The magician Uri Geller is famous for purportedly using his mind to bend spoons. This is, of course, a magic trick. Mental objects, in general, do not bend physical objects and certainly not to the extent of bending metal from a distance. It's a trick and a good one.
One could argue that our minds make our bodies move and therefore that is an example of a mental object "bending" or heavily influencing a physical one and that would be a correct observation. But that is an example of a directly interconnected mind/body system and not a mind and an inanimate object (like a spoon) across open space. Regardless, there is no scientific proof of Geller's feat being anything other than an illusion. Our minds do not directly affect physical objects without our bodies' participation.
In general, then mental objects bend or affect mental objects and physical objects bend or affect the same. It is easy to see how physical objects affect each other. Newton's Laws tell us how that works. But mental objects also affect one another (and don't abide by physical laws). For example, when we influence another through our words we are "bending" antoher's mind in a given direction - sometimes intentionally (as when we convince someone of something), sometimes unintentionally. The effect can be good or bad, of course, but nonetheless it is inarguable that it occurs. And, of course, other people's minds "bend" our minds as well. Here "bending" is merely influencing our minds in some way. This is patently obvious. We affect and are affected by others all day long.
We also can "bend" our own minds through our thoughts. If you look closely, you will see this is completely obvious. Certain thoughts create a given reaction within us. These can range anywhere from blissful joy or love to anger, fear or jealousy and so forth.
It is easy to see this in extreme examples. In a very emotional state, we can sometimes see that changing our thinking through speaking with someone, self contemplation or self talk can result in a change of emotional state. We are sometimes aware, too, that it is frequently not what happens to us that affects our state of being but rather our reactions; which include our thoughts (Albert Ellis's "Rational Emotive Therapy" was all based around correcting thoughts that lead to unpleasant emotional states).
And so we begin to realize that our "mind" or "self" is separate from our thoughts. Our mind or consciousness is that which experiences our thoughts. It is not the thoughts themselves. This is an important distinction and one that, when understood correctly can greatly increase our happiness in life. The evidence for this is simple - If our mind were the same as our thoughts, how could it be possible to be disturbed by a thought? Being disturbed or affected by something necessitates a subject and object; which are, by definition, two completely separate things.
Looking at thoughts as something we in part experience creates a separation that by itself can be comforting because we can then become acutely aware that there is something in us inherently better than our thoughts. "Mind", "Self" or "Consciousness" is that which experiences the world both around and within us and searches for the happiness and love we all want in our lives. It is pure and clear - part of the greater being - God, Dharma, Buddha-mind, Allah, Christ, Consciousness, etc.
But we do not, of course, only experience thoughts. We also create them. We can, of our own volition, choose to think a certain thought. And so it is a lot like the breath - we impart some control but there is also an automatic reflexive part that continues breath and thought whether we are mindfully involved or not. And, similarly, in both breath and thought, we have some choice in both what we breath or think and at what pace we do so. It is even possible for both to stop for a time!
So we have some choice in what we think. And we know those thoughts "bend" our mind in certain directions. Thoughts of kindness and love lead to happiness and pleasant states of mind. Thoughts of hatred and selfishness lead to anger, jealousy and unpleasant states. It only follows then that, if what we want from life is happiness and love, we should attempt to influence our thoughts so they "bend' our mind in the direction of happiness.
This takes practice. Meditation or prayer can be great tools to increase our awareness of the thoughts rattling around in our heads and how they affect us and can lead us to loving others and greater overall happiness in life.
Training the mind takes time, patience, love and faith. It is worth the effort.
Peace,
Paul