The subconscious mind is the powerful yet hidden part of the brain that controls, influences, and runs every single part of your everyday life. Gaining the ability to access this powerhouse of information can have a huge impact on all aspects of your life.
We rely on our conscious mind for carrying out activities. All our thoughts and feelings come from the conscious mind. However, psychological scientists tell us that our conscious mind constitutes only a minuscule portion of the brain. The bulk of it lies outside our consciousness and is called the subconscious mind.
This can give rise to many questions. What is your subconscious? Where is the subconscious mind located? How to access or activate the subconscious mind? How to make your subconscious mind believe something?
Are there subconscious mind exercises to stimulate that part of the brain? How to rein in subconscious thinking?
Most mental exercises are aimed at influencing the subconscious mind while asleep. However, achieving expertise to reach out to the subconscious when awake is found to have added benefits.
This article attempts to answer some of these questions, specifically how to access the subconscious mind when awake.
The role of the subconscious mind
The subconscious mind is best described as a data bank of every bit of information we have ever come across and every single one of the experiences we have ever had. It is a safe custodian of your skills, beliefs, and memories. Everything you have ever done, imagined, and felt is stored here.
The subconscious retrieves relevant information available with it and processes them to help you make a decision. This makes it our most reliable guidance system. The subconscious mind is where the information gathered by our senses is processed to alert us of opportunities and threats. It is our in-built warning system.
Communication with the subconscious mind can be established only through the conscious mind. There is no way for us to access it directly. Since this is the case, to take advantage of the powers of the subconscious, we need to establish communication between the conscious and subconscious minds.
Studies have proved that this communication is bi-directional. This means it works both ways. Everything our mind retrieves from the past is communicated by the subconscious to the conscious mind. The reverse communication is termed auto-suggestion – it is the information collected by the senses that reaches the subconscious through the conscious mind.
Though a veritable treasure trove of information, the subconscious is often described as a runaway horse or a wild monkey – totally out of control. It works tirelessly through our waking and sleeping hours, retrieving useful as well as unwanted pieces of information. It makes sense to learn to access and gain control over it so that the unlimited data and energy at its disposal can be put to gainful use.
Ways to access your subconscious when awake
1. Visualization
This is the most powerful of all manifestation techniques. You behave as if you have achieved your goal. By living out your desire convinces your subconscious that your desire is already manifested and creates a new reality in it. This exercise opens the channel of communication with the subconscious.
2. Affirmation
Affirmations are positive statements you repeat to gain self-confidence and self-belief. Repeating them helps in cementing the thoughts, feelings, and beliefs you want to convey to your subconscious. By choosing the right affirmations, you can eliminate the concerns and reservations that were impeding your growth and progress.
Recommended reading:
- Best 72 Positive Affirmation to Start the Day
- 35 Best Encouraging Affirmations for Others
- 70 Love & Relationship Affirmations You Can Start Today
- Listening to Affirmations While Sleeping
3. Brain stimulation
It is possible to stimulate the brain using binaural beats and isochronic tone. The specially designed beats can synchronize brainwaves, thereby creating the desired mood. Employing the right beats is found to improve memory and cognitive skills, a sure indication that the messages are reaching your subconscious.
4. Self-hypnosis
Hypnosis is a technique used by a hypnotist to provide suggestions to the subconscious. The same may be done by self to solve psychological issues. It works by tracing back the obstacles in your path and removing them using suggestions.
Related: Meditation Vs Self-Hypnosis
5. Music
Soothing music has the power to reach the subconscious and open communication channels. What works for one may not work with another person. The trick is to find the right kind of music that can help you achieve this. Meaningful lyrics are a bonus. Listening to favorite music can also help in keeping unwanted thoughts and negative feelings at bay.
Points to remember
Gaining access to the subconscious is not easy nor can it be achieved overnight. Understanding, learning, and following the right techniques can lead to success. As in the case of any other positive step, this too requires patience, perseverance, and persistence to succeed.
These are a few tips that can make a difference.
- Repetition is key to mastering the techniques and creating lasting changes.
- Consistent reinforcement is needed to create a positive impact.
- Use the small-win technique to help your subconscious overcome hurdles.
- Set your own pace as small wins have a compounded effect.
- Celebrate small wins by including ample doses of emotions.
- Use meditation to calm down your conscious mind.
Signs of success
You may be following the steps mentioned here to help gain access to your subconscious. As it is hidden and obscure, it is not easy to find out whether you have succeeded in your efforts. For that, you can look out for signs. Here are some signs of success.
- Your thoughts and views have more clarity.
- Your confidence level is higher and you feel more optimistic.
- Your actions are aligned with your emotions and in tandem with your goal.
- You can recognize opportunities and can utilize them.
- You can set aside your misgivings and move towards your goal.
- You feel calmer and less prone to anxiety and panic attacks.
Final thoughts
The conscious mind forms the conduit to the subconscious. This means we need the conscious mind to access the subconscious. However, when the conscious mind is occupied or chaotic, it would be difficult to establish a communication channel. The conscious mind would be busy with internal dialogues.
Meditation is the best tool to calm down your conscious mind and clear away the unwanted chatter filling it up. Meditating is a difficult exercise to practice for beginners. Focusing on breathing can help gain mastery over your mind, thereby opening the communication channel with the subconscious.