How to be a Mind Reader

This skill sounds almost impossible to master. It is challenging on different levels, but yes, it can be done.

The mind is a complex web of neurons, neurotransmitters, and other chemicals that depend on each other to thrive. Therefore, we cannot expect to gain the ability to read absolutely everything in another person's mind.

Also, it is important to recognize that the majority of what one reads is difficult (or impossible) to interpret into something that would be of benefit to the Mind Reader.



A person's mind is a complex structure. So a person who is attempting to read another person's mind needs to develop a variety of skills to do so effectively. This article will go in to several skills that each open a door into another person's mind. A truly astute Mind Reader (MR from now on) will develop each of these skills, and learn to use them simultaneously.

Stimulus

One of the simplest ways to know what another person is thinking is administering an unignorable stimulus to that person. Or, a MR can take advantage of a stimulus that has already occured. For example, if an MR happens to be part of a crowd watching a parade, he should easily be able to pick up what the onlookers are thinking as each attraction passes by. These would be thoughts such as "Look, a fire engine!" or "They're throwing out candy!"

Notice how simple those thoughts are. If a MR is picking up thoughts that are more complex, deep, or interesting than the examples stated above, it is likely that he has made one of the most common mistakes in this field of study.

Imprinting

This is the mistaking of imprinted thoughts as an actual read of another person's mind.
An imprinted thought is basically a figment of the MR's imagination.

This brings us to the next skill an MR needs to develop. This is the ability to recognize, and reject imprinting thoughts that come into one's mind. It is important to recognize the existence of these thoughts, as well as acknowledge that they come in at epidemic levels into any person who is thinking about what is on another's mind.

An MR's own imprinted thoughts have no value in this study. They actually prevent an MR from having an awareness of others. However, paying attention to the imprinting thoughts you make, can open a whole new delightful study of self-awareness, if you so choose.

Observation

That being said, an MR will do well to increase his observation of others. The origin of the word 'observe' means 'watch, regard, attend to'. This does not include questions. Simply observe the responses people make to a stimulus. It is not a good idea to ask questions such as 'why?' until much, much later. As that will no doubt foster the growth of an imprinting thought. Store away these observations, and remember them the next time you encounter that particular person.

Conversation

Conversation is probably the most used tool for people wanting to know what is on another person's mind. The reason is obvious. Often, people use speech to reveal exactly what they are thinking. Conversation is also extremely versitile. A master conversationalist can become a MR simply by caring about, and talking to almost any person.

An MR can utilize conversation to teach someone. Let's assume an MR has adequate teaching abilities, and the person has an interest in the subject he is teaching. During this conversation, it should become very apparant what a person is thinking.
This method uses the first principle in this article of providing an unignorable stimulus. The more adept an MR is at teaching a subject, the clearer it is what a person is thinking.

A conversation is also a tool that can be used simply to gather valuable information about a person. Like the information gathered through observation, it should not be questioned, unless you ask the person you are talking to the question.

Conversation Pitfalls

Conversation is an exceptionally versitile and useful tool. However, if it is used incorrectly, your results may backfire. This section will address pitfalls to avoid in conversation.

Assuming a person's thoughts are revealed exclusively through conversation is a common mistake people make, especially when a decision based on another's thoughts and feelings needs to be made. Many times, simply combining what you observe, and what a person says will give a much more accurate picture of what they are thinking.

Asking a series of direct questions, in a conversation may cause a person to shut down and not want to reveal anything. Even observation may not be enough to gather information.

Requiring a conversation be on an emotional level, may have a similar effect as asking too many direct questions.

Failure to give evidence of listening will discourage one from talking, as they will see there is no interest in their subject. This failure may occur through lack of natural eye contact, repetitive acknowledgements, and unengaged facial expressions.

When imprinting is useful

One of the most intriguing aspects of mind reading, is when you learn a person's thoughts without their knowledge. A person can unknowingly reveal deep truths about themselves through simple conversation. An MR can do this by gently encouraging imprinting thoughts in another person, and listening closely as they reveal those thoughts. Asking a person's opinion on a subject that does not affect them directly is a simple way to do this.
Ask people 'why' someone took an action. Many times, a person will reveal much about what is on their mind and what is going on in their life. Sometimes, all you will need to do is simply exchange names and places with ones that happen to be in their own lives.

There are so many other tools a person can use to read another's mind. Hopefully this article will give you a good start, so you can go on to create your own tools.