Starting Spiritual Practice
Must reading involve notes or rapid completion?
English translation draft · Based on the Chinese article. This is not a word-for-word translation approved by Master Shengyuan.
Not necessarily. Some readers like writing notes and others remember mentally. Whether fast or slow, understanding and absorption matter rather than identical methods for everyone.
YOYO said she follows her pace without a deadline, rereading unclear passages. She marks books, folds pages, writes keywords, and records current questions and reflections. Favorite sentences may also go into a notebook.
I take less detailed notes and remember more mentally. These are different recording habits. Another person’s heavily annotated book does not establish that your reading is insufficient.
After reading, still reflect on what the passage says and how you understand it. Pause and return as needed. Clarifying meaning at your own pace absorbs more than continually urging quick completion.