Let's start with this. You are not special. No one is special, which is another way of

saying everyone is. It's natural to think you are in the institute for a reason. Sometimes

people come here thinking they have a particular ability or power, that there is something

about them that makes them different from other people. This is not true. Imagination

shields us from reality. You are a work of art, of course. You are beautiful and complex.

You have your own unique qualities but only specific to the goals of your creator. You

are a work of art, one among countless others, one to be analyzed, deconstructed and understood.

You are a work of art. You contain mysteries and messages. They can only be understood

through criticism and analysis. Focus. It will take focus to see why you are the way

you are, which is to say why you are special in moments, in enough measurable moments

to peak the scientific mind. But you soon become a bodyless, statistical contribution to

data, which is used to form charts, which are displayed on an overhead projector to

a room full of people who nod and write notes. Welcome to relaxation cassette number 5,

side A, I am a camera. As always, we begin with breathing. Stand upright, feet hip

with the part, arms at your sides. You should be listening to side A alone in your assigned

room. Breathe in. What do you smell? And out. What do you smell now? What has changed in

the scent of the air? What did you give back to the room? Smell and memory are intricately

linked. You know this. Breathe in again, cleaning agents, stale linens, the oils on your face.

Breathe out again, finnager, vegetable proteins, coffee. Keep your eyes open and concentrate

on the tip of your nose. It's right there between your eyes. Are you crossing your eyes?

Imagine what your eyes look like, crossed. Leverty is important here, here in the institute.

I hope you feel comfortable smiling here. Tell your nose to breathe. Say aloud, my nose

...