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Once, all the animals gathered in the forest to discuss why humans are superior to them, while all are created by one God. The Peacock said, I can dance better than humans, the Dog said, My sense of smell is more powerful than humans. Lion said, Humans physical strength has no match to my physical strength, and so on. They all went to God and asked why humans are superior in spite of better sense power animals have. The God said, Sure, you all have powerful senses but one thing that makes humans superior is their powerful Brain, which gives them the power of discrimination or intelligence.
This extraordinary gift of God, the human brain, weighs only around 3 pounds and is a mere 1200 cubic centimeter in size. It contains approximately 100 billion neurons (cells). These neurons communicate with each other via neuro-transmitters across a gap between neurons called synapse. Even if all the organs of the body are intact but brain is dead, the body is called dead/non-functioning/vegetative. It is like a car with all new accessories but without the engine.
As mentioned earlier, one of the most dominant aspects of Brain is Memory. It is the capacity of a Human (Brain) to store, retain, and recall information about past and present events. Aspects such as intelligence, emotions, and consciousness will be inadequate if there is a loss or weakness of memory. A normal human is born with basic intelligence and then advancement lies in his/her hands. Many battery-operated electronics we buy today (camera etc.), come with operating instructions that say that battery may not be fully charged, please fully charge the battery before normal use. The same applies to human memory and intelligence.
Essentially there are three types of memory: immediate, short-term, and long-term.
Immediate Memory: Is the capacity to store information for a very minimal span of time and one entry at a time.
Short Term memory: From immediate memory, the information moves ahead and develops into short term memory, which can hold up to 10 items for a period of max 30 seconds.
Long Term memory: Any amount of information can be retained in long-term memory for extensive periods of time. It can be retained lifelong unless brain cells (memory stores) are physically damaged due to various reasons.
Through the years scientists and doctors have performed adequate research and advancement in the field of neurology. They have studied and revealed the secret memory from basics to the micro level. But it is all up to an individual to improve and sharpen their memory in order to make life enjoyable and meaningful for self and for people around them.
These days, short term memory loss, Alzheimer, dementia, and depression are commonly discussed topics. Recently, I met an elderly family friend who is in his late 70s. He said he always forgets his grand childs name, ironically he sometimes forgets his own name. But at the same time, he told me a story vividly which he read in 1951 (58 years ago). Often, we see Alzheimers patients wandering in super markets not knowing why they are there and where to go from there. I have observed my mother going to the kitchen and forgetting the purpose of going by the time she reached there. At times we laugh at such incidents; these things have become jokes too. We need to seriously think about these incidences. We are loosing value of the most powerful gift from God (creation) to the human being, Memory. The presence of memory makes life so meaningful at some stage of life, whereas the absence of which makes life meaningless at all stages of life.
According to Rishi Patanjali, the founder of Ashtanga Yoga system, memory is experiences of objects not forgotten. Memory is one of the functions of Chitta, the subconscious mind. All the experiences of the Human mind leave impressions on the subconscious mind. Formation and Revival of these impressions happens via memory. These impressions are stored in the subconscious mind when we come in contact with the outside world. They create various thought patterns (in Brain) called innate nature. These thought patterns later cause physical reaction or our external behavior.
Patanjali defines Yoga as the process of controlling these thought patterns of the subconscious mind. There is an incidence in ancient Indian text, when the great guru Krishna went to prince Duryodhan to explain to him the meaning of Dharma (righteousness) and Adharma (wickedness) to avoid unjust war instigated by Duryodhan. After listening to the wise words of Krishna, Duryodhan said, I know what is Dharma, but my nature (negative thoughts) does not allow me lean towards right and I know what Adharma is, but my nature does not allow me to get away from wrong. It is all that is stored in our memory becomes our nature.
Someone has said about memory, use it right or loose it. Apart from doctors, there are spiritually elevated persons, whom we call Gurus, Saints or Yogis, who have come up with various ways to maintain, enhance, and improve the memory. These methods are memory stimulators; Rishi Patanjali may call them Yoga, Buddha may call them Nirvana, Mahatma Gandhi may call them Satya (Truth), Wayne Dyer may call them Self Actualization and Mr. Fred Rogers may call them Quiet time.
Listed below are some practical ways, experienced by wise people, of memory empowerment. These practices keep the memory (brain muscles) healthy and full of positive thoughts.
Breathing exercise
This is also one of the eight steps of Ashtanga Yoga. Doing breathing exercise in morning increases the circulation of blood in Brain. This provides with enough oxygen to the brain and rest of the body.
Meditation or Quiet Time
Daily practice of Meditation clears unwanted and negative thoughts from the mind. It helps enhance memory power.
Mantra (Chanting)
Chanting of powerful words (Mantra) positively affects the whole nervous system; it clears and stabilizes the mind. Repetition of powerful words while focusing on its meaning empowers the memory and sends powerful messages (auto suggestions) to the subconscious mind.
Concentration
Focus all your thoughts on one object that gives you good feeling while sitting in a comfortable posture. This particularly helps with performing nonstop activities (like exam, office work, etc.) without interruptions.
Physical Exercise
Keeping body muscles healthy is as important as keeping brain muscles healthy.
Food
Healthy, especially vegetarian food helps memory enhancement. Simple acts like eating soaked, peeled-off almonds in the morning, few walnuts in the afternoon, can be adapted for body and mind health.
Reading
Reading keeps the brain active. Books which give inspiration should be read repetitively. Leaning multiple languages also empowers memory.
Be with Nature
Whenever possible try to enjoy the riches offered by Mother Nature. Stare at the moon and stars in the night, sunset and sunrise, green pastures, rivers, oceans.
Challenge the Brain
Play brain games like Sudoku, Crossword puzzles, Solitaire, and Chess. Once in awhile change the course of your routine acts, for example try to do some routine chores in dark, once in a while read books that are not of your normal taste (switch from fiction to non-fiction), or switch to non-dominant hand for some routine tasks.
Grand Mothers formula
It has been an age old tradition in India that grand mothers write some spiritual words 1000 times everyday. This has been their memory exercise.
Last, but the most important of all is:
Play with Children
There was a professor who used spend the entire day doing academic and scholarly work. In the evening, he used to enthusiastically play with children. Someone asked him, What makes you to play with these little kids. The Professor replied, When you do not use a string instrument it is better to slacken the strings for extended life of the instrument. Similarly, I slack/relax my mind by playing with children. To get the most benefit, do not just play with them, be like them.
The above practices promote the growth of brain cells, help create smooth neural paths, generate stronger brain cell to cell communication. Some studies show that even adults (and elders) can grow new brain cells.
Researchers have found that our mind carries around 60,000 thoughts in 24 hours, majority of them are repetitive and many of them are negative. It is not important to only have a powerful memory, what is important is the positivity of thoughts stored in the memory. Tamerlane, Hitler, Saddam Hussein had powerful brains (memory) but tuned their actions towards destruction. Buddha, M Gandhi, Benjamin Franklin also had powerful brains (memory) and which they turned towards creation.
Our car user manual recommends normal maintenance (oil change) at 3500 miles or a 3 months period. It recommends that if driving conditions are abnormal then you should go for early maintenance for a better engine life. We live through numerous abnormal conditions in our everyday life. Should we not do memory renewal everyday using holistic ways for a better human life?
Memory is the powerhouse of brain.
Memory is the foundation of character.
Memory is the index of happiness.
So, let us use science and holistic ways to empower the Memory and use it in a right way to justify our superiority (as Humans) and bring happiness in our lives and in the lives of all living beings on this earth.
Recently, on the back of Port authority Bus I saw Seton Hill University's slogan which says, Fear nothing but a closed mind - and a closed mind is one that has either empty memory or memory full of negative thoughts - A prudent message for all of us.
I am thankful to Dr. Renu Pokharna, Neurologist (at University of Pittsburgh Medical Center) for her help in researching this subject.
