The Subconscious Mind and how Hypnotherapy can help you.
Did you know your conscious mind only accounts for 5 to 10% of your total mind power?
Your powerful subconscious mind is actually what’s running the show, and accounts for 90 to 95% of your mind power.
Read on to discover how these two aspects of the human mind operate, the qualities they have. Discover how hypnosis can be a powerful tool to bring about positive changes….
The Subconscious Mind.
This powerful part of our mind accounts for 90 to 95% of potential mind power!
The subconscious contains our long term memories, and is always recording and keeping track of our life events. This includes while we are sleeping, or even if under the effects of anesthetic, drugs, or alcohol. The subconscious remembers everything, even if consciously we may not.
This powerful part of our mind doesn’t actually think, or use logic. All of the inputs from our senses are constantly evaluated, according to our life’s experiences stored within our long term memory inside our subconscious. It then communicates to us through feelings and emotions.
New experiences are cross referenced with past events, and the reactions we feel are dependent on if the previous experience was positive (allowing us to feel pleasure), or negative (causing us to feel a negative emotion which could be anxiety or fear).
This process is intended to keep us safe, which is the main purpose of our subconscious mind. This is the way our mind has developed over thousands of years since early civilisation to aid our survival. Which may explain why our subconscious speaks in metaphors, imagery and feelings; because this part of our mind predates the language we use today, consciously.
The Conscious Mind.
Normally this is the part of the mind we are aware of using as we go about our day, it is logical and rational.
Consciously we think about how to solve problems we are faced with. We make conscious decisions about what to say when we speak. This part of the mind is where our willpower is located, and also our short term memory.
It’s functions include thinking, analyzing, finding logic, making decisions, and controlling voluntary bodily functions. Anything that involves exercising our willpower.
You may be surprised to hear, that you didn’t always have a conscious mind. In fact, it only begins to develop around the age of 2 or 3 years, and isn’t fully formed until we reach 8 or 9 years of age!
Working behind the scenes.
The inner workings of the subconscious mind are hidden from the conscious mind. Which is why sometimes we can have no idea why we feel or respond to certain ‘triggers’ in the way we do. It’s impossible for us to logically see what our subconscious is cross referencing new experiences with in our deeper memory banks. Which is why the way we feel and respond can sometimes be difficult to understand on the surface, or seem in conflict with how we wish to behave or feel.
For example a person may have a fear of dogs, and yet never had a bad experience causing such fear. However if at a young age they were told by a parent that dogs are dangerous, or if they witnessed somebody being bitten by a dog, this information will be tucked away in the long term memory bank out of reach from the conscious mind. The subconscious mind will then cross reference new encounters with dogs later in life, with this belief or memory, giving rise to feelings of caution or fear.
We are unable to apply logic, or reason to why our subconscious mind behaves the way it does. If we try to change our reactions, or work through fears by ignoring the feelings arising within, our subconscious may increase such feelings to make sure it is listened to!
Hypnotherapy
In hypnosis we can communicate directly with the subconscious and uncover what is the root cause of inner conflict, and address it with therapy techniques to reassure the protective part of the mind it is safe. Hypnotherapy is also a powerful tool for updating the subconscious mind to be more inline with conscious view points, by letting go of any outdated beliefs we may be holding on to.
Positive suggestions can be given whilst in hypnosis, bypassing the critical mind, to update the subconscious and bring about more positive ways of feeling or responding to situations. This can be very effective, especially if using a recording and listening to on a regular basis. Sometimes deeper level work is required, to uncover the root cause of why a problem may be arising in the first place; leading to long lasting results.
Hypno-Analysis
Sometimes my clients need to have the protective part of their mind reassured that the threatening situation which had been experienced or witnessed has passed, and that they have the wisdom and support to be able to handle (or avoid) similar situations with ease.
Often times reflecting on a past event whilst in hypnosis can bring new insights to our awareness. We may not have the knowledge or understanding to make sense of a situation at the time when it occurs, and draw conclusions, or form beliefs based on our limited view-point. However the subconscious mind records every detail and stores them in our long term memory.
By observing the past event from an expanded point of view, safely at a distance whilst in a hypnosis, we can gain a greater understanding of the whole picture and new insights can help resolve misunderstandings or faulty ways of thinking. This can be a very freeing and empowering experience, leading to a shift in the way we perceive ourselves and how we interact with others.
Client Centred Hypnotherapy
My approach to hypnotherapy can be described as client centred. I help my clients to connect the dots and join the pieces of the puzzle, which are always stored within their subconscious mind. I create a safe space and give support by guiding them through as they discover the answers and solutions at a deep mind level.
The process of uncovering and then addressing the root cause of problems is a gentle yet powerful process. Clients progress at a pace they are comfortable with, for their protective subconscious mind only reveals what they are ready to observe and work through. Often times this process is described as a journey of self discovery, and brings a great sense of freedom and clarity.
