Mind Meld is played in pairs, and, at heart, it is a free association game. The goal is for two improvisers to collaboratively free associate together until they reach the same word.

It begins by one person saying "one," the second person saying "two," and then both improvisers saying "three" together. They then say anything at all - a person, place, idea, concept, phrase, anything. After processing these two things, we repeat the one, two, three and try to use the two previously stated things to arrive at a third, common one. You free associate together, attempting to reach the same word for the next beat of the exercise.

Example

Player 1: One
Player 2: Two
Players 1 and 2: Three!
Player 1 (at the same time as Player 2): France
Player 2 (at the same time as Player 1): Monument
...
Player 1: One
Player 2: Two
Players 1 and 2: Three!
Player 1 (at the same time as Player 2): Eiffel Tower
Player 2 (at the same time as Player 1): Eiffel Tower

Rules/Tips

• You cannot repeat anything said in any form.
• Don't expect to arrive at the same word super quickly. Don't give up, you can get it!
• It doesn't have to be the same player saying "one" every time. It should switch naturally.
• If your partner says "one" and you don't have anything to say, wait to say "two!" The game is ruined if you get to three and only one person says something, because it's supposed to be about completely pure free association.
• This happens a lot naturally, but encourage people to celebrate in some way when they get it right. High fives are always good.
• When played with a group, have everyone spread about the room in pairs. After a round or two, switch people.
• The game gets really tough when you add a third person. It's most effective in pairs.