Forums IMPORTANT: PLEASE READ PhotoReading, Memory Optimizer Lock in the Cover

In the "Reading" portion of Four Powers for Greatness, he talks about locking in the title to give greater purpose, connection, and interest in what you are reading.

I've lately been experimenting with doing something similar with Photoreading except using the cover of the book. Just before photoreading, during my get into state your purpose time, I imagine, in imagestreaming style, different aspects about the cover and become very curious about them and their bearing on the content of the book. I visualize specific elements of the cover, sometimes including even the smell of the book (some books have a very strong scent), what it would sound like to drop the book on the floor, or the relative smoothness of the cover or pages. I involve all my senses, but mostly the look of the cover.

For instance, one book had a picture of the author on the front and I noticed the blue squares on his tie and the way his hair was combed, also the style of lettering used for the title. I do this with eyes closed, not really worrying about if I'm right compared to how it really looks.

I find this greatly increases my contact with the book and solidifies my purpose for photoreading. I think purpose is the most vital part of photoreading effectively, just as purpose determines the effect of the paraliminal tapes in a particular listening.

Also, locking in the cover serves to put me in to the accelerative learning state very quickly, in an ideal state for reading that particular book. I photoread three books like this last night, and I would describe my state while reading that of deep meditation. I had a sort of inner feeling of oneness with the books, and it felt like my mind contained the information in the books when I was done. It was the best photoreading step experience I have ever had.

It may have just been that I'm finally learning to relax and let go while photoreading, or maybe it's just coming with experience, but it doesn't seem like a coincidence that my results began to improve after my trying this.

Just an idea. If someone else tries this I'd love to read about your results.

[This message has been edited by ThBFSG (edited September 27, 2001).]

What's interesting about what you said is I feel the same way only I feel differently about books I own as opposed to books I borrow or get at the Library. If I own it for some reason I can get into it better than if I know I have to give it up soon. Strange.

I was photoreading a book in German today. Everything went normally until I got to the point where I was about to do the usual chant when I had a this-doesn't-feel-right sensation, and started chanting in German instead. "Much better," I thought. I didn't really know how to translate the usual "Relax..." chant, so I chanted the only German phrase I was sure of at the time; the title of the book. The title and subtitle together made a very tidy cadence. It worked wonderfully, and felt right, too.

The concept seems very much like the above for having a better sense of purpose for that particular book.

Maybe I'll use the title as a chant for books in English, too.

[This message has been edited by ThBFSG (edited September 28, 2001).]