"Amazing!"
- singer Sharifah Aini, after Shaun had read her mind live on TV3's "Malaysia Hari Ini"

As a practising Mentalist, Shaun Tan professes no special, supernatural or paranormal powers. As amazing as his effects may seem, Shaun is of the view that most of us can develop the skills that he has. It's simply a matter of knowledge, dedication, practice, interest and time.

Shaun once remarked, "While I am able to steal your thoughts at will, or cause objects to move or bend in your hands, it's really a skill that anybody can develop. It's just that I'm better at it than the majority of the population. It's like singing. I think I can sing, and even sound like I'm singing a song, but I'm far, far behind the standards of Eiton John, or Pavarotti, and it's these quality singers you wouldn't mind listening to. You wouldn't want to listen to me - I'm simply not good at it!

How did he get involved in Mentalism, especially since he's a qualified lawyer ("Barrister-at-Law") from Lincoln's Inn, England?

'Well," he said, "I have always been in interested in Mentalism even before I became a lawyer. While practising law can be an enjoyable experience, and I've done that for some years, I've always wanted to develop my skills in Mentalism further. Between Mentalism and Law, I prefer Mentalism more, although it's hard to compare apples with oranges. However, the joy I get when I managed to perform an effect successfully on a subject far outweighs any experience I've ever had with successful legal cases. I don't know - perhaps it's just me. Ask my peers in law and they'll probably say I'm crazy. But I believe you should enjoy what you do, and if there is any potential to further develop your interest and have fun at the same time, you should take that route. And I'm having fun right now."

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