SPEED READING AND "ACT-AS-IF"

William James, professor at Harvard, (1842-1910d), at the turn ofnthe 20th century, is an American psychology icon. He has morenquotes attributed to him than Mark Twain. A century later hisnphilosophy of "act-as-if", stands up under fMRI (functional MagneticnResonance Imagery), as a valuable tool for learning.

1. James quoted E. B. Huey, his Harvard contemporary, "Reading isnthe means by which the world does a large part of its work. the slightestn"improvement" either in the page or in the "method" of reading meansna great service to the human race." 1908, The Psychology and Pedagogy nof Reading, reprinted 1968.

We are certain that SpeedLea
ing fits the bill as an improvement in thenmethod of reading through the use of the RasterMaster, our neon-heliumnhand-held laser-pacer; it adds 300% to your information-pro-ncessing skills.

We offer another exclusive "improvement" for Dr. Huey's approval.

2. Reading on the computer, particularly on the Internet, causes eye-strain,nphotophobia (sensitivity and intolerance to light), double-vision, and evennheadaches, after more than two (2) hours, for 80% of surfers. nsee: American Optometrist Association report on Computer Glasses.

Because the computer is ubiquitous at home and the office, experts claimnhalf the population uses it daily more than tv, SpeedLea
ing has researchednan "improvement" in reading off the computer screen.nna) Move your pointer (mouse) to the extreme right-margin ofnthe page and scroll-down all the pages of the article.nnb) simultaneously "click-left".

Result: the page changes from glaring "white", to a darker shade more nconducive to the "comfort-zone" of your eyes.nnc) now begin to read as you normally do with this exception -n USE YOUR "CURSOR" as a pacer by "underlining" the words of eachn sentence.

Conclusion: you will not only be throwing a party for your orbs every timenyou activate SpeedLea
ing strategy #9, but you will use the reflex -
"our eyes follow a moving object", and increase your reading speed by
50% with the same comprehension or better.

The first release of the aforementioned SpeedLea
ing Strategy #9 isnby the Wall Street Jou
al on February 15, 2003, by Kevin Voigt.

3. "What happened to "act-as-if"?"

Professor James said, "Comport yourself as though you already embody the ncharacteristics, talents, skills and money of your desires. Act-as-if what you do makesna difference. It does."

Let's bring it home to the 21st century, and your personal-growth. Whatever younplace in your subconscious mind consistently, with emotion, vividly with enthusiasm, ntends to reproduce itself in this beta dimension of consciousness.

To those who follow the Law of Act-As-If, it is talking to the converted, they nbenefit from this principle in relationships and career advancement. To thosenwho are skeptics and "sarcastics" and proud of it, this is on a par with Flying-
Saucers. But to the professional athletes who are adherents of visualizationnand affirmation forms of stress-reduction, it is something they do daily.

4. "Huh? How?"

Sit with your eyes closed for 10 minutes daily, feet flat and relaxed, and nvisualize your single goal. Professional golfers see themselves "vividly"nsinking the shots, and handed the check and trophy; pro basketballersnvisualize the ball floating through the hoop consistently.

5. "What's the affirmation you mentioned?"

The most effective one we have researched is by Dr. Emile Coue, of
France, "Every day in every way, with help, we're getting better andnbetter." It is silently intoned as a feedback-loop. Others who are nsuccessful in exceeding their goals sit for 10 minutes, eyes closed, chanting.
They use MEM-HAY-SHEEN, diaphragmatically inhaling through thei
nose, and exhaling as they chant the three vibratory syllables.

6. "And this mumbo-jumbo works?"

It uses the power of Placebo to activate the exact muscles for athleticnsuccess, and Positive Thought Placement for success in non-athleticnobjectives and goals. Placebo is Latin for "I Shall Be Pleasing", andnserves to excite both mind and body to defend and improve our condition.
The latest research indicates that the Placebo Effect initiates self-healing,nand infiltrates our Brain-Body Barrier.

7. "And this is science?"nnfMRI research replicated internationally convincingly indicates that thensame sections of our brain are activated in internally visualizing andnaffirming our burning-desires, as in the physical reality of practice.ni.e. seeing the ourselves shooting the basketball and seeing ourselves consistentlynscoring two points, time-after-time. It works with at least 80% of the samenphysical conditioning as the real-thing. When we visualize reaching ourncareer objectives or financial success, enthusiastic, vividly seeing our goals,nand focusing a burning-desire, an integration occurs of our left and right hemispheres. Perhaps the release of stress helps, together with annintrusion of oxygen to our brains by the chanting.

8. "Why do you think it is a practical exercise?"

Common sense without scientific proof tells us that when we are optimistic and
"in-the-flow", we're more likely to be successful at whatever we attempt. Relaxationnis a safety-value to freeing up our mind, and adding a lot of oxygen produces brainnenergy for our neurons, Yeah, it works, if you work it. The real secret is that younhave a focus for reinforcing your goals, and they come from the most trustworthynperson on the planet, the single individual you personally "must" believe and follow.

9. "Who?"

You, yourself and your shadow. YOU are chanting and uttering affirmations, and younare visualizing the goals. Your left and right brains must attempt to fulfill you
orders by leading you to the circumstances most likely to help.

10. "Wow, anything else?"

Just some great quotes from Professor James.nna) "Compared to what we ought to be, we are half awake."nnb) "Success or failure depend more upon attitude than upon capacity; successful nmen act as though they have accomplished or are enjoying something. Soon itnbecomes a reality. ACT-LOOK-FEEL successful, conduct yourself accordingly,nand you will be amazed at the positive results."nnc) "The deepest principle in human nature is the craving to be APPRECIATED!"nnd) "We can act as if there were a God; feel as if we were free; consider Naturenas if she were full of special designs; lay plans as if we were to be immortal;nand we find then that these words do make a genuine difference in our moralnlife."nne) "If you believe that feeling bad and worrying long enough will changena past or future event, then you are residing on another planet with a ndifferent reality system."nnf) "The greatest discovery of my generation is that a human being ca

ALTER his life by altering his attitudes."nng) "The great use of a life is to spend it on something that will outlast it."

That's it, see ya.
HBWnncopyright 2003
H. Bernard Wechsle
www.speedlea
ing.orgnemail: hbw@speedlea
ing.org

H. Bernard Wechsler is a senior educational consultant to the SpeedLea
ingnInstitute, affiliated with Long Island University, the Learning Annex, and
NYC schools through the DOME Project. He is one of the founders of
Evelyn Wood Speed Reading graduating over 2 million, including PresidentsnKennedy, Johnson, Nixon and Carter.n----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------