Memory

There are many starting points to discuss the role of memory and to decode it. As a part of existence, memory gets created to make sense of the world, so one needs to accept and embrace its existence.

The question that this article seeks to explore, is how can memory lead to an increased awareness of environment and finally to achieve a transcendental state of mind - beyond space and time itself? Thus, we are looking at the ability of human beings to evolve into higher states of mind.

Existence is all about taking a particular "position" in the dimensions of Space and Time OR being aware of the "boundary" (or social constructs) we create for ourselves. Anything that lies beyond Space-Time dimension may be said as pure consciousness or a void or a pattern. The moment 'we' take a 'form' of existence (plant/animal/ human being), we start to construct a mental reality - which we call mind or a series of thoughts. These thoughts inform our imagination of the world and may offer some glimpse of consciousness that we all are a part of. Therefore, there are discussions about the concepts of "Maya" (illusion) or "falsehood" (rejecting desires) or "Dharma" (rightfulness) or "Dhyaan" (meditation) - all concerned with achieving transcendental state of mind that goes beyond our most fundamental boundary - our own body.

So body may be seen as a "tool" to take us to higher states of expansiveness  -and NOT as a constraint.

Thus, memory begins to be created (in a particular body) through our senses when we are born. Touch, smell, sound, taste, sight, breadth.....all such aspects are made sense of by our own mind and we begin to feel the environment. Since we are rarely in a position to question such signals, the effect of environment on us is immediate and profound. Therefore, a good and a caring environment is instrumental for a healthy growth of an individual.

As we grow, the faculties of thought start to use dimensions of observation, comparison to make decisions. This leads to preferring a particular behaviour pattern and incidences. This further creates memories - good or painful.

i think the main conflict that rises on account of memory - is the conflict of separateness (as a body) over connection with universal consciousness.

As we evolve and see ourselves as a part of a larger pattern of events - (history, culture, society, geography, archaeology, ecology, ecosystems) - we realize that our body is just incidental....it need not be seen as something to cling on or which is of ultimate truth. Truth is far more comprehensive and we expand our mind to that level of awareness.

Why do we do this? We do this because we wish to reach that state of mind which remains steady and blissful - beyond thought or feelings. As our memory expands to consider the idea of ecosystems, we start to move beyond memory itself!

Our actions subsequently reflect this awareness.