In Robin Hobb's Farseer Trilogy, "skilling" is regional slang (possibly it is used globally) refering the to the act of using telepathy. In Hobb's novels, only a very select few individuals can skill, and most of them can only do it at a minimal level. The ability to skill seems to be the greatest in the royal family, which is an indication of how they won the throne in the first place.

The main character of the novels--the bastard Fitzchivalry--is well-endowed with the skill, but the greater part of it is burned out of him by an inept and cruel teacher. Fortunately, Fitz's ability is so vast he remains stronger than all but the King, and his uncle, Prince Verity.

Skilling is only one type of magic found in the Six Duchies. There is also the Wit, which is the Skill's flipside, which is usually (and probably unfairly) known as a curse.