Jeff McBlog

“Let me not pray to be sheltered from dangers, but to be fearless in facing them. Let me not beg for the stilling of my pain, but for the heart to conquer it.”
~ Rabindranath Tagore

Dear Friends:

We are fortunate today to have a few words from our friend and Dean of the Magic & Mystery School, Eugene Burger. Enjoy!

TURNING OUR EXCITEMENT INTO A DEMON

Eugene Burger

During the course of a year I do a great deal of traveling which, happily, I still greatly enjoy. Recently I was in Jacksonville, Florida, where I gave a lecture and conducted a small seminar. Secretly, my reason for the trip was to spend time with my friend Simone Marron who not only set up my appearances in Jacksonville but also arranged for me to give additional talks in Miami for her friend, Maria Ibanez. Maria, in turn, engaged me to perform at their annual SAM Banquet and, to my deep gratitude, also arranged a visit to a place I have always wanted to see: the most mysterious Coral Castle. It did not disappoint.

After my time in Florida, I came home for a few days and then left again — this time for Tulsa, Oklahoma, with my friends magician Robert Charles and Mike Burke, where I gave two talks for my friend, Steve Lancaster who owns Top Hat Magic. During the course of the small seminars I ask the participants to write down questions or topics they would like to discuss. Not surprisingly, questions are often repeated in the different cities because magicians, if they think about it, have some basic questions that need attention. And sometimes the very way in which the question or topic is expressed tells us a great deal about our presuppositions which often diminish our success.

As I read through the topics submitted at the Tulsa seminar, one instantly made me stop. It said simply, “Conquering nerves before a performance.”

Short and direct. It is an issue that both Jeff and I are asked about repeatedly — in country after country. Put as a question: How shall we conquer our nerves before our performances?

Stated as a question, of course, this is not unique to magicians. It is a question that many, many individuals who must present anything before a group of people would like to have answered. “Nerves” before a performance, as the writer expressed it, are not unique to magicians.

Seeing the universality of this subject for anyone who must speak or sing or dance in front of others, I repeat: How shall we “conquer our nerves before a performance?” Here, in this brief space, I will offer not so much an answer to this question as suggest some questions that may help us deal with this situation.

To answer this question, most crucially, do you see that the very way the question is raised (“How can I conquer my fears before a performance?”) colors — and perhaps even determines — how we might respond to it? The form of the question itself limits and influences my response.

Allow me to make three brief points here.

First, let’s talk about “nerves” or whatever it is that we want to conquer. It is called by many names. Some have called it “stage fright.” One magician I spoke with referred to his “terror of performing” and another spoke of his “fear of being in front of an audience.” There are many terms that can be used to refer to this “nervousness” before a performance. My point is simply that what I call it will in large measure determine the kind of “battle” I will need to wage. Calling it “my terror of performing,” for example, creates a rather impressive demon against which I must then wage this psychological war.

Personally, I choose to call this state “inner excitement” and I think it is a good thing and not something over which to wage a war. I experience this inner excitement because I want to do a good job. I want to give an excellent performance, and because of this, there is an inner excitement that keeps me alert and awake and ready to go.

If I didn’t have this inner excitement before a show, I think I would be a poorer performer. And I think you would be a poorer performer without it as well. A good part of our inner excitement, then, is related to our desire to be really good magicians.

Second, let’s step back a bit and ask ourselves why our aim is to “conquer” this feeling of inner excitement? In general, we all seem so intent on conquering things — and often they are things over which we have very little control. Think of some of the things we typically speak of “conquering.” We want to conquer space, nature, unbelief, anxiety, depression and, in large measure, each other. The opposite attitude to this desire to conquer things is have a relationship with them based upon respect and perhaps even friendship.

Before a performance, can I make friends with my sense of inner excitement?

Let me summarize the two points I have been making:

First, are my words — the way with which I describe this state — transforming my inner excitement into a demon that terrorizes me? “Inner excitement” seems to me to be manageable state. On the other hand, using words like “fear,” “terror” or “stage fright” seem far less manageable and even threatening. These words can become virtual demons to torment me.

Second, why do I think I need to conquer everything or wage some kind of inner war or battle with my feelings?

I think these are two questions that anyone who gives presentations in front of others would do well to contemplate.

Finally, I would be remiss if I did not add a third point. If I am supposed to give any type of presentation — and if I am not prepared — perhaps I should be nervous. And nervous in the worst demonic sense of that word! If I am not adequately prepared and rehearsed, if I did not do my homework, fear and terror might indeed be the most realistic and honest responses I can have.

Thanks, Eugene! I find I always learn something from Eugene’s talks, and that I’m really looking forward to spending a week with him in Las Vegas this month. As luck would have it – it is not too late for you to decide to join us. We still have two slots left before that class is filled, and if you go to www.magicalwisdom.com right now, you could get one of them. It promises to be a great week, with Jeff, Eugene, Bryce Kuhlman, Larry Hass & myself, and visits to Mac King, Paul Vigil and The Wonderground…and that’s just the “highlight reel.”

A bit further down the road, but also timely, is our course for Career Enhancement, scheduled for September 17-25 — a serious 9 days of work in learning to build a strong business and career in magic. Not for everyone…but if it is for you, we can pretty much guarantee that the week will change your life for the better. Building systems, creating strong, consistent marketing, making sure your act is up to snuff, and much more. Much more than a transmission of information, the class is designed as a complete experience that will change the way you think and behave in order to become the full-time successful professional you want to be. We will only do the class if we have 10 people registered by the end of March, though, and at present, there are only 5. So…If you’re ready to make a serious investment in your future as a professional magician – now is the time to act.

http://www.magicalwisdom.com/events/view/446

That’s it for now. We look forward to seeing you on McBridemagic.tv, in our Locked Room sessions, and “Live in Las Vegas,” soon!

Best to all,

Tobias Beckwith

tobias@yourmagic.com

Hola! Jeff here in Bogota, Colombia!

I have been touring and doing my shows in South America in theaters and on the streets! One of the joys of travel is meeting other interesting magicians and getting them to be guests on our web-TV show.

The recent topic: Street magic around the world

See this new episode, featuring some street magic direct from Bogota.

“Art is magic delivered from the lie of being truth.”
— Theodor Adorno

What is artistry? What makes an artist?

A few thoughts by Henry Miller:

But there is a class of hardy men, old-fashioned enough to have remained rugged individuals, openly contemptuous of the trend, passionately devoted to their work, impossible to bribe or seduce, working long hours, often without reward or fame, who are motivated by a common impulse – the joy of doing as they please. At some point along the way, they separated from the others.

The men I speak of can be detected at a glance: their countenance registers something far more vital, far more effective, than the lust for power. They do not seek to dominate, but to realize themselves. They operate from a center which is at rest. They evolve, they grow, they give nourishment just by being what they are, To live beyond the pale, to work for the pleasure of working, to grow old gracefully while retaining one’s faculties, one’s enthusiasm, one’s self-respect, one has to establish other values than those endorsed by the mob. It takes an artist to make a breach in the wall.

An artist is primarily one who has faith in himself. He does not respond to the normal stimuli: he is neither a drudge nor a parasite. He lives to express himself and in so doing enriches the world. (H.M.)

What is “artistry?” and what is it that makes the difference between an “entertainer” and an “artist?”

We will explore this next Monday on the show. I have been collecting interviews from illuminated magicians on my travels. You can experience the reflections of master magicians on the upcoming show and listen to their words of wisdom and experience. Join Tobias Beckwith, George Parker, Bryce Kuhlman and the faculty and friends of our Mystery School for an evening of Artistry and Wisdom.

Remember, “Monday is a school night!” – Monday, Feb 13 at 7PM PST.

“Art is magic… But how is it magic? In its metaphysical development? Or does some final transformation culminate in a magic reality? In truth, the latter is impossible without the former. If creation is not magic, the outcome cannot be magic.”
— Hans Hofmann

Wonderground – February 16

Tim Wise hosts the 8pm comedy magic show.

Christian Diamond will host the 9pm close-up gala show

DJ Shinobi spins the deep chill out grooves

Abbi will host the 10 pm “stage extravaganza!”

DJ Shinobi (aka Leo Diaz)

Tim Wise

For details, directions and the full line up of amazing talent, go to: www.vegaswonderground.com

This month Scott Steelfyre will help Tim and Christian stream the show live on

www.mcbridemagic.tv. We will go live at 9pm Pacific/Vegas time.

“The art of art, the glory of expression, and the sunshine of the light of letters, is simplicity.”
— WALT WHITMAN, Preface to Leaves of Grass

From Tobias:

Jeff is still in South America as I write this, but will soon be back in the US. For those of you in the Chicago area, be sure to catch him when he is there for a special McBride Magic Experience, hosted by the Aces Magic Club. Our good friend Bill Cook is president there, and we’re looking forward to a fantastic weekend put on by Bill and the great team working with him. Learn more at http://tinyurl.com/mcbride-chi. Be sure and sign up early for show, lecture and workshop.

Then, April will be another “convention month,” as he returns to Hank Lee’s Cape Cod Conclave. One of the highlights of that weekend will be the special 4-hour workshop Jeff conducts on the last day. Learn more at

Finally, Jeff will be traveling to Italy for the 11th Saint-Vincent Magic Convention, taking place from April 19 to April 22 2012. He will be joined there by an allstar line-up including Juan Tamariz, René Lavand, The Great Tomsoni, Xavier Mortimer, Dean Gunnarson, Fielding West, Eric Jones, Danny Cole, Andrew Mayne, Mark Mason, Dani Da Ortiz and more. The program is packed full: 11 lectures, 5 Gala Shows, 2 International Contests, 5 Workshops, the escape day, street-magic shows, parties and after-nights. Again, Jeff is offering his special Super Session workshop. Learn more here.

For more information contact: news@mastersofmagic.it or +39348001125.

I’ve just checked, and it turns out we do still have one or two slots left for our Extended Master Class in March…but only a couple. This is the first extended class of 2012, and I’m sure it will be filled. If you’re serious about your magic, I urge you to grab one of the remaining spots now at www.magicalwisdom.com.

Until next time, then.

Magically yours,
Tobias Beckwith
tobias@yourmagic.com

Dear friends,

Our writer this month is our friend and faculty member at the Magic & Mystery School, the corporate alchemist, George Parker. If you’ve been watching Mystery School Mondays, you know we’re in for a treat. Here’s George:

Excellence

By this time, we’re all familiar with the 10,000 hours concept that was popularized by Malcolm Gladwell in his book Outliers. Gladwell is great at making interesting ideas and concepts accessible.

But he wasn’t the first one to focus on excellence and expertise. K. Anders Ericsson published his Toward a General Theory of Expertise in 1992 and came to similar conclusions. He looked at experts in different fields like medicine, performance arts, music, sports, etc. and suggested that having a talent is great and a genetic predisposition for something may be very helpful, but a lot of training and aiming to be excellent is key to become an expert.

And way, way before him, Aristotle wrote that “we are what we repeatedly do.”

I know salespeople who should be excellent communicators/listeners but they spend 80% of their time in a car. They are probably excellent drivers, but I doubt their ability to really connect with their clients.

I think we all struggle with this from time to time. We desire excellence but there are a thousand other things that distract us from practicing it. Sometimes that’s because we don’t love what we’re doing or we lack the will to be excellent. But most of the time there’s another reason: we don’t have the time.

In order to help you create time, I’m including a list of things you may want to stop doing this year.

• Stop acting like a rat. For rats there’s nothing between stimulus and response. So they will instantly answer an email when they hear the sound of their inbox. They will answer a call when their phone rings. They don’t have any planning skills at all.
• Stop mindless traditions. I’ve been to lots of family parties, weddings, birthday parties, holiday celebrations, etc. in the past. A lot of the time I was asking myself: what am I doing here? I wouldn’t hang out with these people when I met them in a bar. So why am I now? Think about it: where do you really want to be? Or where do you really need to be in order not to be rude?
• Stop reading annoying and/or trivial things. Are you really, wholeheartedly interested in how Tyra Banks washes her clothes or how George Clooney’s housekeeper likes him so much? Allow 15 minutes (or less) a day to read this kind of stuff.
• Stop doing work that’s not worth doing. Some procedures, meetings and other habits don’t help to achieve your goals. Do them differently (like Skyping instead of doing a live meeting) or stop doing them altogether.
• Stop sweating the small stuff. When something is bothering you, don’t act on it, write it down, wait 48 hours and see if still bothers you. I bet 75% of those things will have lost their urgency.

My guess is that you will create at least 400 free hours this year, but probably more. That’s a great step towards your 10,000 hours!

George Parker

Thanks, George! One of the best ways you can fill in those hours you gain back using George’s methods is certainly to fill them with practice and rehearsal. But another is to use them to come to a Master Class. We have our first extended class of the year running from March 11-17, and it is not too late to make plans to attend. There are a few slots still available, and March is a fantastic time to visit Vegas. It’s already warm, but not the super-hot that comes with summer. We’ll be seeing some great shows, and you’ll get lots of one on one attention from the full faculty. There’s no other experience in magic that comes close – so treat yourself to the one experience guaranteed to help you raise the level of your magic right now! Go to www.magicalwisdom.com and sign up for either the March class, or one of the classes later in the year.

Jeff McBride will be in South America in February, first at the Mundial de Magia, in Bogota, Colombia from February 2-12, and then at CADI – Congreso Argentino de Ilusionismo, in Buenos Aires, Argentina from February 15-19.

Just to follow up a bit of what George was writing about: I’ve traveled on many long trips with Jeff, and I can tell you he puts his airline time to good use. He always has a deck of cards and several tricks he is working on, and it is not unusual at all to see him practicing his sleight of hand skills while waiting to check in or at his seat. And if he isn’t practicing, he’s likely to be reading a book on magic.

So…thanks, George, for the excellent advice for all of us. We hope to see all of you soon – either on Mystery School Mondays (Live at 7pm PST every Monday at www.mcbridemagic.tv, or available in archived form for a full week after each web-cast in the same location), at one of our upcoming “Locked Room” sessions, or live in Las Vegas!

Best wishes for a magical February!

Tobias Beckwith

tobias@yourmagic.com

“An investment in knowledge pays the best interest.”
— Benjamin Franklin

Greetings friends,

You are invited to our celebration, as McBrideMagic.tv celebrates the beginning of our second year of online broadcasting. If you’ve not seen McBride’s Mystery School Monday, and what we’re doing online, you can watch, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week! All episodes are available on demand, at your convenience. We’re having a party to mark the occasion, and all of you are invited!

It’s a party at the Mystery School, which is broadcast on the internet! Each week, I invite all of the friends and faculty of the Mystery School for a celebration of imagination, creativity, magical performance and philosophy. Consider this your invitation to a most magical time with us. Be sure to tune in every Monday at 7pm pacific time to mcbridemagic.tv

FANTASMA Magic

Over the years, I have met many creative and passionate magicians. Perhaps the most enthusiastic Houdini fan and collector I’ve ever met is Roger Dreyer. Roger has created a magical oasis in the center of NYC. It is the home of one of the greatest magic shops in the world, and also the home of an awesome Houdini magic collection that is on display for you to see when you visit the shop!

Roger is always donating his time and energy to create extraordinary events for our magic community, both in New York and here in Las Vegas. Now, Roger is helping us bring our gifts of magic to you, all around the world, so you can watch our shows and educational magic training programs from the comfort of your own home.

We would like to welcome our friend and magical creator Roger to our team!

He is our newest sponsor on McBrideMagic.tv

Go visit the virtual shop or, even better, drop into the REAL shop when you are in New York City! Take a peek: Fantasma Magic!

“In the long run, men hit only what they aim at”
— Thoreau

As a magic teacher, it often feels like I am helping my students perfect their aim, so they can hit the bull’s eye of their target.

Target = intention

Aim = Energy + focus + regular practice. These are just some of the “pointers” to manifesting your goals… hitting your target.

What goals or targets are you setting up for yourself in 2012 my friends?

One of the maxims I live by is, “People support what they help create,” whether that is an organization, a political movement, or even a vision of a better way to perform magic. This year, consider those around you who can empower your vision of excellence, and work with you to help you achieve your goals.

New P.E.P. talks online!

Our favorite filmmaker, Jordan Wright, has posted the newest outstanding presentations from last year’s Magic and Meaning Conference. If you have watched the TED talks, you will notice that these are similar, but they deal with themes related to magic, performance, and psychology.

Magic & Meaning P.E.P. Talks

I’ve always wondered…

Why one of the simplest little magic effects in my repertoire receives the most comments and fan mail…

Ritual of Liberation!

Richard Shadwell wrote me to say:

“Your Ritual of Liberation is one of the simplest yet most powerful effects that I perform. I have done it for friends and strangers alike. One person who I did this piece for (over 2 weeks ago) saw me at one of my regular haunts, and told me that after I gave him the little bracelet, he felt like a huge weight was lifted off his shoulders and was able to work out his problem in time. Of all the effects I do, this is my number one because it goes deeper then ‘just a trick’ …this truly is a ritual. Thank you for this beautiful ritual that I know will touch many, many more lives than I can ever hope to meet.”

Do YOU perform this effect? If you do, what are your thoughts about it? If you don’t perform it, why not? Let us know at mcbridemagic.tv in the chat room… We want to know!

“I came home from Master Class infused with a wisdom and a truth that is priceless and lasting.”
—Kevin McPherson

In January, we have the only three day Master Class of 2012. Go online to see if there are still any seats available, and get yours! http://www.magicalwisdom.com

February brings me to Bogota, Colombia, and Buenos Aires, Argentina. All the info is here:

Jeff McBride’s Calendar

I will have a couple of free days while I’m there, so heads up, students in South America, if you want to have a private session with me while I’m in your city, email me directly, Jeff@mcbridemagic.com and we’ll get you scheduled!

I hope you stick to all of your New Year’s resolutions, and make this year the year that you visit us here at the Magic and Mystery School!

Your friend in magic,

Jeff

Dear Friends:

This is Tobias, writing to wish you all a very happy New Year, and bring some interesting news. But first:

This month’s Museletter is from Larry Hass, Associate Dean:

Photo credit: Arto Airaksinen

“Its Always the Beginning of the World”

Dear Friends in Magic and Mystery,

Happy New Year! This edition of the Museletter should arrive in your mailbox on the first day of 2012. This is a big deal and a beautiful thing: turning the page, a fresh start, the beginning of a new year.

If you are like me, the past few weeks have been extremely busy with a slate of holiday parties, shopping and planning, then perhaps traveling, or hosting friends and family. All of this is a pleasure, but over the years I have come to find an even deeper pleasure in making some good time during New Year’s week to think about renewal.

You see, I have never been one for New Year’s “resolutions.” That practice always seems tinged by regret, self-scolding, and stern promises that can be hard to maintain—which thus leads to further regret and scolding. Instead, I prefer to use these days to carefully meditate on my forward path in life and in magic. What would I like to experience on this journey? How can I reconnect with things that really matter to me? How can I transform a goal or a dream into something real?

In the spirit of my meditation, I would like to share some of my own practices for renewal in life and magic. I hope you find them helpful as you start 2012.

1. “What do I really need right now?” Over the years, I have found the “What do I really need” question to be very healing and helpful. It is easy to get lost in others and their needs, in duties and responsibilities. It can be restorative to ask what you really need, and what your exploration of magic really needs. Perhaps it is more time to practice, perhaps it is a script for one of your new pieces, perhaps it is time with a director or a teacher. . . . The beautiful thing about asking yourself this question, and listening to the answer, is that it usually becomes obvious how to get what you need.

2. Re-arrange and restore. I always take time around New Years to put away all the props from my December shows, to go through the piles of papers and magazines that have built up, to weed through my bookshelves and trick drawers, to put books and DVDs back on the shelves, to throw things out or give them away. For me, this just feels good. I am making room for new things and liberating myself from old ones. For me, this isn’t a “chore” or a labor. It is an opportunity to make way for my fresh start.

3. Read a great magic book; study a great DVD. Nothing is more inspirational than reading a great magic book or sinking into a worthwhile DVD set. Perhaps there are one or two you have been meaning to explore, but haven’t yet had the time to do so. Well, now is a good time! For me, I always make it a classic work—something that will be good for my soul and also good for my knowledge base.

4. How am I going to learn and grow? Education, and the growth that comes from learning, is one of the great goods in human life. Like health, learning is both “good in itself” and “good for all the consequences it brings.” (That makes it one of the highest goods according to Plato.) I have discovered that it is important to make a concrete plan for my own growth and learning in the year ahead, either through experiences, classes, or working with teachers and directors. What will you do to learn and grow in 2012?

I hope you already feel how different this renewal approach is from stern resolutions and failed promises. It is about touching base with yourself and taking stock. It is about making the time to engage in reflections and practices that will feel good and help you get what you need. It brings peace and pleasure, and it is a great thing to share and discuss with your loved ones.

One of the most dispiriting things in magic (and in modern life) is the incessant grind of information overload, the battery of our psyches at the hands of constant selling and advertising, and all the messages you are failing and lacking because you don’t own, can’t perform, or haven’t achieved this or that. This New Year season can be a special time to reconnect with yourself and your gifts, to remember, in the spirit of Gautauma, that “you are already a magic Buddha.” And to remember the deep truth articulated by Rob Brezsny (in his book Pronoia) that “it is always the beginning of the world.”

As always, Larry brings us interesting and useful thought on improving our magic. If you haven’t yet had a chance to attend one of our master classes when he is in residence, you’re certainly in for a treat!

And, speaking of classes: We have one coming up mid-January that is still has slots available. It will be the rare class taught by Jeff McBride alone, with the rest of us coming in for Q&A via Skype. But, since there ARE a few slots left, this is a great opportunity for a few students to get more intense, one-on-one attention from Jeff personally, in the context of a master class. I really can’t think of a better way to quickly “up your game” for the new year.

We’ve recently seen a spurt of growth in viewership and participation in our “Mystery School Monday” streamed broadcasts (also available 24/7 as archived material at mcbridemagic.tv). Watch this space in the coming weeks as we prepare something brand new for that fast developing branch of the Magic & Mystery School.

Finally: We’re looking for a few strong magic organizations with leaders not afraid to take on sponsorship of the “McBride Magic Experience.” As a result of Jeff’s working with George Parker recently in Amsterdam, we are currently re-thinking this event in order to make it easier for our sponsors to present, and to get students maximum exposure to Jeff’s work – as performer, lecturer and teacher. The “McBride Experience” has become one of our favorite ways to get Jeff’s work seen, and it usually takes less risk, with a far larger potential for gain, than having in a lecturer alone. Visit our page at http://tinyurl.com/mcbexperience to learn more.

That’s all for now: All of us at the McBride Magic & Mystery School send you best wishes for a very happy and successful 2012!

Tobias

tobias@yourmagic.com

Greetings from sunny Las Vegas!

Many of my best ideas started out as being completely ridiculous. Magical creations have come in flashes of inspiration — not grounded, not logical, some not even possible, but that didn’t stop me from trying. I did not know when we created Wonderground, what a hit it would be! The magic community here in Las Vegas and around the world really wanted and needed a home where they could share and celebrate their creativity.

We created it, and wow! What a ride it has been!

Now we are going into another year of shows! Many of you have seen the show in Vegas.  Others have seen the show for free, online at www.streetofcards.com.

Wonderground Celebrates 2 Years of Excellent Magic and Variety in Las Vegas

Here is an article from Las Vegas’ City Life Magazine talking about how Wonderground is one of the ultra-cool places to be in Las Vegas!

The McBride House of Mystery – Virtual Tour

If you want to look around the Mystery School, you can take a “Holiday Tour” here:

http://www.mcbridemagic.net

(Yes, this really is what our House of Mystery looks like, be sure to click around for hidden surprises!)

What Happens in Vegas…

Much of this month, I am home here in Las Vegas for the holidays with Abbi. If you need your stocking stuffed, I am here doing private sessions and some Skype sessions. Drop me an e-mail if you’d like to set up a time!

Did you read about “The Virtual Keys?” We’ve created a new way for you to get your own “Holiday Package” of my magic, available just for the next few weeks. This is a great new way to bring magic to you for the holidays.

Free Magic from the Mystery School

I have a new essay about First Impressions for you that is up on the Secret Art Journal. I will be interested in hearing your feedback when you read it!

We have almost completed a full year of our web tv show, Mystery School Monday at MCBRIDEMAGIC.TV — Yes, we have almost 50 hours of free magical teaching, insight and news waiting for you! Just go to www.mcbridemagic.tv to start watching at any time.

I’ll be on the road again in January, both here in the USA and in South America, so check the tour schedule and that will tell you where we can meet! I look forward to seeing you soon, either here in Las Vegas, or on the road!

Jeff

P.S. Special thanks to Sue West for the use of his photos (first and last) in this Museletter.

From Tobias:

Thanks to all of you who have been clicking through to the yourmagic.com catalog and buying. We’ve seen a significant up-tick in sales this past month. I suppose that’s partly due to the upcoming holidays (you did ask for magic for under the tree, didn’t you?)…but also because we have so many great products that have just become available. Chief among them are, of course, Jeff’s new Manipulation Coins and special Manipulation and Fanning Decks, and his great new DVD (and special gimmick) “Squeak Technique,” still available only through yourmagic.com.

I’m pleased to announce (finally) that I now have the “Get Your Career in Gear” class completely updated and re-formatted into 12 individual lessons, each with it’s own video introduction, and now again avialable through the Yourmagic.com shop. We’re making the first two lessons (a $59.95 value all together) available now as our gift to you. Get your free download by clicking the “Career Class” icon on the front page at http://shop.yourmagic.com. If you like the first two lessons, tell your friends. I hope some of you will decide you want other lessons or the whole course…but if not, that’s fine, too. These two lessons are designed to stand on their own, and will give you a taste of the kind of in-depth work we regularly provide for students at the McBride Magic & Mystery School.

Happy Holidays!

Tobias Beckwith

tobias@yourmagic.com

Hi all,

Bryce here.

As some of you may know, I’m one of the founders of MyLovelyAssistant.com, the internet’s largest repository of magic product reviews. Every product that gets an “official” review on our site comes through me (a couple dozen a month). I sample every DVD. I skim every book. I test out every trick.

For those of you who aren’t magicians, imagine getting a box of books or DVDs or kitchen tools from your favorite supplier every month. They’re yours to keep. All you have to do is tell the rest of the world what you think of them. Sounds cool, huh? Read on, my friends.

Luckily, I have a wonderful team of reviewers (about a dozen of them) that take on the arduous task of reviewing most of what comes in. I keep a few things for myself when they interest me or when I am the most qualified to tackle them.

These days I’m also being forced to keep more junk than I normally would. In addition to the reviews I write for the site, Jeff somehow talked me into doing a review segment every Monday night on McBrideMagic.tv. He has branded them “Kick A** Reviews.” Either the product kicks butt or needs its posterior flogged. People seem to like the hiney-kicking reviews the best, even though I take very little pleasure in ripping apart someone else’s work. But I have to give my audience what they want.

I hear from a lot of magicians that are envious of my position. I get to see all of the hot, new stuff the minute it comes out and I choose what I want to keep. It sounds like a never-ending shopping spree to them.

It’s true that I’ve learned a lot in the past decade thanks to MyLovelyAssistant. I’m still in the lead with 270 reviews. But most of the important lessons have come from the process, not the products. Here are a just a few…

The Best Magic Effect Ever!

I once wanted to write an ad that began with, “Are you waiting for someone to invent the trick that will make you a superstar?” Not gonna happen. The knives don’t make the chef. The brushes don’t make the painter. The tricks don’t make the magician.

The Tyranny of the New

There are times when I’m doing my Mystery School Monday segment and thinking to myself, “My viewers would be better off if they shut down the computer and started practicing.” Of course, I can only say this about my part of the show. The insightful and inspiring segments from my colleagues are priceless. I still can’t believe we’re not charging for this.

But, seriously, why aren’t we all working on perfecting the effects we already have instead of constantly searching for something new?

The Most Valuable Secrets are Still… Secret

We live in a hyper-connected world. Everyone has a voice and the audience can be millions. While I think this is a wonderful thing, there are pitfalls. I would guess at least thirty percent of products I receive are some “new” idea that is actually one or more of the following:

• Something old that’s been re-released, without credit or profit for the originator, and being sold by someone who hasn’t done their research.
• A half-baked idea that was cooked up in a dorm room, shot with a cell phone camera, tested on some drunk friends, and then considered “good enough” to release on a $30 one-trick DVD.
• A couple of flashy moves, deceptive only to a correctly-positioned camera and presented without context, script or premise.

I’m blessed to have spent the past two decades working with and learning from Jeff, Eugene, Tobias and all of the other professionals that are part of the Magic & Mystery School‘s extended family. What we say on the web site and in our ads is really true: The best learn from the best. While many people think that all of the secrets are readily available for free on the internet or a DVD, they’re only fooling themselves. The most important secrets are still passed directly from teacher to student, behind closed doors. The reason they’re called Master Classes is because we’re doing our best to create the next generation of Masters.

So, Santa, here’s all I want for Christmas (yes, he gets the Museletter; doesn’t everyone?):

• The continued and unwavering support of my teachers and friends at the Magic & Mystery School
• The diligence to continue spending at least 30 minutes every day working on my magic, and
• A pony.

Best wishes for a wonderful holiday season,
Bryce

P.S. I realize that was probably the worst preface to a sales pitch ever, but people want honesty these days and that’s what I’m giving you, at least as I see it. If you believe that the best learn from the best, we’ve just created a couple of new ways for you to gain access to our faculty of master teachers.

If you have a magician in your life that is ready to take the next step towards mastery, we have just added Magic & Mystery School Gift Certificates to the catalog. You can find them in the YouRMagic Shop

We’d also like your help testing out a new concept: The Keys to the Magic & Mystery School. Jeff (with a lot of programming from yours truly) premiered the concept during his recent European tour. We’re working on the next phase and have three Keys to offer you for the 2011 Holiday Season:

• The Key to Beginning Manipulation
• The Key to Magic 24/7
• The Key to Card Manipulation
  

My plan is to only leave them up through December, 2011. If people like them, we’ll keep working on the concept and create more and better versions for some day in the future.

From Tobias:

Thanks, Bryce! I’d just like to chime in to remind you all that while we love the “original” 3-day master classes, we only managed to schedule one of them for 2012 – and it is Jan. 27-29. If you’ve been thinking of trying one of our classes, but may not yet be ready for the full investment of a week, the 3 days class is a fantastic way to quickly raise the level of your magic.

We’ve also just posted our first ever 10-day “Career Enhancement Seminar.” This will be limited to 10 professional or soon to be professionals who want to learn as much about creating their own successful business in magic as possible, in as short a time as possible. Think of it as an MBA in the magic business. I hope you’ll take a few minutes to read the description of the course it won’t be for everyone, but for those of you that it’s perfect for…well, we promise an enlightening 10 days.

All the best for a magical holiday!

Tobias
tobias@yourmagic.com

At times our own light goes out and is rekindled by a spark from another person. Each of us has cause to think with deep gratitude of those who have lighted the flame within us.

–Albert Schweitzer

Greetings friends,

Abbi here, writing from the House of Mystery, to say thank you. Each and every one of you reading these words, right now, at this very moment, has been touched by the light of magic, whether it’s been at our Magic and Mystery School here in Las Vegas, at one of our seminars or lectures near your hometown, or through our virtual magical world online… and we have been touched by your magic, too. So thank you, for rekindling our flames, over and over again.

I would just like to take a moment to tell you that I am most grateful for Jeff. We celebrated ten years of a happy marriage together a few months ago, and as each day goes by, I find myself falling more and more in love….

At every class we offer here at the School, we learn something from, and are inspired by, the students who attend. It is a wonder to see returning students, year after year, improving in their magical art by leaps and bounds, gaining recognition, appearing before the public, and winning competitions. Your victories re-ignite our spark.

A person however learned and qualified in his life’s work in whom gratitude is absent, is devoid of that beauty of character which makes personality fragrant.

– Hazrat Inayat Khan

One of the many things I am deeply grateful for is the fact that I get to be around some of the very best magicians in the world. I have the chance to share time and space, not only during the classes, but in the mornings before the students arrive, and late in the evening, around the fireplace. I will tell you this; I have seen, again and again that when people spend their time doing what they love, they are happy. Yes, there are the trials and tribulations of life we all face, challenges we all encounter, but on a deep, inner level, there is a sense of contentment with one’s choices, of satisfaction with work well done that is rewarding, and of an inner peace, knowing that we are on a path of our own choosing… and magic is a sublime path, indeed.

As we express our gratitude, we must never forget that the highest appreciation is not to utter words, but to live by them.

–John Fitzgerald Kennedy

As we approach this time of Thanks-giving, when once in the year, we pause to remember to be grateful, I invite you to consider amplifying the gratitude current in your daily life. Perhaps you might pause before getting out of bed each morning, and take a moment to be grateful for another day embodied, to have senses that bring information about the world, mobility, imagination, good rest, beloved family and friends. Once you get started, the list could go on and on. If we are grateful for the gifts we receive, let us find ways in our worlds to give back, to live by the gratitude we feel, not just on one day each year, but consistently and conscientiously. Thanks!

Your friend in magic,

Abbi

From Tobias:

As this goes out, Jeff is wrapping his extended tour in Europe – Amsterdam, France, Denmark, Sweden and Hungary. We should have a report from him on the tour in our next Museletter.

In the meantime, we all want to especially thank those of you in the magic community who have hosted – or plan to host – The McBride Magic Experience. We’re enjoying growing and improving this special two-day event, with show, lecture and workshop all in a single, easy to produce package.& It provides a way for local magicians around the world to bring Jeff’s work to their local audiences with a minimum of risk, and, we hope, a maximum pay-off for all involve.

Finally: The holiday season is upon us. We have some special gifts for you already in the Secret Arts Journal and PEP talks on line (go to www.magicalwisdom.com to find them), and there will be more coming at http://shop.yourmagic.com in the coming days and weeks. I hope you’ll visit and take advantage of the free downloads (and maybe even shop for some of our old and new products from Jeff, Eugene and our other team members).

Happy Thanksgiving to all!

Tobias Beckwith
tobias@yourmagic.com

“The greatest gift is to give people your enlightenment, to share it. It has to be the greatest.”

– the Buddha

Dear Friends:

Over the past year, I have been working away creating new magical offerings to our friends in the magic community that I hope they (and all of you) will find enlightening.

One of my personal philosophies is that you can’t give a magical experience unless you have had one. You can’t give a gift you do not possess.

Give yourself or someone you love the gift of a magical experience. Here are a few of the ways that we’ve made it easy for you!

One on One Time!

This is a way I can connect with you or your friend online and share my experience in magic. You can perfect a move, learn a new routine, work on ideas for character, presentation, business, marketing, or learn my inside tips on managing people, have a lively discussion on the art of magic, or anything else you can imagine….

*Online Skype sessions: are fun and easy and a great way to share magic.

http://virtual.magicalwisdom.com/infopages/view/skype

Private or Small Group Classes: 

If you are planning a trip to Las Vegas, set up you own custom session by calling Abbi at 702-450-0021.

Master Class:

We have three and seven day classes available. You can find full information on how to attend here:

http://www.magicalwisdom.com

Tricks & Tools of the Trade:

We have also been creating new magical products and tools for magicians at all levels of experience.

The Perfect Palming Coin

Squeak Technique & Bravo

Essential Card Manipulation

Free Online Resources

The faculty and friends of the Magic and Mystery School have created over forty hours of free online magic lessons for you and your friends. Please click the link below to find many more free magic teaching materials and inspiration.

McBride’s Mystery School Monday
MONDAY AT 7 PM PACIFIC TIME

LIVE magic, reviews, celebrity interviews & news reports from around the world with Jeff McBride and the Mystery School faculty: http://www.mcbridemagic.tv

I am currently on tour in Europe, and will be home just in time for Thanksgiving. I wish you all a happy holiday season!

Jeff

Photo Copyright 2011 by L.Donin ncportraitmagic.com

“People travel to faraway places to watch, in fascination, the kind of people they ignore at home.” – Dagobert D. Runes

Greetings friends,