A

Cognitive Styles 39

Of course, I could always board a plane to some unknown destination,
rent a car and start driving at random. It would work if I landed in a
civilized location. Charging blindly into some wild untamed jungle,
however, could be quite dangerous.
I suggest that the journey through life is no different. In order to have
the best trip, we should start by programming the mental „rooms‟ which
contain the maps and the tour guides. Therefore, we will start our analysis
of the mind by looking at Perceiver strategy, which contains the mental
maps, and Mercy thought, which has the touring tips of the guide book. We
will ask, “How can I construct a mental map which can guide me through
life?”
But that takes work, you say. Isn‟t it easier to tune in to the „travel
channel‟? If I have some big brother to watch over me, then he can save
me from the ferocious tigers and the poisonous snakes lurking about in the
jungle. True, big brother may save us from the dangers of life, but who will
save us from big brother? If you like the idea of going through life as an
emotional „babe in the woods‟ under some impersonal big brother, then I
suggest that you read no further. On the other hand, if you want to plan
your own journey, and learn about jungle survival, then follow me as I
describe the path which I discovered in my own search for a map of human
existence.