A master of mind over matter
By Sophia Fischer sfischer@theacorn.com

PENNY FOR YOUR THOUGHTS- Marc Salem brings his mental manipulations to the Civic Arts Plaza for an evening of brainbending fun. "Our minds are our playground," according to Salem, who says he uses a combination of intuition and subversive information gathering to achieve his uncanny results.

We all have the ability to read other people's minds, according to Marc Salem, a New York-based mentalist who will perform soon at the Thousand Oaks Civic Arts Plaza.

Through psychological games and visual cues, Salem's show, "Mind Games Extra: On Second Thoughts," demonstrates how important it is to be able to understand others.

Presented by Chabad of the Conejo, proceeds from the event at 7:45 p.m. Tue., June 12 will benefit the Conejo Valley Friendship Circle, a nonprofit that supports children with special needs and their families.

Salem's shows have run on Broadway and in Europe, Africa, Australia and Singapore. He has appeared on such television programs as "60 Minutes" and on cable news channel CNN. He first performed at the Civic Arts Plaza in sold-out shows last year.

Salem, who holds advanced degrees in psychology, cognitive science and communication research, has taught those subjects at New York University and the University of Pennsylvania.

Salem answered questions about his craft in a recent telephone interview.

Question: How are you able to read minds?

Answer: It's a combination of intuition, instinct, nonverbal cues, pumping people for information without their knowing it and going with the rhythm. Our minds are our playground. It's where we hang out, where our beliefs are, where we fight our demons and live our dreams.

Q: What actually is the mind?

A: It's not the brain at all. It is consciousness, a kind of awareness and process you do. Our mind is where we create meaning. From the moment you wake up in the morning you are trying to understand the world. We are far more capable of knowing more than we know. How we pick up on nonverbal signals, how we read these unspoken messages can help us have better relationships with children, with lovers, with everyone around us.

Q: What surprises people about the show?

A: That it's a funny show and how similar people's minds are. By the end of the evening people are picking up ideas about other people. If you think about it, it's not that unusual- people know how to read their children.

Q: What's the highlight of your show?

A: Five people lie to me intentionally, and I pick them out. In a Nutshell

Marc Salem will perform his Broadway show "Mind Games Extra: On Second Thoughts," at 7:45 p.m. Tues., June 12 at the Fred Kavli Theatre, Thousand Oaks Civic Arts Plaza, 2100 E. Thousand Oaks Blvd.

The evening also includes a live performance by Moshav, a contemporary folk/rock trio.

The performance is presented by Chabad of the Conejo and the Conejo Valley Friendship Circle. Proceeds will go to the Conejo Valley Friendship Circle, a nonprofit organization that pairs volunteer teens with special needs children.

Tickets are available through www.Ticketmaster. com, by calling (213) 4803232 or (805) 583-8700, or through SalemMindGames. com. Tickets range from $18 to $108.

Q: What has surprised you the most about reading the mind in the 20 years you have been doing this?

A: How similar all human beings are. I could do the same show to a Zulu tribe in South Africa and to another completely different audience in California with very little change. The shows are universal. It's an affirmative insight to have. We all laugh and are sad at the same things. You see parallels in other cultures.

Q: Does your mind have the power to help heal you from disease?

A: A positive attitude does wonderful things for you. If you think positively you feel better. It does not mean the mind will heal you. We have to keep our minds busy. If you challenge your mind, force it to do new things, you will have a more exciting and happy life.

The mind is ours to do with as we wish. Education is important- you only have intuition when you have experience- travel, read. The more you expose yourself to, the richer your mind is and the more potential you have to reach your own fulfillment.

I've seen minds make people happy.

Q: Is technology hurting our ability to read and understand other people?

A: Once you lose human interaction you might as well talk to the wall. Which would you rather get, a handwritten or typewritten note that says "I love you?" When someone makes a joke online you can't tell if it's funny. You don't see the nuances.

Q: How did you become interested in studying the mind?

A: My father was a rabbi and was gifted at reading people. My interest came about because he was good at it. What fascinated me was how the mind worked. I loved thinking about thinking. The mind is infinite- it's never boring.

In addition to Salem's appearance, Moshav, a contemporary folk-rock trio, will perform.

Ticket prices range from $18 to $108. For more information, visit www.salemmindgames.com or call Chabad at (818) 991-0991.