In this article we look at 5 ways of programming your subconscious mind.
Since the beginning of the study of the mind, the idea that we have a subconscious mind has been very prevalent.
Depending on who you talk to, approximately 95% of our mental activity is outside our awareness.
Whilst we may have trouble controlling what we are aware of, what we are unaware of was completely outside our understanding until the advent of modern psychology.
Alongside the rise of our awareness (so to speak) of the workings of the mind, a few techniques have also been devised to help us 'program' the subconscious mind to perform in the way we want.
1. Programming Your Subconscious Mind - Affirmations
An affirmation is a statement of intent. By making that statement, you bring that intent into the conscious mind and into focus.
There are some important rules to follow when writing affirmations.
- always write out your goals before converting them into affirmations.
You can use a number of techniques to set goals, the most common being the 'SMART' goals system. See this page for more information. - make sure the affirmation is true, or you wish it to be true.
For instance don't say or write 'I am a billionaire' if you are not one. Instead, say 'I am taking steps to become a billionaire'.
If you wish you were a billionaire make sure you acknowledge that it has not yet happened. - always state the affirmation in visual terms. Most people 'see' things in their minds rather than the other senses.
However, if you prefer any of the other senses (a good proportion of people are 'auditory' - they prefer sounds) then by all means do it this way. - repeat your affirmations daily. A good suggestion is to have 3 sessions a day of about 5 minutes each.
For more information on setting affirmations, check out this site.
2. Subliminal Technology
The word 'subliminal' means 'existing or functioning below the threshold of consciousness'.
You can combine affirmations with subliminal technology. Because they are presented in such a way that you cannot hear them consciously, the conscious mind cannot (or does not) interfere with their message.
This, of course, can be used for bad purposes as well as good ones.
Subliminal messages can be visual (such as on a computer or movie screen), or they can be auditory - such as on a recording.
The usefulness of this technology is somewhat controversial. However there have been successful legal cases where the effectiveness has been acknowledged by the courts.
There are many free recordings available. Check out this site for 2 free recordings of your choice.
You can also check out this site for a computer desktop application of subliminal technology.
3. Programming Your Subconscious Mind - Hypnosis
This is perhaps the best known technique to re-program your subconscious mind.
Everyone has heard of the stage hypnotist who is able to make the audience laugh or cry, jump up and down, or to do something they would never think of doing!
Yet hypnosis is more than a gimmick.
Hypnosis is a state of intense concentration, resulting in reduced focus on the immediate surroundings or environment. In this state you are more responsive to suggestions.
There are, of course, many hypnosis products out there, as are there hypnotists and hypnotherapists. To get started, you might like to try this product.
4. Meditation
Meditation is an ancient practice that has been used to alter your state of awareness.
It works by changing your focus and making you open to new ideas.
When you do this, the brain produces a different waveform than when you are in normal waking consciousness.
You can combine affirmations with meditation to create change easily.
There are also other benefits of meditation, particularly in the long term where it has positive physiological effects such as relieving stress.
Many people shy away from meditation because they feel that it is either 'woo-woo' or too hard to get into a meditative state. Others think they have to spend hours and hours doing it.
Yet there is technology available that speeds up the process immensely. Check out this product for more information.
5. Programming Your Subconscious Mind - Visualization
Once you have created your affirmations, you can start to visualise them. There are a number of ways to do this.
You can set up a vision board, which also works subliminally. Having pictures around the place means you are constantly reinforcing these ideas, which the mind then accepts as being true.
There are a few people for whom visualisation doesn't work. We all have our own preferred way of perceiving the world that is related to the 5 senses.
Visualisation relies heavily on the visual modality. However, for people who are blind or visually impaired, visualisation is useless unless the individual did have sight at some stage in their life.
For them, the other methods are more effective.
In Summary
The brain is an incredibly sophisticated piece of machinery, controlling our body temperature, blood pressure, the pulse and other bodily functions.
A lot of this occurs beyond our consciousness. Similarly our behaviour is largely unconscious and beyond our control.
By using the above techniques, however, you can effect changes in your subconscious mind and overcome any obstacle in life.