The unconscious mind is a fascinating and powerful aspect of our being, often operating beneath the surface of our awareness yet profoundly influencing our thoughts, feelings, and behaviours. Far from being a mere storage locker, it’s a dynamic hub responsible for a vast array of our internal processes.
A Repository of Experience: Your unconscious mind serves as the ultimate archive, housing all your memories – both short-term recollections and the deep imprints of long-term experiences. This includes temporal memories, like the vivid details of your last holiday adventure, as well as non-temporal knowledge, such as recognising faces or understanding the purpose of everyday objects.
The Seat of Emotion: While we consciously experience emotions, their true birth lies within the unconscious mind. Every surge of anger, whisper of fear, or burst of happiness is meticulously crafted here before surfacing into your conscious awareness.
The Problem-Solving Engine: As an inherently problem-solving species, our unconscious mind is perpetually drawn to “unfinished business.” If there’s an unresolved issue you’re attempting to sideline, your unconscious will persistently bring it to the forefront of your conscious mind. This relentless focus can often manifest as feelings of stress and anxiety, acting as internal nudges to address what needs attention.
A Moral Compass: Your unconscious mind possesses a deep-seated morality. Core beliefs and values, once accepted, become intrinsic guides for your life. This inherent moral framework means that hypnosis cannot fundamentally alter your deeply held ethical convictions. This characteristic helps us understand why individuals might hold beliefs that seem inexplicable to us, as their moral landscape has been shaped by unique life experiences and teachings.
The Love of Patterns: The unconscious mind thrives on patterns, finding comfort and safety in repetition. Groundbreaking research suggests it takes approximately 66 days to solidify a new habit. Importantly, these days don’t need to be consecutive. So, if you stumble on a new diet or experience a setback, simply pick up where you left off the next day – consistency, not perfection, is key for your unconscious to embrace the new pattern.
Not Always Rational: Here’s where it gets interesting: your unconscious mind isn’t governed by rational thought. It doesn’t differentiate between “good” and “bad” habits. For instance, it won’t consciously register that smoking is detrimental to your health; it merely acknowledges that you’ve engaged in this behaviour for a period and are still alive. From its literal perspective, there’s no inherent reason to change.
The Literal Interpreter: The unconscious mind takes everything you feed it with absolute literalness. This is why, in hypnotherapy, precise and positive language is paramount. Instead of ambiguous phrases, clear suggestions like “You choose healthy and nutritious foods now” are used to ensure the unconscious mind receives the desired message without misinterpretation.
The Power of Self-Talk: This literal interpretation extends to our self-talk. When you utter phrases like, “I’m an idiot!” after a mistake, your unconscious mind takes this on board, potentially forging new neural pathways that reinforce this negative self-perception. Consistent negative self-talk, and even negative talk about others, can literally rewire your brain to foster a more negative outlook.
Inability to Process Negatives: Try not to think of a purple giraffe with yellow spots, wearing a red top hat. What instantly pops into your mind? Your unconscious mind cannot directly process a negative command. To “not think” of something, it must first bring that very image to mind. This is why, instead of saying “Don’t get stressed,” we opt for positive affirmations like “Just relax” or the timeless “Keep Calm and Carry On!”
Imagination as Reality: Perhaps one of the most powerful attributes of the unconscious mind is its inability to distinguish between imagination and reality. Highly successful individuals, including elite athletes, have masterfully harnessed this principle through mental rehearsal. By vividly imagining their desired outcomes, they prime their unconscious mind for success, leading to remarkable real-world achievements. This potent tool is frequently utilised in coaching sessions to unlock individual potential.