EMC279 Images, Part 1
To:   Emergency Communications Units - Information Bulletin
To:   Emergency Management Agencies via Internet and Radio
By:   Auxiliary Communications Service (ACS) of the
      California Governor's Office of Emergency Services  

EMC279  Images, Part 1        Release 3/5/01

If you have not read bulletins 276, 277 and 278 please do now,
before the following exercise. They are an important prelude.
Admittedly this may seem off target to those only interested in
operating their equipment. To each his own, but opportunity is
knocking. Will you open the door?

It began with a course held over several evenings by author and
lecturer Wally Minto. At first it just didn't seem real until
group response proved how difficult real communication can be.
If you may think what follows is "nuts" so did I, at first.

In the group each person was asked to image a certain process in
their mind. I will attempt that here. (PLEASE do not simply read
this and not go through the exercise.)

The words below, between -ZZZ and -ZZZ, are for someone to read
to you, or to put them in a tape recorder and play them back.

First, you need to relax the mind and slow down the every-day
mental process. You can do this in two ways: (a) turn on the
television and find a channel with restful scenic pictures of
nature, ones that cause you to sit back and relax in the easy
chair. Or (b) sit in a relaxed position, close your eyes and
image a sandy beach, a panoramic view of windswept plains, a
sun sprinkled forest glade, or a gurgling mountain stream.

Once relaxed, with eyes closed and no distractions (and the
TV off) take a deep breath, repeating the word "relax" and
snuggle down in the chair, but stay awake, very relaxed.

-ZZZ-Image a flower vase in your mind. Any kind that comes to
your mind or you want to create. (pause) Be aware of the size and
shape and color (pause) Examine the vase from different angles
(pause)  Now reach out and thump the vase with your finger and
listen to the reflected sound.  Does it sound thick or thin,
hollow or solid, metal or crystal? What sound do you hear as you
thump it with your finger? (pause)

Now create a table to put the vase on. Any size, shape or color
of table you desire. (pause) Now image a flower coming into the
vase, just being there. Any kind that comes to your mind. (pause)
Then be aware of the color or colors of the flower (pause). 
Become aware of the size and shape. Be aware of the leaves and
stem (pause). Smell the flower. What fragrance do you imagine?
(pause).

Now reach out and feel one of the leaves or petals between your
fingers. How does it feel? How sensitive is the feeling? (pause)
Now imagine picking off one of the leaves or petals and chewing
on it. What taste do you imagine? (pause).

Now, stretch your arms and legs, open your eyes, wide awake and
flex the muscles throughout the body. Get up and walk about and
think about what you experienced. Make notes if you want. -ZZZ-

When the instructor asked each person in the group what he/she
saw, smelled, tasted, heard and felt, the inner-mind activities
were almost beyond belief they were so varied. That was when I
decided it wasn't "nuts"!

Next week we'll find out what this reveals about each individuals
inner-mind, and its uniqueness. By Bulletin 282 it should become
obvious how this affects EVERY PERSON and quite literally shapes
and controls each life, including every EMCOMM unit participant. 

 Cary Mangum, W6WWW        E-mail: cary.mangum@macnexus.org
                           ---
Bulletins are on the ACS Web page: http://acs.oes.ca.gov  -and a
Landline BBS: 916-262-0856 (graphical & standard interface)
EOM