Post on 22-Dec-2015
Mahashatavdhan Mahashatavdhan
Dr Sudhir ShahDr Sudhir Shah (M.D., D.M.)(M.D., D.M.)
Hon. Neurologist to H.E. Governor of GujaratHon. Neurologist to H.E. Governor of Gujarat Director of Neurosciences : Sterling HospitalDirector of Neurosciences : Sterling Hospital Head of Department ,Neurology : V. S. Hospital Head of Department ,Neurology : V. S. Hospital
4th March, 2012 Mumbai, India
www.sudhirneuro.org
Towards Powerful CognitionTowards Powerful Cognition
Plan of My Talk
Memory function
Tips to improve memory
Jain view
Human Brain CapacityHuman Brain Capacity
Human brain has roughly Human brain has roughly 100 billion (10100 billion (101111)) neurons and neurons and 100 trillion (10100 trillion (101414)) synapses synapses
One can store enormous facts e.g. One can store enormous facts e.g. 90 million 90 million booksbooks each having 1000 pages each having 1000 pages
One can hold approximately seven items One can hold approximately seven items in short-term memory for about 20 to 30 secondsin short-term memory for about 20 to 30 seconds
It is known that we severely underutilize our It is known that we severely underutilize our brainbrain
Brain VS ComputerBrain VS Computer
The brain is much, much bigger than any [current] computer
Accurate biological models of the brain would Accurate biological models of the brain would have to include some have to include some 225,000,000,000,000,000 225,000,000,000,000,000 (225 million billion)(225 million billion) interactions between cell interactions between cell types, neurotransmitters, Neuro modulators, types, neurotransmitters, Neuro modulators, axonal branches and dendritic spinesaxonal branches and dendritic spines
No hardware/software distinction can be made No hardware/software distinction can be made with respect to the brain or mindwith respect to the brain or mind
Brains are Brains are analogueanalogue; computers are ; computers are digitaldigital
Brain VS Computer Brain VS Computer
The brain The brain is a massively is a massively parallelparallel machine; machine; computerscomputers are are modularmodular and serial and serial
Processing Processing speed is not fixedspeed is not fixed in the brain; in the brain; Short-term memory is not like RAMShort-term memory is not like RAM Synapses are far more complex than electrical Synapses are far more complex than electrical
logic gateslogic gates Unlike computers, processing and memory are Unlike computers, processing and memory are
performed by performed by the same componentsthe same components in the brain in the brain The brain is a self-organizing systemThe brain is a self-organizing system
What is Memory?What is Memory?
Memory is a specific cognitive function: the Memory is a specific cognitive function: the storagestorage and and retrievalretrieval of information of information
As such, it is the prerequisite for learning, the As such, it is the prerequisite for learning, the building block of all human knowledgebuilding block of all human knowledge
Limbic System & MemoryLimbic System & Memory
Certain structures of the limbic system are Certain structures of the limbic system are involved in memory functioninvolved in memory function
These large limbic system structures are These large limbic system structures are AMYGDALAAMYGDALA and and HIPPOCAMPUS HIPPOCAMPUS
Limbic SystemLimbic System
The Hippocampus Plays The Hippocampus Plays an important an important role in role in
consolidating consolidating informationinformation from from
short-term memory short-term memory into long-term into long-term
memory and memory and retrieves retrieves them when necessary them when necessary
The HippocmapusThe Hippocmapus
The Amygdala is The Amygdala is responsible for responsible for
determining determining what what memories are stored memories are stored
and and wherewhere the the memories are stored in memories are stored in
brain & responsible brain & responsible for for emotional emotional
memoriesmemories
The AmygdalaThe Amygdala
Memory
Declarative Non-declarative
Available to conscious retrievalAvailable to conscious retrieval
Can be declared (propositional)Can be declared (propositional)
ExamplesExamples ““What did I eat for What did I eat for
breakfast?”breakfast?” (episodic)(episodic) ““What is the capital of What is the capital of
Spain?”Spain?” (semantic)(semantic) ““What did I just say?”What did I just say?”
(working)(working)
Experience-induced change Experience-induced change in behaviourin behaviour
Cannot be declared Cannot be declared (procedural)(procedural)
ExamplesExamples Subliminal advertisingSubliminal advertising
(priming)(priming) How to ride a bicycle?How to ride a bicycle?
(skills)(skills) PhobiasPhobias
(conditioning)(conditioning)
Cohen and Squire, 1980
Mati Gyan + Shrut Gyan
What Is Working Memory ?What Is Working Memory ?
A combination of A combination of – AttentionAttention
– ConcentrationConcentration
– Short-term memory Short-term memory
The ability to temporarily maintain and The ability to temporarily maintain and manipulate information manipulate information
Working MemoryWorking Memory
The Prefrontal Cortex The Prefrontal Cortex With more difficult tasks involving bilateral With more difficult tasks involving bilateral
brain activationbrain activation The number of activated brain regions in the The number of activated brain regions in the
prefrontal cortex increases as the complexity of prefrontal cortex increases as the complexity of the task increases.the task increases.
In Munishri, the In Munishri, the prefrontal cortexprefrontal cortex, , hippocampushippocampus & & amygdalaamygdala must have been very well must have been very well developed…..developed…..
Hypothesized Memory Processes: Hypothesized Memory Processes: Encoding, Consolidation, and RetrievalEncoding, Consolidation, and Retrieval
Encoding, Consolidation and Encoding, Consolidation and Retrieval of Declarative MemoriesRetrieval of Declarative Memories
ShatavadhaniShatavadhani
Shrimad Rajchandra (1867-1901)Shrimad Rajchandra (1867-1901) Shatavadhani Dr.R.Ganesh ( 1981)Shatavadhani Dr.R.Ganesh ( 1981) Muni Mahendra Kumar (1957)Muni Mahendra Kumar (1957) Sathavathani Sheikh Thambi Pavalar (1874-Sathavathani Sheikh Thambi Pavalar (1874-
1950)1950) Shri Manek Muniji Maharaj (1991)Shri Manek Muniji Maharaj (1991)
Shatavadhan And AboveShatavadhan And Above
Dr. Garikipati Narasimha Rao (2002)Dr. Garikipati Narasimha Rao (2002) Dr. Medasani Mohan (1996)Dr. Medasani Mohan (1996) Dr. Nagaphani Sarma (2000)Dr. Nagaphani Sarma (2000) Kadimalla VaraprasadKadimalla Varaprasad Yashodevsuri Ma. SahebYashodevsuri Ma. Saheb Dharmsuri Ma. SahebDharmsuri Ma. Saheb Nirmalashriji Nirmalashriji Munishri Ajitchandrasagarji Maharaj ( D/O Munishri Ajitchandrasagarji Maharaj ( D/O
Panyasshree Naychandra Sagarji Maharaj)Panyasshree Naychandra Sagarji Maharaj)
Scientific Tips For Scientific Tips For Higher Cognition Higher Cognition
Repetition Symbolization Association Visualisation Remove stress Neurobics
Be Positive Be Interested Be Attentive Be Active Be Relaxed & Happy Be yourself
Limitations of Scientific Limitations of Scientific KnowledgeKnowledge
Laws of Conservation defined only for physical Laws of Conservation defined only for physical systems which are closed and passivesystems which are closed and passive
Biological systems are open systems Biological systems are open systems Constantly interacting with the environment Constantly interacting with the environment Human beings have memory, which makes it Human beings have memory, which makes it
difficult to do any scientific experiment on themdifficult to do any scientific experiment on them
Jain viewJain view
Gyanavarniyakarma xayopashamGyanavarniyakarma xayopasham
Worship of Gyan, Gyani & tools of Gyan.Worship of Gyan, Gyani & tools of Gyan.
Linked with Past birth achievementsLinked with Past birth achievements
Ways shown to lead to kevalgyanaWays shown to lead to kevalgyana
Jain (Oriental-Spiritual) View to Jain (Oriental-Spiritual) View to Achieve Higher CognitionAchieve Higher Cognition
Maun (silence)Maun (silence) Brahamcharya (celibacy) Sadhna (austerity)Sadhna (austerity) Tapasya (penance)Tapasya (penance) Pratyahaar ( Control of Senses)Pratyahaar ( Control of Senses) Vinay (politeness)Vinay (politeness) Mantrajap (chanting)Mantrajap (chanting) Swadhyaya (spiritual reading)Swadhyaya (spiritual reading) Constant Abhyas ( Repeatition)Constant Abhyas ( Repeatition) Dhyana (Meditation)Dhyana (Meditation)
Spiritual Order and Spiritual Order and ShatavadhaniesShatavadhanies
Shatavdhanies’ spiritual practices involve all these Shatavdhanies’ spiritual practices involve all these disciplinesdisciplines
By these mind goes into low entropy state & By these mind goes into low entropy state & tremendous data can be stored and recalled tremendous data can be stored and recalled efficientlyefficiently
Involves Involves parapsychology like telepathyparapsychology like telepathy and and clairvoyance clairvoyance
It will provide It will provide new direction of evolutionnew direction of evolution which is which is very different from Darwin’s principle of evolutionvery different from Darwin’s principle of evolution
It is a big challenge for the modern scienceIt is a big challenge for the modern science Shri PokharnaShri Pokharna
Jain’s Theory of Knowledge Through Jain’s Theory of Knowledge Through ConsciousnessConsciousness
As per modern science, knowledge is nothing but As per modern science, knowledge is nothing but information organized in some way and information information organized in some way and information is nothing but data organized in some wayis nothing but data organized in some way
We can collect data and generate information and We can collect data and generate information and knowledge through consciousnessknowledge through consciousness
So all knowledge is structured in the consciousnessSo all knowledge is structured in the consciousness Hence the Jain concept that knowledge is structured Hence the Jain concept that knowledge is structured
in the consciousness is very logical, as in the consciousness is very logical, as demonstrated by shatavadhanies demonstrated by shatavadhanies
However final destination is However final destination is KevalgyanKevalgyan
Role of Subconscious MindRole of Subconscious Mind
Subconscious MindSubconscious Mind
The subconscious (preconscious) mind is part of The subconscious (preconscious) mind is part of the conscious mind and includes our memory. the conscious mind and includes our memory. These memories are not conscious, but we can These memories are not conscious, but we can retrieve them to conscious awareness at any timeretrieve them to conscious awareness at any time
Your subconscious mind remembers everything Your subconscious mind remembers everything even those things that have entirely by-passed even those things that have entirely by-passed your conscious awarenessyour conscious awareness
So boosting Subconscious mind can be powerful So boosting Subconscious mind can be powerful memory tool…..by spiritual practices like memory tool…..by spiritual practices like meditation, silence, etc.meditation, silence, etc.
Suggested HypothesisSuggested Hypothesis
There may be opening of Millions of SynapsesThere may be opening of Millions of Synapses Increased function of Neurotransmitters Increased function of Neurotransmitters More use of Association areasMore use of Association areas Role of Prefrontal cortex, as it is more developed Role of Prefrontal cortex, as it is more developed
in animals with higher intelligencein animals with higher intelligence Formation of G Module and extraordinary tracks Formation of G Module and extraordinary tracks
of neuronsof neurons Development of new storage areasDevelopment of new storage areas
Memory and GeneMemory and Gene
Neuroscientists identified a master controller of Neuroscientists identified a master controller of memorymemory
Npas4 Npas4 gene appears to regulate the brain’s gene appears to regulate the brain’s ability to form new memoriesability to form new memories
So by increasing this Gene Expression one can So by increasing this Gene Expression one can make powerful memorymake powerful memory
Genes Molecules Synapses Genes Molecules Synapses Neurons systems Networks Neurons systems Networks Behaviour Behaviour
"We remember what we "We remember what we understand; we understand only understand; we understand only what we pay attention to; we pay what we pay attention to; we pay
attention to what we want"attention to what we want" - - Edward BollesEdward Bolles
The Value of ChunkingThe Value of Chunking
You have 5 seconds You have 5 seconds to memorize as much to memorize as much as you canas you can
Then, draw an empty Then, draw an empty chess board and chess board and reproduce the reproduce the arrangement of piecesarrangement of pieces
Thank you