Well, for some of us Magic has been a bit more than a Past time... more along the lines of a full time job
Using "magic" as a teaching tool is actually one of the older and better known modes by which it has been practiced. Even in the more ancient temples and "mystery schools" the art of illusion was used as a vehicle by which to convey certain parables or ideas. Sometimes that idea might be just what we've been dancing with here... learning to not believe everything you see and hear. Then too, along that same point of thought, is learning to see the same thing from multiple points of view. Let's face it, one's fascination of the Asrah Levitation shifts dramatically when viewing it from the wings or overhead flies... your sense of amazement comes from an entirely different place and yet, the magic remains "real". Too, we become even more enchanted when a performer employs a variation to the effect that throws us completely off track...
and you guys thought there was no such thing as "magick"?
Responsibility is a very interesting thing to bring up, including the idea of what "my" responsibility is to my community when I perform things in a certain way. How am I representing my craft? How am I serving as part of that community? What obligations do I have that go beyond my own dreams and ambitions as a performer?
I'll go first...
Because I consciously choose to work within the older, more established prefexes of Mentalism I do have certain obligations or "responsibilities" to the people that come to me; the biggest of which is to help them in a manner that is the most empowering (for them). To accomplish this, I help the sitter see the various things going on in their life and help them see for themselves (and express it outwardly) what needs to be "corrected" and why. I then give them some options, which frequently include some form of "professional counseling" should the issue(s) warrant such. The "selection of options" will include some light reading of material that will encourage the client to look deeper at his/her self... you see, they can't "heal" their issues until they face those personal demons they strive to avoid and there are many paths that lead to that particular destination... or so the old master's used to say.
In doing this kind of quiet, simple task I am helping improve my community situation, which is another side of my "job". But attached to this is presenting information to the public when and however I can, so that they become a bit more aware of the dangers and pit-falls that really do exist in our world. My more recent chats and even show patter, have made reference to the current investigation of a Psychic facing Larceny charges and why. I want to bring this kind of story out, not because I want to insult my patrons (most of whom believe in such things) but so they can understand how people like this hurt everyone.
I also do talks (absolutely free) to local high schools, college groups and seniors homes about con-games in general as well as how to identify a potential scam or, what most would term to be "potentially dangerous cult situation"... living in a place surrounded by 5 major colleges and a military base makes you fertile territory for such things. But, at the same time, I do no insult people's beliefs nor do I challenge them by stating in a cold and heartless manner "that it's all fake"... such crassness isn't exactly good for public relations and it tends to lead people to believe you don't care about them at all, just their money. Which brings me to another point of responsibility... taking care of me.
The more that I give and share with my community, the more I get in return. I'm not talking about networking or all those buzz terms we hear so much about, I'm talking about how my work and my contributions are a part of my therapy and what keeps me from going completely bonkers.
Because I'm known in town as a Psychic and rather well read student of philosophy many people call upon me for this or that... people that I tend to WITHOUT my hand out seeking payment. But this is part of my "responsibility" in what I do... part of my "job" as it were, when it comes to helping rather than harming and healing those that have come to know harm or loss, be it from a person like that recently defrocked medium (mentioned above) or the lack-luster husband that just got through beating the c*** (not the best) out of your the 100th time.
I am responsible for that handful of young people I work with daily, in the battle against their addictions and I'm responsible for helping discourage their dealers from dealing in my area.
I know this isn't exactly what Paul was driving at, but I wanted to take this "theme" to reveal what all is really involved when someone walks the older, more true paths of Mentalism vs. this recent and rather "American" (and slightly Brit) idea that it all has to be about "Entertainment" or it's "wrong". As I was reminded earlier today, that's strictly a western culture contrivance that's surfaced in recent years, it has nothing to do with the traditions of the craft or how the world views such things -- just the arrogance of westerner's on a new course of conquest. But this brings up the flip side to the question of Responsibility...
Who is responsible for the person that blows their brains out or kills their entired family becasue some jackass convinced them that their guru was a fraud and they were fools?
Yes, it has and does happen. The tail spins created by the less than thoughtful is the side of the story you will rarely hear about. It's intentionally "ignored" and swept under the carpet... kind of like all the pro-life types that don't want someone to have an abortion but yet, they'll bitch about their taxes going up so as to take care of those unwanted kids who become wards of the state and potentially criminals, etc.
The dominos will fall and we are responsible when it comes to when, where and how... or have we forgotten about the most rudimentary law of physics?... something about every action and the reaction?
One of my favorite movies is DOGMA and one of my favorite scenes is where Matt Damen is explaining the gospel based on the Beatles, etc. He destroys the faith of a nun and laughs about it. He does not assume any responsibility for the fact that she has lost her sense of purpose and all understanding of her values, morals, etc. He just got his jollies breaking it all down and shattering her perceptions.
So where does your responsibility fit in, after you've convinced someone to denounce any and all things mystical, spiritual, et al.? Are you responsible for their falling into a darker course in life instead of walking a path that is reasonably moral and up-standing? After all, you've removed from them their supporting reason for living in a "higher mind" kind of way, if we're nothing more than worm food then what the heck, let's become perverts, drunks and theives and enjoy life to the hilt... do as you will!
Sounds extreme, eh?
BUT PEOPLE DO IT...
You say that it's not your fault, it is that person that is enacting their own free will.
But YOU took away that free will.. you removed from their choices, the one they had embraced, supposedly to help them and to protect them. So it is YOU and you alone that are responsible for what each of these people do, that you have helped see "the light" and get away from those pesky ideas found within the whole of religion, mysticism, the paranormal, and philosophy. You took it upon yourself to become their new priests and guru when you robbed from them, the fabric that was holding them together in the first place.
Paul's analogy of eating an elephant is where we find the mid-point around this issue; the act of slowly spoon feeding people concepts and possibilities in a manner that allows them to "discover" things on their own. Trying to force people to see things or believe things in one way or another NEVER works in the long run... just look at those that are forced to live in a staunch religious environment or other forms of suppression; contempt is built and utlimately, revolution. But, when people slowly embrace a concept and that idea is allowed to blend in a natural way with the older ways of seeing and doing things, that is when we find progress and resolution around a given point, regardless of what it may be. It is also in this process that the negative karmic obligations noted above, are removed from the burden of the teacher or acting sage that used the bludgeon and fear tactics for getting their point across. Discovery and justification of an idea within one's own mind makes it a personal "law" and thus, the responsibility of the one that "owns" that decision.
Some of you may not like the idea that the majority of those who have been involved with mentalism for the past 20+ years have and do, do Readings. Some of you want to be part of the current "politically correct" trend of bashing psychics and anything that might even have hint of ectoplasmic smell to it. But what is your responsibility after you've done "your thing"?
I and my fellows embrace responsibility in what we do. We look out for our patrons as well as our fellow citizens. Most of us, in some way, convey suspicions to the right authorities when our hackles are raised or we are asked about certain operators in our area. We do our best to educate the public we serve while preserving their right to their beliefs... after all, we are responsible for any sense of harm or infringement we may impose on those that have entrusted us.
As a person living with a chronic illness who just happens to be a showman of many years, I have other responsibilities as well; like proving to those who feel the world has taken a big dump on them, that life does not end with such a diagnosis and the only limits that exist for us are in our own mind and sense of resource. I am obliged to drop kick these people in the rubber parts and get them to see that their lives mean something and they must learn to rediscover their "faith". Sorry if you think it wrong to do so, but I'll use just about any non-invasive tactic I can to light that fire in that I dont' want to see any of my fellows who are living with a disability to take that darker, more dangerous path.
I am seen by most that know me as being a man of wise character, compassion and actual integrity. I find it hard to believe that someone with such a reputation can be as "in the wrong" as some of you would imply, simply because I do Readings. Ironically, this is the reputation of most of the people I know that walk this tight rope between the shut-eye and show biz arenas e.g. I believe someone needs to be responsible for rethinking what rhetoric they buy into and consider a broader sense of teh over all case.
