The essence of tire Bene Gessent training philosophy seems to be that, if one can control oneself, or "know thyself," ultimately one can control the universe Its first axiom is "My mind controls my reality'* The training itself is based on a series of progressive exercises, lasting approximately ten years, which give the student power to control herself mentally physically, and psychologically, and to con trol others This control is used not to withdraw to an internal fantasy world but rather to observe and understand reality with de tached objectivitj Thus the prana-bindu training, begun if possible during the child's first year of life, assures the candidate that mastery of herself is mastery of illusion both of her own and of other people's Most of the information available concerning traditional Bene Gessent training is taken from an analysis of the texts and manuals found in the Irulan materials at Dar es-Balat The modern Sisterhood will not releabe iti con temporary material for research use, and has withdrawn the texts formerly available m the open collection of the WalJach IX library But even reading the Irulan material al lows one to understand why the Sisterhood acquired a reputation as keen analysts, ex pert "seers," and fearsome fighters The "weirding ways" seen bv outsiders are actu ally the results of a long process of self-discipline which developed the ability to analyze and synthesize information not only m an environment of peace but also under stress Two precepts found in Reverend Mother Darius Kate Clenhanan's Amor Fan The Key to the Wav show this philosophy The first shows the necessity for discipline ' To use raw power is to make yourself infinitely vulnerable to greater powers," and the sec ond deals with practical application of the training "The mind can go in either direction under stress-toward positive or toward negative think of it as a spectrum whose extremes are unconsciousness at the negative end and hyperconsciousncss at the positive end'' Thus the goal of the training if. to insure that the Sister will have her power under control whatever the situation Clenhanan also points out the fatal weakness inherent in this training great control can lead to great confidence, to overconfidence, and finally, to an ultimate loss of objectivity-to vanity and pride Therefore candidates were contin ually evaluated and given tasks which forced them to work with people more skilled than themselves Fundamentals of the Way A Bene Gessent Mental Exercise Book also includes exercises specifically designed to prevent vanity about the student's growing strength For example, the third year training BENE GESSERIT TRAINING BENE GESSERIT TRAINING section opens with this caution "All proof inevitably leads to propositions whi9h have no proof All things are known because we want to believe in them ' One int