My Photoreading kit has arrived ! I was quite skeptical at the start, but have committed to give it a sincere effort for 30 days. The package includes several books, an audio CD set and a DVD set. I watched two of the DVDs and then Photoread the book last night.
The quality of the materials is quite good, and the DVD was much more than just an infomercial for other products from the vendor. It showed plenty of excerpts from a live course held a few years ago. I felt that after watching the first DVD I pretty much knew everything I had to know to try out the Photoreading technique.
I decided to test it out on the course overview book they provided. I think it worked. I say I think because Photoreading does not bring the subject matter into conscious awareness. It utilizes the non-conscious mind to directly absorb the material. The logic is that through Photoreading and then follow-on activation of the material (anytime between 30 minutes and 24 hours after Photoreading), your mind will be able to recall material when it is needed.
I tested it out this morning with a non-fiction book this morning. It was a book on Body-Mind connection in sport, and was about 270 pages long. I followed the protocol. First, I pre-viewed (skimmed the book for 10 minutes) and then Photoread (another 20 minutes) before taking a lunch break. I then activated (drew out a mid-map and skimmed the book quickly) and ruminated on the material for another 40 minutes. The whole process took me about 1 hour and 10 minutes to completely finish the Photoreading process. Once you get proficient, the entire process will speed up quickly, and the activation periods will take less and less time.
Do I feel like I actually read the book? No.
Do I feel like I know the subject matter? Funny enough…I actually do.
Right now, I could have a meaningful conversation with anyone about the topic, and probably go into depth for the important stuff. After I finished Photoreading I had a little internal conversation about what I just read, asking probing questions to see if the material had really sunk in. I was surprised with the amount I was able to retain. I grasped the main concepts and some random detail facts. However I was lacking depth across the board. Reading the book normally for a few minutes….I notices that there were also plenty funny and interesting examples in the book that I had no recollection of whatsoever.
According to the Photoreading protocol, even the minute details are captured by your brain, you are just not conscious of them. Practicing the technique should improve the conscious recall.
Since I am new to the Photoreading process, I am going to continue to activate the book, by skimming and mind-mapping for about 15 minutes each of the following two days. This process, I hope,will bring more of the content to the forefront! In tandem, I’ll start photoreading another book.
I plan to Photoread 30 books in 30 days using this method. I’ll post my progress daily.
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Mate – I was very very tempted by this too after reading Steve Pavlina’s glowing (if slightly biased) review and then subsequent advertising.
I will be very interested in how this ends up because it is something I could definitely use.
Geez – could you imagine how much easier Uni would have been if you could photoread?!
Have a great day mate
Ross
Hey Ross, I have a few other posts on this blog about my photoreading progress over the past coulpe weeks. Just use the “search” link to find posts relating to photoreading.
So far, I am really impressed. I have been using the technique daily (try to read a book a day, doesnt always happen).
Funny enough, the actual photoreading doesn’t do much for me, but the skittering/skimming techniques definitely rock. I am going to keep at it and see where it gets me.
I will admit though, photoreading does put me in a “flow” state very quickly. It normally takes me 10-20 minutes of normal reading to get into this type of a groove.
Ravi, so would you recommend Photoreading to others? Does it actually work? Honestly? If so please let us know how you ordered it so we can benefit from it.
Hi futurephotoreader!
I gave the photoreading program a committed effort for about two weeks, and I did see it start to work. I didn’t have anywhere near “perfect” comprehnesion, but I was able to retain and recall an astononishing amount given the little amount of time I actually had to commit to the actual reading and activation process. (activation is where you make some notes about what you read, and re-skim the material).
That said, I then stopped applying the techniques and went back to my standard mode of reading. I recently (just last week) starting photoreading again…and hope to make it stick this time!
I am convinced that is works….but like any change…it takes time and a strong committment. And by “it works”…I mean that I do think it can help people to read much more effectively and much more rapidly than the norm.
It is worth the investment IMHO.
The book will tell you everything you need to know to actually start using the technique. If you opt for the “full package” with the Audio/DVD included…you will get some more content and techniques that will help you out. I personally found the DVDs valuable….they show snippets from a photoreading seminar. For me, seeing people using the technique made it seem much more real for me.
Let me know how it goes for you!
Ravi
I just got my photoreading course in the mail yesterday!
I’m looking to go through it for the next month or so. I’ve been thinking about it for awhile and finally made the choice.
We’ll see how it goes!
i’m intrigued by all of the stories about photoreading here on the website. I would say that i’m still a skeptic about the whole idea but many individuals have told me that it does in fact improve the reading skills. Anyway, i’ve also come across something called “speed reading,” and i was wondering what is the difference between photoreading and speedreading?
thanks
Photoreading is all about activating your subconscious mind whereas Speedreading simply teaches you how to read faster.
With photoreading you literally flip through pages faster than you can read (you can barely even see any of the text) and then you recall the information through asking yourself questions and skimming the book to activate the content.
When I applied the technique, I found that it did work, but I have since lapsed back into my old way of reading. Photoreading takes intense focus and discipline, but I am convinced that it does work to a certain degree.
Thanks for the review and progress blog. I searched all over the internet for real life accounts of the system, rather than the “salesman pitch” of the system.
I am only giving Photoreading a chance because I know human brain can do some crazy feats. e.g. getting hypnotized, rapid depth calculation with “magic eye” pictures, etc..
Finally, I like Ravi’s analogy of having a governer in a high speed car.
I started the course twice and got about half way through. Funnily enough I had the same feelings as Ravi. Not sure if it works. I have a ton of books that I would like to read and I am trying to finish the course right now. I am on disc 7 of 8. I have watched the supercharger DVDs and listened to the subliminals.
Funny I don’t feel that I am further ahead because I don’t really recall anything. However having said this, according to the course, people seem to recall the info afterwards when they need it, like on exams and so forth. I find the mind mapping interesting but it is difficult to do when you are shooting in the dark, relying on your subconscious.
I find the constant advertising a bit of a nuisance.
I still read the usual way.
Undecided.
Al
For anyone who reads this in the future: look at empirical data, not anecdotal evidence. See http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Photoreading#Skeptical_Response . It cites a NASA study done that concludes there is no actual improved speed. There is a link to the whole study.
I would guess your perceived success with the program is due to the fact that you skimmed the text first. This, of course, is what you are supposed to do anyway — see SQ3R reading method.
Still not sure but the Wikipedia article is about a short article. I doubt that anyone would bother to PR a short article. Not worth the time.
by the way, i have not taken the course. i just read the photoreading book and started to apply it.
The subconscious is very powerful, it can give you anything. i photoread my mercantile laws text book. it took me 2 hours to complete the process. when i activated, i was in heaven.
Please visit http://evergreenhelpline.blogspot.com where i write all about subconscious mind, positive thinking, visualization and relaxation.
love,
jaky astik
hey how has been ur experience of photoreading are u still practicing it .
u have not written about it after year 2007 .
Hi Akki, thanks for your comment. I have not been applying the technique diligently since I ended my brief trial. In the end, I found that my reading speed did increase quite a bit, but less from Photoreading than from the other techniques that they talk (mind maps, skimming, skittering).
I also must be honest in that I think the key to this program is regular and consistent application of the technique for a longer period of time. I think I will have to give it another go for longer and judge the results from there.
Hola a todo.
Realmente es maravilloso estudiar con el sistema. Mi expiriencia de varios años de entrenamiento me ha dado los frutos. Hoy aprendo fluidamente y activo a diario otras capaccidade mentales…… Espero q sea motivador para ustedes.
Es mas OFREZCO CURSO VIRTUALES VIA INTERNET. Contactos a okmanbb@hotmail.com
wwwphotoreader.es.tl
Note that the sample size was 2 people.
Not sure how empirical that can be considered.
“For anyone who reads this in the future: look at empirical data, not anecdotal evidence. See http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Photoreading#Skeptical_Response . It cites a NASA study done that concludes there is no actual improved speed. “
well in 1h 10 min yo could actually have read the book. If you read often as I do, it is totally possible and quite effective
cool stuff anyway
Hi Ravi – A friend forwarded your link to me. I’ve scanned some of your posts quickly- then got to your photoreading one. It made me laugh, as I read quickly through your posts then began to remember little tidbits I’d read in different sequence. I haven’t heard about this – but of course know of “photographic memory,” and, even more fascinating and explanatory is our “eternal memory” as evolving energy beings creating matter as we live. Thanks for the info!
hi there.. i’m sugaindren . i just finish the photoreading course in malaysia. it fun to do photoreading. as ravi say.. its need practice and discipline. play with it. lets share more and more about this topic ya.
Hello Ravi,
Do you think Photo Reading could be used for the following :
- A new computer language
- Arabic Grammar as a native English speaker
- Learning every definition of the dictionnary
- Maths / Physics
I look forward hearing from you
Best Regards from France,
Tarek
Hi Tarek, I don’t see why not! It will probably be more challenging for more technical subjects but the overall concepts could help improve speed and comprehension. Worth a try. Personally, I do not photoread anymore. I think it is a great technique and do apply many of the skills to how I read things (skimming, skittering, mind-mapping) but the actual photo-reading technique has been hard for me to maintain over time. It takes a ton of concentration and effort. When I get the time to read – especially for enjoyment…I prefer to be more relaxed about it.
I’ve had a love/hate relationship with Photoreading for years. I think due to my stubborness and fear that I may fail to get that certain detail I need. I’ve given several rounds but get easily sidetracked with my kids constantly bugging me, just when my concentration starts getting there. Personally, I still like the Photoreading concept, because you are going over the material over and over again. People miss the point with Photoreading, thinking that with EVERY single book, newspaper, magazine, etc…we must use every step. NOT SO, do you read a book like you do a newspaper or a magazine? I think not. You use as many steps in the process needed to get to your goal. Want the OVERALL picture…then you skim the book and photoread or vice versa. Do you want to answer certain details to your question? Then you utilize more steps in Photoreading. Still further information? Utilize the WHOLE process then. Also one must also take into account, do you BELIEVE you will fail, then you will. Did you truly give it your all? Are you feeling fearful and would rather feel safe with the same reading structure you have always used? It’s unfair to judge something you try if that’s all you do is TRY. Like with any feat you do, you must BELIEVE you can, keep at it until you can and embrace it by using it everyday until it’s ingrained into your unconscious mind. As for me, I think MY PROBLEM is that I tend to self-sabotage but with my hypnosis cd’s (for that self-sabotage) I truly believe I can effectively achieve what I’ve always wanted…to photoread and learn and still have time to be with my family! GOOD LUCK!