“If you are a health-care professional, and have the purpose of improving the lives of others, then this class on using magic, body language, and verbal skills is highly, highly recommended.”
--Jason Zommick, M.D.

What is Magic for Medical Professionals?

Last November’s event was part magic convention, part medical seminar, and an encounter with the mysterious. It was fun. It was stimulating. It was inspiring, and we learned a lot of great magic that can be used in everyday practice. According to one of the students, Judith Bautista-Mahi, “Magic for Medical Professionals was an enlightening re-enchantment of our lives. It gave new meaning to the saying, ‘physician, heal thyself!’ I recommend this to all physicians for their practice, and for the their own continuing medical education. It was an evolving process of unfolding the path to wisdom.”

A very interesting group of doctors, nurses, therapists, and other practitioners of the healing arts, gathered for an outstanding four-day conference. Medical professionals with an interest in the intersection of magic and medicine, came from Denmark, Africa and the United States to the Magic and Mystery School in Las Vegas. Eugene Burger, the dean of the Magic and Mystery School, and guest L.B. Grotte M.D., an expert in Oriental medicine, along with Jeff McBride, presented workshops and seminars to introduce these medical professionals to the powerful secrets of magic and performance. The group also explored how to use performance and magic skills to influence and improve the healing relationship central to all systems of medicine. Each of the faculty offered small group sessions on specialty as well.

This program provided primary care physicians and specialists an opportunity to develop the performance skills of body, mind and spirit that helped them to create increased rapport with patients, colleagues and staff.

Eugene Burger
The Dean of the Magic and Mystery School is well known as a master of technique and misdirection. What is not as well known is his mastery of interpersonal skills and practical psychology. In this workshop, Eugene introduced participants to the underlying philosophy of his magic, and taught many of the subtle skills that enable the magician to command the attention of the observer.

The author of Growing in the Art of Magic and Mastering the Art of Magic, both evolutionary texts for magicians and students of cultural magic tradition, Eugene dove deeper into his perspectives on the spiritual aspects of culture and his philosophy of illusion and revelation. He shared his many years of experience in creating dramatic and transformative experiences.

Jeff McBride
The magician who made Mystery School a reality turned his attention to the mystery of medicine. Decades of discipline, skill and focus have brought Jeff McBride to the pinnacle of performance magic. For the first time ever, Jeff revealed his insights into the methods that are used by magicians to establish and maintain the relationships which lead to transformation.

Jeff shared his techniques of voice, body and mind, which he has used to establish a rapport with diverse individuals and audiences around the world. He also offered his insights into the exercises which have enabled him to master the complex skills of conjuring, as well as to maintain the stamina to maintain a highly demanding travel and performance schedule. Through lecture, example and exercise, Jeff helped participants to gain insight into their own potentials in these areas.

Lee Grotte, M.D.
Dr. Grotte is the only physician in the West to be initiated into two traditional Oriental lineages of tribal magic. He imparted the lessons and insights from his training in these two secret traditions as they apply to the practice of modern medicine.

For the first time ever, Dr. Grotte revealed parallels between the interface of traditional magic and medicine in these two cultures, and their relevance to performance magic in the West. Dr. Grotte shared his perspectives, as well as the detailed methods used by Tibetan doctors to increase compassion, achieve meditative balance between skill and wisdom, and improve personal capability.

This coming November, participants will once again have the opportunity to experience exercises led by experts, which will transform the practitioners and their practices. They will learn some great magic effects to bring into their daily lives. They will examine the value of ritual, theater and the performance of magic, and learn how practitioners of many cultures have incorporated these potent skills into their medical traditions.

Our special guest this year will be Jay Ungar, MD. “Bringing Magic to Life” is not only the title of his book but his personal philosophy as well. Jay has been both a physician and “full time” magician for the past 30 years. He is a dedicated internist and geriatrician in Longmeadow, Massachusetts, an Assistant Professor for Tufts Medical School and an avid and accomplished “24/7” magician too. Jay combines his dual passions for Magic and Medicine in almost everything he does. He considers magic the “whipped cream and cherry on top” of his patient encounters and offers it up whenever the timing and circumstances are right. Jay believes that “it truly humanizes the visit” and “the real Magic is not in the tricks, but in the Connection they create.”

His new book, “Bringing Magic to Life” -- is widely acclaimed and is garnishing glowing reviews. It’s a passion-filled account of his magical/medical intersection and it brims with hilarious stories, insightful essays and unique presentations designed to “infuse Magic into one’s Life and Life into one’s Magic.”

Jeff, Eugene and Jay will offer lectures and hands-on workshops which will include the following topics:

* Tricks of our trade: Magic Effects for the Physician Magician
* Magical Healing: The Art of Metaphor and Storytelling
* Using magic as a public speaking tool
* The Bedside Manner: The power of positive magic
* Bring Magic to Life with Special guest Jay Ungar

Participants will learn how posture, gesture, and facial and voice inflection can enhance or interfere with establishing a positive relationship, and they will receive personalized training to improve their awareness and reduce any interfering habits they may have. Introspective exercises will help each student to understand their own limits and strengths, as well as how to manage and utilize these qualities in patients. Attendees will explore techniques to combine a more powerful personal style with the medicine they practice to improve both the results that they see with patients as well as their personal satisfaction with medical care.

Enhancing communication skills and creating a performer’s focus can also improve interactions with other medical professionals and staff. For those who have an interest in speaking to the public, or interviewing on television or radio, the value of these skills cannot be overestimated.

“My weekend spent with Jeff and Eugene is one I will remember always. I now have the resources and inspiration to nurture the magician within.”
--Jonathan Carp, M.D.

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Additional questions?
Contact Bryce or Tobias, (702) 697-7002.