5% of our behaviours are conscious, stop missing out on the 95%.
Why do some things irritate you but not others?
Why do some things make you laugh uncontrollably?
Why did that trigger you?
Why are you anxious about something appearing to be so small?
If you are trying to understand consciously you are only focusing on the 5 %.
I made this mistake for years, operating only at a conscious level with grit and discipline but always fighting against my subconscious behaviours.
Not honing in on my body.
Not working on my learnt behaviours.
Wondering why I was always breaking and making the habits I wanted to form.
I was missing out on the 95 %
"The subconscious mind is more powerful than the conscious mind because it can process information faster and is not limited by the constraints of logic and reason." - Carl Jung
What is the Subconscious mind?
The subconscious mind is a term used to describe the part of the mind that operates below the level of conscious awareness.
Sigmund Freud's Theory of The Mind
It is responsible for storing and processing information that is not currently in our immediate awareness, including memories, emotions, beliefs, and instincts.
One way to think about the subconscious mind is as a kind of mental database that stores information about our past experiences and the meanings we have attached to them.
This information can shape our perceptions, thoughts, and behaviours, often without us even realising it.
For example, let's say that someone has a fear of public speaking.
This fear might be rooted in a past experience where they felt embarrassed or ashamed while speaking in front of a group.
Even if the person has consciously forgotten about this experience, their subconscious mind may still be holding onto the memory and triggering the fear response whenever they are faced with a similar situation.
In addition to storing and processing information, the subconscious mind is also thought to play a role in creative problem-solving, intuition, and other forms of non-conscious cognition.
Some researchers believe that the subconscious mind can even communicate with the conscious mind through dreams, symbols, and other forms of unconscious communication.
"The subconscious mind is like a computer, and the conscious mind is the operator. The operator can input data into the computer, but it’s the subconscious mind that processes it." - Bruce Lipton
The subconscious mind influences various behaviours and aspects of our lives.
Here are a few examples of behaviours that can be influenced by the subconscious:
Habits
Emotional Responses
Beliefs and Attitudes
Self-Sabotage
Intuition and Gut Feelings
Automatic Responses
Subconscious Mind vs. Conscious Mind
Conscious Mind:
Awareness: The conscious mind represents our present moment awareness. It is the part of our mind that we are actively aware of and can access at will.
Rational thinking: The conscious mind is associated with logical thinking, reasoning, and critical analysis. It allows us to make deliberate decisions based on available information.
Limited capacity: The conscious mind has limited capacity and can focus on only a few things at a time. It requires effort and attention to process information and engage in conscious activities.
Voluntary control: We have control over the conscious mind and can direct our attention, thoughts, and actions consciously.
Subconscious Mind:
Unconscious processing: The subconscious mind represents the vast reservoir of thoughts, feelings, memories, and beliefs that exist outside our conscious awareness. It operates automatically and continuously without us being aware of it.
Emotional and intuitive processing: The subconscious mind is strongly associated with emotions, intuition, and gut feelings. It influences our emotional responses and can provide insights and intuitions without conscious reasoning.
Vast capacity: The subconscious mind has a much larger capacity compared to the conscious mind. It can simultaneously process and store vast amounts of information, including past experiences, learned behaviours, and automatic processes.
Automatic behaviour: The subconscious mind controls many automatic processes such as breathing, heartbeat, habits, and learned skills. It is responsible for executing routine tasks without requiring conscious attention.
Belief systems: The subconscious mind houses our deep-seated beliefs, values, and attitudes, which shape our perception of the world and influence our behaviours and decisions.
It is important to note that the conscious and subconscious mind work in conjunction with each other and are interconnected.
They collaborate to shape our thoughts, behaviours, and overall mental functioning.
While the conscious mind provides us with awareness and deliberate control, the subconscious mind plays a significant role in shaping our emotions, automatic behaviours, and the overall framework through which we interpret and interact with the world.
"The subconscious mind is the seat of our deepest desires and motivations." - Sigmund Freud
Subconscious reprogramming
By accessing and reprogramming the subconscious, you can rewrite the script of your life.
The concept of subconscious reprogramming refers to the idea that by consciously accessing and influencing the subconscious mind, we can bring about positive changes in our thoughts, beliefs, and behaviours.
Upgrade by using:-
Hypnosis: a technique that aims to induce a state of deep relaxation and heightened suggestibility, allowing access to the subconscious mind. Under the guidance of a trained professional, individuals may engage in hypnotherapy sessions to address specific issues or reprogram negative patterns by planting positive suggestions in the subconscious.
Visualisation: Visualisation involves creating vivid mental images of desired outcomes or experiences. By visualising success, happiness, or the achievement of goals, it is believed that the subconscious mind can be influenced to align with those positive visions. Visualisation can be enhanced by incorporating sensory details, emotions, and engaging all senses in the mental imagery.
Journaling and Self-reflection: Engaging in journaling or self-reflection exercises can provide insight into your thoughts, emotions, and beliefs. By examining and challenging negative or limiting beliefs, you can consciously choose to replace them with more empowering and positive perspectives.
Embodied practices: Engaging in embodied practices, such as yoga, dance, or mindfulness-based movement, can facilitate a deeper connection between the mind and body. These practices often involve focusing on bodily sensations, movement, and breath, which can bring awareness to the present moment and create a sense of embodiment.
Affirmations: Affirmations involve consciously repeating positive statements that reflect the desired beliefs or behaviours. By repeatedly affirming these statements, it is believed that they can gradually influence the subconscious mind. For example, repeating affirmations like "I am confident and capable" or "I attract abundance into my life" can help reprogram negative self-beliefs.
Emotional Freedom Techniques (EFT): EFT, also known as tapping, combines elements of acupressure and psychology. It involves tapping on specific acupressure points while focusing on a particular issue or negative belief. The process aims to release emotional blockages and reframe negative thoughts and beliefs into positive ones.
Repetition and Exposure: Consistently exposing yourself to positive influences, such as reading empowering books, listening to uplifting podcasts or music, or surrounding yourself with supportive and positive individuals, can gradually reprogram the subconscious mind. Over time, these repeated positive exposures can help shift your beliefs and attitudes.
“The conscious mind determines our actions and choices, the unconscious mind determines the reactions, and the reactions are just as important as the actions.” - E. Stanley Jones
95% of brain activity is unconscious
It is estimated that 95% of brain activity is unconscious
It's important to note this is an estimate, but regardless, the overriding point remains.
The subconscious influences the way we think, feel, act, react, what we believe, and it also influences our goals and dreams.
Start taking note of this and integrating subconscious practices into your routine