>> I need to make certain that I understand the object of the exercise. As I understand it, the aim is that during successive days, fewer and fewer thoughts will appear and the mind will be generally less chaotic. << No. The aim is to *attentively observe*, without participating in any way, *whatever* occurs in your mind. Even though the exercise is called thought "control", it's *not* about controlling the mind, slowing the thoughts, etc.. See http://www.ABardonCompanion.com/Control.html The only real exercising of "control" is in the area of maintaining your attention to what is going on while controlling your natural urge to participate in the thoughts that do arise. >> I certainly know that I have not mastered this exercise yet, because little has changed from day to day. However, how DO I know when I have mastered it? << This exercise is considered "mastered" when you can attentively observe the contents of your mind for 10 minutes, *without* in any way participating in what you observe and without digression (i.e., loss of attentiveness). My best to you, :) Rawn Clark 03 Dec 2004 rawnclark@... rawn@... http://www.ABardonCompanion.com http://groups.yahoo.com/group/BardonPraxis http://E.webring.com/hub?ring=arionthebardonwe