I’ve been using Mind Maps for years … until I don’t really know how to do note-taking or note-making in a traditional linear form (unless I’m forced to). It’s a great tool, and for me it’s more fun giving freedom to use colors and images. But I think what is more interesting is the thinking behind the tool. And this is where I find my mental horizons have expanded.
When I was preparing for a workshop for some youth at youth center called Dropzone a couple of weeks ago, doing some revision on the book was helpful .. what excited me beyond the mind mapping was the way of thinking behind the tool – which is Radiant thinking. Check out An Exclusive Interview With Tony Buzan, here’s a comment as an appetizer:
“Most people are trained to think in a linear way, thinking of one thing, then the next thing, and then the next, in a series of singular associations in one direction.
The way our minds really work is in multiple thoughts and multiple directions at the same time. The way the brain fundamentally thinks is radiant, meaning that it thinks primarily from image centers, and then radiates out.”
I can relate to the above 🙂 That’s why I’ve been using Mind Maps all these years. But let me give you the definition of Radiant Thinking in the book:
“Radiant Thinking (from ‘to radiate’, meaning ‘to spread or move in directions, or from a given centre’) refers to associative thought processes that proceed from or connect to a central point. The other meanings of ‘radiant’ are also relevant: ‘shining brightly’, ‘the look of bright eyes beaming with joy and hope’ and ‘the focal point of a meteoric shower’ – similar to the ‘burst of thought’.” (p. 54, BBC edition)
The tool and technique is merely the surface. Another way of saying it is the practice is merely the tip of the iceberg of a way of thinking – a thinking process which is not only useful for education but also looking at life. So often, we get stuck because we have ways of thinking which restricts us from seeing the possibilities forward or even more basic, seeing the connections which actually could untangle our “no way out” or “no choice” kind of approach in life.
I’ll leave this post with a little sample mind map I did for a 2 hour homiletics class I was invited to share at Seminari Theoloji Malaysia last Tuesday. Click on the thumbnail to get a larger image.
Hi pastor, have been faithfully following your blog for some time. Keep it up!
But referring to the quote by Tony (and your mind map pictured above) I don’t see a fundamental difference between ‘linear’ thinking and radiant-I prefer the word radial-thinking. A typical mind map still does consist of the center (major premise?) and radiates out to to its myriad roots (conclusions?). Nevertheless, each path taken from center to root is still ‘linear’ and unique(!).
I think we always think linearly, connecting one image(or sentence, or sensation or whatever…) to another with some kind of justification (whether conscious or unconsciously). The difference is whether we choose to stop at one linear path, or consciously seek out other paths(less travelled) 😛
u-liang – nice to get a comment from you 🙂 “radial” thinking .. now that’s a new one. Perhaps the common misconception about Mind Maps or Radiant Thinking is that it is not linear which you have rightfully highlighted. I do think that it’s beyond linear thinking. We haven’t even gone into De Bono’s Lateral thinking yet (which is another story).
Perhaps it’s in the matter of emphasis where Linear Thinking tends to focus on the sequences between one point to another and a logical progression leading towards a conclusion. Where as Radiant thinking to me at least allows for more freedom to branch out in creativity, see connections in a more holistic manner, and according to Tony Buzan actually mirrors how the Brain actually works (I’m not neuro-specialized enough to say he’s absolutely right on this, but it’s a cool idea).
So for me, Radiant Thinking includes the best of linear thinking (without negating it) but definately takes it to the next level of adding the creative and connective dimensions (in addition to some color!).
Take my mind map on preaching .. the main topic was in the middle … but the branches were more of using different angles to look at the same topic – which was “The Way I prepare and preach my sermons today”. It was more about approaching the subject from different view points rather than arguing my case strictly in a linear form (e.g. like doing Mathematics or legal argument).
Now, I’m thinking on this phrase “radial” thinking … thanks for that. HOpefully we don’t slip into “radio” thinking where the only input we have in our thinking is Malaysian radio 🙂
Hi Sivin, I read Tony Buzan’s The Mind Map Book last October and really enjoyed it. I often thought of you and your sermons. I haven’t gotten much use out of it so far unfortunately. But being a holistic thinker and loving to see the interconnectivity of everything makes me a fan of this kind of thing. Reading it was enriching and I like to think of how I might use it in the future with my kids to help them learn and remember their school work.
By the way, your mind map looks just as good as those in the book. My practice ones looked like something a 5th grader might do. Hopefully the thinking involved was on a slightly higher level. =)
Hi,
I came across your blog and quite interested in your writings.
Your keenness in the area of Mind Mapping is interesting, and I believe that it can be put to good use in the understanding of God’s Word for a normal christian believer. The transformation of the mind can bring about a greater conviction from the Holy Spirit and in return transform the whole outlook on life and the purposes of life.
Can I correspond with you to see a possibility of your presenting and teaching of this subject in our church, Charisma Assembly, Segamat, Johor.
Thanks and God Bless,
Ps Steven Wong
Ps. Steven – thanks for dropping a note. Let’s keep in touch and see what’s possible 🙂
Amy S – don’t worry about our mind maps whether it’s professional looking or not. What’s important is that it is “our” mind maps – “our” thinking processes .. . Further more, I put up one of my more “better looking” ones. I have lot’s of “5th grader” one’s too … the scribblings are still valuable in my view. A lot of my draft mind maps are chaotic art …
funny! i’ve never heard of this note-taking format, but that’s usually how i take my own notes (minus the colors because i can’t carry a color pencil box around) and how i sketch out the beginnings of an idea!!
transferring all those thoughts to a paper/essay written for someone else to read is a quite different matter though. 🙂
I agree with Z that the hard part is transeferring one’s mind map scribbles and thoughts into a paper / essay fior someone to read. Just as hard is trying to communicate this way via a sermon.
I guess this is why I prefer “conversations” where we can “ramble” on and one and jump from topic to topic as each sub idea associates with another …
(This is my official excuse for not being well orgamnized! LOL)
z – I noticed the act of transferring what’s on the mind map either in verbal or written form to “others” becomes a way where I’m plugged into a process of clarifying my thoughts. I love colors and images and it’s so much more interesting for people like me to see that even what was seen as “boring” can be turned into an art piece. 🙂
Paul – When Brian McLaren was here in March, he mentioned to the participants how many of us do our thinking when we’re in conversation with others. I think he has a good point there. The real value for me is that the solitary individual learning model is not seen as the ideal displacing a communal experience which often directly and indirectly facilitate mutual affirmation as well as admonishment.
well, academia (to be fair!) doesn’t just rely on papers/books although that is its primary form of communication, there are also classrooms, reading groups, colloquiums, conferences, lectures, and also conversations both with peers or between colleagues. 🙂 all the work in those circles get fed back into the essay/book project.
conversations are important, mindmaps are important, but at the end of the day, i suppose i’m conventional enough to want to see something more “linear” . . . it would be very easy for scholars to submit work in the form of “notes,” maybe i can convince my committee to let me turn in my dissertation in that form!!
also, there are theorists who work in more experimental form (see for e.g. giorgio agamben on singularity, or jean luc nancy, i threw my copy across the room!!) and while what they do is valuable, sometimes i feel like i’m a character either in “alice in wonderland” or “the emperor’s new clothes.”
but just as mindmaps or rambling conversations allow us to flesh out our thoughts in creative and unstructured ways, forcing ourselves to clarify our thoughts through formal structures can also be productive. i guess we should always be careful about not setting up false binaries! this is more a “both/and” rather an “either/or”, i suppose. 🙂
z – a friend once told me (with a smile on his face) he felt his PhD cert feels like “toilet paper” in the long run and in the light of the more important things in life. I giggled and replied that we do live in a an era where “toilet paper” is useful and in some cases needed. And I encouraged him to persevere and finish off the dissertation.
I suppose like you said in academia there are a set of rules and norms which has been in play all these years. So, it’s less about being “anti-linear” than “post-linear” (at least in the west). While acknowledging the common and in some cases the norm in which people operate or expected to operate, we don’t glorify it or idolize it. It goes with those who prefer the more organic way as well …. yes to “Both/And” as you say … but the fact we’re having this conversation on “ways of thinking” and “ways of communicating” is a good exercise in appreciating and clarifying the options before us 🙂
that comment about toilet paper . . . SO VERY TRUE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
everything today is “post-” something or other, why not post-linear? personally, i’m post-post-ism. there. i’m at the top of the pyramid!!!!!!!
z – it’s a post-al age. See I’m “posting” a comment!
hmmm … I just post-ed 2 letters today (semi old fashioned communication! – semi ‘cos I typed and printed them out not hand written but used the old snail mail postal service) 🙂
HAHAHAHAHAHAHA . . . uncle paul wins for being so anachronistic!!