Most of our activities are always run on autopilot daily. This includes walking, chewing, reading this sentence from left to right or sitting down thanks to the subconscious mind. It has made many activities and processes automatic that little effort is now required than if we had been consciously doing them. And our brain, which is the most energy hungry organ in our body” loves to save energy.
We can then say that the automatic processes and habits like walking have been programmed in our minds and made automatic by the subconscious mind. But programming and reprogramming isn’t just for actions but also beliefs, thoughts and emotions.
In this article we define the subconscious mind, state the difference between the conscious & subconscious and expand on various ways we can program and reprogramme the subconscious mind using various techniques.
The Definition of The Subconscious Mind
The subconscious mind is the part of our mind that operates below our awareness (conscious mind) , takes charge of all the automatic activities and processes that require little or no conscious effort and acts as a vast bank of past memories, experiences and emotions.
In Sigmund Freud’s topographic model of the mind, the subconscious can be likened to the pre-conscious.
The difference between the Conscious and Subconscious.
The subconscious mind mostly functions below our awareness unless we pay attention to them while the conscious mind has mental activities we’re aware of.
The conscious mind only handles short term memory unlike the subconscious which stores long term memories.
The conscious mind impresses while the subconscious mind stores and expresses.
The Conscious mind is rational unlike the subconscious mind which might be irrational.
The conscious mind is focus based and controls voluntary actions and processes while the subconscious mind is habit-based and runs automatic processes.
How to Programme the Subconscious mind;
Many holistic psychologists opine the fact that our subconscious mind started to develop as early as when were in our womb unlike the conscious mind which begins at age 7. The brain starts developing from the back and this is the reason if the case argued above is anything to go by.
There are various ways to Program the subconscious mind but here we shall focus on two and leave the rest for the next section;
1. RepetitionÂ
2. Exposure to Emotional Experiences
1. Repetition of words from parents, teachers, media and the society at large led us to internalize beliefs in the subconscious mind eg; your name.
Also to learn activities such as walking, eating and writing required our conscious effort at the start with help from our caretakers before becoming automatic after a series repetitions thanks to the subconscious mind.
Those in the political arena and marketing are well aware of the effectiveness of this method in that they state;
“Repetition creates belief ”
2. Exposure to Emotional Experiences.
Exposure to emotional experiences whether positive or negative are deeply programming to the subconscious mind. Emotions associated with pleasure and pain which may later manifest as trauma and addiction may be programmed without repetition.
Those associated with painful memories are pushed in the unconscious. Â
Now let’s talk about how to reprogram the subconscious mind. Unlike in the previous subsection where we talked of programming (which is more like installing new programs) , here we’re going to rewire and change the already installed programmes;
But first what are we reprogramming?
- The limiting beliefs
- The fears
- The sabotaging Habits
- The automatic responses
- The negative thoughts etc
Step 1; Identify the limiting beliefs, habits and thought patterns that need to be reprogrammed.
Step 2; Use meditation to enter a relaxed state, often by focusing on breathing, to access the deep layer of the subconscious mind. Incorporate the other methods like Using positive affirmations and visualizing the desired imagery.
Feel the emotions associated with your desired outcome eg; abundance, gratitude etc.
Also ensure your consistently align your actions with your new beliefs and habits to reinforce them.
Programming and reprogramming the subconscious mind isn’t something you have to consciously do for it’s being programmed daily. When you watch that television, when you interact with friends and the small habits you engage in are all programming the subconscious mind.