4.5.1 Exercise 1

Figure 4.1: The Roads of Thought

Copy it on a large sheet of paper and try to increase the number of arrows to 100. Write in a Road-nomination or reason for each arrow-word, in the manner shown in number-brackets on the diagram. If you cannot put in 100 at one sitting, keep the diagram and continue the work each day. If you dislike cats, use ``dog'' or anything else, for it is a rule of mental health not to ponder on disliked things. Do this exercise every day for a week, at least.

Take care not to think about the milk, or mouse, or whiskers, etc. Merely notice them and write them down, and then slide your attention back along the arrow to the cat. Do not jump back, but slide back.' Then ask yourself, ``What next?'' while looking at the cat. Again write down any idea that comes up. When , you have written down a good many, you may find the mind going empty, and bringing out no more. Still hold on for a while, and only after a little while more begin to use the Four Roads systematically to find some more.

When at last you do decide to give up waiting or looking for more arrow-words, you may stop and think about what you have been doing. You have been doing concentration, practicing return, and getting to know what it feels like. Incidentally, you have also been tidying up some of the contents of your mind.