While listening to the Dharma, 

simply absorb it. 

Looking back fondly, or not, getting ready to start another year at school invariably entailed getting new supplies. A big decision was—the notebook. What size? Color? Two-hole? Three? How many dividers? Such decisions were crucial because some serious note-taking was about to be undertaken. 

Older now, notes are possibly even more important because increasingly anything we want to learn or remember needs to be written down.

And so, at a Dharma lecture, we whip out pen and paper, determined to take copious notes. But the first thing we hear is, “Don’t take notes.”

No notes? Seriously? How will I remember what he said?

Relax. For one thing, when you’re writing, you’re not listening. Even more important, when concentrating on what is being said, we will hear what we need and are ready to. Keep attending the talks or listening to the recordings. Each time, our understanding will deepen and solidify.

And each time we listen, we will absorb what we need.