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funsway Inner circle old things in new ways - new things in old ways 9982 Posts |
There are many past threads on "am I a magician" -- some amusing and some less so,
Each proclaimed Mentalist has an answer for other Mentalists. But, what do you say when asked by a spectator? You open a slip of paper written by a spectator with the objective of identifying who wrote it -- a form of mind reading. Perhaps you allow a pendulum to reveal the answer. But, the slip contains the question, "are you a magician?" What do you say? Saying, "No, I am a Mentalist" isn't going to fly. ,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,, yesterday I received three different post asking if I considered myself to be a magician, two from professed Mentalists and one "coin worker" confused by finding me posting on this forum. to stimulate some thinking I offer this piece written to answer the same question from a friend wondering why I "played around with magic?" Yes, I am a magician … I have an exciting day ahead, one filled with magic at every turn – at least events that were once considered impossible or magic or astonishing. Tasks seem to be less work somehow if I look for the awe and wonder and whistle to a god unknown. The lazy sun must be coaxed above the hill with song and dance – perhaps viewed by others as unlocking the rusty gate and kicking leaves aside … I will walk the garden plot around before kneeling reverently in the soil to teach some bulbs to grow, and ask the berry stalks if they need pruning … There’s a tub of gristed grain, dew, sugar and yeast working on transforming into something grand that must be tamed a bit – and a grab of “sour” hid aside for later quickening … Think I’ll practice a bit of Zen Archery before breakfast … Neighbor Joel will stop by with his nine-foot saw for sharpening while he tends to my axes – each requiring a different skill and mind-set and rhythm. Then together we will fell that ancient poplar that told me its time has come … I’ll do some sleight of hand magic for his kids after they clean the chicken tractor and teach the eldest a new effect after he has shown me how he mastered the last … My Lady will have a picnic prepared and we will lie on forgiving grass by the stream and let the gurgling laughter mask our sighs … I must prepare a gourmet meal for some guests and set the fire for gathering about for story and song … I’ll introduce them to a Radial Pendulum that five of us can hold and find out what’s been bothering Andy – maybe take him aside for Casting some Fairie Sticks … Before settling down from weary I’ll tell the mule what will come on the morrow so that he can ponder his willingness and plot his silly games – and then show him a picture of a coyote rumored to be near by … Then I’ll set my Twisty-Stick near the door in case I have to warn the lightning away – leastwise its never come close when I care … and then I will take her hand in cherish and ascend the stairs once more and ever … Simple stuff – just doing what no other ever has and being what has never been …
"the more one pretends at magic, the more awe and wonder will be found in real life." Arnold Furst
eBooks at https://www.lybrary.com/ken-muller-m-579928.html questions at ken@eversway.com |
B. Morrison Regular user 109 Posts |
I'm fortunate in that the truthful answer is "My parents got me a magic set for Christmas when I was 10, and I thought I was a magician for two years until adolescence set in. Although I've always found the subject fascinating, I haven't performed magic since I was 12 years old."
For those who can't say that, or don't want to -- heavens! -- deceive, the following might be of interest. Recently I've been reading Robert Neale's book, "The Magic of Celebrating Illusion". The opening sentences of Chapter 2 are classic Neale: "I am a magician ... and so are you. We are all magicians -- illusionists -- who survive, take pleasure, and find meaning in life by means of the illusions we create. I am writing to persuade you that magic runs rampant in our lives and that this is a good thing." |
Doc_Z Loyal user New York, NY 229 Posts |
Quote:
On 2014-02-06 16:19, B. Morrison wrote: That's beautiful! |
MagisterFreud Regular user The 18 135 Posts |
"I prefer to call myself a mystic. A mystic uses various techniques to create alterations in consciousness and perception. I like the term because it describes my experience without promoting one particular interpretation of the universe."
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B. Morrison Regular user 109 Posts |
Although I doubt I would use the term myself, I think it's worth examining the concept of the shaman when considering one's public persona, especialy if you use any techniques of deception in your work.
The shaman shows up in just about every culture in the world, and plays a vital role in the material and spiritual health of the community, and receives a good deal of status as a result. One of the aspects of the shaman's role that has always interested me is their use of trickery to achieve the desired outcome. Well, duh, you might say -- of course they use trickery. What fascinates me is that in many cases, other members of the community *know* the shaman is using trickery, and *don't care* ... they just accept it as the way the shaman works, but in no way does it diminish the shaman's position in the social order. There is, perhaps, a lesson for us here in that regardless of whether we're performing Cups and Balls or Fourth Dimensional Telepathy, our audience knows -- on some level -- that we, like the shaman, are doing something that's not exactly kosher, but in the interest of taking part in the ritual of magical/psychic experience, they don't care: the ritual is the focus of primary concern, and the methods used to conduct the ritual are secondary. So, applying this approach, one could say, "I am more of a shaman than a magician, someone who is willing and able to use whatever means necessary -- including physical, mental and spiritual techniques -- to perform the ritual and bring it to a succussful conclusion." |
funsway Inner circle old things in new ways - new things in old ways 9982 Posts |
Thanks, "B"
expanded thoughts prompted by your words ... Other Than You don’t have to be disabled to be a magician, but it helps. But, let’s use “other than able” to avoid stereotyping. However you chose to define magic, it is “other than” too – other than science, other than predictable and other than rational cause. “Being able” is relative to culture, setting, objectives and expectations. As a play on words, most people accept “able” being defined by “others.” Regardless, a few individuals are not content with “able” as a limitation of what might be achieved in life. They look beyond what is “practical” into a realm of conceptualization. They accept that events occur that have no ready explanation – and follow. These are the magicians. The term “impossible” is often applied to such events as if that explains anything at all. For most no further explanation is required – the event is just filed away with other “weird stuff.” The magician, desiring to be “more than able,” assesses the event as being “not possible,” “non-possible,” “highly improbable,” a fabrication,” or faulty perception. Such thinking prepares the magician to experience more impossible events – possibly even attract them. The hidden benefit is a deeper understanding of how people think and make decisions. This “secret” has historically been used to manipulate and control people, fleece them out of funds, or entertain them by pretending to control the impossible. In fairness, let’s call them “leaders,” “marketers,” and “performing magicians.” Each of these types of magicians hone their skills by pretending to be able to control the impossible. It is too simplistic to claim that just by pretending to control the impossible you can change your life in positive ways. However, if you keep on doing what you have always done you cannot expect positive change. You must do something “other than” what you do now, and certainly “other than” what other people think you should do. It starts by questioning what you currently consider impossible. What limitations in your life are real and which are based on faulty perceptions? What is the other right answer? The more that you are considered “less than able” by others, the greater the opportunities to be “more than able” in comparison. Isn’t magic great? There is another option for a magician – one going back to its Shamanic roots. You can choose to use your knowledge of challenging the impossible to help others, often invisibly. The perceptual barriers to friend’s empowerment may be subtly changed by example and story. Any demonstration that something considered impossible can be overcome is magical and infectious in its ability to inspire others to be more than able. This was once the way of the wizard before Hollywood confused it with sorcery and pseudo-science. The key is to provide such assistance with no expectation of reward or recognition. It is said that flowers grow where a wizard passes – aye, in the hearts and minds of those who dream and yearn of something other than.
"the more one pretends at magic, the more awe and wonder will be found in real life." Arnold Furst
eBooks at https://www.lybrary.com/ken-muller-m-579928.html questions at ken@eversway.com |
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