for a well thought out and interesting read, thank you.
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WitchDocChris Inner circle York, PA 2614 Posts |
The number of times an intuitive guess turns out being right is one of the biggest reasons I believe in the possibility of ESP.
Christopher
Witch Doctor Psycho Seance book: https://tinyurl.com/y873bbr4 Boffo eBook: https://tinyurl.com/387sxkcd |
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Ray Bertrand Inner circle Ottawa, Ontario 1452 Posts |
Great post David. I always get something from your thoughtful writings.
Mentalism in Ontario.
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Philemon Vanderbeck Inner circle Seattle, WA 4694 Posts |
David, you must've read my mind. ;-)
Professor Philemon Vanderbeck
That Creepy Magician "I use my sixth sense to create the illusion of possessing the other five." |
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weirdwizardx Veteran user 389 Posts |
Quote:
On Jan 22, 2020, WitchDocChris wrote: Awesome post David! Hello Chris! From where dis you take that information? Best Wishes Cristóbal |
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George Hunter Inner circle 2013 Posts |
Thanks, David.
And it requires some risk-taking to post such an insight on a Café thread. So, thanks again. George |
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stevie c Veteran user 330 Posts |
That's a great read for newer people like me. In my other life I'm involved in teaching, and as soon as I became confident enough to be comfortable with a degree of uncertainty (which took a while!!) I became an immeasurably better teacher.
I guess I just need to learn to mirror that as I perform over time and develop my skills and knowledge in this area. Thanks David |
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WitchDocChris Inner circle York, PA 2614 Posts |
Quote:
On Jan 22, 2020, weirdwizardx wrote: Personal experience. But I'd be willing to bet that anyone who's done readings "for real" for any significant amount of time has similar stories. When you do it regularly, without relying on the tricks magicians use, you'll inevitably have times when thoughts just pop in your head that turn out to be spot on.
Christopher
Witch Doctor Psycho Seance book: https://tinyurl.com/y873bbr4 Boffo eBook: https://tinyurl.com/387sxkcd |
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Mindpro Eternal Order 10587 Posts |
Quote:
On Jan 23, 2020, WitchDocChris wrote: Nice to see somebody who gets this. This is what reading should be about, not some mechanics. |
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David Thiel Inner circle Western Canada...where all that oil is 4005 Posts |
Quote:
On Jan 22, 2020, JanForster wrote: Thank you, Jan. Your thoughts have frequently been a blessing to me as well. Anton, Rasp, Vanderbeck, Christobal, Stevie and Chris: thank you very much. These kinds of posts keep me from feeling like I'm talking to myself. Ray: Any time, pal. We should have another meal together soon. George: I miss chatting with you. We had some excellent discussions at MV. David
Whatever doesn't kill you makes you stronger. Except bears. Bears will kill you.
My books are here: www.magicpendulums.com www.MidnightMagicAndMentalism.com |
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weirdwizardx Veteran user 389 Posts |
Quote:
On Jan 23, 2020, WitchDocChris wrote: Its true, there are sometimes that something pops out in your mind and it turns to be correct, although I don't do readings as a stand-alone, buyt in mentalism environment. Best Regards Cristóbal |
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David Thiel Inner circle Western Canada...where all that oil is 4005 Posts |
I've often thought that the ideas that spring into mind -- particularly the ones that turn out to be correct -- are the direct result of input we aren't even aware of doing anymore.
For example: have you ever been positive that someone is lying to you...but couldn't say WHY you think that? How about someone who you are certain doesn't like you? Where does that input come from? It's more than a hunch, right? When you've really studied body language you can reach conclusions that weren't consciously sent by the volunteer...because very few people know how to lie with their bodies. An interesting study from the U of BC a number of years ago was done on athletes who were blind from birth...meaning that they had never SEEN someone celebrate just winning a race. And yet as they discovered that they'd won any given competition, they threw their heads back and pumped their arms in the air. How did they learn how to do that? Dr. Paul Ekman -- the father of modern body language went to a remote tribe in New Guinea -- a tribe that had had very little contact with the outside world -- and he showed them pictures of North Americans showing specific emotions. Without exception the tribesmen were able to identify Happy...Sad....Afraid...Disgusted and more. How is that possible? Because we are hard wired with physical expressions of what we are feeling or thinking. We can't help it. In mentalism it's a powerful method because the person you're working with has no idea they are telling you what they are thinking. They can't help it. I think that when you've made a study on how to "speak" body language that you simply know things without the process of critically examining the evidence. It just comes together in your mind as a fully formed conclusion. And THAT is where a number of the good hunches come from. The leaps of intuition are something else entirely...but you can still make some educated leaps once you've really studied the person. And if you miss, you miss. Shrug and move on. David
Whatever doesn't kill you makes you stronger. Except bears. Bears will kill you.
My books are here: www.magicpendulums.com www.MidnightMagicAndMentalism.com |
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Mr. Woolery Inner circle Fairbanks, AK 2149 Posts |
I've said before that I think most of what people interpret as psychic is really a matter of processing clues below the level of conscious thought. That those who believe themselves to be psychic may just be better than most at connecting dots unconsciously and getting to a right answer. Really, I'm pretty happy with this hypothesis, at least where it is applicable. Certainly some people are better observers than others. Some are better at using those observations to reach conclusions. In a way, I think that this is even more meaningful than a claim that they get the information from nowhere.
I still have to work at the willingness to be wrong and I do appreciate your posting advice, David. You are one of only a small handful of people whose posts I make a point of reading, no matter what the subject. I really love that you share your experience generously. Thank you. -Patrick |
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weirdwizardx Veteran user 389 Posts |
That is a very interesting hypothesis Patrick...
It reminds me of Grant Morrisons definition of magic, magic equals life plus significance... |
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IAIN Eternal Order england 18807 Posts |
It's a big, big topic - but some of you may find this interesting...and why it's all about the story...we are hard wired to engage or disengage depending on life experience...
https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/......eriences @david - your point 2, I sometimes really like to blurt out a response, like it's suddenly hit me and I almost can't quite control myself and I have to say it because it suddenly broke through when I thought I couldn't get it at all. Even that is part of the story we tell. Peaks and troughs. With some people it's difficult, with others is lots easier. And those two opposites can be a positive. Person A is difficult because they can mentally juggle a lot of things at once which gives insight to their personality etc. Person B can send it very clearly cos they have razor sharp focus. Nice that we can all share different opinions with it having to become an argument. Thank you 👍😁
I've asked to be banned
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WitchDocChris Inner circle York, PA 2614 Posts |
David - I agree with the statements and that is my current working theory that covers 99% of what happens. You internalize these systems over time and it happens without conscious thought.
Which is quite possibly/likely the entire origin of the concept of psychics. But every now and then it's like ... "Where did THAT come from?"
Christopher
Witch Doctor Psycho Seance book: https://tinyurl.com/y873bbr4 Boffo eBook: https://tinyurl.com/387sxkcd |
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IAIN Eternal Order england 18807 Posts |
A base example I've always identified with is this...
if you were born in the victorian era, and you could somehow know how people were feeling and you felt you intuitively knew how and maybe even how people will behave under certain conditions...one of the labels you might be given is an empath, a sensitive, something like that...and it can sound a bit mystical and out of the norm... tie that in with the belief systems of the time, it can completely make sense.. but then if you see it from another angle, maybe that person was brought up in a very intense, violent and tough atmosphere, where they unconsciously learned how to interpret those signals, what some might call 'atmosphere' and even be able to take one look at someone and 'know' whats coming...maybe that can be attributed to knowing what we now know through Ekman and others..but back then, there wasn't the science or psychology to create a different label... it doesn't have to be, but its a possibility... and in a way, its why the psychological and the psychic approaches in mentalism are often the main two paths...same coin, different sides... there should be a phrase based on that...hmmmmmm.... here's another link some might find interesting - https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/......pNCeXXjI
I've asked to be banned
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