ParaLabs - Sense and Meaning

I'm going to post this in a few spots as I don't want anyone to miss what I think is one of the best books out in a long time. Knowing most mentalists spend most of their time here....

I recently received (as a gift) a copy of the lecture notes that Ranier Mees and Thomas Heine sold after their lecture at PSYCRETS 2012. Calling these lecture notes, or even a booklet, doesn’t do “Sense And Meaning” justice.

97 pages long and obviously a lot of time and expense went into the layout, cover and binding. It is a very nice looking book, in keeping in style with their earlier releases.

Of course a books value shouldn’t be judged by its length or looks but by its content. And as we’ve come to expect from the men from ParaLabs, this is content of the highest quality !

Obviously Ranier and Thomas explore the implications of sense and meaning in mentalism. They share their ideas on creating emotionally vibrant experiences via their “sequences.” Sequence is what most of us would call an effect/trick/experiment/feat but their term is very appealing to me.

Ranier and Thomas know quite a bit about language and how the brain functions and consistently work this knowledge into their sequences. Their applications for applying evidence of a particular kind of brain functioning to selecting the best participant are stunning. This isn’t a linear “are you creative or logical” but something far more subtle.

In their hands, language becomes a method in itself. While there are some similarities this is different from Kenton Kneppers work in this area.

They share their “targets” for presentation which are essentially the themes they apply to each sequence. One sequence might tap into self-awareness, another into astonishment while yet another deals with dismay and consternation.

Don’t worry, your audiences won’t leave dismayed; the target is a means to a positive ending (if that is what you want). Each target is explored in detail including effects that illustrate its theme.

My favorite part of the book is what Ranier and Thomas call ParaLogue and is their opening sequence. Considering they still regularly use this, I’m shocked they were so generous to include it in so much detail.

Obviously I can’t tip it but the impact on the audience is that they are hearing your thoughts in their minds. No props, appropriate for audiences from 1 to 1000 and all the other “bathing suit” clichés are absolutely true here.

ParaLogue is perfect for many venues and purposes. It is a true “mentalistic” opener (as they like to call some of their work) but by no means is resticted to this position. When I read the denouement, I was grinning from ear to ear. It is actually a 2 tiered conclusion, the second taking a powerful and unexpected turn from the first. Thank you so much for sharing this with us, Thomas and Ranier!

The Magic Shard Tree is taught in detail. I believe this is in Neal Scryer and Friends as well. I don’t know if there are any differences but readers of that book know the strength and intimacy that Thomas and Ranier evoke in their work.

There is a bonus section titled “Rashomon Readings.” Another brilliant sequence, this time allowing you to incorporate methods we associate with the Hoy Book Test, to reading the minds of audience members.

I don’t want to go on about each and every effect (though I’m pretty close ). The greatest value in Sense And Meaning isn’t the individual effects (as near perfect as they may be) but the ways of thinking Ranier and Thomas teach us.

The unique talents of these two gentlemen has been more and more evident with each item and book they’ve released. Inside Sense And Meaning, everything comes together and provides knowledge and inspiration that we can all benefit from. Bravo, Thomas and Ranier!