Forums IMPORTANT: PLEASE READ PhotoReading, Memory Optimizer Meditation 101

Well, I have to say I'm gobsmacked (to use an old & ugly but very apt term). Until a couple of days ago I had never heard of PR. If this is for real I want some! I'm a natural sceptic but I endeavour to give everything a fair go, so I'm definitely going to give this a run. I'm not on a deadline to absorb a bunch of material so I don't feel the need to rush into the exploration. My question is this:

As I have an easily sidetracked mind, would I be better off in the long run just dropping PR for now and going to someone who can teach me to meditate (something else I know nothing about)? I'm literate, articulate, educated and have a wealth of life experience, but I freely admit to finding it very difficult indeed to "sit still" mentally. I belong to that generation which, 50 years or so ago, were failed by a succession of "teachers" in that we were never taught to learn. Hell, we didn't even know that you could learn to learn.

I've been reading back through a lot of the archives and relaxation/meditation/concentration seem to be key attributes to success with PR.

I've also done just enough research to know there are different types (is schools a better word?) of meditation. Any particular type/school/discipline I should be looking for to establish the best pre-PR foundation?

Any advice from experienced PRers, and especilally from any of the "more mature" members (are there any?), very much appreciated.

[This message has been edited by TerrorAustralis (edited April 05, 2002).]

You can also look at it the other way round. PR as a first step toward learning/establishing a meditation practice. One can indeed reach a meditative state during the PR step. So one comes out of PRing feeling rested and calm.

I understand that, but what I'm concerned about is having difficulties getting results from PR after investing time and money (a significant amount of the former apparently), when I could have had less trouble and better results by being better prepared at the outset.

So the question stands: Would some grounding in meditation technique facilitate success with PR, particularly in the early learning stages?

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Posted by Hel:
You can also look at it the other way round. PR as a first step ...

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It can't hurt really but you don't need to give up PR... Paul actually uses a dynamic meditation technique on side b of the first cassette he refers to it as progressive relaxation. Same thing really and similar to the method that I was taught. Many people make the mistake of thinking that meditation has to be passive where you have to"empty your mind", Not so. An Australian auther has written a book called the Calm technique. I think it a good place to start if you want to meditate for relaxation.

As already stated if you practice the proceedure provided by Paul then you are already reaching a meditative state. Just repeat the 3 to 1 relaxation explore or think in positive terms about your problems (imagine them solved) at level one then count yourself from 1 to 5 giving yourself positive affirmations at each number like when I open my eyes I'll be feeling great, I'll remember the information that I've discovered etc...

The progressive relaxation technique is also great if you find yourself having a headache.. just count down 3 to 1 & at level one tell yourself I have a headache, (acknowledge it) I don't want to have a headache, (notice what you want), I want to be free of the headache feeling fine and in perfect health, then tell yourself when I reach the count of 5 I'll open my eyes be wide awake feeling fine and in perfect health. At a count of 3 reaffirm feeling fine and in perfect health free of any discomfort.. repeat at 1 when you open your eyes.

Yes there are specific courses that teach you that. But there are books too.

Alex K

Hi everyone, I just finished this course and it feels good to go through it once and get the skills needed to be more productive.
On your question on meditation, I don't know about that, but the relaxation methods that Paul takes you through are enough for me. I use the Memory Supercharger every night before bed and I wake up refreshed and relaxed. :-) I hope this helps.

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Originally posted by TerrorAustralis:
I understand that, but what I'm concerned about is having difficulties getting results from PR after investing time and money (a significant amount of the former apparently), when I could have had less trouble and better results by being better prepared at the outset.

So the question stands: Would some grounding in meditation technique facilitate success with PR, particularly in the early learning stages?

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[This message has been edited by KM1304 (edited April 06, 2002).]

I think it depends on what it is that you really want to do. If PR is what you want, then do that. There are 5 steps to the system, and each person experiences them differently. The meditative part maybe hard for some but easy for some others. For many, it's learning to activate that takes work. So, How are we going to "prepare"? Without having tried it and find out where the difficulties are, if any.

And if meditation is what you really want, then do that.

Helena

well, I have one question. Do you now, or have you ever played a wind instrument? (preferably low brass because it needs lots of air)

I play low brass instruments in my bands and I find that my warmup breathing exersises tend to make me very relaxed. Breath deep and with your diaphram (its some muscle*sp* thing around your stomack area)

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Do you now, or have you ever played a wind instrument?[/B]

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Nope - never have.

Yes breathing exercises are excellent for getting relaxed. The author of Einstin Factor has some on his site. www.winwenger.com/part28.htm for the breathing exercises. Has information about image streaming. I couldn't afford the book AU$57 so I saved over 400 pages from that site to my hard drive for offline reading.

If you really concerned about the right 'mind state/level' for PhotoReading you might want to read this article on PhotoReading written in 1997 www.anakin.com.mattdocs/ladder.html it serves as a good reminder to

follow the instructions as given at first till you know its mostly working...
and then adapt and make it personal... do what works, drop what doesn't and add any new ideas from your reading/experience to see if that makes it better for you.

Luck
Alex K

[This message has been edited by AlexK (edited April 07, 2002).]

Alex:

Thanks, I’ve printed that stuff out for a read later. I see you are in Oz also. I’d like to ask you a few questions:

1. What level of accomplishment have you reached with PR and how long has it taken?

2. Have you been working with anyone (instructor, other PR’er, etc)

3. What approach did you take at the outset (book, seminar, home study course, etc)?

4. Whatever it was, would you do it different if starting over again?

I’ve just ordered the book “The Photoreading Whole Mind System”. As US$245 for the self-study course currently translates to A$465 (plus freight and a sting from Customs), that’s a bit rich for a natural sceptic just wanting to give PR a fair hearing at this stage.

5. Do you think the book alone will give me the necessary beginner skills that might encourage me to pursue further?

6. Should I maybe supplement the book with a tape/s?

PS Anyone else qualified to answer please feel fee to jump in.

TIA
- Bill