Mental Photography 101: The Power of Photographic Memory
Have you ever had a moment in your past (possibly in your childhood years) that may or may not have been significant, but you can, for some reason, recall it as fresh as you can recall yesterday's events in detail? It's one of those recollections that are so vivid and so visceral, almost as if it were happening at present. It is that high level of mental state, so rare, that some even consider it to be a supernatural ability. And of course, it would not have earned such mysterious and controversial perception from people if it is something that everyone can easily do every day.
You may have encountered it once or twice in your lifetime without even being fully aware of it; but photographic memory is one of the many wonders of the human brain. Contrary to popular belief, it is not a special ability that only a few are gifted to have. Mental photography is indeed a naturally built-in capacity of the human brain. In other words, anyone has it in them; it just has to be unleashed.
Definition: How it Works
Mental or subliminal photography is the process of capturing mental images, or the ability to tap one's photographic memory. It entails rapid absorption of information within a short amount of time. Intricate visual details from source of information-either from a particular event, a book read, or a film watched, is immediately absorbed by the brain. The information can be stored in the brain for a significant amount of time, and can be recalled quickly and clearly. The process can be related to how a computer stores data in its memory.
Photographic memory is more of an intuitive recollection rather than a logical response. It comes naturally to children, usually during the first five years of their lives. This is why a child is known to have a brain that works like that of a sponge. However, a child tends to lose this ability as they grow older due to new ways of learning acquired. Hence, it is a rarity to witness an adult that makes use of photographic memory. It requires coordination between the conscious and subconscious mind.
Photographic Memory as a Method
Although there have been prior studies made on photographic memory, the concept of mental photography was founded in 1975 by Richard Welch as a new technique for speed-reading. In order to test the new method for learning, he designed a course intended to teach students how to increase their reading speed through developing their photographic memory.
An average reading speed is said to be about 250 words per minute. His initial experimentations in teaching the course have yielded astounding reading speed results from his students, varying from 25,000 to 1,000,000 words per minute, as well as a 90% memory retention rate. The technique has indeed increased the speed of reading without actually reading "traditionally" in the process; pictographic memory simply took place.
Richard Welch was able to successfully teach his students to immediately store a substantial amount of information in their long term memory. His experimentation has then turned into a scientifically proven phenomenon. And since then, he has been introducing the course on Subliminal Dynamics and Brain Management everywhere.
Benefits of Use
Mental photography is a powerful tool that enables a person to fully comprehend something with less effort, if mastered. It serves as a vital element in the process of learning; it improves memory retention, increases speed in gathering information, and in turn further develops a person's comprehension and knowledge.
Since photographic memory is innate in man and is the natural learning method during childhood years, it can be easily accessed once a person discovers how to switch it back on. The following are some essential elements behind the exercise of mental photography:
- Attraction
The concept of mental photography is very similar to the law of attraction. This refers to a metaphysical belief that positive thoughts attract positive results, and negative thoughts attract negative results. It is a theory that implies "like attracts like". In the same manner that a person practices playing an instrument, or learns how to drive, if there is a positive mental state in achieving his/her goal, it will yield positive results as well. A photographic memory can primarily be achieved through the application of mind over matter.
- Concentration
Man's tendency to lose the ability to access his photographic memory, is also often caused by loss of focus. As man grows older, he becomes susceptible to distractions brought on by the "real world"; unlike children who are still na簿ve and worry-free. Consumed with many responsibilities, influences, and interests, man tends to develop a divided attention, and loses focus on one thing. Accessing ones photographic memory entails 100% concentrated attention.
- Meditation
In order to easily gain full concentration, one must know the process of meditation. A meditative state is the elevation to a higher state of mind, and is similar to mental photography. Accessing a pictographic memory entails a by-pass of the conscious state of mind. The learning techniques taught in school are traditional methods which make use of the conscience or logic. The process of mental or subliminal photography however, directly stores information in the long-term memory by skipping or immediately transferring from the conscious to the subconscious state (hence the term "subliminal").
Mental or subliminal photography is a power that everyone possesses. It is an ability that has long been buried, ever since man became disconnected with his roots. Man did not lose the power, but rather the key to unlock the power. And the key lies within a person; it lies in his ability to get in touch with his natural instincts. The key lies in the inner mind. It entails initial positive reinforcement, focus, as well as elevation to a higher state of consciousness. It is an innovative technique that is universal, and can be applied to any kind of learning.
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