Paul Scheele - The PhotoReading Whole Mind System

PhotoReading Paul R. Scheele, M.A.

Exciting N e w 3rd Edition • Double your reading speed immediately • A b s o r b c o m p l e t e b o o k s in m i n u t e s

• R e m e m b e r m o r e of what you read • Excellent

• Q u i c k l y r e a d e m a i l , w e b p a g e s , a n d e l e c t r o n i c files

Over 2 0 0 , 0 0 0 in print!

for t e c h n i c a l m a t e r i a l

The PhotoReading Whole Mind System Read this B o o k in 25 Minutes

T h i s b o o k is uniquely d e s i g n e d so that y o u can easily read it in w h a t e v e r a m o u n t of time y o u can c o m m i t right n o w . 2 5 M i n u t e s ( L e v e l 1 ) - G e t t h e gist o f t h i s b o o k i n j u s t 2 5 m i n u t e s . First, page through the entire b o o k and read the table of contents, chapter titles, and subtitles. Page through t h e b o o k t h e s e c o n d t i m e a n d s c a n for i c o n s o f E i n s t e i n r i d i n g a bicycle. R e a d the p a r a g r a p h next to each b i c y c l e icon. If y o u have more time, continue to Level 2. 30 Additional M i n u t e s (Level 2) - Absorb the core concepts of this b o o k well enough to discuss t h e m in just thirty m i n u t e s m o r e . P a g e t h r o u g h the b o o k again. This t i m e s c a n for i c o n s o f E i n s t e i n j o g g i n g . R e a d t h e p a r a g r a p h next to each j o g g i n g icon. 4 5 - 9 0 A d d i t i o n a l M i n u t e s (Level 3) - Fully >\ / u n d e r s t a n d the P h o t o R e a d i n g skills by s p e n d i n g up to < n i n e t y m o r e m i n u t e s . P a g e t h r o u g h t h e b o o k s c a n n i n g for icons of Einstein w i t h a light b u l b . R e a d the p a r a g r a p h n e x t t o e a c h i c o n . A s y o u s e a r c h for i c o n s , r e m e m b e r w h a t y o u h a v e read before by r e v i e w i n g titles and subtitles. A

-B

W h e n i c o n s a r e c o n n e c t e d b y l i n e s , r e a d all t h e p a r a g r a p h s . O c c a s i o n a l l y a n o t e u n d e r a n i c o n m a y say " R e a d B u l l e t s ; " t h i s m e a n s y o u s h o u l d r e a d u p c o m i n g t e x t t h a t start w i t h a b u l l e t ( • ) . R e s i s t t e m p t a t i o n t o r e a d all p a r a g r a p h s n e x t t o all i c o n s d u r i n g t h e first t i m e y o u s c a n t h r o u g h t h e b o o k . C o m p r e h e n s i o n will be higher if y o u go through the b o o k m o r e than once. Y o u m a y d e s i r e t o r e a d t h i s b o o k w o r d - f o r - w o r d t h e first t i m e . T h a t i s all r i g h t . Y o u m a y c h o o s e different l e v e l s for s u b s e q u e n t r e a d i n g s t o h e l p y o u get m o r e o u t o f y o u r i n v e s t m e n t .

What Authors

Say A b o u t

PhotoReading..

PhotoReading combines all the most efficient reading strategies— proven in university studies over many years—with what is now known about the phenomenal perceptive capabilities of the human brain It is undoubtedly the best accelerative reading improvement program available today A n d , it is presented so that the average person can benefit immediately, and for a lifetime Dr

J

Michael Bennett, author of Efficient

University of Minnesota Reading

for Managers

This is the best book for reading improvement ever written Finally, one written by someone w h o truly understands the learning process Eric Jensen,

author of The Learning Brain and Super Teaching

By following the PhotoReading Whole M i n d System, you can enhance your learning and greatly reduce the time you spend regular reading You can automatically single out the information you value and mentally highlight those passages you want to savor Charlotte

Ward writing in Simply Live It UP

PhotoReading has helped many, including myself, to blast through materials at rates up to 25,000 words a minute Bryan

Mattimore

writing in

Success Magazine

It's not just the fact that PhotoReading can transform your life in unexpected ways that excites me It's also that Paul Scheele's book serves as a model for how to present new ideas well and forge new territory Peter Kline,

author of The Everyday Genius

PhotoReading is a gem It contains powerful tools for excelling in life I thoroughly recommend it David McNally,

author of Even Eagles Need a Push

PhotoReading appears to be a natural step forward in the evolution of human reading skills Win Wenger, Ph D, PhotoReading is literally eye-opening

writing in The Einstein Factor

The goal Let your unconscious

take a snapshot, imbibing a whole page in a glimpse

It may well be the

standard equipment for 21st Century SuperLearners Sheila

Ostrander and Lynn

Schroeder writing in

SuperLearning 2000

PhotoReading has amazing potential for helping people use more of their brain to accelerate learning Paul McKenna,

Ph

D,

author of The Hypnotic World of Paul McKenna

W e live i n t h e a g e o f t h e a c c o u n t a n t , not the

in the age of the politician, administrator, not the explorer

poet...

not the singer,

in the age of the

We thus live in an unbalanced w o r l d

Any

development which redresses this imbalance is to be welcomed and applauded The PhotoReading Whole Mind System, initially developed by and now presented in written form by Paul R Scheele, represents an excellent advance in redressing this imbalance aspects to it

Paul's contribution has a number of noteworthy

In particular, his w o r k represents

• a practical system for achieving an important class of accelerated learning skills • a significant refinement in the extremely important and ubiquitous activity of reading — in particular, continuum of choices

Paul has decomposed reading into a

By so doing he has, in effect, identified and charted a

continuum of cooperation between the two cerebral hemispheres

This places

within the grasp of the well intentioned and disciplined practitioner a set of choices which are the natural (and largely unrecognized) heritage of every member of our species • the presentation of a highly learnable system which both delivers what it proposes and simultaneously opens a huge door to achieving a new balance between unconscious and conscious processes within the user Well done, Paul Scheele

1

John Co-Developer,

I

received the

Grinder

Programming

highest grade on every t e s t !

I w a n t e d to get my master's degree months ago

Neuro-Linguistic

I tried taking a course eighteen

I was not able to complete it, because it took so much time and

my grades were not good (C or D before I dropped the course) I tried the PhotoReading method on some Navy correspondence courses, and it seemed to w o r k well

I needed to test it for real, t h o u g h

I enrolled in

t w o courses at the local junior college in business law and marketing I used only the PhotoReading whole mind system The results were astounding

With no more effort than just going to

class, I received not just A's, but I received the highest grade on every test in both classes

The best part w a s that I still had plenty of time w i t h my family People at work and my family all say that what I am doing is impossible

I w o u l d have agreed w i t h them one year ago, but instead I show them the transcripts to prove my progress

A n d still they do not believe

I certainly am impressed Randy Now North

Highlands,

California

I u s e d P h o t o R e a d i n g to b e c o m e a s p e c i a l i s t in rheumatology

and

physiotherapy

I had thousands of pages to study for a critical e x a m . I PhotoRead and activated daily over a m o n t h , and I mind mapped the rheumatology textbook. W h e n I took the written test, I both knew and felt the correct answers. My score was the second highest. I also did very well in the three-day, practical part of this medical exam, and I was the top student on the oral exam. Ildiko Kiss,

M.D., Zalaegerszeg,

W h a t used t o t a k e m e t w o I can

Hungary

hours,

n o w do in t e n m i n u t e s

As a tax consultant, I use PhotoReading to slash the time it takes to dig information from the 33-volume IRS code. I find the section I want in the index. Then I PhotoRead that section—30-40 pages. Immediately the answers appear to j u m p off the page. Fred Fredricks, I'm

more

Hong Kong

productive at w o r k

I PhotoRead my software manuals. Now, w h e n I program, the code seems to come out of my head, and I hardly ever stop to look in the manuals as before. I intuitively know the program will w o r k , and it does. Previously I w o u l d have written a bit, tested it, tweaked it, referred to the manual... Lou Wilson, I got a 100%

Middlesex,

England

salary increase

After learning PhotoReading, I lowered my reading backlog by 40 books in the next 28 days.

I applied the PhotoReading techniques to a business

presentation and got a job offer with a 1 0 0 % salary increase. Joan Jimenez,

General Council of Education, My

business

Rio Piedras,

Puerto Rico

doubled

As a business owner, I am always looking for ways to increase my sales. I PhotoRead marketing books that I hadn't found time to read, and then put together a new sales piece that yielded twice what I had done before. John DuCane, St. Paul,

Minnesota

I w r o t e 20 pages of notes without opening

the

book again

Yesterday I PhotoRead a law book. This morning I activated it. I then dedded to make just a few notes...

I am a s t o u n d e d ! Ray Simons, Las Vegas, Nevada

The PhotoReading Whole Mind System by Paul R. Scheele

Published by Learning Strategies Corporation 900 East Wavzata Boulevard Wavzata, Minnesota 55391-1836 USA 952-476-9200 • FAX 952-475-2373 [email protected] www.LearningStrategies.com Learning Strategies Corporation is a Private Vocational School licensed by the Higher Education Services Office of the Minnesota Department of Education. Board of Directors and Corporate Officers: Paul R. Scheele, Chairman; Peter Bissonette, President; William J. Erickson, General Counsel, Secretary; David A. Heit, CEO, Treasurer "PhotoReading," "Paraliminal," "Personal Celebration," "EasyLearn," "Natural Brilliance" and "Accelements" are worldwide trademarks of Learning Strategies Corporation. "Mind Mapping" is a trademark of Tony Buzan Cover design by MartinRoss Design "The whole mind is represented on the cover. The analytical left brain is depicted in the 19th Century French diagram of the planets revolving around the sun and by the eyes of Albert Einstein. The creative right brain is expressed in Michaelangelo's eye of David. Einstein's eyes suggest a want to look upward, to search further. The type going off in space reflects the new learning strategies of the PhotoReading whole mind system." Photograph of Paul R. Scheele by Sonia Katchian / Photo Shuttle: Japan Copyright 1996 Illustrations by Jillian Walz Library of Congress Catalog Number: 99-066760 ISBN 0-925480-53-3 Third Edition Copyright 1999 by Learning Strategies Corporation (First Edition: Copyright 1993) ALL RIGHTS RESERVED WORLDWIDE. Printed in the United States of America 10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3

PhotoReading

Table of Contents

R e a d this B o o k in 25 M i n u t e s • F o r e w o r d Acknowledgments

• About the Author

1 - Increase Your Choices 1. T h e O r i g i n s of P h o t o R e a d i n g 2.

2

Old R e a d i n g Habits or N e w Reading Choices

10

2 - Learn the PhotoReading Whole Mind System 3. Prepare

24

4.

Preview

32

5. P h o t o R e a d

40

6.

Activate

*.

7. Rapid R e a d

53 71

3 - Develop and Integrate Your Skills 8 . M a k e P h o t o R e a d i n g P a r t o f Y o u r D a i l y Life

80

9.

91

Share Information Through Group Activation

10. E n r i c h Y o u r P h o t o R e a d i n g E x p e r i e n c e

98

1 1 . U s e S y n t o p i c R e a d i n g for L i f e - L o n g E x p l o r a t i o n

109

12. Q u e s t i o n s a n d A n s w e r s for t h e B e g i n n i n g P h o t o R e a d e r

118

1 3 . D i s c o v e r Y o u r G e n i u s P o t e n t i a l w i t h D i r e c t L e a r n i n g ...

135

14. T h e S e c r e t o f t h e P h o t o R e a d i n g W h o l e M i n d S y s t e m ....

142

Q u i c k Reference Guide.

146

Bibliography

150

Index

154

B o o k s , Tapes, & Courses by Learning Strategies Corporation...

159

S p e c i a l Offer C e r t i f i c a t e

166

Foreword

W e l c o m e to the most innovative reading p r o g r a m available. PhotoReading goes b e y o n d mere speed reading. It is an educational experience that taps y o u r m i n d ' s vast r e s o u r c e s . It explores and expands your o w n potential. W e l i v e i n a n a g e w h e n t o o little t i m e a n d t o o m u c h i n f o r m a t i o n c o m p e t e . I f w e a r e t o s u c c e e d , w e r e q u i r e n e w s k i l l s for p r o c e s s i n g and learning from information. P h o t o R e a d i n g is about w o r k i n g with the greatest information processing device k n o w n to mankind: the h u m a n m i n d . I n t h i s b o o k y o u w i l l l e a r n t e c h n i q u e s for u s i n g t h e p o w e r s o f your whole mind. PhotoReading will teach y o u notjust how to read f a s t e r b u t learn a t s p e e d s m a n y t i m e s f a s t e r t h a n b e f o r e . W h e n y o u learn P h o t o R e a d i n g , y o u will experience w h a t might sound impossible. Y o u will P h o t o R e a d the written page at rates exceeding a page per second, directing information into the expanded

processing

capabilities

of your brain.

There

the

i n f o r m a t i o n c o n n e c t s t o y o u r prior k n o w l e d g e and b e c o m e s useful to a c c o m p l i s h i n g y o u r p u r p o s e s . Y o u get y o u r reading done in the time y o u have available, at a level of c o m p r e h e n s i o n you need. W i t h the P h o t o R e a d i n g w h o l e m i n d system, y o u will develop extraordinary c o m m u n i c a t i o n with the y o u r brain. P h o t o R e a d i n g b y p a s s e s the limited capabilities of the conscious m i n d and helps y o u find y o u r p e r s o n a l g e n i u s . The book contains three parts. In Part One, y o u will overview the P h o t o R e a d i n g w h o l e m i n d system and the n e w choices y o u have available as a reader. Part T w o guides you step-by-step to learn the P h o t o R e a d i n g w h o l e m i n d system. Part T h r e e helps y o u i n t e g r a t e y o u r n e w k n o w l e d g e a n d skills s o y o u c a n successfully use them every day. P h o t o R e a d i n g i s a t r i u m p h o v e r i n f o r m a t i o n o v e r l o a d for t h o u s a n d s P h o t o R e a d i n g course participants w o r l d w i d e . N o w , the details of this s y s t e m are e x p l a i n e d in an easy-to-read format.

Acknowledgments

As

this

Third

Edition

of

The

PhotoReading

Whole Mind

System g o e s t o p r e s s , P h o t o R e a d i n g c o n t i n u e s t o e v o l v e t h a n k s t o the c o n t i n u i n g w o r k of o v e r a h u n d r e d d e d i c a t e d p e o p l e .

T o them,

I dedicate this book. I a c k n o w l e d g e the spirit a n d c o m m i t m e n t of the certified P h o t o R e a d i n g instructors. T h e y are today's p i o n e e r s , forging a n e w form of e d u c a t i o n . T h e y significantly influence P h o t o R e a d i n g by creatively exploring new w a y s to teach and use PhotoReading. The most important contributor to P h o t o R e a d i n g is the P h o t o R e a d i n g student, w h o s e insights and b r e a k t h r o u g h s are invaluable to PhotoReading's continued evolution. K u d o s to the people of Learning Strategies Corporation and o u r w o r l d w i d e m a r k e t i n g a s s o c i a t e s for t h e i r d i l i g e n t w o r k i n helping spread the w o r d about P h o t o R e a d i n g . Thanks to them, we have tens of thousands of additional PhotoReaders around the w o r l d . I s a l u t e all t h o s e w h o c o n t r i b u t e d t o t h e e a r l y d e v e l o p m e n t of PhotoReading.

T h e n a m e s of these talented and insightful

associates are on p e r m a n e n t r e c o r d in the First a n d S e c o n d Editions of this b o o k . I also thank Dr. J. M i c h a e l Bennett, Professor E m e r i t u s from the University

o f M i n n e s o t a D e p a r t m e n t o f R h e t o r i c for h i s

excellent contributions.

H i s insightful

additions

of rhythmic

perusal and skittering to the P h o t o R e a d i n g whole m i n d system h a v e p r o v e n v a l u a b l e a c t i v a t i o n t o o l s for t h e m a n y P h o t o R e a d e r s now using them. F i n a l l y , I a c k n o w l e d g e y o u , t h e r e a d e r , for r e c o g n i z i n g y o u have the p o w e r within to a c c o m p l i s h most anything y o u desire. Y o u make breakthroughs such as P h o t o R e a d i n g a reality. Please write me of your successes. Paul R.

Scheele

About the A u t h o r Paul R. Scheele, M.A., co-founder of Learning Strategies Corporation,

is the principal developer of the P h o t o R e a d i n g

whole mind system. His education has focused on adult learning, psychology, biology, neuro-linguistic programming, preconscious

processing,

and

accelerative learning,

educational kinesiology.

He

received his B a c h e l o r of Science degree from the University of M i n n e s o t a and his M a s t e r s of A r t s d e g r e e from St. T h o m a s University. Paul is the developer of Paraliminal and Personal Celebration tapes. These audio programs use advanced recording technology to access the whole brain and enhance personal performance. P a u l a l s o d e v e l o p e d Natural Brilliance,

a f o u r - s t e p m o d e l to

h e l p p e o p l e m o v e f r o m f e e l i n g s t u c k t o r e l e a s i n g g e n i u s for achieving success. Natural Brilliance is key to Direct Learning, an application of P h o t o R e a d i n g that involves learning behaviors directly from printed p a g e s . Paul authored the highly acclaimed teacher development course

t i t l e d Accelements.

innovative, PhotoReading, He

is

self-study, Natural

And

for l e a r n e r s

personal

Brilliance,

an insightful

learning

Ideal Mindset,

public

speaker

of all

ages,

courses

his

include

and

Decisive Action.

and

consultant to

companies and organizations worldwide. Paul lives w i t h his wife L i b b y and their three sons, B e n , John, a n d Scott, in a suburb of M i n n e a p o l i s , M i n n e s o t a . He

may

be

reached by

writing

Learning

Strategies

Corporation, 900 East W a y z a t a Boulevard, Wayzata, Minnesota 55391-1836 or email [email protected] Paul

lovingly dedicates

his

work to

his family.

Their passion for reading and zest for life inspires and motivates

him

every

day.

Part One: Increase Your Choices

1 The Origins of P h o t o R e a d i n g

PhotoReading at 25,000 words per minute means you could "mentally p h o t o g r a p h " this b o o k in fewer t h a n three m i n u t e s . A l t h o u g h this m a y sound like a radical n e w idea, the concept existed hundreds of years before I coined the term PhotoReading. Y o u c a n find e v i d e n c e t h a t s u c h m e n t a l p r o c e s s i n g i s p o s s i b l e and has b e e n u s e d in diverse settings from military training and m a r t i a l arts to a n c i e n t religious t r a d i t i o n s . The challenge is not in deciding whether PhotoReading is possible. The challenge is how to teach you, as an individual r e a d i n g this b o o k , to effectively transfer this natural ability into d a i l y a p p l i c a t i o n s for r e p o r t s , j o u r n a l s , n e w s p a p e r s , b o o k s , w e b pages, or whatever you want to read. My

background

in

neuro-linguistic

programming

and

accelerative learning gave me a w a y to m e e t that challenge. T h e P h o t o R e a d i n g whole mind system has b e e n learned by others a r o u n d t h e w o r l d , a n d n o w t h e t i m e i s r i g h t for y o u t o l e a r n i t t o o . T h e s t o r y t h a t f o l l o w s e x p l a i n s h o w i t all s t a r t e d . S e v e n y e a r s after g r a d u a t i n g w i t h a s c i e n c e d e g r e e f r o m t h e U n i v e r s i t y of M i n n e s o t a , I t o o k a s p e e d r e a d i n g test. I s c o r e d 1 7 0 w o r d s per minute at 70 percent comprehension. I w a s embarrassed w h e n I r e a l i z e d m y 1 6 - p l u s y e a r s i n p u b l i c s c h o o l s left m e b e l o w average

in

reading

skills

and

an

expert

at

putting

off

reading. I t h o u g h t t h a t t o r e a d p r o p e r l y I m u s t s t a r t o n t h e first w o r d of a text and slog t h r o u g h to the end. I m u s t concentrate on seeing all t h e w o r d s c o r r e c t l y , m a k e s e n s e o f t h e m a s I w e n t a l o n g , a n d r e m e m b e r w h a t they said. I also b e l i e v e d the u l t i m a t e m e a s u r e of

The

Origins

of

PhotoReading

3

my reading effectiveness w a s total recall and critical analysis of meaning. I d i d n o t q u e s t i o n m y d e f i n i t i o n o f r e a d i n g . I felt s t u c k a t slow

s p e e d s . I k n e w that the faster I read, the w o r s e my

c o m p r e h e n s i o n b e c a m e . A f t e r s e v e n y e a r s o f p r o f e s s i o n a l life as a h u m a n resource d e v e l o p m e n t consultant, I h a d m a d e no i m p r o v e m e n t in my reading skills. In 1984, the logical solution m e a n t enrolling in a speed r e a d i n g c o u r s e . A f t e r five w e e k s o f t r a i n i n g , m y s p e e d r e a d i n g scores

averaged

5,000

words

per

minute

at

70

percent

comprehension. D u r i n g one of the class sessions, a y o u n g w o m a n sitting next to me l a m e n t e d b e i n g stuck at

1,300 w o r d s p e r m i n u t e

t h r o u g h ten w e e k s of c l a s s e s . I s u g g e s t e d to her, " I m a g i n e w h a t it w o u l d be like if y o u could b r e a k t h r o u g h to h i g h e r speeds n o w . " On her next book, her speed reading reached over 6,000 w o r d s per minute w i t h h i g h e r c o m p r e h e n s i o n test scores than ever before. As great as that sounds, speed reading did not appeal to m e . P u s h i n g m y eyeballs d o w n the p a g e soon b e c a m e u n r e w a r d i n g d r u d g e r y . T h r e e m o n t h s after l e a v i n g t h e c o u r s e , I r a r e l y u s e d t h e techniques but remained intrigued about the mind's potential for p r o c e s s i n g w r i t t e n w o r d s . I b e g a n r e a l i z i n g m y p r o b l e m — I felt t r a p p e d b e t w e e n t w o o p p o s i n g belief s y s t e m s . O n e belief c a m e from the elementary education m o d e l of reading. An opposing belief c a m e from k n o w i n g t h a t t h e h u m a n m i n d c a n a c h i e v e far m o r e m a g n i f i c e n t results. T h e same trapped and confusing feeling grabbed me once during private pilot's training. I

r e m e m b e r w h e n my

instructor took me

up to

eight

t h o u s a n d feet a n d t o l d m e t o fly a t a m i n i m u m a i r s p e e d j u s t a s I w o u l d w h e n l a n d i n g . To do so, I s l o w e d d o w n the e n g i n e and pulled back on the control y o k e to maintain my altitude. Soon, the nose of my plane pointed almost straight up. The w i n d f l o w i n g o v e r m y w i n g s n o l o n g e r c r e a t e d e n o u g h lift t o h o l d u p t h e a i r p l a n e . I t c o u l d n o t fly s o i t d r o p p e d o u t o f t h e s k y like a rock, diving straight d o w n t o w a r d the g r o u n d . Terrified, I i m m e d i a t e l y b e g a n pulling b a c k on the control y o k e , t r y i n g d e s p e r a t e l y t o g e t t h e n o s e u p a n d fly t h e p l a n e .

The

PhotoReadittg

Whole Mind

System

This made things m u c h worse. My instructor s e e m e d to enjoy w a t c h i n g my panic. Why wasn't it working? Why w o u l d n ' t the plane fly? D i v i n g t o w a r d the g r o u n d at an accelerating rate, my instructor

calmly

said,

"Push

forward." I k n e w he did not h a v e a clue a b o u t o u r p r o b l e m . W h i l e I t r i e d t o lift the plane up by the control y o k e , he w a s telling me to dive d e e p e r into the g r o u n d ? Clearly he h a d lost his m i n d . T h e p l a n e e n t e r e d a tail spin, and the earth b e c a m e a spinning blur rushing toward us. Every part of me resisted his c o m m a n d as he insisted m o r e firmly, " P u s h into the spin!" Finally, my instructor broke my white-knuckled grip and p u s h e d the control

yoke

forward.

This

push

i m m e d i a t e l y s m o o t h e d out the w i n g s and elevator section of the t a i l , w h i c h c o r r e c t e d t h e a i r f l o w o v e r t h e m a n d g e n e r a t e d lift. The plane stabilized and slowly he pulled b a c k the control y o k e to regain altitude, leaving my heart in my throat. W o w . W h a t connection does this have to reading? T h r o u g h o u t m y life I r e a d o n l y a s fast a s I c o u l d c o m p r e h e n d t h e w o r d s o n t h e p a g e . E v e r y t i m e I w e n t t o o fast t o c o m p r e h e n d , I g r a b b e d c o n t r o l a n d p u l l e d b a c k as a fear r e a c t i o n . I w a s afraid I w o u l d fail as a r e a d e r if I did not u n d e r s t a n d everything. My a t t e m p t e d strategies to read b e t t e r a n d faster only m a d e t h i n g s w o r s e . I w a s c a u g h t in the spin,

a n d r e a d i n g felt l i k e n o s e d i v i n g m y a i r p l a n e i n t o

the ground. H a v e y o u e v e r w i s h e d for a m e n t o r t o c o m e a l o n g a n d p u l l y o u o u t of a n o s e d i v e ? I d i d . U n f o r t u n a t e l y , I d i d n o t r e a l i z e a larger, m o r e powerful capacity of m i n d could solve my reading p r o b l e m . Fortunately, miracles h a p p e n . Several events in the n e x t f e w y e a r s s h a p e d a n e w d i r e c t i o n for m e . I n t h e fall o f 1 9 8 4 , 1 e n t e r e d g r a d u a t e s c h o o l t o s t u d y a d u l t

The

Origins

of PhotoReading

5

learning and h u m a n development technologies.

I wanted to

k n o w h o w p e o p l e learn m o s t effectively. M y c o m p a n y , L e a r n i n g Strategies Corporation,

w a s over three years old with m a n y

clients w h o c o u l d benefit from my studies. I w a s also strongly m o t i v a t e d to i m p r o v e my o w n skills as a learner. W h i l e a t t e n d i n g different s e m i n a r s a n d c o u r s e s , I h e a r d about an instructor from a speed reading school in P h o e n i x , Arizona. The instructor had suggested a bizarre experiment to one

of his

backwards

classes. to

After flipping p a g e s

learn eye-fixation patterns,

upside he

d o w n and

instructed the

s t u d e n t s t o t a k e a c o m p r e h e n s i o n t e s t o n t h e b o o k , j u s t f o r t h e fun o f it. T h e i r s c o r e s t u r n e d o u t t o b e t h e h i g h e s t t h e c l a s s h a d e v e r achieved. W a s it a fluke? T h e instructors at the school h y p o t h e s i z e d that m a y b e they w e r e turning the page into a stimulus that is processed subliminally. A b o u t the same time I heard that hypothesis, I attended a workshop with Peter Kline, an expert in accelerative learning. W h e n I told h i m about my interest in researching b r e a k t h r o u g h s in r e a d i n g , he offered me a c h a l l e n g e . A client of his, I D S / American Express,

wanted

a

speed reading

application of

accelerative learning. Suddenly, a consulting j o b , my master's d e g r e e w o r k , a n d m y p a s s i o n for l e a r n i n g l a n d e d i n o n e n i c e package on my lap. I n t h e fall o f 1 9 8 5 , 1 b e g a n b a c k g r o u n d r e s e a r c h i n t o s t u d i e s of subliminal perception and preconscious processing. Significant research evidence

suggested humans possess

a preconscious

processor of the m i n d that can absorb visual information without involving the conscious mind. I experimented with using the eyes and the p r e c o n s c i o u s processor in special w a y s on written materials. I dubbed this concept of "mentally p h o t o g r a p h i n g " the

printed

page

PhotoReading.

I d e v o t e d m y full t i m e t o d e s i g n i n g a s e m i n a r b a s e d u p o n the accelerative learning m o d e l , expert strategies of rapid reading, the

human

development

technology

of

neuro-linguistic

p r o g r a m m i n g , and studies on preconscious p r o c e s s i n g . S o o n the PhotoReading seminar was born. O n e of my experiments involved returning to the speed r e a d i n g s c h o o l I h a d a t t e n d e d . I a s k e d t h e t e a c h e r for s e v e r a l b o o k s a n d t e s t s . After P h o t o R e a d i n g o n e o f the b o o k s a t 6 8 , 0 0 0

The PhotoReading

Whole Mind System

6

words per minute, I demonstrated 74 percent comprehension on the s a m e t y p e of w r i t t e n test I h a d u s e d a few y e a r s earlier. Too good to be true? M a y b e . C o m p a r e d to reading or speed reading, it w a s too good to be true. P h o t o R e a d i n g , however, w a s neither.

Something powerful w a s happening,

and the school

confirmed the results. I n J a n u a r y a n d F e b r u a r y o f 1 9 8 6 , I t a u g h t t h e first s i x e x p e r i m e n t a l s e m i n a r s — o n e t o I D S a n d five t o c l i e n t s o f m y c o m p a n y . Participants stood up during class to describe many immediate

payoffs

including

reduced

stress,

startling

i m p r o v e m e n t s i n m e m o r y , fluid r e a d i n g s k i l l s , t o p g r a d e s o n s c h o o l t e s t s , i n c r e a s e d w i n s for s a l e s p e o p l e a n d t r i a l a t t o r n e y s , and m o r e . Inspired by participants' excitement, I w o r k e d on refining the curriculum design and teaching materials with my business associates. On May

16,

1986, the M i n n e s o t a D e p a r t m e n t of

E d u c a t i o n licensed Learning Strategies Corporation as a private vocational

school

after r e v i e w i n g t h e P h o t o R e a d i n g s e m i n a r

curriculum and our business practices. W h e n the President of the United States of A m e r i c a declared the 1990s the " d e c a d e of the brain," he invited an explosion of new research in cognitive science. The resulting breakthroughs in our understanding of how the brain processes information have

offered

unprecedented

s u p p o r t for t h e

pursuit of new

approaches to learning. PhotoReading has earned international r e c o g n i t i o n for its i n n o v a t i o n s t o e d u c a t i o n . Instructors

specially

trained

and

certified by

Learning

Strategies Corporation, continually u p g r a d e P h o t o R e a d i n g into a

life-transforming

human

development

experience

that

incorporates the latest in b r a i n r e s e a r c h to help achieve success. I t i s offered w o r l d w i d e t h r o u g h l i v e s e m i n a r s a n d a s e l f - s t u d y course, and is supported with telephone and online coaching. P h o t o R e a d i n g h e l p s y o u a c q u i r e n e w skills t o i n c r e a s e reading

efficiency.

PhotoReading

As

most PhotoReaders

transforms

more

than

admit,

reading

however,

skills.

The

P h o t o R e a d i n g w h o l e m i n d s y s t e m directs y o u to " p u s h into the spin" and discover the natural genius residing within y o u . This m e a n s y o u fly s m o o t h l y t h r o u g h i n f o r m a t i o n i n s t e a d o f s p i n n i n g out of control. This b o o k will help deliver the system to y o u in

The

Origins

PhotoReading

of

7

clear, step-by-step instructions.

A preview of what is to come T h e five s t e p s t o t h e P h o t o R e a d i n g w h o l e m i n d s y s t e m include preparing, previewing, PhotoReading, activating, and rapid

reading. T h e s y s t e m a p p e a r s a s a set o f s t e p s i n s e q u e n c e , a l t h o u g h

i t i s a c t u a l l y a set o f o p t i o n s t h a t c a n b e u s e d i n a n y o r d e r appropriate to y o u r n e e d s . It m o d e l s the strategies u s e d by highly skilled readers. The secret p o w e r in the system is not in the techniques, but i n t h e shift i n p e r s p e c t i v e t h e t e c h n i q u e s e n g e n d e r . T o u s e t h e system and achieve y o u r goals, y o u must confront the c o m p u l s i o n to h a b i t u a l l y apply inefficient strategies. In the p a g e s that follow, y o u will e x a m i n e the limitations that bind y o u to y o u r present capacities. Y o u will gain w a y s to b y p a s s the limited p r o c e s s i n g capabilities of the conscious m i n d and connect w i t h the e x p a n d e d processing capabilities of y o u r brain in which y o u r natural genius resides. The simple behaviors y o u learn can be u s e d right a w a y . Right Throughout this book I refer to the other-than-conscious mind I use this term

interchangeably

now,

you

can

only

i m a g i n e the g o o d that can take place as you

use

more

of your innate

nonconscious

talents. Over the years of teaching

mind, inner mind, paraconscious mind, preconscious mind, more-

P h o t o R e a d i n g to t h o u s a n d s w o r l d wide, I have witnessed many

with

the

terms

than-conscious expanded

brain.

mind,

and

Also,

sub¬

conscious mind or unconscious

p e r s o n a l and professional transform¬ ations. H e r e are a few e x a m p l e s : •

A

high

school

student

P h o t o R e a d the dictionary repeatedly and dramatically improved her vocabulary score on S A T e x a m s . • An attorney uses P h o t o R e a d i n g to quickly locate vital facts i n h u g e l a w b o o k s . N o w , i n s t e a d o f s p e n d i n g h a l f - a n - h o u r i n a t y p i c a l v i s i t t o t h e l a w l i b r a r y , h e s p e n d s five m i n u t e s . • A technical writer P h o t o R e a d a client's software s y s t e m s m a n u a l before his initial m e e t i n g w i t h the project e n g i n e e r s . He w a s able to talk k n o w l e d g e a b l y

about the

fifteen m i n u t e s o f p r e p a r a t i o n t i m e .

system with only

The PhotoReading •

Whole Mind System

8

A computer service technician consistently locates key

information in reference manuals within seconds. • An attorney took three m i n u t e s to read a three h u n d r e d p a g e legal m a n u a l from the D e p a r t m e n t of Transportation. He instantly turned to the one p a r a g r a p h in the text that included the information he n e e d e d to w i n a case. The state's expert witness, w h o h a d b e e n u n a b l e t o find this p a r a g r a p h w a s s t u n n e d a s h e s a w the attorney p e r f o r m this feat. • A w a s t e w a t e r s p e c i a l i s t for E . I . D u p o n t h a d t o r e a d a three-inch stack of federal regulations from O S H A in p r e p a r a t i o n for a m e e t i n g . D u r i n g a 3 5 - m i n u t e f l i g h t t o t h e m e e t i n g , h e P h o t o R e a d the documents. D u r i n g the meeting, he correctly stated that O S H A w o u l d no longer accept w a t e r treatment data that w a s more than three years old—a technical point buried in the regulations he had just P h o t o R e a d . • A b u s i n e s s c o n s u l t a n t v i s i t e d t h e city l i b r a r y t o P h o t o R e a d industry

trade journals

before

the

initial

meeting

with

a

p r o s p e c t i v e corporate client. H e r k n o w l e d g e on industry trends, key problems, and innovative practices gave her the edge over other consultants b e i n g interviewed. She w o n the contract. • A c o l l e g e s t u d e n t u s e d P h o t o R e a d i n g to successfully c o m p l e t e h i s d e g r e e , g a i n e m p l o y m e n t a t a h i g h - t e c h firm, t h e n rise in the ranks of n e w hires. He c l a i m e d he o w e d his s u c c e s s to the a d v a n t a g e s P h o t o R e a d i n g gave him. • A g r o u p of h i g h school students from Puerto R i c o u s e d PhotoReading to win medals in an international Mental Olympics contest. • In his a c c e p t a n c e s p e e c h for t o p h o n o r s , a short story writer a n n o u n c e d that P h o t o R e a d i n g w a s the secret ingredient for h i s e x c e l l e n c e i n c r e a t i v i t y a n d w r i t i n g s t y l e . These e x a m p l e s only b e g i n to e x p r e s s the benefits. O u r clients also say that P h o t o R e a d i n g h e l p s t h e m to w r i t e r e p o r t s , p a s s c r i t i c a l e x a m s , e x c e l i n s c h o o l c o u r s e s , f i n i s h d e g r e e s , sail through meetings, earn promotions, and do more of the reading t h e y r e a l l y w a n t t o d o for e n j o y m e n t . T h e o n l y r e q u i r e m e n t s for P h o t o R e a d i n g a r e a w i l l i n g n e s s t o e x p e r i m e n t , u s e n e w i d e a s , r e l a x , a n d p l a y . T h e n t h e full g e n i u s within y o u will be released. B e c o m e like a child naturally curious, wondering, experiencing, discovering—and a whole new world

The

Origins

of

PhotoReading

9

of easy reading will unfold. Reading

will

become

a

new

source

of personal

and

professional power. Y o u will explore written materials with new levels of effectiveness.

T h e b e n e f i t s offered b y t h e P h o t o R e a d i n g

w h o l e m i n d s y s t e m w i l l h e l p y o u c r e a t e a q u a l i t y o f life t h a t w i l l delight and surprise you.

T h e n e x t c h a p t e r g e t s y o u set a n d r e a d y t o g o .

A student improved his high school math grade from a D to a B in one semester. He said that PhotoReading math books must have given him ways to do problems better. Another student PhotoRead a variety of books before preparing a theme paper. The teacher wrote on her paper,

"A+ Your writing style

improved overnight. What did you d o ? ! " Several musicians have reported uses of PhotoReading music. They find that PhotoReading musical scores a day before first playing the music makes the first run through much easier—as if they have already practiced the piece. A doctor of psychology from Mexico was asked to present her twenty-page research paper to a conference in California. Because it was written in Spanish, she w o u l d have to translate the paper as she spoke. Although she was bilingual, she had always f o u n d it difficult to speak English from Spanish w r i t i n g .

She

PhotoRead the Spanish-English dictionary several times the day and night before her presentation.

During her speech, she spoke fluently w i t h o u t any

confusion whatsoever. She reported being relaxed and completely comfortable the entire time. A gardener found it easier to recognize plants after PhotoReading a guide. A high school English teacher used the PhotoReading whole mind system to prepare for an American literature unit on Hemingway. She PhotoRead all the commentaries on Hemingway's w r i t i n g , plus all books he wrote including the two the class unit w o u l d cover. In addition, she rapid read the two books. She surprised herself as the material activated spontaneously during her lectures. Her knowledge of the subject contained rich examples giving the class depth that surpassed any unit she had ever taught.

2 Old R e a d i n g Habits or N e w R e a d i n g Choices

T a k e a m o m e n t to paint a vivid m e n t a l picture of the kind of reading

materials you

encounter regularly.

A m o n g the

possibilities are: • W e b s i t e s a n d e l e c t r o n i c files • M a g a z i n e s or trade j o u r n a l s •

Newspapers

• Mail and email •

Memos

•

O w n e r ' s m a n u a l s or reference guides

• Training materials •

Reports

• P r o p o s a l s or s a l e s literature •

Specification sheets

• Nonfiction books • Novels, poetry, and short stories Quickly answer the following questions in y o u r mind: • H o w well do y o u comprehend what y o u read? • H o w well do you r e m e m b e r what y o u read? • W h a t are y o u r strong points as a reader? • W h a t is the one t h i n g y o u w o u l d m o s t like to change about the way y o u read?

Old Reading Habits or New Reading Choices

11

P l a y w i t h t w o p o s s i b l e s c e n a r i o s for y o u r f u t u r e , b a s e d o n how you read today. H e r e is one we call the plight of the e l e m e n t a r y reader: You enter your office greeted by stacks of unread memos, reports, manuals,

and journals.

Thosepiles of paper feel like a reprimand. Rather

than face them, you stash them. But you cannot help worrying that you have buried a vital idea or fact—some critical insight that could lead to a promotion or help you avoid an embarrassing mistake.

As you plod through your daily round of

meetings

and phone

you

calls,

will get to all

you

tell yourself that

that reading...tomorrow.

The situation at home is similar. untouched

magazines,

newspapers,

Piles of

and

mail

clutter your living space. The prospect of hacking your

way

How

about

your

biographies,

and

special

through

day?

that comes The

it

seems

chance

to

motivational

That

day just

distant, read

at

for

books keeps

best.

pleasure—to you

have

retreating

enjoy been

behind

those

novels,

saving for everything

a else

along. idea

make sense.

of further professional

training

You get excited thinking about

or the

education

seems

career advances

to and

extra income that you stand to gain. A question that stops you cold: How would I ever get all

that reading done?

Even if, by some miracle, you conquered all of those unread stacks, you

still face

the

challenge

of remembering,

explaining,

and

applying

what you read. So, you put off reading another day and live in a state of confusion,

chaos,

and quiet

desperation.

Is this scenario familiar to y o u ? A r e y o u trying to c o p e in the i n f o r m a t i o n age u s i n g r e a d i n g skills l e a r n e d in e l e m e n t a r y s c h o o l ? N o w c o n s i d e r scenario n u m b e r t w o , w h i c h w e will call the joy of the PhotoReader: You begin each work day feeling on top of the information needed to make effective and timely decisions.

Whenever you

with a sense of effortlessness and relaxation. approval by

for

your

solid evidence.

proposals

because

your

read, you do so

You find it easier to recommendations

are

win

backed

The PhotoReading

Whole Mind

Reading technical nozv

requires

System

reports,

a

12

task that

only minutes per document.

At

used

to

consume hours,

the end of your day you

look at a clear deskfeeling ready for the following day. This quality extends to your home life as well. of untouched books,

magazines,

your living space.

You keep

minutes a day. * c

your

P\f\

f

newspapers,

"to

up with

Gone are the piles

and mail that once crowded

the latest daily news in

10-15

In a single sitting you pare down or eliminate

be

read" piles.

consistently complete

And

the

with

the

top-priority

extra

tasks

time,

on your

you to-do

lists. Your courses, expand general Now

reading

you

which

advanced

reading

complete degrees, your

knowledge,

curiosity. create go

abilities

The

ease

time for

beyond

the

enable you

gain promotions,

learn

and of it

novels, immediate

all

to

satisfy makes

magazines, demands

take

new skills, your

learning fun. and

pleasure

of your

job.

In the process, you create free time to play as well. H o l d t h i s s c e n a r i o i n m i n d for a f e w m o r e s e c o n d s . S a v o r the resulting feelings of mastery and pleasure. Enjoy the extra time,

money,

and pleasure

that reading adds

t o y o u r life.

Isn't that nice?

Decide your future

now

O n e m e s s a g e I h o p e y o u w i l l t a k e f r o m t h i s b o o k , a b o v e all o t h e r s , i s t h a t y o u c a n c h o o s e w h i c h s c e n a r i o i s t r u e for y o u . Y o u can place yourself on a path to either of these worlds in a m o m e n t . Y o u already possess the p o w e r to create either scenario, a n d it is i m p e r a t i v e to d e c i d e a n d s h a p e the future y o u w a n t . If this appeal to shape y o u r destiny as a reader seems o v e r l y d r a m a t i c o r silly, t h e n c o n s i d e r a s t a t i s t i c : f e w e r t h a n t e n p e r c e n t o f t h e p e o p l e w h o b u y a b o o k e v e r g e t b e y o n d t h e first c h a p t e r . ( C o n g r a t u l a t i o n s ! Y o u a r e a l r e a d y i n t o C h a p t e r 2.) M a n y p e o p l e w h o e n r o l l i n o u r P h o t o R e a d i n g s e m i n a r say they typically never make it b e y o n d the cover of the b o o k s they buy.

Instead,

they

simply

accumulate

or circulate books,

magazines, brochures, mail, m e m o s , and reports. The information i n t h e s e m a t e r i a l s c o u l d j u s t a s w e l l b e w r i t t e n i n d i s a p p e a r i n g ink.

Old Reading Habits or New Reading Choices

13

As y o u go b e y o n d the o p e n i n g of this b o o k , y o u will d i s c o v e r a set o f t o o l s for g a i n i n g a n e w e x p e r i e n c e o f r e a d i n g . U s e the tools, a n d y o u will find i t w i t h i n y o u r p o w e r t o m a k e the i d e a l r e a d i n g s c e n a r i o c o m e t r u e for y o u . I f y o u d o n o t g o b e y o n d this c h a p t e r , y o u r e x p e r i e n c e of r e a d i n g w i l l stay t h e s a m e as it is today.

Break

old reading habits

I k n o w y o u w a n t results, a n d y o u will p r o b a b l y try m a n y of the techniques I suggest. H o w e v e r , achieving n e w results m e a n s more than trying new reading behaviors. Y o u must adopt an alternative view of what reading can be. Take everything you know about reading and you have just defined the barriers to getting n e w results. Elementary s c h o o l r e a d i n g i m p r i n t s u s all w i t h a m o d e l o f r e a d i n g t h a t l i m i t s our minds. This m o d e l or "paradigm" exerts t r e m e n d o u s p o w e r over y o u r actions and y o u r potential results. E l e m e n t a r y r e a d i n g i s a fairly p a s s i v e affair, o f t e n d o n e without a clear sense of purpose.

H a v e y o u ever spent ten

m i n u t e s r e a d i n g a n e w s p a p e r article to d i s c o v e r it w a s a w a s t e of time? That happens w h e n you read passively. O n e - s p e e d fits all i s t h e e l e m e n t a r y r e a d i n g m a x i m ; g e n e r a l l y we plow through every type of reading material—from comic b o o k s to t e x t b o o k s — a t the s a m e rate. It m a k e s m o r e sense to get the facts from a t r a d e j o u r n a l w i t h a different s p e e d t h a n we w o u l d u s e r e a d i n g a n o v e l for p l e a s u r e . W e f e e l p r e s s u r e t o g e t i t r i g h t t h e first t i m e w i t h e l e m e n t a r y reading.

We expect to

c o m p r e h e n d everything in one pass

t h r o u g h t h e m a t e r i a l . I f w e d o n o t , w e feel i n a d e q u a t e a s r e a d e r s . M u s i c i a n s do not pressure t h e m s e l v e s to play m u s i c from a s c o r e p e r f e c t l y t h e first t i m e . W h y m u s t w e b e p e r f e c t a s r e a d e r s ? T h i n k a b o u t all the t a s k s w e are s u p p o s e d t o a c c o m p l i s h i n that single pass t h r o u g h a d o c u m e n t : c o m p r e h e n d the structure, grasp the key terms,

and follow the m a i n a r g u m e n t s or plot

e v e n t s . O n t o p o f t h a t , w e m u s t r e m e m b e r i t all, c r i t i q u e it, a n d quote it accurately. Faced with these kinds of d e m a n d s , the conscious m i n d often b e c o m e s o v e r w h e l m e d a n d c a n literally shut d o w n . T h i s is

The PhotoReading

Whole Mind System

14

c o m p o u n d e d w h e n w e feel a n x i e t y , w h i c h h a p p e n s w h e n w e c o m e to the end of a p a r a g r a p h and have no idea w h a t we j u s t read. H a s this h a p p e n e d to y o u ? B e c o m i n g o v e r w h e l m e d by too m u c h information is easy in this age of information overload. H a v e y o u ever found y o u r eyes m o v i n g d o w n t h e p a g e w h i l e y o u r m i n d w e n t off t o a far a w a y l a n d ? It is as if the lights are on, b u t n o b o d y is h o m e . This leads to

document shock—a

short-circuit in y o u r

interna] connections. Too m u c h current c o m i n g over the lines sends the w i r i n g up in smoke. This b r e a k d o w n at the c o n s c i o u s level s l o w s the flow of i n f o r m a t i o n to a trickle w h e n we read. T h e m o r e facts, details, a n d o t h e r d a t a w e t r y t o c r a m in, t h e l e s s w e r e c a l l . I n t h i s a g e o f i n f o r m a t i o n o v e r l o a d , i t i s e a s y t o feel l i k e a starving person with a can of soup but no can opener. e l e m e n t a r y r e a d i n g skills,

w e often l e a v e h u n g r y .

With

We plow

t h r o u g h b o o k s , p e r i o d i c a l s , m a n u a l s , a n d m a i l , only t o find that w e are c r a v i n g s o m e t h i n g w e c a n n o t s e e m t o get.

Anything

useful from t h e s e piles of i n f o r m a t i o n r e m a i n s sealed from us. Will elementary reading habits deliver what we need? If y o u r answer is "no," y o u k n o w the p r o b l e m exists—and that is great. Y o u have entered a powerful place, one w h e r e y o u are p o i s e d for c h a n g e .

Embrace new reading choices R e a d e r s w h o thrive t o d a y t a k e a different a p p r o a c h t h a n the e l e m e n t a r y school m o d e l of reading. T h e y are flexible in their reading. T h e y adjust their s p e e d to the t y p e of material at hand. They

know

what they

w a n t from the

written piece.

They

c o n s i s t e n t l y find g e m s o f i n f o r m a t i o n t h a t d e l i v e r r e a l b e n e f i t . A c t i v e , p u r p o s e f u l , q u e s t i o n i n g , a n d fully e n g a g e d — t h a t describes the b e s t readers.

T h e s e effective r e a d i n g strategies

b e c o m e a part of y o u r repertoire as y o u learn the P h o t o R e a d i n g whole m i n d system. In the process, y o u will discover e n h a n c e d retention, recall, and enjoyment. PhotoReading

shifts

you

away

from

the

prevailing

e l e m e n t a r y reading m o d e l into w h o l e m i n d reading and m a k e s

Old Reading Habits or New Reading Choices

15

you a b l a s p h e m e r of traditional reading theory. As such you will encounter many people w h o will

say

PhotoReading cannot

possibly work. T h e next story illustrates w h a t I m e a n . A colleague at L e a r n i n g Strategies Corporation discovered that With the PhotoReading PhotoReading whole mind system, you use the creative-intuitive mind

as w e l l

as the

critical-logical mind to

even college

professors

resist

new

p a r a d i g m s . Faculty m e m b e r s at a college in M i n n e s o t a tried to b l o c k us from offering the P h o t o R e a d i n g seminar on the grounds that PhotoReading is impossible.

accomplish your goals.

The

P h o t o R e a d e r a g r e e d to

offer a

demonstration. A v o l u m e of U . S . patent law w a s projected, page by page, onto a video monitor. My colleague P h o t o R e a d this material as it w a s displayed at a p p r o x i m a t e l y 30 pages a second (over 690,000 words per minute). Afterwards, he scored

75

percent

comprehension.

In addition,

he

drew

a p p r o x i m a t i o n s of six p a t e n t illustrations and correctly identified their numeric sequence. T h e p a r a d i g m h a d shifted right b e f o r e t h e i r e y e s . D o y o u suppose they supported the seminar? N o . Seeing is not believing. T o shift y o u r p a r a d i g m y o u m u s t b e l i e v e i t b e f o r e y o u s e e it. T h i n k o f P h o t o R e a d i n g a s a p a r a d i g m shift, a n d y o u w i l l d o t h e "impossible."

You cannot "read" at 25,000 words per minute Before learning PhotoReading,

many people hear such

stories as above and respond with, "That is nuts! There is no w a y y o u c a n r e a d t h a t fast." T h e y are right. No o n e ' s " c o n s c i o u s m i n d " c a n read that fast. P h o t o R e a d i n g i s n o t " r e a d i n g " a s w e k n o w it. T h i s k i n d o f information processing is possible only w h e n we temporarily b y p a s s the critical, logical, analytical mind. We do not P h o t o R e a d with the conscious mind. Instead, we draw on vast layers of the m i n d that r e m a i n largely u n u s e d during conventional reading. This literally m e a n s u s i n g the b r a i n in a n e w w a y . W e still h a v e t o f a c e e v e r y d a y r e a d i n g c h a l l e n g e s , s o let u s employ an approach to

reading that uses b o t h hemispheres

of the brain.

left h e m i s p h e r e

F r o m the

we

draw u p o n the

abilities to analyze, s e q u e n c e information, and reason logically.

The PhotoReading

Whole Mind System

16

F r o m the right h e m i s p h e r e we obtain the abilities to synthesize, comprehend, create internal images, and respond intuitively. W h e n y o u learn to mentally p h o t o g r a p h a b o o k at a rate of one page a s e c o n d — a b o u t 2 5 , 0 0 0 w o r d s per m i n u t e — y o u are taking a new approach to processing information. At such rates, the

old left-to-right,

elementary

reading

word-by-word, cannot

line-by-line

operate.

Instead,

method of

you meet the

printed p a g e using abilities ascribed to the right h e m i s p h e r e of the brain. After P h o t o R e a d i n g a b o o k , the next step is to stimulate a n d a c t i v a t e y o u r b r a i n . T h i s s t e p o f " a c t i v a t i o n , " a s w e c a l l it, lets

you

extract

information you

need

from

the

book

to

a c c o m p l i s h y o u r g o a l s for r e a d i n g . A c c e p t i n g that y o u can process the written w o r d at an o t h e r - t h a n - c o n s c i o u s l e v e l shifts t h e r e a d i n g p a r a d i g m . M a k e this

shift,

and you

can make your experience

of reading

powerful, effective, a n d easy.

Take an unexpected path to success S o m e a s p e c t s o f P h o t o R e a d i n g m a y s e e m w h i m s i c a l a t first. Instead of learning the expected techniques of speed reading, y o u learn about the tangerine lucid dreaming, guide

you

technique,

cocktail weenies,

and other unusual processes.

through

experiences

that

you

I purposefully have

not

had,

possibly do not want, and m a y not think y o u need. Sound odd?

It is

no

more

odd than discovering the

p r i n c i p l e s o f p h y s i c s b y l e a r n i n g h o w t o d o w n h i l l ski. W h y n o t d o i t t h a t w a y ? T o h e l p t h e p a r a d i g m shift, w e m u s t t a k e a n unusual, u n e x p e c t e d path.

Otherwise, we tend to

solve our

r e a d i n g p r o b l e m i n w a y s t h a t fit o u r c u r r e n t v i e w o f t h e p r o b l e m . F o r e x a m p l e , w h e n we h a v e a lot to read, we t e n d to s p e e d up—but our comprehension drops.

We then slow d o w n and

overload the c o n s c i o u s mind. T h e net result is no increase in speed or comprehension but an enormous increase in internal conflict. This conflict r e c r e a t e s the p r o b l e m s we a t t e m p t e d to s o l v e . A n d w e still h a v e a l o t t o r e a d .

Old Reading Habits

or

New

Reading

Choices

17

It takes away our excuses It t h e t h o u g h t of z i p p i n g t h r o u g h a b o o k at a p a g e a s e c o n d sounds unlikely, r e m e m b e r that a n e w approach always seems outlandish w h e n we v i e w it t h r o u g h the lenses of the old m o d e l . W h e n a p a r a d i g m shifts, e v e r y t h i n g b e g i n s a g a i n . O l d r u l e s m a y n o l o n g e r apply. E v e n so, p r o f o u n d c h a n g e s c a n h a p p e n painlessly, i n a n i n s t a n t , a n d h a v e f a r - r e a c h i n g effects. I like the w a y one of o u r P h o t o R e a d i n g g r a d u a t e s ,

a

m e c h a n i c a l e n g i n e e r , p u t it: "It i s s c a r y t o t h i n k t h a t o u r m i n d s a r e u n l i m i t e d . I t t a k e s a w a y all o u r e x c u s e s . " I f y o u feel u n e a s y w i t h t h e p r o s p e c t o f a p a r a d i g m shift, c o n s i d e r t h e w o r d s o f a n o t h e r graduate:

" S t e p i n t o t h e u n k n o w n . D o n ' t b e afraid. Y o u w i l l

either find solid g r o u n d , or y o u will be t a u g h t to fly." W e m u s t try n e w attitudes a n d e x p e r i m e n t w i t h n e w a c t i o n s . Otherwise, h o w can we produce n e w results in our lives? A p e r s o n i n o n e o f o u r s e m i n a r s o v e r c a m e his fear o f s u c c e s s a n d said, "I finally u n d e r s t a n d . T h i s s e m i n a r c a n t r a n s f o r m my l i f e — but I have b e e n acting as t h o u g h I can do it without c h a n g i n g any of my beliefs or my behavior!"

What you have to give up To master PhotoReading you must give up: • l o w s e l f e s t e e m as a l e a r n e r •

self-defeating habits like p r o c r a s t i n a t i o n a n d self-doubt

• perfectionism,

"all or n o n e "

thinking that dwells on

failure rather t h a n feedback and learning • distrust in the other-than-conscious m i n d and intuitive abilities • the need to k n o w everything right a w a y • performance anxiety • a s t r e s s f u l s e n s e of u r g e n c y M o r e than anything else, y o u m u s t give up negative attitudes that get in the w a y of y o u r success. F o r e x a m p l e , one participant in a P h o t o R e a d i n g s e m i n a r never considered himself m u c h of a reader, and his belief b e c a m e a personal barrier:

"I j u s t don't

think I am going to be able to learn this." A n o t h e r participant in the s a m e s e m i n a r also

c l a i m e d p o o r reading skills, b u t her

The PhotoReading

Whole Mind System

18

approach was more open to giving up her limitations: "I am just going to do w h a t e v e r it takes to master this." B o t h p e o p l e l e a r n e d t o P h o t o R e a d . T h e first o n e , w h i l e c l i n g i n g t o a n e g a t i v e belief, f o u n d i t m u c h m o r e difficult t o discover the true abilities he p o s s e s s e d . W h e n he m a d e the important internal change, the P h o t o R e a d i n g whole mind system h e l p e d c h a n g e h i s r e s u l t s i n life. A s p r o f o u n d a s P h o t o R e a d i n g c a n b e t o y o u r life, t h e r e i s a n added reassurance: y o u do not have to give up any pleasure in r e a d i n g . I n fact, y o u g e t t o k e e p y o u r r e g u l a r r e a d i n g s k i l l s . A woman who

loved

reading

novels

exclaimed

after t a k i n g

PhotoReading, "I've rediscovered the joy of reading!" H e r pleasure r e a d i n g b e c a m e a r i c h e r , fuller e x p e r i e n c e .

Here is the system The d e m a n d s placed on y o u as a reader in our age of i n f o r m a t i o n are t r e m e n d o u s .

The PhotoReading whole mind

system can help y o u meet any challenge. It w o r k s w i t h any subject m a t t e r a n d flexibly a d a p t s to different p u r p o s e s , print formats, rates of speed, and levels of c o m p r e h e n s i o n . T h e five s t e p s o f t h e P h o t o R e a d i n g w h o l e m i n d s y s t e m u s e the abilities of y o u r w h o l e m i n d with p o w e r and effectiveness. L e t u s o v e r v i e w t h e s t e p s n o w . I n t h e n e x t five c h a p t e r s y o u w i l l d e v e l o p skills to apply e a c h step effectively.

Step 1: Prepare R e a d i n g e f f e c t i v e l y b e g i n s w i t h a c l e a r s e n s e o f purpose. Read t o

T h i s m e a n s c o n s c i o u s l y s t a t i n g a d e s i r e d o u t c o m e for r e a d i n g ,

end o f F o r e x a m p l e , w e m i g h t w a n t a b r i e f o v e r v i e w o f m a i n p o i n t s . W e Chapter m i g h t w a n t t o g a i n c e r t a i n d e t a i l s s u c h a s t h e s o l u t i o n s t o s p e c i f i c problems. Perhaps we want to complete a task and seek only the ideas that will h e l p us do so. P u r p o s e acts like a radar signal to the inner m i n d a l l o w i n g it to p r o d u c e the results we seek. E m p o w e r e d with a clear purpose, enter

a

state

of

relaxed

alertness—the

we

then

accelerative

learning state. W h i l e in this state, neither b o r e d o m

Old Reading Habits or New Reading Choices

19

n o r a n x i e t y e x i s t . W e a r e e x e r t i n g effort, b u t w e a r e n o t w o r r i e d about results. H a v e y o u ever w a t c h e d y o u n g children as they play? They m o d e l the

s a m e r e l a x e d y e t purposeful state w e

seek here.

Step 2: Preview P r e v i e w i n g i s b a s e d o n a n i m p o r t a n t p r i n c i p l e : effective l e a r n i n g o f t e n t a k e s p l a c e " f r o m w h o l e t o p a r t s . " T h a t is, w e s t a r t with

the

big

picture

and

proceed

to

the

smaller,

more

detailed parts. F i r s t w e survey t h e w r i t t e n m a t e r i a l . O u r a i m i s n o t t o g r a s p t h e c o n t e n t i n d e t a i l , b u t t o g e t a s e n s e o f its s t r u c t u r e . T h e n w e g a t h e r a list o f k e y t e r m s , o r trigger words, w h i c h e m b o d y t h e c o r e c o n c e p t s or events. T r i g g e r w o r d s alert our m i n d s to the details w e m i g h t w a n t t o e x p l o r e m o r e t h o r o u g h l y later. W h e n d o n e effectively, p r e v i e w i n g is short a n d s w e e t — a b o u t five m i n u t e s for a b o o k , t h r e e m i n u t e s for a r e p o r t , a n d a s little a s 3 0 s e c o n d s for a n a r t i c l e . D u r i n g t h a t t i m e , w e clarify a n d r e f i n e o u r p u r p o s e , review t h e t r i g g e r w o r d s , a n d d e c i d e w h e t h e r to c o n t i n u e r e a d i n g or call it quits. If we c h o o s e not to read s o m e t h i n g that d o e s n o t m e e t o u r n e e d s o r i n t e r e s t s , i t i s all r i g h t . P r e v i e w i n g is like x-raying a b o o k — g e t t i n g a b r o a d sense of its

underlying

structure.

Understanding

s o m e t h i n g that learning theorists

call

a

structure schema,

gives a

us

set of

expectations about w h a t i s c o m i n g u p next. W h e n w e k n o w the structure of w r i t t e n text, we b e c o m e m o r e a c c u r a t e at p r e d i c t i n g its

content.

As

a

result,

our comprehension

and

reading

p l e a s u r e soar. In summary, previewing gives us the skeleton of a b o o k or a r t i c l e first. D u r i n g t h e n e x t s t e p s o f t h e P h o t o R e a d i n g w h o l e mind system, we add b o d y to the skeleton.

Step 3: PhotoRead The PhotoReading technique begins with placing ourselves m o r e fully i n t o t h e r e l a x e d , a l e r t s t a t e o f m i n d a n d b o d y c a l l e d t h e

The PhotoReading accelerative

Whole Mind System

learning

state.

20

In this

state,

d i s t r a c t i o n s , w o r r i e s , a n d t e n s i o n s s e e m t o fall f . away. Then

we

adjust

our

vision

for

A

the

PhotoFocus s t a t e . H e r e t h e a i m i s t o u s e o u r e y e s * * in a n e w w a y : instead of b r i n g i n g individual w o r d s into sharp focus, we soften our eyes so that our p e r i p h e r a l v i s i o n e x p a n d s and the w h o l e printed page c o m e s into view. PhotoFocus

creates

a physical

and

mental window—

allowing direct exposure of the i n c o m i n g visual stimuli to the brain. In this state, we mentally p h o t o g r a p h the entire p a g e , exposing it to the preconscious processor of the mind.

The

exposure of each page stimulates a direct neurological response. The

brain

performs

its

function

of pattern

recognition,

u n e n c u m b e r e d by the critical/logical thought process of the conscious mind. At a rate of o n e p a g e a second, we c a n P h o t o R e a d a w h o l e b o o k i n t h r e e t o five m i n u t e s . T h i s i s n o t t r a d i t i o n a l r e a d i n g . A f t e r P h o t o R e a d i n g , we m a y h a v e little if any of the m a t e r i a l in conscious awareness, which means we may consciously know nothing. T h e n e x t steps create the c o n s c i o u s a w a r e n e s s we need.

Step

4: Activate

During activation we restimulate the brain— probing

the

mind w i t h q u e s t i o n s

and

exploring

p a r t s o f t h e t e x t t o w h i c h w e feel m o s t a t t r a c t e d . W e t h e n super read t h e m o s t i m p o r t a n t p a r t s o f t h e t e x t b y scanning quickly d o w n the center of each page or c o l u m n of type. W h e n w e feel i t i s a p p r o p r i a t e , w e dip i n t o t h e t e x t f o r m o r e focused reading to c o m p r e h e n d the details. In dipping, we allow o u r intuition to say, " H e y , t u r n to the last p a r a g r a p h on p a g e 147! Y e s , that is the one. T h e ideas y o u w a n t are right there." Other activation techniques d e v e l o p e d while reading this b o o k i n c l u d e rhythmic perusal,

skittering,

and

mind mapping.

These

also help us gain access to the d e e p e r i m p r e s s i o n s established by PhotoReading. W h e n we activate, we involve our whole brain, c o n n e c t the text w i t h our conscious a w a r e n e s s , and achieve our g o a l s for reading.

Old Reading Habits

or

New

Reading

Choices

21

Step 5: Rapid Read T h i s final step o f t h e P h o t o R e a d i n g w h o l e mind system is closest to conventional reading and speed reading. While rapid reading, we m o v e o u r eyes quickly t h r o u g h the text, starting at the b e g i n n i n g and going straight through to the end. We take a s m u c h t i m e a s w e n e e d , f e e l i n g free t o a d j u s t o u r r e a d i n g s p e e d depending

upon

the

complexity,

prior

knowledge,

and

importance of the material. Flexibility is key. R a p i d r e a d i n g is significant, b e c a u s e it d i s p e l s the p r i m e fear of many beginning PhotoReaders

Reading is really learning from written pages. W h e n first learning to play a

that they will forget w h a t they

new piece of music or a new golf

have

course, you do not expect to do it

read,

or that they

never

a b s o r b e d any of the text in the firstplace. R a p i d reading directly

perfectly the first t i m e . You will learn as you go through each part several times. The "multiple r e a d " approach

involves the conscious m i n d and

of the

satisfies

system duplicates the appropriate way

our

need

for

clear

c o m p r e h e n s i o n of the content.

PhotoReading whole

mind

to learn anything new.

R e m e m b e r , this step takes p l a c e after t h e o t h e r s t e p s o f t h e s y s t e m . T h o s e s t e p s m a k e u s increasingly familiar w i t h the text. T h e r e will b e t i m e s w h e n w e c h o o s e n o t t o r a p i d r e a d , b e c a u s e w e h a v e a l r e a d y fulfilled o u r needs. W i t h t h i s o v e r v i e w i n m i n d , y o u a r e r e a d y t o d o it.

An executive said that PhotoReading dozens of books on

management

principles has improved his job performance. Another received an unusually large pay raise a year after the PhotoReading class—she said she developed such an increased understanding of the industry through PhotoReading that it dramatically improved her productivity.

The

PhotoReading

Whole

Mind

System

22

A salesperson from London PhotoRead a selection of books on self-esteem and confidence building, because his sales were low.

He noticed an immediate

change in his confidence, attitude, and sales. A graphic artist routinely PhotoRead design books. He said it heightened his creative ability. A mother PhotoRead her children's homework to better help them with their studies. A proofreader discovered that, after PhotoReading documents first, she missed fewer mistakes. A public relations specialist found himself in a toy store after learning to PhotoRead.

He said, "I became very playful after learning PhotoReading."

A 13-year-old PhotoRead his mom's college text book hoping to help her w i t h her homework.

He immediately understood the problem. His mom then

pledged to learn PhotoReading. An amateur chef found himself creating delicious new recipes after PhotoReading his library of cook books. A PhotoReader PhotoRead 23 books on Shakespeare over a several week period hoping to build a foundation so that he could appreciate Shakespeare. Then he sat back with one of Shakespeare's plays. For the first time in his life he understood why so many people have enjoyed Shakespeare's work. He found the play easier to read, fascinating, and enjoyable. A new homeowner PhotoRead all the home-improvement books he could f i n d . Friends who helped him on his projects were amazed at how much he knew and began calling him for advice. A high school defensive football coach repeatedly PhotoRead football play books prior to the start of the season. He discovered during game situations he could predict the opposing team's offensive strategy and respond w i t h the ideal defensive play. His thinking speed and mental alertness were dramatically improved. A PhotoReader lost his job after learning PhotoReading.

He credits his higher

paying, new job to PhotoReading and learning a new industry quickly. An entrepreneur had difficulty understanding the advice of his legal counsel. He PhotoRead several books on the subject in a bookstore. As he was leaving, a flash of insight streaked through his m i n d , drawing him back to the books. He intuitively grabbed one from the shelf, and opened the book automatically to the page that offered a clear explanation of the advice.

Part Two: Learn the PhotoReading Whole Mind System

lAole T*lm«l System

3

Step 1: Prepare

I perform better at any activity, from public s p e a k i n g to fishing, if I am well p r e p a r e d . Y e t , I u s e d to p i c k up a b o o k or m a g a z i n e a n d j u s t start r e a d i n g w i t h n o p r e p a r a t i o n a t all. N o w I treat r e a d i n g as a g o a l - o r i e n t e d activity. P r e p a r i n g for a f e w m o m e n t s i n c r e a s e s m y c o n c e n t r a t i o n , c o m p r e h e n s i o n , and retention of w h a t I read. P r e p a r i n g may s e e m simple, but it i s t h e f o u n d a t i o n o f effective r e a d i n g . A l l s t e p s o f t h e P h o t o R e a d i n g w h o l e mind system actually revolve around preparation. Being prepared to P h o t o R e a d is m u c h more than getting the b o o k o u t t o r e a d it. I t i n v o l v e s s t a t i n g y o u r p u r p o s e a n d f i x i n g y o u r p o i n t of attention to e n t e r the ideal state of mind.

25

Prepare

1.

State your purpose

Establishing p u r p o s e is hardly a n e w idea. Francis B a c o n , the sixteenth-century E n g l i s h p h i l o s o p h e r , said it well,

"Some

b o o k s are to be tasted, others to be s w a l l o w e d , and s o m e few to be c h e w e d and digested; that is, s o m e b o o k s are to be r e a d only in parts, others to be read b u t not curiously, and s o m e few to be read wholly, and with diligence and attention." All reading ultimately serves a purpose, either consciously or unconsciously. Example

of

purpose

A

human resource consultant went

to

the

library

PhotoRead the

to

corporate

W h e n we

state o u r

purpose explicitly, we greatly increase the

odds

of attaining

it.

Purpose

u n l e a s h e s ability. A l m o s t a n y t h i n g can

report on a prospective client

be a c c o m p l i s h e d w i t h a strong sense of

before their initial meeting

purpose. Purpose is the engine that drives

Her purpose for the eight

the P h o t o R e a d i n g whole mind system.

minutes she invested was to get a feel for the trends of the

company where they

Establishing purpose which

can

be

felt

is

power

emotionally

and

had come from and where

physically. R e a d e r s w i t h a firm sense of

they were headed

purpose acquire n e w feelings about the

Her goal

was to get in sync with the corporate

executives and

relate her skills effectively to their

present

and

future

a c t o f r e a d i n g . T h e y sit a s i f t h e y m e a n business. W h e n y o u have strong purpose, y o u r b o d y b e c o m e s s t r o n g a n d alert. Set

needs

your

purpose

by

asking

questions such as: Example

of

purpose

A

banker w a n t e d to interface his new computer w i t h his new printer After hours of trying,

he

unsuccessful

remained Before going

to bed, he PhotoRead both manuals to

let

His purpose was his

other-than-

conscious mind work out the

•

What is my ultimate application of

this material? W h a t will I e x p e c t to do or s a y d i f f e r e n t l y after r e a d i n g it? M a y b e I simply want to pass time or savor the experience of reading. • How

important is

this

material

to

me? I n t h e l o n g r u n , h o w w o r t h w h i l e i s it? D o e s r e a d i n g t h i s m a t e r i a l c r e a t e v a l u e

details of the problem and

for m e ? I f s o , w h a t s p e c i f i c a l l y i s t h a t

solve

value?

it upon awakening

Within the first

half-hour

after awakening, he had the printer working perfectly

•

What

level

of detail

do

I

want?

Do I w a n t to e m e r g e from reading it with the big picture? Do I w a n t to understand only the m a i n points? Do I w a n t to recall

The PhotoReading

Whole Mind System

26

specific facts a n d o t h e r d e t a i l s ? Is r e a d i n g the entire d o c u m e n t relevant to my p u r p o s e ? C o u l d I gain w h a t I w a n t by r e a d i n g a single chapter or section instead? •

How much time am I willing to commit right now to satisfy my

purpose? M a k i n g a t i m e c o m m i t m e n t g e n t l y f o r c e s a t t e n t i o n o n the task. I am increasing the i m p o r t a n c e of reading, b e c a u s e it is the only thing I c h o o s e to do right now. In summary,

do y o u want a general understanding of

information, or do y o u need subtle details? Do y o u w a n t to study something, or just gain pleasure and relaxation? T o o m a n y p e o p l e are on a trip w i t h no destination. T h e y a p p r o a c h reading with no sense of w h e r e they w a n t to go. If I do not get value from w h a t I am reading,

I ask,

" W h a t is my

p u r p o s e ? " Invariably the a n s w e r is a r e s o u n d i n g " H u h ? " If I do n o t h a v e p u r p o s e , m y r e a d i n g i s p a s s i v e a n d often wasteful. Purpose

and time

information age,

m a n a g e m e n t are inseparable.

we can no

In the

longer presume to read every

d o c u m e n t at the same speed or level of c o m p r e h e n s i o n . N o t only is this impossible given the a m o u n t of material we need to read, i t i s n o t e v e n d e s i r a b l e . A s F r a n c i s B a c o n p u t it, s o m e t h i n g s a r e w o r t h r e a d i n g in great detail; others are not w o r t h r e a d i n g at all. K e e p in m i n d that y o u r p u r p o s e can be quite inventive. F o r i n s t a n c e , y o u r m a i n p u r p o s e for r e a d i n g i n t h e d e n t i s t ' s office may be distraction: y o u simply w a n t to avoid thinking about the s o u n d of the drill in the n e x t r o o m . T h a t is a l e g i t i m a t e p u r p o s e and p r o m p t s a distinctive experience of reading. State y o u r p u r p o s e e v e r y t i m e y o u read. This habit e n g a g e s the m i n d and increases concentration. W h e n y o u establish y o u r p u r p o s e , t h e full p o w e r o f y o u r m i n d c o m e s i n t o p l a y . In addition, p u r p o s e l o o s e n s the grip of guilt, a w o r d that frequently arises w h e n people talk about their reading habits. M a n y o f u s w e r e i m p r i n t e d w i t h strict rules a b o u t h o w w e w e r e " s u p p o s e d to read." O n e m a n said, "I b o u g h t the d a r n m a g a z i n e , so e v e n if I d o n ' t w a n t to r e a d all the articles, I am c o m p e l l e d to finish the w h o l e t h i n g . " W i t h a sense of purpose, y o u can justify putting aside the material y o u do not n e e d to read. Simply w e e d out the publications t h a t fail t o c r e a t e v a l u e for y o u . E s t a b l i s h i n g p u r p o s e t a k e s a s little a s t w o s e c o n d s , y e t t h e

Prepare

27

payoffs can save y o u h u n d r e d s of hours over the course of y o u r lifetime. This technique is so far-reaching that it c a n instantly and permanently change the effectiveness of y o u r reading.

2. Enter the ideal state for reading W h e n I r e a d m o s t efficiently, my b o d y is r e l a x e d and my m i n d is alert. If I m a i n t a i n r e l a x e d alertness, I am m o r e able to c o m p r e h e n d , retain, and recall w h a t I read. To h e l p y o u q u i c k l y a n d easily e s t a b l i s h the ideal state of relaxed alertness, y o u can use the "tangerine technique." This simple

technique

automatically

directs your

attention and

immediately improves reading performance. Studies

show

that b o t h

reading

and

memory

require

attention. Y o u can consciously attend to seven, plus or minus t w o , different bits o f i n f o r m a t i o n a t o n e t i m e . (That i s w h y M a B e l l originally m a d e p h o n e n u m b e r s s e v e n digits long.) In other words, you have approximately seven units of attention available at any m o m e n t . A

R e s e a r c h also indicates that fixing one unit of attention on a single p o i n t h e l p s y o u effectively focus y o u r other available units of attention w h e n reading.

W h e r e y o u fix y o u r p o i n t

o f a t t e n t i o n i s i m p o r t a n t . F o r e x a m p l e , w h e n d r i v i n g a car, t h e best point of attention is d o w n the

road—not on your hood

o r n a m e n t o r t h e b u m p e r o n t h e car i n front o f y o u .

F o r the

efficient r e a d e r , t h e ideal p o i n t o f a t t e n t i o n i s j u s t b e h i n d a n d above the head. The tangerine technique helps locate and maintain the ideal

v A

point of attention a n d instantly creates the relaxed, alert state of body

and mind we

desire

for r e a d i n g .

Here

are the

steps

to follow: • Hold an imaginary tangerine in your hand. Experience the weight, color, texture, and smell of the tangerine. N o w toss it i n t o t h e o t h e r h a n d a n d c a t c h it. T o s s t h e t a n g e r i n e b a c k a n d f o r t h between your hands. • N o w catch the tangerine in your d o m i n a n t h a n d and bring it to the top b a c k part of y o u r head. T o u c h that area gently with y o u r hand. I m a g i n e feeling the tangerine resting there while y o u bring y o u r a r m d o w n and relax y o u r shoulders. Y o u can

Read A u

"

e

The

PhotoReading

Whole

Mind

System

p r e t e n d this is a m a g i c tangerine, and it will stay in p l a c e no m a t t e r w h e r e y o u p u t it. •

Gently close y o u r eyes and let

the tangerine balance on the back of your head.

Notice what happens to

y o u r p h y s i c a l a n d m e n t a l state a s y o u d o this. Y o u w i l l feel r e l a x e d a n d alert. W i t h y o u r eyes closed, imagine y o u r field o f v i s i o n o p e n i n g u p . • M a i n t a i n the relaxed feeling of alertness as y o u open your eyes and b e g i n reading. Here is an experiment you can d o n o w t o d i s c o v e r t h e p o t e n t i a l effects of the tangerine technique. Take any p a g e o f this b o o k y o u h a v e not y e t read. W i t h o u t the t a n g e r i n e i n p l a c e , read t w o o r three p a r a g r a p h s . A f t e r w a r d s , reflect o n y o u r experience. Then, put the tangerine in place, using the m e t h o d described above, and read two or three new paragraphs. Compare your experiences. D u r i n g the experiment, y o u m i g h t be overly self-conscious o f d o i n g s o m e t h i n g d i f f e r e n t . I f s o , y o u m i g h t find t h e effect h a r d t o d e t e c t . M a n y p e o p l e r e p o r t a w i d e r v i s u a l field, fluid m o v e m e n t of the eyes w i t h less staccato or j u m p y m o v e m e n t s , a n d the ability to read w o r d phrases or e v e n w h o l e sentences at a glance. P l a y i n g w i t h this t e c h n i q u e lets y o u flow t h r o u g h r e a d i n g m a t e r i a l w i t h i n c r e a s e d speed a n d ease. Y o u r ability t o c o n c e n t r a t e on the information improves, and reading b e c o m e s more relaxing. A t first y o u w i l l c o n s c i o u s l y p l a c e t h e t a n g e r i n e o n t h e b a c k of y o u r head. S o o n it will b e c o m e a u t o m a t i c so that, w h e n e v e r you approach reading materials,

o n e u n i t o f a t t e n t i o n fixes

into place. T h i s p h y s i c a l l y relaxed a n d m e n t a l l y alert state is also p e r f e c t for o t h e r i m p o r t a n t a c t i v i t i e s . I t i s w i d e l y r e s e a r c h e d a s a state of p e a k h u m a n p e r f o r m a n c e .

This

state

is

similar to

c o n t e m p l a t i o n , meditation, a n d p r a y e r i n w h i c h y o u are a b s o r b e d in the present moment. W h i l e this is a state of relaxation, it is not the s a m e as g o i n g

Prepare

29

to sleep or b e c o m i n g d r o w s y . Rather, y o u focus y o u r m i n d w i t h a n i n n e r c a l m n e s s . Y o u h a v e a c c e s s t o all y o u r natural, i n n e r r e s o u r c e s .

Put it all together T h e f o l l o w i n g p r o c e d u r e c a n h e l p y o u p r e p a r e for r e a d i n g i n 3 0 s e c o n d s . Y o u m a y w i s h t o h a v e a friend g u i d e y o u t h r o u g h it or r e c o r d it on tape so that y o u c a n play it b a c k later. • P l a c e y o u r r e a d i n g m a t e r i a l s i n front o f y o u . D o n o t r e a d t

h

e

m

y

e

Read Bullets

t

• Begin to relax by closing your eyes. B e c o m e aware of y o u r s e l f from h e a d to toe. Y o u r spine is erect, y o u r p o s t u r e is comfortable, and your breathing is relaxed. • M e n t a l l y s t a t e y o u r p u r p o s e for r e a d i n g . ( F o r e x a m p l e , " D u r i n g t h e n e x t t e n m i n u t e s , I w i l l r e a d t h i s m a g a z i n e a r t i c l e for ideas to help me i m p r o v e my time m a n a g e m e n t skills.") • Place the imaginary tangerine at the top b a c k part of your head. • B e c o m e a w a r e of y o u r s e l f as r e l a x e d a n d alert. B r i n g a slight hint of a smile to the corners of y o u r eyes and the corners o f y o u r m o u t h t o relax y o u r face. E v e n w i t h y o u r eyes closed, y o u c a n i m a g i n e y o u r v i s u a l field o p e n i n g u p . Y o u h a v e a d i r e c t e y e mind connection. • N o w , at a rate that is c o m f o r t a b l e for y o u , m a i n t a i n i n g this

state

of relaxed alertness,

gently open your eyes

and

begin reading.

More on the tangerine technique T h e i d e a l s t a t e for r e a d i n g i s t y p i c a l l y i n s h o r t s u p p l y for m a n y people, especially at work. W h e n we read at work, the p h o n e is often r i n g i n g , s o m e o n e in the d o o r w a y is talking, we have to hurry to m a k e a meeting, and extraneous thoughts about g r o c e r i e s o r c a r r e p a i r s k e e p a traffic j a m i n o u r h e a d s . W i t h s u c h a morass of mental events, where does our attention end up? All over the place. R e a d i n g is next to impossible. I n c o n t r a s t , t h e i d e a l s t a t e for r e a d i n g i s t h e f l o w s t a t e , w h e n y o u are totally a b s o r b e d in the task at hand. That is w h e r e the t a n g e r i n e t e c h n i q u e c o m e s into play.

The PhotoReading

Whole Mind System

30

In t h e m i d 1 9 8 0 s , I r e a d a f a s c i n a t i n g a r t i c l e in Brain/Mind Bulletin a b o u t R o n D a v i s , a r e a d i n g s p e c i a l i s t . D a v i s h a d d y s l e x i a , a r e a d i n g d i s a b i l i t y . W h i l e s e a r c h i n g for a s o l u t i o n t o t h i s p r o b l e m , he m a d e a discovery. People with dyslexia, he found, have a roving point of attention, one that w a n d e r s through space without c o m i n g to a fixed point. Skilled readers, on the other hand, h a v e a fixed point of attention located just b e h i n d and above the top of the head. By training himself to redirect his attention, he raised his reading, writing, and spelling skills from an e l e m e n t a r y to a college level in fewer than three years.

Today, Davis runs a

p r i v a t e clinic for p e o p l e w i t h l e a r n i n g disabilities. H i s e x c e l l e n t b o o k , The Gift of Dyslexia, d e s c r i b e s h i s m e t h o d in d e t a i l . H i s s e s s i o n s b e g i n by t r a i n i n g his clients to find the ideal p o i n t of attention, w h i c h he calls the " v i s u o - a w a r e n e s s epicenter." I tried his t e c h n i q u e m y s e l f and i m m e d i a t e l y noticed an increase in my concentration and ease in reading. If this technique h a d w o r k e d o n d y s l e x i c s , I s p e c u l a t e d , w h a t m i g h t t h e effect b e on a normal adult reader w h o has b e e n too scattered to read efficiently. Davis's w o r k had provided me with a creative leap. a c c o m p l i s h t h e effect o f h i s

"visuo-awareness epicenter,"

To I

d e v e l o p e d the tangerine technique. M o s t p e o p l e find that s e v e r a l b e n e f i t s flow i m m e d i a t e l y from the tangerine technique. To begin, they quickly and easily enter a r e l a x e d state of a l e r t n e s s . In addition, t h e y c a l m their m i n d s and automatically focus their attention. The result is an instant i m p r o v e m e n t in r e a d i n g skills. Historically, the tangerine technique has come d o w n to us in a variety of forms. The Chinese thinking cap, the wizard's cap, a n d e v e n t h e o r i g i n a l c o n c e p t for t h e " D u n c e c a p , " b e l i e v e i t o r n o t , w e r e all d e v i c e s for f o c u s i n g a t t e n t i o n . E a c h c a u s e s p a r t o f y o u r a t t e n t i o n to fixate at a p l a c e a b o v e a n d b e h i n d y o u r h e a d . E x p e r i m e n t w i t h this t e c h n i q u e . If the i m a g e of a tangerine d o e s n o t w o r k for y o u ,

t h e n try a n o t h e r w a y of fixing y o u r

attention to the place above and b e h i n d y o u r head.

Imagine

w e a r i n g a s o m b r e r o , w i t h a b i r d s i t t i n g o n t o p o f it. F e e l t h e s o m b r e r o resting on y o u r h e a d and focus y o u r attention on the bird. Another way is to imagine standing outside of your body,

Prepare

31

looking over the top of y o u r head, as y o u read. As y o u do this, n o t i c e t h e shift i n t h e w a y y o u feel. W h e n y o u fix y o u r p o i n t o f a t t e n t i o n w i t h a n y o f t h e s e techniques

and

open your eyes,

a curious

thing happens.

S u d d e n l y , the m a t e r i a l y o u are r e a d i n g s e e m s m o r e m a n a g e a b l e . Y o u r v i s u a l h e l d enlarges, a n d y o u c a n e v e n see y o u r h a n d s h o l d i n g t h e p a g e s . I n t h i s s t a t e , y o u a r e p r e p a r e d t o t a k e i n far more visual information than before. A A

Adjusting y o u r state of m i n d is the goal. Y o u are not trying to hold the feeling of a tangerine the entire time y o u read. Getting

-