You don't have to take questionable self-help courses to develop memory and mindfulness. There are simple and effective mnemonic techniques for developing observation, logic and imagination that can be performed in between.
1. Robert Houdin's method.
2. The method of London pickpockets.
3. Gianni Rodari's method.
4. Aivazovsky's method.
5. The method of Italian boys.
6. Cicero's method.
7. The method of yogis.
1. Robert Houdin's method.
Robert Houdin is the famous French magician and idol of Harry Houdini. In his youth, he trained his observation daily. Walking past the store, Robert cast a hasty glance at the window, turned away and after a few steps tried to remember exactly each product: color, size, shape. Every day this exercise succeeded more and more quickly. He soon became so proficient that he could describe the contents of the counters on the run.
2. The method of London pickpockets.
In the London and Parisian street gangs of the 19th century, there were entire schools where experienced robbers passed the secrets of their craft to the young. An old thief, like Fagin from Oliver Twist, was holding some small nonsense in his palm — two buttons, fivepence, a wedding ring. The professor showed this to the boys for a few seconds, asked them to quickly describe each item, then discreetly removed one of the things - and it was necessary to immediately name what was missing.
3. Gianni Rodari's method.
In The Grammar of Fantasy, Gianni Rodari explains how to develop your imagination and learn how to make up stories. One exercise is to come up with hilarious hypotheses. “What would happen if Sicily's buttons were torn off and lost? What would happen if a crocodile knocked on your door and asked you to lend him some rosemary? "Another task is to add unexpected prefixes to words, to create and imagine vice dogs, locks and microhippos. And also: play burime, compose limericks, compose stories from newspaper clippings.
4. Aivazovsky's method.
Many artists have excellent visual memory. It can be developed by considering the view outside the window or passengers in the subway. Fix your gaze on a person or thing for a few seconds. Try to remember the object in detail, then close your eyes and imagine it. Look at the subject again, refresh the image, and continue with the exercise. You can make sketches of the faces and figures of passers-by, memorize pictures in the museum. Or practice with matches: throw 4-6 matches on the table and remember how they went. The number of matches must be increased over and over again.
5. The method of Italian boys.
William Atkinson writes that he saw this picture in Chicago: Italian newspapermen, standing at the door of the printing house, waiting for a fresh issue, playing Morra. One shows the other his fist and shouts "Morra!" unclenches a few fingers. The second player quickly names the number of outstretched fingers, and if he hesitates or makes a mistake, he gets a bundle of newspapers on the head. Morra is like Rock-Paper-Scissors. This simple game must still be played by the boys in the Neapolitan courtyards.
6. Cicero's method.
Walk around the room, examine and memorize every corner, starting with the door. Of course, this space is already familiar to you. Now mentally place what you need to remember in different parts of the room. These can be German verbs, talk pillars, or friends' birthdays. If it is difficult, write down what you need on pieces of paper, hang it on the walls and again carefully inspect the room. It should work! The method of spatial associations is attributed to either Cicero or Simonides. The first used it in preparation for speeches, the second applied the same line of thought under very sad circumstances. Simonides was a guest at a symposium. Suddenly, the roof collapsed on the feasting. Only Simonides got out alive from the rubble. Then he helped relatives identify the deceased, remembering who was sitting where.
7. The method of yogis.
Elements of vipassana can be borrowed from yogis who have certainly succeeded in self-development. Mindfulness meditation can be practiced in any setting: cycling, showering, sitting in a lecture, but it's best to do it alone. The essence of the method is to be aware of every moment of life, to be receptive to the signals of your body. Even measured walking from corner to corner can be considered meditation, if at this moment your attention is concentrated on the movement. Take 5-10 slow steps in a straight line. Move in a relaxed way (imagine that you are filming at Tarkovsky's). Watch how the foot rises, how the weight is transferred from one leg to the other. During the day, pay attention to what you are used to doing in passing. At regular intervals - for example, every 4 hours - record what position you are in.
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