WildCat is a four-legged robot being developed to run fast on all types of terrain. So far WildCat has run at about 16 mph on flat terrain using bounding and galloping gaits. The video shows WildCat’s best performance so far. WildCat is being developed by Boston Dynamics with funding from DARPA’s M3 program. For more information about WIldCat visit the website at
KHTK Axiom #2: Awareness arises with relative motion, and disappears when there is no relative motion.
Awareness among objects comes from relative motion among them.
The objects in motion are not just something physical like a chair, Mozart’s music, or sensation. They can also be complex abstractions like thought, emotion, or impulse.
The self-awareness of an object must consist of an internal system of motion.
There is no isolated “point of awareness” observing and/or creating motion from a distance.
KHTK Axiom #1: Neither the state of rest, nor the state of motion can be determined to exist in an absolute sense. All motion is relative.
DEFINITION: Absolute means, “Viewed independently; not comparative or relative; ultimate; intrinsic.”
The theory of relativity states that from all uniformly moving frames of references, the laws of physics appear to be the same.
With nothing to compare to, one cannot tell if the frame of reference is at rest or if it is moving at the speed of light. There is no awareness of uniform motion.
When there is something to compare to, there is awareness of uniform motion. Still there is no way to tell which object is at rest and which object is moving.
There is neither absolute static, nor absolute kinetic. The awareness of static and kinetic exists in a relative sense only.
What remains in the absence of relativity cannot be determined.
Mindfulness is attentiveness. The function of mindfulness is to bring clarity to what is being perceived. The 12 aspects of mindfulness are:
Observe without expecting anything, or attempting to get an answer.
Observe things as they are, without assuming anything.
If something is missing do not imagine something else in its place.
If something does not make sense then do not explain it away.
Use physical senses as well as mental sense to observe.
Let the mind un-stack itself.
Experience fully what is there.
Do not suppress anything.
Associate data freely.
Do not get hung up on name and form.
Contemplate thoughtfully.
Let it all be effortless.
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EXERCISE
Purpose:
To understand the technique of mindfulness
Training Guideline:
This exercise is best done as a cooperative effort between two people. They alternate in the roles of a student and a guide. The guide assists the student in understanding the materials.
The guide makes the person feel comfortable.
The guide introduces the student to mindfulness using the introduction above.
The guide provides the student with a copy of the document The 12 Aspects of Mindfulness, or helps him access it on a computer.
The guide goes over each aspect of mindfulness with the student one by one.
The student reads the text under each aspect.
The student then does the recommended exercise briefly to gain some familiarity with that aspect.
The guide skillfully handles any questions the student might have.
When the student has understood all the 12 aspects of mindfulness, this exercise is completed.
Sometimes the journey toward mindfulness must be started from a state where a person is unable to even think coherently and control his actions. He will not be able to understand and apply the earlier KHTK exercises on his own. He would need some guidance toward becoming mindful. Any effort toward mindfulness would at first require becoming mindful of the physical body.
This would be the case with small children who lack experience. Guiding them toward mindfulness could be a fun exercise for the parents. This could also be the case with adults who have gone through some trauma and are unable to come out of it.
Any guidance, therefore, should start with encouraging the person to control his or her body consciously.
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Exercise (Part A)
NOTE: In the first part of this exercise, the guide demonstrates to the person that control of the person’s hand is possible despite inner resistance, and invites the person to consciously control his hand. The exercise starts with the guide demonstrating to the person how the hand is to be controlled. He then encourages the person to consciously control the hand in the same way.
Have the person sit on a chair without arms. The guide sits close together on a similar chair facing the person. The person’s knees are between guide’s knees.
The guide nods at the person’s hand and gently commands, “Give me that hand.” He then extends his hand to receive that person’s hand.
The guide leaves an instant for the person to give the hand by own will. The person may put his hand in the guide’s hand.
If the person hesitates or does not respond, the guide picks up the person’s hand by wrist and carries it to his hand.
The guide clasps the person’s hand gently, and then holding the person’s hand by the wrist, places it back in the person’s lap.
The guide then says, “Thank you” to complete the cycle.
The guide repeats steps 2 to 6 exactly the same way, clasping the person’s hand the same way with the same pressure, and then placing it back at the same spot in preclear’s lap. The guide continues to repeat steps 2 to 6, keeping each cycle separate.
The guide’s focus is totally on getting the person to give the hand naturally and freely. Whenever any resistance is presented by the person, the guide does not get involved in chatter or argument. Instead he continues with steps 2 to 6 in an encouraging manner.
When the person is able to control the hand by own will and without internal resistance, the guide moves to the next part of this exercise.
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Exercise (Part B)
NOTE: In the second part of this exercise, the guide demonstrates to the person that control of the person’s body is possible despite inner resistance, and invites the person to consciously control his body. The exercise starts with the guide demonstrating to the person how the body is to be controlled. He then encourages the person to consciously control the body in the same way.
The person and the guide stand together between two walls that are a comfortable distance apart. The guide is in a position to physically steer the body of the person as needed.
Indicating a wall, the guide gently commands, “Look at that wall,” and gives the person a moment to obey.
The person may obey the command. If he doesn’t then the guide gently guides the person’s face encouraging him to look at the wall.
The guide says, “Thank you,” to acknowledge the person’s action.
The guide then commands the person, “Walk over to that wall.” He enforces the command, as necessary, with physical contact. He does that by gently moving the person’s body in a smooth manner. When the command is executed the guide acknowledges, “Thank you.”
The guide then commands “Touch that wall.” He enforces the command, as necessary, with physical contact, gently and smoothly. When the command is executed the guide acknowledges, “Thank you.”
The guide then commands “Turn around.” He enforces the command, as necessary, with physical contact, gently and smoothly. When the command is executed the guide acknowledges, “Thank you.”
The guide repeats the steps 2 to 7 with reference to the other wall. Whenever any resistance is presented by the person, the guide does not get involved in chatter or argument. Instead he continues with steps 2 to 7, gently encouraging the person to consciously control the body.
The guide continues to repeat steps 2 to 7, keeping each cycle separate.
When the person is able to control the body consciously without any internal resistance, this exercise may be concluded.
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