Understanding Me 289aspect of my mind is always being used to some extent no matter what I do,
I continue with normal activities. I only add understanding.A
We have looked at the price of ignoring mental contradictions. Let me
suggest two practical benefits of „fractal‟ thinking. First, by realizing
which mental strategies are being used, I gain access to programming
which already exists within those rooms. Therefore, I can approach each
situation with a headstart, already partially on my way to a solution.
Two possible approaches towards learning:- The isolated method. Each situation is viewed as a separate incident.
Individual problems are solved and not related to other challenges.
Each situation requires relearning everything all over again.
This leads to hidden contradictions. - The fractal method. Each situation illustrates a general principle.
Specific incidents give opportunities to learn general lessons.
For each situation, only its unique details need to be learned.
This resolves mental contradictions and integrates the mind.
This principle was vividly illustrated to me a few years ago. The stress
of doing this research combined with repetitive physical activity gave me
tendonitis in my arms. For a whole year, I could hardly touch the violin.
However, during this time of physical inactivity, I did a lot of mental work
and mental reprogramming. When I was able to return to the instrument, I
distinctly felt that my playing had improved, even though I had not
practiced at all. It seemed as if I had more mental „horsepower‟ available at
my fingertips. Where did this „skill‟ come from? I had not worked on my
violin, but I had practiced using my mind, and this learning spilled over
into my violin playing.
Second, by learning techniques of mental programming, it becomes
possible to approach each individual situation in an intelligent manner. The
previous benefit saved me time by giving me a headstart. This effect
reduces my mental agony by allowing me to speed through those initial
stages of learning in which I act, look, and feel like an unskilled idiot. It
can do this even in the most mundane of activities.
I suggest, moreover, that fractal learning adds Teacher „wings‟ to all
aspects of Mercy thought; it gives „lift‟ to the „body‟ of Mercy identity.
This is because it brings order to the complexity of individual Mercy
situations—and Teacher strategy finds this pleasurable. Teacher thought
hates fragmentation and confusion. It feels good when the same general
A Of course, once I have understanding, then I may decide to change some
of my activities. But, I will be motivated by a desire for more life, and not
by a fear of disapproval or judgment.