Memory development at Manomaya Kosa level
i. Mind Level The mind is a collection of thoughts. Unconnected
thoughts called can calata and a random, haphazard mind-set is the basis
for deterioration. The first step in gaining mastery over the mind is to
systematically train to develop the power of concentration to think about
a given subject. All thoughts in the mind get channelized in concentration.
This is the work of the intellect. The next step of concentration is Dharana
focusing of the mind on a single thought. Effortless dharana is dhyana, meditation.
All these stages, dharana, dhyana and its next step Samadhi (super
consciousness, merger of triputi, the seer-seen-process of seeing) help in developing
the memory at the mental level. There is a basic different between memory
development techniques at intellectual and mind levels. In the former, understanding is
the key to memory. At mind level, memorization takes place through dwelling on
a single thought by repetition of the same thought several times and by
relaxed, effortless process of dhyana. In one could get into Samadhi voluntarily,
photographic memory could the be the result. After Samadhi is the process of Samyama by
performing Samyama a triplet of Dharana-Dhyana-Samadhi. Patanjali mentions that one
can unravel the knowledge hidden deep within the subtler layers of the memory. Techniques of yoga include various techniques of meditation -Transcendental meditation, meditation on OM, on Yoga Nidra, Trataka to help
in Dharana and Dhyana leading to Samadhi. Yoga games and songs help in
enhancing the memory at this level. Breathing practices and pranayama techniques are
use dextensively to develop memory. Kapalabhati, sectional breathing and
various types of pranayama help in improving the memory.
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