"The techniques of psychomagic don't seem like they ought to work. I mean, come on, it's kind of ridiculous, right?"
I randomly opened the book to page 98 and the above line jumped out at me. And it's absolutely correct. This whole art form is rather preposterous. But that's actually an essential part of how it succeeds. Psychomagic blooms when we're nudged out of the everyday just enough to engage with the sort of things that really shouldn't work at all. But do!
I'm in this book (briefly quoted, and even more briefly playing piano in the background of a story), so I'm not an entirely neutral party. But having been involved in producing and performing in some of the things mentioned, I can attest that Caveat has truly captured a set of principles for creating meaningful art experiences. And he has made them accessible to YOU!
Even if you have no plans to create such things yourself, there is a lot here to enjoy while you get a unique glimpse into the human condition and the potential of art to change our lives. Caveat notes early on that these experiences aren't things you can come at too directly. And the book is a psychomagical experience itself, if not quite in the same way as that participatory events that are its subject.
So Caveat circles the topic in various ways, with anecdotes, quotes, and reflections on what has and hasn't worked, all told in an engaging and highly enjoyable style. Mixed in are some bits of psychology to help explain how it works, and of course the principles that go into the design of psychomagical art. But (and this is the impressive part), the book never bogs down in theoretical territory. If the bits of Jungian psychology aren't your cup of tea, don't worry, in a few pages you'll be reading about a truly absurd circus or some other wonderfully ridiculous thing that actually happened. I can vouch for at least a few of them personally! Caveat's lively storytelling will hold your interest throughout the book.
If I were to criticize something here, it would be that I wanted more from part 3, which discusses the relationship of these psychomagical experiences to society. It's the smallest part, and it feels like there could be another whole book there. But I'm a bit biased as this is a particular area of interest for me. Perhaps there will be a sequel one day! Parts 1 and 2 are the meat of the book, and they are cover their territory thoroughly. Part 3 certainly does its job by examining the societal aspects enough to point to more areas to explore. After all, this is an emerging art form, and there is much yet to discover.
"Turn Your Life Into Art" is your chance to learn what we've learned so far, and become part of the psychomagic yourself!
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