This event gave me the ultimate purpose, process, and required skill for us to be a "demanding reader" or in another simple word was, to be an "active reader". I want to share with you about the insights and key takeaways from the class, and also, I want to share the documentation and the video recording of the class. So, here they are. Happy learning, and enjoy!
The Crisis of Learning: "The Lost Tools of Learning"
The speaker began by contextualizing the current state of education and reading habits within a historical framework of "learning crises". He told about "The Lost Tools of Learning" (1946). Mr. Yogi cited Dorothy Sayers, noting that modern education teaches many "subjects" but fails to teach the "art of learning" itself. Students learned facts but lack the instruments (tools) to learn independently. He illustrated about The Excavator vs. The Spoon. He used an analogy where students are asked to dig a massive hole (deep knowledge) but are only given a spoon (elementary skills) instead of an excavator (advanced reading/learning tools)
Here was "The Timeline of Decline":
- 1946: Loss of tools (methodology).
- 2022 (Post-COVID): "Learning Loss"—the loss of the habit and will to learn due to disruption.
- 2024 "Cognitive Bankruptcy"—The rise of AI and digital shortcuts leads to a reliance on external intelligence, causing "brain rot" or the inability to process deep information.
The Need for Purification. We need to return to the "cave" (a metaphor for deep focus) to rediscover the energy of Iqra (read)—not just reciting (tajwid) but understanding (tafsir).
The Three Levels of Reading Problems
He told about the most issues with reading stem from three distinct levels.
1. No Motivation (The Problem of "Sosok" / Figure):
People who don't read often lack a role model (sosok). Motivation doesn't come from a book, but it comes from seeing a figure (parent, teacher) who loves reading. If a teacher tells students to read but never reads themselves, the motivation fails.
2. No Science/Skill (The Problem of "Pokok" / Substance):
People who want to read but don't know how. They treat reading as a random activity rather than a skill with rules and methods.
3. Disorientation (The Problem of "Tolok" / Benchmark):
People who can read but lack a higher purpose. They view reading as an isolated hobby rather than a fundamental pillar of education and civilization.
The Definition & Nature of Reading
Mr. Yogi defined reading using logical taxonomy (Genus and Difference). Reading is a specific kind of Learning Activity (Genus) which deals with Written Meaningful Expressions (Difference). It is distinct from listening which deals with audible expressions. There is a Myth that Reading is passive or receiving info. The Truth is there is no such thing as passive reading. Reading is a complex mental activity. The more "demanding" or active the reader is, the better the understanding.
The Analogy of Food vs. Books (Intellectual Metabolism)
Mr Yogi told about the core metaphor of the session about Food and Books, that just as the body needs food, the intellect needs truth and understanding. He explained about the Sensible vs. Intelligible, which were Food has appearance and taste (Sensible/Indra). He added that Taste is temporary only for lasts seconds on the tongue, and the ultimate goal and purpose of the food is Nutrients. The body doesn't need the "taste"; it needs the vitamins/protein as Nutrients. On Books, often we judged books by "taste" or in the form of entertainment and fun. However, the mind needs "Intellectual Nutrients" or Understanding. He also mentioned about Intellectual Stunting. Just as malnutrition causes physical stunting, a lack of deep reading causes "Intellectual Stunting"—which is invisible but dangerous for society.
How To Be a Demanding Reader
He told about how to be a demanding reader that means to demand more from yourself and the text.
A. Demand for Increasing Our Mental/Mind Activeness.
You must activate specific mental faculties while reading:
- Sensing: Recognizing the text/language.
- Observation: Identifying key terms, propositions, and arguments.
- Memory: Using "Readily Available Memory" to connect current reading with past knowledge.
- Imagination: Not just for fiction, but for "What if?" scenarios in science and philosophy.
- Analysis & Reflection: Breaking down the arguments and reflecting on their truth.
B. Demand for Increasing Our Level of Reading which is there are "The Four Levels of Reading".
Mr Yogi explained that Reading is not a single skill, it has a hierarchy. It consist of:
- Elementary Reading: Basic literacy that is learning to read.
- Inspectional Reading: Skimming systematically to understand the structure or the "roadmap" before reading the details. Crucial for deciding if a book is worth reading.
- Analytical Reading: Thorough reading for understanding—finding the "meat" which are the arguments and definitions.
- Syntopical (Topical) Reading: Reading multiple books on the same subject to compare ideas or it can call as a Research-based reading.
The Four Basic Questions of a Demanding Reader
A reader must always ask these four questions and answer them to truly "own" a book. There are:
1. What is the book about as a whole? It means that to classify the book and summarize its main theme.
2. What is being said in detail, and how? It means that to identify the structure, key terms, and arguments.
3. Is the book true, in whole or in part? It means doing the critical judgment—do not just accept it; verify the logic and facts.
4. What of it? It means to find its Significance—why does this matter? What are the consequences of this information?.
Essential Activities to Support Reading
Reading requires physical support activities to maintain mental focus. One of them is Note-Taking (The Art of Marginalia) which can consist of:
- Structural Notes: Mapping the chapters/flow.
- Conceptual Notes: Defining terms and arguments.
- Dialectical Notes: Comparing the book's ideas with other books.
- Marking the Book: Underlining, starring, and highlighting essential parts to keep the mind awake.
Factors for Reading Success
There are Internal Factors and External Factors to achieve a reading success. The Internal Factors are:
- Mastery: Knowing the skill of reading.
- Discipline: Practice makes permanent.
- Basic Understanding: You need some prior context (e.g., don't start with Quantum Physics if you lack basic science).
- Devotional Act (Spiritual Aspect): In the Islamic tradition, reading is a spiritual act. One of the example is Scholars would perform Wudhu or ablution and pray before reading difficult texts, asking God for understanding. Reading should be treated with the seriousness of prayer or meditation.
The External Factors are:
- Daily Routine: Good time management is key.
- Mental Stability: Being aware of your energy levels, it's like don't read complex philosophy when exhausted.
- Reconditioning: Preparing the environment (lighting, posture) and intention (niyyah) before opening the book.
Notable Q&A Insights
- Fiction vs. Non-Fiction:
Non-Fiction teaches Structure and Rational Judgment and Fiction teaches Imagination and Aesthetic Experience. Reading only fiction can lead to seeking emotional gratification rather than truth. Reading only non-fiction can make one rigid. Both are needed, but one must distinguish the goal of each.
- The "Tsundoku" Problem (Buying but not reading):
Mr. Yogi advised using Inspectional Reading on unread books. Even if you don't read every word, reading the Preface, Table of Contents, and Index ensures the book is not "wasted" and you understand its general map.
- Reading Groups:
He suggested reading groups should focus on one common text (Common Textual Experience) rather than everyone sharing different books. This allows for "Textual Cross-checking" and deep debate, which sharpens critical thinking.
So, let's become a demanding reader!
Then, I want to share with you the recording of this class. Here it is.
Here they are about the documentation:
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Thank you for reading! Kudos!
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