Can you think a thought that isn’t yours? A remarkable new study, led by psychologist Jay Olsonfrom McGill University in Canada, suggests you can.
The research, published in Consciousness and Cognition, used a form of stage magic known as “mentalism” to induce the experience of thoughts being inserted into the minds of volunteers. It is an ingenious study, not only for how it created the experience, but also for how it used the psychology lab as both a stage prop and a scientific tool.
Years before he was famous, stage illusionist Derren Brown wrote a book called “Pure Effect,” where he argued that presenting tricks as “psychology” could be an effective form of misdirection.
In his innovative shows, Brown often claims he is debunking psychics by demonstrating how psychology can be used to manipulate people’s minds. In practice, his mind-reading and mind control feats can involve the same traditional techniques used by stage magicians, it’s just that he presents them as psychology rather than magic. Read More…
Ever since I obtained my Master’s degree in marriage and family therapy and studied communication theory, I’ve been fascinated by how we communicate and, in particular, how much information we share through our body language that we don’t realize we’re revealing. So when my son and I saw Oz Pearlman working his mentalist magic on America’s Got Talent, we both were deeply intrigued.
Dubbed as “The Wall Street Mentalist” by CNBC’s Squawk Box, Oz Pearlman is one of the busiest performing mentalists in the world, impressing major figures of Wall Street including Jeffrey Immelt, chairman and CEO of General Electric, who said of Pearlman, “He just turned one dollar bills into hundreds…amazing!” After several years working on Wall Street, Oz decided to pursue his dream and became a full time entertainer, entertaining audiences with his mind reading abilities and fascinating sleight of hand for over two decades. His numerous television appearances include NBC’s Late Night with Jimmy Fallon, The Today Show, CBS’s Early Show and ABC’s World News Tonight just to name a few. Recently, he dazzled television audiences nationwide as a favorite and finalist on America’s Got Talent.
See for yourself. Here’s a glimpse of Oz’s mentalist and magic abilities: Read more….
WASHINGTON, Nov. 16, 2015 /PRNewswire/ – Whether it’s called clairvoyance, extra-sensory perception or mentalism, is it a real power or just a trick?
In “State Of Mind: The Man Who Knows Reveals The Secrets Of Mind Over Matter” (CFBP Bestsellers, Oct. 30, 2015), Washington DC-based author, lecturer and television mentalist Alain Nu says that our minds possess amazing powers that can actually project and predict the future and truly read other people’s minds.
He backs up his claims not only with his own real-life experiences as an international man of mystery, but also with the latest compelling research on mind over matter.
Wrapping mentalism into history, science and skepticism, Nu offers readers a substantial menu of ways to engage the mind’s potential to make the impossible possible.
“While magic focuses on impossibilities, mentalism demonstrates the mind’s amazing potential to achieve the impossible,” says Nu.
Nu also opens the door to ancient mystical knowledge to introduce readers to another form of understanding human potential. Plus, the author offers readers an opportunity to explore mysterious powers and prove to themselves the possibilities of an invisible cosmic connection.
“Exploring this connection with an open state of mind will bring more energy, balance and even surprising fortune into your life,” says Nu.
From the paranormal world to the scientific community, “State Of Mind” has attracted favorable reviews:
Internationally renowned psychic entertainer Uri Geller said, “Alain Nu’s State Of Mind is a fascinating book that will open the secret caves of your mind to reveal how one can actually use mental powers to astonish and entertain anyone. I highly recommend this book.”
Col. John B. Alexander, U. S. Army (Ret.), the paranormalist featured in “The Men Who Stare At Goats,” said, “What if it’s real? State of Mind is a must-read for any inquisitive soul who has ever experienced a psychic event or questioned the limits of reality. Oh yes, sometimes it is real!”
John L. Peterson, founder & president of The Arlington Institute, a global futurist think tank, said, “State Of Mind is a real tour de force that convinces one that there are powers within us that would allow anyone to do miracles.”
Dr. Richard Restak, author, neurologist, neuroscientist, and professor at George Washington University School of Medicine and Health Sciences, said, “This book provides a rare insight into a truly innovative and creative thinker and performer.”
Alain Nu is known for his uncanny paranormal demonstrations on the TLC television specials “The Mysterious World Of Alain Nu” and in his live performances from the DC social circuit to the Las Vegas Strip. A lecturer on “The ESP in Espionage” at the International Spy Museum, Nu is also the author of “Picture Your ESP: Reveal Your Hidden Powers With The Nu ESP Test” (ISBN: 978-0984208524).
“State Of Mind” by Alain Nu (ISBN 978-0984208562) is available in bookstores nationwide and on Amazon in paperback and Kindle editions.
