Understanding the Subconscious Mind
The subconscious mind is the part of you that has a permanent memory of every experience of your life,
as perceived through all of your senses. It also stores every perception or belief that has been created
based on those experiences. It is like the software of a computer. Once the computer has been programmed,
there are automatic responses based on what the programming has been.
For instance, if you were bitten by a dog as a child, your subconscious mind has stored everything from
that experience, including the images, sounds, smells, fears, physical responses-such as increased heartbeat, that
you experienced in that situation. You may have also developed a belief that all dogs are dangerous, or
a feeling of being powerless, which was also stored. So whenever you see/hear a dog, or are in a situation where
you feel powerless or threatened, your body will react in much the same manner it did initially—such as fear,
increased heartbeat, being frozen and unable to do anything. It is the same with every experience of life.
Even though we may not remember the experiences or circumstances that occured to create those beliefs or
misperceptions, they still have a profound effect on our present responses and behavior. Unresolved
issues in the past can and do affect our physical, mental, and emotional health in present time. With this old
programming in the subconscious mind, it sets up negative responses such as self-sabotaging behaviors,
compulsive or addictive behaviors, not being able to move forward, poor health, etc. When bumping up
against old programming in trying to make changes in your life it may feel like there is something constantly
pulling you back into old behavior patterns or blocking you from the changes you desire to make, no matter
how hard you try.
Another way to understand this concept is by comparing it to an iceberg. The 10% of an iceberg above the
water line represents the conscious mind, and the 90% below the water line represents the subconscious
mind, which holds the permanent memory of life's experiences. It is easy to see that there is so much more
there influencing our ability to move forward and make changes than what we are consciously aware of.
Fortunately there is a way to reprogram the computer of the mind. The way it is done is by releasing the
negative emotions that accompanied the experience along with changing the old belief systems, misperceptions
and behavioral responses that were created. When the new programming replaces the old, changes can be immediate.
Although we cannot change the fact that these experiences happened, we do have the power to change our
perceptions and beliefs about them which brings about healing and change.