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Greetings Magic Folk my name is Mike, I'm hoping to learn and study Mentalism and would like a little help. I have never done any magic nor have I ever had much of an interest in learning it, I enjoy watching it and have been very intrigued by the Likes of Derren Brown and Dynamo. But for different reasons than you may think, I suffer from panic attacks and anxiety and I've tried most things to help ( herbal medicines, hypntherapy, pyschologists, psychiatrists, NLP, chakra points, ) and yet they still persist. I want to take as much control over my own mind and thoughts as I can, then maybe learn to take control of others. I'm a member of a bonsai forum and this has really helped my bonsai skills so my first point of call is another forum on Magic/Mentalism. Other than your own help I would also really appreciate some good literature to start with, any books you may know of would be great. Now I may be barking up the wrong tree here with it all but I think having a certain amount of control over your own mind is a very good step forward. Thanks for your time and patience in advance and I apologise in advance for my lack of input into the forum other than to pillage some information. If anyone needs any help with home DIY, painting, bonsais or kayaking I would gladly repay you in the future help given with that because as of now I'm a complete newbie.

Hi, and welcome to TM, Mike.

13 Steps is the bible for mentalism.

Cheers Ste, I shall have a look

Actually found the review section in here whilst googling the book, my apologies for not looking around first. Got it for 35 squid ( not figured out how to change my keyboard into UK form US yet ). Think it may be a good investment. Thanks again

Ok, let me point out as a fellow sufferer of these conditions, that you really can't overcome them but you can tame them. I'm on a couple of different psych meds that help (Lexapro & Buspar) but the real secret to it. . . at least for me, has been a kind of self-hypnosis in which I reassure myself that all is well and "I Can Do It" -- do consider that I've been on stage for most of the past 40 years and I'm by no means "alone" when it comes to such things, an amazingly large number of major performers (not just magic) have near crippling bouts with Anxiety-Depression issues and we won't even go into "Self-Doubt" in that it seems to plague the majority of those with an artistic drive regardless the field.

When it comes to mentalism however, you do have reference to the first book most are referred to. Not to blow my own horn but here's another you may wish to spend some time with as well, in that it will clear up some of the confusion you will undoubtedly find yourself in when it comes to this particular field.

http://www.lulu.com/product/ebook/mentalism-introduction-resource-list/15574606?productTrackingContext=author_spotlight_767346_

Nothing to do with mentalism - but have you tried EFT (Emotional Freedom Techniques)?

Thanks Craig I'll have a read, and yeah I've pretty much come to terms with the fact that I'll only ever learn to tame them. My mind runs rings round me though and it's very frustrating not being able to control it as much as I want.

And yes MOTM my hypnotist used to make me do EFT every time before our sessions, Never found them much use really. I never really felt " hypnotised " as such, but there was one very surreal experience when I was sort of " under " when I was told to imagine a very large mirror and tell him what I saw and there was me in it and I came out and hugged my self and whispered everything was going to be ok. It was very emotional.

Thanks for the input guys

OddThomas wrote:Thanks Craig I'll have a read, and yeah I've pretty much come to terms with the fact that I'll only ever learn to tame them. My mind runs rings round me though and it's very frustrating not being able to control it as much as I want.

And yes MOTM my hypnotist used to make me do EFT every time before our sessions, Never found them much use really. I never really felt " hypnotised " as such, but there was one very surreal experience when I was sort of " under " when I was told to imagine a very large mirror and tell him what I saw and there was me in it and I came out and hugged my self and whispered everything was going to be ok. It was very emotional.

Thanks for the input guys

Hypnosis can be quite underwhelming especially when it is self-induced. My preferred method is to pre-record the induction and information I want reinforced and then sit back, relax and play it. Frequently I'll have recordings set to repeat but only starting about an hour into my normal sleep period, this way it actually has a more direct link to the subconscious, which is where the real work happens.

Repetition is the key to this type of thing, the more you affirm the qualities you want in your life and persona and visualize them, the more likely they will take hold. This is why so much New Age type thinking is effective, it reinforces the feelings, ideas and self-perspective we all want and so it becomes far easier to accept an Affirmation and to walk through the visualizations in which we purge ourselves of the negative so as to make room for the positive. The real problem is, when you are part of the magic & psych worlds you tend to know too much about the mechanics (the psychological reasoning behind what makes it work) and so you doubt the process and throw up barriers. . . basically, we make our minds up that "this wont work because. . ." or simply the fact that we look at such things as being a "trick" vs. trusting the process and just going with the proverbial flow.

The trick is to relax, let go of your hesitation and preconceived ideas, and invoke your imagination (like you did with the mirror thing). It's best known as "Mental Projection" which, if you are to buy into the more mystical explanations to things, is the first phase towards developing true Astral Projection and even Bi-Location ability. . . but that's another story altogether.

Book arrived today, very excited. Although I'm sure amazon mentioned it was second hand yet the book looks brand new and covered in cellophane. Regardless I'm pleased anyway and will have a look. I'm busy reading Fastforward at the minute and having a good debate with a friend on whether we have " free will " or not.

You cannot necessarily stop these reactions from happening but the best you can do is control them through experience and practicing in front of mirror which always helps me!
As for mentalism I found mentalism for dummies a Great place to begin, but 13 steps -corinda the bible of mentalism is best place to start off your journey to mentalismism.