Conversations with Sai - 16

A Visitor: How can we improve memory?

SAI: There is not much use thinking about the past, because it is gone. Trying to memorize is not of much value. We will naturally remember that in which we are interested. 

A small story: Arjuna was 85 years old, a middle aged man. In those days people lived much longer. 

Arjuna said, 'Lord, how is it that you can remember all the past lives, and I cannot?' 

Krishna replied, 'Well, what were you doing ten years ago on the third day of the month?' Arjuna said 'I do not know.' 

Then Krishna said, 'Well, you were alive then.' Arjuna replied, 'Yes, I was alive.' 

Krishna then said, 'Look back Arjuna, 60 years to the day you were married, do you remember that?' 

'Oh, yes,' replied Arjuna, 'I remember that'. 'Then, look further back, Arjuna, to the day you met your Guru and were taught the martial arts. Do you remember?' 'Yes', replied Arjuna, 'I remember.' 

Then Krishna said, 'It is obvious that people remember that in which they are interested, that which was sufficiently intense to cause them to remember the incident. But they do not bother remembering that in which they are not intensely interested. Now, you do not remember 20 years back, but you know you were alive then, therefore the memory is there, but you cannot recall it. Now, I remember everything, Arjuna, because I am interested in everything.'

(From: "Conversations with Sai" - Part 6 - Radio Sai)