Quick memory usually comes from tricks, not from being super focused or open-minded.
From the Discourses
Passages where Osho speaks to this question — each links to the complete discourse.
People who read a page of any book and remember it instantly. Or there’s a mathematical question, and they just write and give the answer at once—like Tulsiji’s four disciples did. So is this concentration, or openness of the mind?
Neither openness nor concentration. It is all tricks. It is just a matter of tricks.
Osho, why is your memory so miraculous? By the time afternoon comes I even forget what I had for breakfast. Would you kindly share the secret of a good memory?
“So then,” I said, “my concern is with the inner stream. What have I to do with scriptures? If it appears in scripture, fine; if not, fine. I am no scriptural scholar, nor am I interested in being one.” Therefore, when I give quotations, do not assume you will surely find the exact citation. You may find it—or you may not. But the listener will certainly feel that I speak with such force that it must be so. The force is not because it is in scripture; the force is because I know from my own experience that this is the truth. Whether it is in the scriptures or not, it is so. Even if all the scriptures were destroyed, what I am saying would still be true. Even if all the scriptures were opposed, what I am saying would still be true. And even if all the scriptures were…
The official, riko, once asked nansen to explain to him the old problem of the goose in the bottle. "if a man puts a gosling into a bottle," said riko, "and feeds him until he is full grown, how can the man get the goose out without killing it or breaking the bottle?" nansen gave a great clap with his hands and shouted, "riko!" "yes, master," said the official with a start. "see," said nansen, "the goose is out!"
To carry fantasies about the future is a problem. A passport is not such a burden. To think about tomorrow and to go and book a ticket is not a problem. These are factual things, ordinary, practical things. But to think that tomorrow you will be happy, not today, that tomorrow you will love, not today, that tomorrow you will sing, not today, is dangerous -- because tomorrow never comes. Again when it comes, it will be today, and your old habit will say, "Tomorrow I will be happy." Tomorrow again and again, you will be happy, and you will never be happy. What I am saying is psychological future has to be dropped. The ordinary future is okay, it is not a problem at all. The fifth layer consists of conditionings. You have been conditioned -- Hindu, Mohammedan, Jaina, Buddhist, English, German, Indian -- these layers are there. Start…
One winter day, a masterless samurai came to eisai's temple and made an appeal: 'I'm poor and sick,' he said, 'and my family is dying of hunger. Please help us, master.'
DEPENDENT AS HE WAS ON WIDOWS' MITES, EISAI'S LIFE WAS VERY AUSTERE, AND HE HAD NOTHING TO GIVE. HE WAS ABOUT TO SEND THE SAMURAI OFF WHEN HE REMEMBERED THE IMAGE OF YAKUSHI-BUDDHA IN THE HALL. GOING UP TO IT HE TORE OFF ITS HALO AND GAVE IT TO THE SAMURAI. 'SELL THIS,' SAID EISAI, 'IT SHOULD TIDE YOU OVER.' THE BEWILDERED BUT DESPERATE SAMURAI TOOK THE HALO AND LEFT. 'MASTER!' CRIED ONE OF EISAI'S DISCIPLES, 'THAT'S SACRILEGE! HOW COULD YOU DO SUCH A THING?' 'SACRILEGE? BAH! I HAVE MERELY PUT THE BUDDHA'S MIND, WHICH IS FULL OF LOVE AND MERCY, TO USE, SO TO SPEAK. INDEED, IF HE HIMSELF HAD HEARD THAT POOR SAMURAI HE'D HAVE CUT OFF A LIMB FOR HIM.' Even if you feel, or you think you feel, or you pretend that you feel, compassion, just go deep and analyze it and you will always find…
Since I have been here, I have lost my ability to concentrate. It is hard for me to utter a logical sentence. And I have become very forgetful. I feel myself as a stupid child. Is that the way to me intelligence you talk about?
Legs in perfect order are needed so that whenever you need to, you can walk, you can run. But when there Is no need, you can relax, and the legs will no longer be functioning. But your concentration has become almost as focused as if you are continuously preparing for an Olympic! Runners in an Olympic cannot relax. They have to run a particular amount every morning and evening; they are continuously on the go. If they relax for a few days they will lose their skill. But I call all Olympics political, ambitious, foolish. There is no need. Competition is foolish. There is no need. If you enjoy running -- perfectly good. Run. and enjoy. But why compete? What is the point of competition? Competition brings illness, unhealthiness; competition brings jealousy, and a thousand and one diseases. Meditation will allow you to concentrate whenever the need arises, but if…