Wednesday, February 11, 2015

The essential characteristics of a mentalist

Awe, wonder, excitement! All these are indicators that one has just witnessed something magical, something unbelievable, something that leaves the mind thinking about greater possibilities, something that would even become a conversation starter for weeks or so, as the mentalist does it again – engaging people with his performance and confidently encouraging his audience to believe what they just saw.

Image Source: eboosmagic.com

Mentalism is a technique of decoding the inscrutable human mind to understand the unspoken. It refers to the reading of a person’s mind with one’s intuitive abilities. Although mind reading is deemed to be a rare skill because of its sophisticated and complex nature, masterful execution is possible through years of training and experience.

Image Source: freemagicschool.com

In the performance and delivery of his piece, a mentalist stands out from his unique acts, serving as his distinct characteristic. Being consistently believable ensures the satisfaction of the audience from both the performance and the performer. In addition, the mentalist is can tailor his repertoire to his audience’s reactions, enthusiasm, and engagement. Specifically, the mentalist boosts his performance by:

1. Focusing on the audience and being captivating enough to hold their interest;

2. Invoking the power of persuasion, employing clarity, and engaging the audience;

3. Making the act personal and relevant, ensuring that the performance not only boggles the mind but touches the heart and soul, too; and

4. Sharing a magical moment with the crowd and suspending disbelief.

Image Source: bacuseventos.com

It is the goal of a mentalist to create an experience that the audience remembers for a long time. Just as magicians undergo intense preparations for a compelling show, mentalists, too, spend years of training to understand fully the workings of the human mind.  

Robert Channing is a world-renowned psychic entertainer and mentalist. Check out this website for Mr. Channing shows and performances.