How To Build Your Own Mind Palace

20th January 2012

Post with 6,809 notes

How To Build Your Own Mind Palace

I’ve been using a mind palace since my teens and never thought it odd until I saw tumblr’s reaction to Sherlock’s use of the technique. A couple days ago I found myself building an extension in order to cram for my philosophy exam the following day and I figured I’d use this as an example and get you all exploiting the genius of this method.

Because, frankly, that one on wikihow that’s been going around is a headache, and mine has bad jokes and Sherlock examples.

If anyone’s any further questions just hit up my ask and we’ll talk.

[NOTE - GIFS are not mine. If anyone wants me to take theirs down then say; just figured BC would break up all the text.]

Basic facts:

AKA The Method of Loci or Memory Palace, the mind palace was developed by the ancient Greeks to capitalise on the idea that the mind is better at memorising locations then facts.
Your palace is a memorisation of the layout of somewhere familiar to you filled with images which, by association, trigger your memory.
I will repeatedly use the either ‘image’ or ‘object’ here. You can use words to alert you, but ‘image’ is just easier in context.
UPDATE 23/1/12: ‘it need not always be objects for the triggers. I for one have a set of colour and sound combinations that often form abstract concepts that lead to my memories’ - alexandraya
Your palace is a memory aid, not a memory. You have to be aware of storing things in there in order for them to be there.
Most people will only need a small palace (ie a single room) for temporary storage; hence Sherlock’s talk of deleting things from his hard-drive. I use a large one as I’m a show off and a hoarder, but I also have a temporary storage section.
No, you won’t feel the need to mime things out when you’re searching for something. Yes, you’re perfectly entitled to if you wish. Do expect some gesticulation, though not everyone feels the need so don’t put pressure upon yourself if you find you’re completely still.

First steps

I completely sympathised when Sherlock wanted distraction banished. I need sense deprivation myself; eyes shut and ear plugs in. Sherlock’s pose is optional, but highly enjoyable as you do feel a bit of a badass.

For first-timers I suggest some classical music and to close your eyes. You might find yourself suited to different conditions; that’s just the way I prefer to do things.

Do prepare yourself. It’s a bit like meditation, a bit disorientating but oddly refreshing.

Decide upon your palace. For beginners it’s best to choose a real place you know intimately, such as your bedroom. Although the idea of having something grander is rather attractive, the caretaking takes a horrible amount of effort.
I speak from experience as my palace is Hogwarts. I have each subject divided into different rooms, though, so it’s more like I’ve a dozen different palaces rather than one. As it’s basically bullshit, you’ll be joining me for Philosophy in the Divination classroom.
UPDATE 23/1/12: Sombody (let me know if you know who!) reblogged disagreeing with the above, saying they prefered their imaginary palace; as do I. However, for beginners making their first palace the bedroom is the best practice in 99% of cases; once you’re more confident you can discard reality and head for your hills. Unless you’re completely certain that you can close your eyes and see Bilbo’s hobbit hole as clearly as the room you’re physically sitting in I believe it’s best to start with reality.
Picture your palace. Don’t worry about little items like books; all you need is a base layout. Walk around, familiarise yourself with everything.
Keep doing this until you’ve a concrete image in your mind which you can recall at will. It may take several days, but don’t fret. It’s a learning process; mastering your first palace is the hardest part.

Storing Things

You must take the same route through your palace each time, otherwise you’ll likely get a mental block. No matter what I’m trying to recall I always start in the Slytherin common room, taking the floo to wherever I need to go. If I’m searching I’ll abandon the place as soon as I find what I want, but when I’m storing I always floo or walk ‘home’ to the common room before I leave. It just helps keep things more ordered.
The best triggers are either absolutely ridiculous or logical leaps. I find a combination of both to be best, but go with whichever you prefer.
An example of the logical leap: I had to remember that ‘Belief In’ is an attitudinal belief, involving personal choices and values, while ‘Belief That’ is a factual belief. Now, dear Sherlockians, the link is painfully obvious.
Our belief in Sherlock is a feeling and that feeling governs the fact; the fact that Sherlock isn’t a fake informs our feelings of belief in him. So I have a badge on someone’s lapel which has a silhouette of Sherlock with the phrase ‘I Believe Sherlock Holmes’ across it.
That little badge means I can remember everything I need to about that hypothesis; about four pages of solid text in the book.
An example of the ridiculous trigger: I had to remember Hume’s objection to something, which centers around him saying ‘you may as well compare the universe to a vegetable’, so I pictured Hugh Grant sitting at a desk chomping on a carrot.
Hugh sounds like Hume, the carrot reminds me of the quote, and Hugh’s happiness at his phallic vegetable informs me of another four pages of the textbook.

Storing Things: Advanced

So I’ve got my Sherlock badge and my once popular actor impersonating Bugs Bunny. That works perfectly for what I want to remember, but I need to remember more.
This is where interconnecting comes in. Earlier I mentioned that the Sherlock badge was on someone’s lapel; not only is that person a trigger himself, but his interactions with other objects set off six other triggers.
Interconnecting like this isn’t for everyone. You may find you’re happier placing things in succession, like on a shelf. When I’m in a hurry I do this and it works equally well, though tends to become confusing as your line of items gets longer.
Of course, you also might not need interconnection as your palace need never be that large.

Overview

Mind Palaces can be a bitch to get right at first. I went through several different styles concerning everything about mine before I found the one I’m happy with. You need to know the place like you do a lover; so intimately that it sometimes hurts in such a wonderful way.

Most people use mind palaces for temporary storage of things like shopping lists and phone numbers. If you’re going to use it for an exam have everything in place at least a month before, do not do as I did; that was a dumbass move prompted purely by whatever devil decided to broadcast TRF three days before my exam.

…And Finally

A long-term palace is a commitment as your mind’s a bit like your muscles; if it’s not used your palace will atrophy. You don’t have to update it every day, just check in and review and ensure everything’s where it’s supposed to be. I do this each night while lying in bed.

If you do this you’ll be able to remember things years down the line just by accessing the trigger; I was talking to a woman in her 70s t’other day who had a mind palace as a student 50 years ago and could still remember the exact layout of the eye by returning to it.

UPDATE 23/1/2012, 21:00 GMT:

The response to this thus far has been fantastic and I’m utterly thrilled.

Addendums will occasionally be added as others contribute and any answered questions can be seen via my ‘How To Build a Mind Palace’ tag.

If the current answers are no help then ask away; if you’d prefer your answer privately just let me know. If I’ve not replied yet it’s not because you’re being ignored/forgotten; it’s be because I feel too tired to give you an adequate answer.

UPDATE: 7/2/2012, 22:41 GMT:

You guys are doing incredible and you’ve no idea how happy it makes me that so many of you now have your own palaces! If you’re reading for the first time then take this as proof that you can do it.

That said, I have enabled the option to submit posts so those of you with longer questions won’t have to use multiple asks anymore.

At some point I’ll do a basic diagram of the part of the Divination classroom I used for the exam - I don’t want to bog you guys down by the insane detail I have in there for the entire subject plus none of those triggers are too personal so I don’t mind sharing. I’m no artist but I’ve convinced a friend to sketch out a section so you can get an actual ‘look’ inside. No idea how long that’ll be though as she’s arguably more of a life than I do.

Hopefully that’ll cover everything as it’s what most have been requesting, but if there’s anything else in in paticular you’re craving do let me know.

UPDATE: 23/2/2012, 2:44 GMT:

I just realised this thing has been up for over a month, judging by the first update. Insane.

I’ve put together a masterpost featuring links to the questions I’ve already answered.

Night kids!