by: Chris Lloyd

Many people have heard of mentalism, but few know exactly

what is involved. So let's start with a clear definition.

Mentalism is defined as a sub-category within the field of

magic. It has to do with tricks dealing with the mind's

power. Rather than relying heavily on tools or grand

illusions, it has more to do with try to give the

impression that the magician can tap into the minds of

audience members, or use his or her own mind control to

cause objects to move, etc.

Some people think that mentalism actually depends on some

spiritual connection between the supernatural realm and the

magician. While there might be a very remote possibility

that some magicians actually do have some insight into the

spiritual world, most illusionists use mentalism tricks and

strategies just like in any other type of magic. Over the

next few pages you'll learn some of them!

For example, remember at the beginning of this course when

we talked about Derren Brown and his ability to make people

fall asleep over the phone? It's not that he actually has

the power to control other people's minds - he just knows

tricks to get people to do what he says.

There is definitely a difference between the two. Derren

isn't dabbling in the occult or anything like that; rather,

he's using human psychology to create intriguing and

mystifying illusions!

For many reasons, including the fact that the old "pull a

rabbit out of a hat" type of magic is not as surprising and

interesting as it once was, mentalism is one of the fastest

growing and most popular forms of magic being practiced

today. There are many fabulous and highly talented

magicians who specialize in this form, Derren Brown being

just one of them.

A Brief Explanation of Hypnosis

Hypnosis is one very highly popular form of mentalism.

Psychiatrists actually regard hypnosis as an everyday

activity or state that we undergo when we are watching

movies, reading books, or driving down a long empty road.

When we are doing these sorts of activities we enter a

trancelike condition in which we are very vulnerable to the

power of suggestion and feel extremely relaxed.

Some people are mistakenly under the impression that

hypnosis is like being asleep, but it's actually a

hyperaware, hyperattentive state. It's also a state of

total consciousness.

You know how when you get engrossed in a book you tune out

the outside world, paying attention only to the story

itself? It's similar to that. You're tuning out extraneous

stimuli and focusing in only on one source, the subject or

magician who is speaking directly to you. Thus you are very

likely to do whatever the magician tells you to do when

you're in a hypnotic state!

This article was extracted from the book 'Discover The Magic

Trick Secrets You're Not Supposed To Know'. To find out more please visit http://www.discovermagictricks.com