The Subconscious Mind

Remember driving down the road listening to a song, and becoming lost in the memories and feelings brought on by that song. The subconscious was driving the car.

The subconscious takes care of all processes that take place out of conscious awareness. The subconscious is more aware of what is going on in one’s life more than we realize. It is constantly working and is more powerful than we can imagine.

The subconscious receives million of bits of information through our senses. We select a small amount of those bits and filter all unnecessary information through our experiences, values, beliefs, and programs. In return, we get a representation of how we view our reality. It may not be “true”, but it is our interpretation.

It has thousands more time storage capacity than a computer.

It prioritizes about the emotional intensity of an event. Memories of fear and pain are the higher priority. Love and joy have the lower priority.

The conscious mind gives it direction and the subconscious deliver’s the true feelings and emotions for that particular experience based on its previous programming. It obeys and protects the conscious mind.

1. Anatomical Nervous System.

The autonomic nervous system is a division of the peripheral nervous system; it regulates the involuntary functions of the body. It has two branches: the parasympathetic nervous system and the sympathetic nervous system.

The parasympathetic nervous system

When you are calm and relaxed, happy, or in a peaceful frame of mind, the sympathetic nervous system is in check and non-functioning.

The heart is pumping blood through the blood vessels to all the extremities, organs, and brain. Organs are functioning throughout your body properly. Digestion does its work. Kidneys filter toxins. And the reproduction system is working properly, etc. The body is working, as it should.

The parasympathetic nervous system also supports the immune system. It enables the ability to higher intelligence and analytical problem solving.

The sympathetic nervous system

When a person is emotional, stressed, or when fear arises, the autonomic nervous system switches from the parasympathetic nervous system to the sympathetic nervous system.

The fight or flight mechanism is engaged.

The digestive, reproductive, and immune systems are suppressed.

Most of the blood flow more into the arms and legs, which adversely affects the proper functioning of the organs and systems within the body.

There is a decrease response to higher intelligence and the ability to solve problems analytically.

The sympathetic nervous system then relies on any currently programmed information stored in the subconscious to respond.

Because the subconscious is easily accessed using hypnosis, it is a valuable tool for making suggestions to tell it how it should control many aspects of our body functions. Hypnosis has been successful in reversing many ailments.

2. Memory Storage

It stores information from all the five senses, sight, hearing, touch, smell, and taste. The subconscious is like a hard drive of a computer. Recent memory and information comes to the conscious mind when needed, but is remains stored.

It stores the information from all experiences that we ever had, every thought that ever was said, and every experienced we perceived by our five senses. It stores morals, values and core beliefs about one’s self.

3. It is literal.

It takes the primary meaning of a word without exaggeration or metaphor. It would interpret the idiom “It’s raining cats and dogs” as cats and dogs are falling out of the sky instead of “it is raining very heavily”.

4. Doesn’t discern fact from fantasy

The subconscious does not know the difference between fact from fantasy. It has no power to reason. It accepts and acts upon any fact or suggestion that it is given once accepted as true. It does not differentiate between what it perceives as imaginary and reality. Our “feelings” are interpreted by the subconscious as “reality”.

5. Moves away from pain toward pleasure.

Movement away from pain is always stronger than movement toward pleasure. This is the basis for all addictions. Maladaptive behaviors become a movement away from pain.

The subconscious is only concerned with the present, here and now. Only concerned with feeling good at the moment. This is linked to our survival mechanism.

We develop a conditioned tolerance to physical and emotional pain. We become accustomed to pain, and it becomes our normal existence when we willingly accept negative habits, feelings or beliefs (our conditioned mind).

6. The seat of emotions.

Beliefs are stored with the appropriate response that communicates the stored information. Ideas and beliefs become impressed upon the subconscious mind through emotions. The more intense the emotions, the deeper the idea becomes imprinted upon the subconscious. When more intense emotions accompany ideas, the less repetition is required to impress the ideas in the subconscious.

Repetition is another form of saturating the subconscious mind with an idea. It is why positive affirmations are effective.

7. Programmed to be right.

Information stored is considered “true.” For example, the sky is blue because we have visually experienced it as such.

Another example: Because we received information; either through watching the Apollo moon landings or read it in a book while in school, we know the moon is not made out of cheese, even though we have never been there. We considered the book or telecast as a fact we made it a truth. We accepted without question. Any other information that contradicts is thrown out as not true, or incorrect.

From our personal experiences and how we have perceived the events in our life, unless changed the subconscious are considered to be true.

Authority figures (parents, teachers, boss, etc., or even a school textbook) are another way for an idea to be imprinted in the subconscious as true.

8. Stores beliefs, and scripts

It stores what was learned, memories, beliefs, and emotions. Any information the subconscious accepts as true is then stored as fact.

Memories are a mixture of fact, fantasy, and perception.

Emotions can alter the perceptions of real events; “false memories”.

Everything that an individual has experienced is here, including memories that have long been forgotten by the conscious mind.

When accessing a belief, it runs the emotion based on past programming.

9. Picture Consciousness.

The subconscious mind communicates through symbolic images, music, and metaphors. Like dreams, the sounds, imagery, and verbal messages, are information relayed by the subconscious. It is another form of communication through “word pictures”, the language of the subconscious.

The subconscious response well to metaphors. Metaphors by-pass the conscious mind and speak to the subconscious.

The subconscious mind responds well to a rhythm. Rhythmic music, drums or the sound of a metronome are proven ways to change awareness.

10. Creative intelligence.

The subconscious is where our ability to create new and valuable ideas came from. Inventions, making discoveries, creating works of art and music to name a few. Whether it is pre-existing or new like a new way of doing a surgical procedure, etc.

11. Synthesized Creativity

A memorized series of skills. The subconscious brings inspiration. Perform tasks. Using stored knowledge to solve problems, intellectually and mechanically. You learned how to change a flat tire. Create a web page or bake a cake. You learned how to do something and used that knowledge to perform a task related to it.

It is also the drive to use that knowledge to reach a person full potential. Going to medical school to learn how to become a doctor, then using that knowledge to practice medicine.

12. The seat of imagination.

Imagination is the language of our subconscious. Imagination creates mental pictures to build and form to give the subconscious to be able to produce the desired result.

Since the subconscious does not distinguish fact from fiction, if you have a phobia or fear, like the fear of flying, your imagination may produce an unknown reason for the plane to crash. Or being afraid of the dark for no reason other than imagining something terrifying lurking in the dark. Once the light is off one may start imagining a monster in the closet, even if we know they do not exist. Fear of the unknown.

Fears and Phobias are rooted in a pre-existing belief that cannot be explained consciously.

Imagination is also positive. Imagining a pleasant scene to bring about a positive feeling.

13. Reasons deductively.

The subconscious reasons deductively in which, roughly, the truth of the input propositions (the premises) logically guarantees the truth of the output proposition (the conclusion), provided that no mistake has been made in the reasoning.

If the room is dark then either the light switch is turned off, or the light bulb is burned out. Conclusion: The room is dark, and the light switch is not turned off. Therefore, the light bulb is burnt out.

14. Always recording

The subconscious mind stores information 24/7/365. It is always recording. The subconscious never sleeps.

It has been documented under anesthesia, that an individual can subconsciously be aware of conversations between the surgical staff.

Listening to a subliminal recording while asleep has been proven effective. Another use of the power of affirmations.

15. Association making mechanism

It matches new information with “data” already stored in the subconscious. But most importantly it matches associations that an individual is already conditioned to.

When we see a green traffic light, we have been conditioned to know that this means we can continue driving. A red traffic light means we have to stop our vehicle.

When we hear a noise, our subconscious tries to associate it with something we have heard before.

Another example would be if we were lying in bed attempting to go to sleep and we hear a noise that we are not familiar with, our imagination may kick in and scary thoughts may arise. Our subconscious may match the imagination and ideas to a particular belief, emotion, feeling or a memory that may bring a negative emotion. Most likely if it is a negative emotion, the subconscious will kick in its ‘fight or flight” mechanism for protection.

16. Develops your character

A individuals character is traits that manifest themselves in particular situations. Honesty, thoughtfulness, and kindness to name a few.

Depending on how the programming was, it contributed to the type of morals and principles that make up who we are. If you received a good programming, you grew up with a strong character, with good morals, and have good ethics guided by the right principles.

If you received dysfunctional programming (dishonesty, hatred, or disrespect), you might end up having trouble as a juvenile, become an alcoholic or a drug addict, and or possibly end up in prison.

Research has suggested that pre-born babies perceived and were influenced by the events outside the womb. That the unborn child may share their mother’s feelings and the emotions that are produced from those feelings. From that day to the present, we continually receive programming.

A individuals character is based on our beliefs, e.g. it is important to be honest and kind to others.

17. Influences the personality

Personality is different that character. Thoughts, feelings, and behaviors define one’s personality. It is who we are.

Being introverted, extroverted, confident, optimistic, and lazy or way too serious about situations, are personality traits.

It is influential in how we live our lives, what career path we choose, who are friends are, and the people we date.

It is such a fascinating subject in the field of psychology that it has been heavy researched. There are many theories about how personalities develop. There are even a few test, the Myers-Briggs Personality Test and the Socionics INFJ test that are used to find one’s personality type.

But no matter how you look at it, our personalities are developed through social factors, cultural factors, childhood experiences/upbringing, and education.

Changing our way of thinking can change our personality.

All our memories and beliefs stored in the subconscious as programming. Our memories and beliefs affect our habits and how we feel about ourselves.

Through hypnosis we can access the subconscious mind to make positive changes in our lives, change the way we view our reality, and better our health, so that we reach our potential to have a much more positive, productive, and fulfilling life.

Part 4 will concentrate on the “Superconcious” Mind.

 

 

The Model of the Mind – Part 2 – The Conscious Mind

 

The Conscious Mind

The conscious mind is aware while an individual is awake. Most people operate day-by-day in life and associate with as who you are. Your character, your personality. How the world sees us.

I once read a good analogy that the conscious mind is like the captain of a ship standing on the bridge giving orders to the crew in the engine room located in the lower deck. The crew in the engine room carries out the orders of the captain. The captain (conscious) is in charge, but it is the crew (subconscious) that guides the ship (You). The ship’s ability to operate depends on how the crew has been trained over the years. How they have been “conditioned” to function under any situation.

The conscious mind is conceptual, calculating, and interpreting data. It is the part of your mind that brings up the “would have, could have, should have” and the part that is questioning and second-guessing. It is the monkey mind we constantly “hear” when we try to close our eyes to go to sleep or meditate.

It is the Look, Listen, and Learn part of our mind! It learns how to fix a washing machine by reading a manual or watching a YouTube video.

The conscious mind can only focus attention on a few tasks. Short term memory. Research indicates that the conscious mind can be aware of five to nine pieces of information. Anymore it overloads. Now where did I put my keys?

Analysis/Choice

The conscious mind mentally goes through an analysis and steps to eliminate limited alternatives based on needs, goals, or a problem, i.e. deciding to quit your current job with higher pay and no benefits vice accepting a lower paying job with benefits.

It makes choices, the option of possibilities. Making a decision when faced with two or more alternatives, for example, choosing between a red or blue car.

It accepts or rejects information; i. e. a job offer with better pay.

It judges, analyzes, and criticizes people, places or things. “That girls dress is ugly; I would not be caught in my worst nightmare in it! She must be trailer park trash!”

The ability to decide is the most important aspect of our conscious mind, freedom of choice! It is what makes us human!

Inductive and deductive reasoning.

Inductive reasoning takes specific information and makes a broader generalization that is considered probable, allowing the fact that the conclusion may not be accurate. For example, “My dog is small, and his fur is brown, so all small dog’s fur is brown”.

Deductive reasoning is a type of reasoning, which goes from general to specific. Deductive reasoning is based on logic, and if the logic is true, then the reasoning will be valid. All dogs have two ears; my shelties are dogs, and so shelties have two ears.

Logic

It is the ‘Thinking” aspect of our conscious mind. Logic is correct reasoning from wrong reasoning. Analyze a problem. It is evaluating arguments and explanations from several sources of information or data to reach a conclusion based on the knowledge an individual possesses, as accurately as possible. If X > 20 and 20 > 2, then X > 2.

Logic is not common sense.

Will/Volition

Volition or will is the cognitive process by which an individual decides on and commits to a particular course of action. Being able to do a thing at any given moment. When a person makes up his or her mind to do a thing. It is where our willpower stems from to accomplish a task, or run that extra mile.

Five Senses

It is aware of the five senses, sight, taste, smell, touch, and hearing.

It is aware of the present moment. It is aware of the current environment outside as well as thoughts that are present on the inside. It is aware of any physical activity, walking, breathing, muscle movement, etc. The touch of two connecting hands, with your wife, girlfriend, boyfriend in the park. Listening to the sounds of the birds make, feeling the breeze upon your skin. Seeing children play in the background amongst freshly cut grass. The smell of the freshly cut grass thru your nostrils, Got to love the smell of freshly cut grass.

The Critical Factor

The critical factor is part of the conscious mind. It is the gatekeeper and filtering mechanism of the conscious mind. The doorway to the subconscious.

It examines, interprets, and filters new ideas and information. Its function is to compare the new ideas and information to what is stored in the subconscious mind from past experiences and interpretations. If the ideas or information match it allows them into the subconscious mind, if the new ideas or information does not match or conflict with past programming, it rejects them back into the conscious mind for further review and analysis. If the idea or information, match earlier past programming, then it is accepted by the subconscious, reinforcing old ideas or information.

The critical factor is not present in young children. As a young child, the door is wide open to the subconscious mind. From the age of seven to 11 the critical factor begins to “solidify” and by the age of 15 the door is closed. Any belief in one’s self, idea or information that is accepted or decided to be true, positive or negative, is imprinted and programmed into the subconscious as fact. This is not permanent and can be amended or changed.

Note: Bypassing the critical factor is the key to real change. Hypnosis lifts the “veil” of the critical factor; so new ideas and information can be placed into the subconscious mind.

To Learn about the subconscious mind <Click Here>.

 

 

The Model of the Mind – Part 1

You are not your brain!

You are your mind!

The human brain is a biological organ and it is the command center of the nervous system. The adult human brain is a three-pound mass of gray matter that is located inside the head and between the ears. There are different interpretations of what the mind is and its correlation between the brain. They are not one and the same.

It is generally accepted that the brain is the physical place where the mind resides. Electronic impulses that create thought are contained in the brain. It is receiving, interpreting, and disseminating sensory information throughout your body. It coordinates movement, organ function, and transmits impulses.

It is theorized that the mind is the manifestations of thought, perception, emotion, determination, memory, and imagination that take place within the brain.

Think of your body as a computer, the brain being the hardware so it can perform functions and the mind being the software to make it run.

The mind has been highly debated over the years by psychologists, philosophers, and scientists because it is subjective and hard to prove it exists.  In reality the vast majority of the parts of the mind do not exist, they are oversimplified names for a perplexing orchestra of procedures. A simple approach so, it is understandable and makes sense. So the mind is open to interpretation and should be viewed not as a science, but as a philosophy. Ones personal philosophy.

Some schools of thought interpret the mind as having two characteristics of itself. The Conscious and Subconscious, which is also referred to as the Unconscious Mind. Or they view the unconscious mind separate from the subconscious. They are one in the same. So by definition, you will get different arguments because it is very subjective. The mind is still a mystery. 

   of the “The  Model of the Triune Mind” is the model I use to educate my co-therapists or clients. Education is important to understand how beliefs in one’s self are formed. Why we do the things we do. When we do have a understanding of the mind and with the proper tools we can change those behavioral patterns.

The Simmerman Sierra model of the mind has three characteristics, or levels of conscious awareness: conscious, subconscious, and superconscious, each with its functions and capabilities.

The conscious mind can best be represented by the keyboard and monitor of a computer. Information from an outside or inside source is inputted as data via the computers keyboard and displayed on the monitor screen into your conscious awareness.

The subconscious is like the RAM (random access memory)  and the hard drive on a computer. Information or data is stored on the computer hard drive as short or long term memories, beliefs, habits, or behavioral patterns. When memories or information is needed it is read from the hard drive, placed in the computer memory and then displayed on the computer monitor (conscious awareness). Memories and programming are stored on the hard drive since birth. Some memories can either be suppressed or repressed.

Your Superconscious Mind is like the Internet, the network connection were we could access a wide range of resource data. It can also be  referred to as Infinite Intelligence, the Universal Mind, or Consciousness.  

Ever wonder why true psychics get their information? It is not that they were afforded special abilities they are just more “aware”.

Modern Science calls Conciousness and it’s relation to the Brain “The Hard Problem”.

In this four part series, we will explore how the mind is interpreted using this “Model of the Mind”.

To read about the Conscious Mind <read more>