Note taking and attention to detail

I realize that some people will retain information much more easily upon writing it down; be it in short key phrases, exact words, or their own wording, or any other way.
I've been writing down the Tao Te Ching, not just jotting it down in my average handwriting, just putting words on paper. I thought I'd try something else, to write every individual letter more stylized than usual, to the point where it becomes inconvenient in the ways of efficiency but much more involved and artistic. So then, each letter of every word is fairly unique, each requiring much more thought than usual, but not as much in the way of efficient conformity. Could this possibly lead to retaining information in a more wholesome way?
I suppose part of what I'm thinking, besides a deeper level of time and involvement spent writing, I'm thinking that it might be using the 2 sides of the brain much more harmoniously than the average way of writing would. So, maybe even if it doesn't lead to better retention of the exact information, maybe it could lead to a deeper understanding of the message in the notes.
Just some things that crossed my mind. I'd like to hear your thoughts on this :) Thank you.

edit: also. I'm wondering. When people read things, I have a feeling many have a tendency to only really half pay attention. This style of writing requires more attention to read as well. While it's not hard to see which letters are which, I've noticed that my mind wraps around it more tightly than it would otherwise. I'm wondering if it's just me o.o

Why ever would you want to retain all information? Learn the important concepts and move on to the next subject. There are a few areas where you can't just wing it from a conceptual understanding, but really: If you come across such a situation, you'll probably know it and adjust accordingly.

Originally Posted by zynthaxx

Why ever would you want to retain all information? Learn the important concepts and move on to the next subject. There are a few areas where you can't just wing it from a conceptual understanding, but really: If you come across such a situation, you'll probably know it and adjust accordingly.

I agree. Getting bogged down with a lot of details isn't helpful.

While it's good to be thorough sometimes, it seems like you're rechecking yourself to make sure you've learned it instead of trusting yourself to move forward with the material.

Both of these habits will make learning extremely slow.

I've tried doing the stylized writings before. I ended up concentrating on prettifying the letters rather than remembering the information they are conveying. For me, using short-forms and fast jotting down of key concepts work best. Point form, mindmaps, simple visuals and reading aloud helps a lot too.

It's not about remembering everything, but remembering what is useful. Trust me. I was once a perfectionist about this and it reaaaaally doesn't work, especially at higher levels of studies when you're bombarded with huge amounts of information. Keep it simple - that's my motto with notes.

Originally Posted by zynthaxx

Why ever would you want to retain all information? Learn the important concepts and move on to the next subject. There are a few areas where you can't just wing it from a conceptual understanding, but really: If you come across such a situation, you'll probably know it and adjust accordingly.

It's not about retaining all information at all. "Retaining information in a more wholesome way" not "retaining the whole of the information". I guess what I'm trying to say is: not really remember more of it but coming to a more open minded understanding of something through the balanced usage of the brain. Kind of like the way somebody more inclined towards being creative would come up with a different response than somebody would if they were more inclined towards order. It's more about a deeper understanding of the mentioned important concepts not an entire "knowing" of everything.
I don't consider details important whatsoever. Just the understanding. So we're actually more on the same page on this than it would seem you originally thought.

Originally Posted by Inky

I've tried doing the stylized writings before. I ended up concentrating on prettifying the letters rather than remembering the information they are conveying. For me, using short-forms and fast jotting down of key concepts work best. Point form, mindmaps, simple visuals and reading aloud helps a lot too.

It's not about remembering everything, but remembering what is useful. Trust me. I was once a perfectionist about this and it reaaaaally doesn't work, especially at higher levels of studies when you're bombarded with huge amounts of information. Keep it simple - that's my motto with notes.

I'm not a perfectionist at all lol Haven't been since 4th grade. I don't intend on taking this into areas where I'd be taking tons of info like.. if I were taking notes in a class or writing down notes on a presentation or something, no no not at all. Also, understanding everything is definitely far from the point. The point is to gain a better understanding of what IS retained by a more unified usage of the brain. I feel like maybe I wasn't too clear in my original post.. In fact, I don't even intend to memorize ANY of it, at all. I just intend to digest the meaning behind it. I only intend to do this with notes on the Yoga Sutra and Tao Te Ching really.
I thank you for your reply though, I appreciate your advice :3

Originally Posted by Smiling Aria

I'm not a perfectionist at all lol Haven't been since 4th grade. I don't intend on taking this into areas where I'd be taking tons of info like.. if I were taking notes in a class or writing down notes on a presentation or something, no no not at all. Also, understanding everything is definitely far from the point. The point is to gain a better understanding of what IS retained by a more unified usage of the brain. I feel like maybe I wasn't too clear in my original post.. In fact, I don't even intend to memorize ANY of it, at all. I just intend to digest the meaning behind it. I only intend to do this with notes on the Yoga Sutra and Tao Te Ching really.
I thank you for your reply though, I appreciate your advice :3

So, basically you want to utilize both sides of the brain to get a better grasp of the subject?

Have you determined which of your brain hemispheres is more dominant? Are you right or left handed? Which side of your body do you use more?

Originally Posted by Smiling Aria

I've been writing down the Tao Te Ching, not just jotting it down in my average handwriting, just putting words on paper. I thought I'd try something else, to write every individual letter more stylized than usual, to the point where it becomes inconvenient in the ways of efficiency but much more involved and artistic. So then, each letter of every word is fairly unique, each requiring much more thought than usual, but not as much in the way of efficient conformity. Could this possibly lead to retaining information in a more wholesome way?
I suppose part of what I'm thinking, besides a deeper level of time and involvement spent writing, I'm thinking that it might be using the 2 sides of the brain much more harmoniously than the average way of writing would. So, maybe even if it doesn't lead to better retention of the exact information, maybe it could lead to a deeper understanding of the message in the notes.
Just some things that crossed my mind. I'd like to hear your thoughts on this :) Thank you.

edit: also. I'm wondering. When people read things, I have a feeling many have a tendency to only really half pay attention. This style of writing requires more attention to read as well. While it's not hard to see which letters are which, I've noticed that my mind wraps around it more tightly than it would otherwise. I'm wondering if it's just me o.o

This is a wonderful idea. I would even think the trying to achieve the stylized writing is even more tao, as it takes your mind off the literal aspects, and more into a feeling.

Originally Posted by LeelaWho

So, basically you want to utilize both sides of the brain to get a better grasp of the subject?

Have you determined which of your brain hemispheres is more dominant? Are you right or left handed? Which side of your body do you use more?

I've been told I'm more right hemisphere dominant because I'm more creatively inclined than structurally. I use my right side more and am right handed o.o
And yes, indeed :) that is the idea.

Originally Posted by Smiling Aria

I've been told I'm more right hemisphere dominant because I'm more creatively inclined than structurally. I use my right side more and am right handed o.o
And yes, indeed :) that is the idea.

Here's an easy test to see which side is more dominant:

Clasp your hands together, interlocking your fingers (rather like you're praying). Which thumb is on top?

I'm left brained, which is reinforced by the fact that I use my right hand and right side for practically everything. My left thumb is on top, closest to me.


Which subjects you study or do well in is NOT a determinate of which side of the brain you use more. I'm a musician, which most people assume is a right-brain activity. But since I've studied it extensively, it's a left brain activity because I'm listening to the structure, anticipating what will come next, etc. I use my left brain because I'm analyzing it. Non-musicians use their right brain more when they listen.

Maybe you could try something like this? Or covering up your right eye and forcing yourself to use the left side of your body?

Isn't meditation a part of Taoism? Maybe you could listen to the text via a recording while you use a set of baoding balls in your left hand?

It doesn't have to be anything complicated. I get the weirdest feelings when I try to play computer games using the mouse with my left hand.