A Record of Meetings held by P.D. Ouspensky - HolyBooks.com

Q . Does memory depend on attention?MR. O. There are many different kinds of memory. Ordinarymemory—memory of what we hear—memory of this system—memoryof smell—memory of roads. But we speak of memory that we know. Itis very easy to spoil this memory.Q . There is a popular saying, 'A liar must have a good memory.'MR. O. Unfortunately for liars, it is quite different. But some day therewill be material.Q . I find it difficult to remember not to express negative emotionsMR. O. Quite right First necessary to remember.Q . How can I strengthen that memory?MR. O. Try to use what you can. Every day or every week you can dosomething. Do it. Do what you can. You cannot say nothing is possible.1.8.45.Q . What is the way towards developing memory in recurrence?MR. O. This is very interesting and very important. Necessary todevelop memory, as it is also possible to destroy memory. This refersto what used to be called psychological memory or intellectual memory.I observed—though from a distance—an extraordinarily interestingcase in which memory was spoiled. Well, according to theory ofrecurrence, self-remembering is the only way of developing memory Ifone remembers oneself in this life, one will remember next time.Q . On what is the theory based?MR. O Imagination.Q . How can memory survive death?MR. O. Death is nothing.Q . When you speak of self-remembering as you did in answering myquestion it sounded like a complete sort of thing. It doesn't sound likesomething that has degrees.MR. O. Always degree. But if one remembers previous life, that meanshe remembered himself the previous time.Q . What do you mean by 'death is nothing' in that tone of voice you used?MR. O. You may not notice it.Q . You said 'if one is born again'. Doesn't everybody get a chance tobe born again?MR. O. They may not notice it again. If they do not notice they die,they may not notice that they are born.