Many great minds have pondered this question. In the 19th century, Sigmund Freud was the first to propose a theory dividing the human psyche into conscious and unconscious parts. Over time, numerous scholars expanded on this theory, agreeing or debating with Freud while introducing their own adjustments and additions. Despite these variations, one central idea remains widely accepted: the psyche indeed consists of two distinct realms with different, and sometimes conflicting, functions.
Consciousness and Unconsciousness: An Ongoing Conflict
Consider how often people’s actions contradict their words. While some might dismiss this as forgetfulness, deceit, or mischief, deeper reflection reveals a more complex dynamic. For instance, you might resolutely decide to start a new life on Monday – join the gym, quit smoking, or learn a new language – but find yourself sincerely doing the opposite the next day. If someone points out this contradiction, the individual often reacts with surprise or dismay, as they, too, may find it unsettling to recognize the divergence between their intentions and actions. It feels as though something stronger than their conscious will is at play.
In other instances, during emergencies, people unexpectedly act with courage and decisiveness, making the best possible decisions without conscious deliberation. Once the crisis passes, both the individual and observers may marvel at what transformed an ordinary person into a hero. In such moments, conscious, calculated decision-making seems impossible – there’s simply no time.
The Role of the Subconscious in Everyday Life
These examples illustrate how often we operate unconsciously, acting instinctively and reflecting on our actions only later. While some call this intuition or reflex, a more precise explanation lies in the workings of our subconscious. The subconscious can either aid or hinder us in achieving our goals and intentions.
To grasp what the subconscious entails, we must first define consciousness. Today, there are numerous definitions of consciousness, but my preferred one describes it as the part of the psyche actively involved in perceiving and analyzing the external and internal world, making decisions, and articulating thoughts. For instance, as I write this, I’m fully aware of my topic, pondering it, and typing the resulting text – this is the work of my conscious mind.
Consciousness engages with facts and information, grounded in (albeit subjective) reality, and avoids the domain of emotions, which belong to the subconscious.
The Subconscious: A Repository of Experience
The subconscious encompasses all knowledge, skills, past experiences, emotions, memories, habits, and beliefs – both rational and irrational. This is the realm where desires and needs originate. It cares less about facts or analysis and more about feelings and emotions tied to past experiences. For this reason, emotions are a primary gateway to accessing the subconscious.
Emotions are the driving force of life, fueling thoughts, actions, and even bodily functions. The subconscious supervises physical processes like digestion, blood circulation, and breathing, ensuring our survival even when the conscious mind rests. Remarkably, the subconscious remains active during sleep, processing tensions and safeguarding our mental well-being.
Superconsciousness: A Universal Knowledge Source
Another intriguing concept is superconsciousness, a universal repository of knowledge accessible to all, albeit filtered through individual beliefs and perceptions. Some people access extraordinary insights or ideas, while others remain confined to their daily routines. This difference arises because the subconscious acts as a gatekeeper, filtering out information that doesn’t align with one’s worldview.
For example, during the Age of Exploration, European sailors arrived at unfamiliar shores. Despite clear weather and visible ships, the indigenous people failed to notice the approaching vessels until the sailors disembarked. Their subconscious filters likely dismissed the ships because such structures were beyond their experience or imagination.
How Ideas Embed in the Subconscious
Ideas become rooted in the subconscious through emotions or repetition. Strong emotions linked to an experience can create a lasting impression, sometimes after a single occurrence. For instance, a child bitten by a dog may carry that fear into adulthood. Repetition, on the other hand, helps form habits, making certain behaviors automatic over time.
Emotional intensity reduces the need for repetition. For example, affirmations work best when accompanied by strong emotions that align with existing subconscious beliefs. To alter beliefs or habits, exposure to new information is necessary. However, for the information to take root in the subconscious, practical application is key.
Communicating with the Subconscious: Symbols and Metaphors
The subconscious communicates in symbols, making music, metaphors, and dreams effective tools for understanding and influencing it. Dreams, for instance, help relieve inner tensions and process subconscious information. Keeping a dream journal can unlock insights and new perspectives.
Music, particularly rhythmic drumming, can also alter brainwaves and induce relaxation or trance states. Similarly, metaphors – whether verbal, visual, or symbolic actions – bypass the conscious mind, directly engaging the subconscious. For instance, burning a letter detailing worries can symbolically release those concerns, sending a powerful message to the subconscious.
Timelessness and Literalism of the Subconscious
The subconscious operates in the eternal present – there is no past or future, only “here and now.” This timelessness means imagining or vividly reliving an experience can feel as real as the original event. Moreover, the subconscious cannot distinguish between self-perception and perceptions of others, treating judgments about others as self-reflections. Recognizing this interconnectedness can foster self-compassion and emotional well-being.
Practical Applications: Shaping Beliefs and Behaviors
To cultivate desired traits, focus on observing and identifying with those traits in others. Visualization, affirmations, and practices like trance dancing or meditative reflection on symbolic imagery can deepen this process. Using external aids, such as a “vision board” with visual symbols of your goals, reinforces these ideas in the subconscious. Simple rituals, like lighting a candle to affirm a new resolution, can further anchor beliefs.
The subconscious is profoundly literal and impressionable. It thrives on symbols, repetition, and emotionally charged experiences. By understanding and engaging with its mechanisms, we can harness its immense power to align our internal world with our aspirations, unlocking greater potential for growth and transformation.