Subconscious Mind

Our subconscious mind is incredibly powerful. It is responsible for all of the functions of our body from digestion to blood circulation. People have used the power of the subconscious mind to achieve amazing things. Thomas Edison once said: “Never go to sleep without a request to your subconscious.” Top athletes have risen to the top of their game using their subconscious mind to visualize their desired outcome.

What we know about the subconscious mind is:
• It takes everything literally and cannot make selections and comparisons; it will accept any suggestion even if it is false.
• It doesn’t know the difference between real and imagined.
• It will act on any request or instruction you give it.
• It does not understand the concept of time.

Now that we know some of the capabilities, the next question is how can we access the subconscious mind? If you’ve ever seen a comedic hypnotist, you’ve probably seen him bring people to believe outlandish things. I once saw a guy under hypnosis believe that the 250 pound man sitting next to him was a supermodel. The hypnotist achieves this by putting participants in a mental state that gives him direct access to their subconscious mind.

To better comprehend how this works, we need a basic understanding of the four main types of brain waves:
• Beta (14-40 hertz)—This is the normal waking state for most adults. Your conscious mind is engaged.
• Alpha (7.5-14 hertz)—This is a relaxed state that you experience just before going to sleep, during meditation and while daydreaming.
• Theta (4-7.5 hertz)—This is a relaxed state beyond alpha experienced during deep meditation and light sleep.
• Delta (.5-4 hertz)—This is the deep sleep state associated with healing and regeneration.

In the case of hypnosis, subjects are relaxed and brought into alpha or theta states, allowing the hypnotist direct access to the subconscious mind. You can reach the same place though deep relaxation. The easiest way is though meditation or the point just before you fall asleep.

To maximize the potential of your unconscious mind, you should consider making a recording for yourself stating your goals. Make sure your affirmations are in the present tense [i.e.: “I have…,” as opposed to “I will have…”]. Play the recording every night after getting in bed. Don’t worry about falling asleep and not consciously hearing the entire recording. Your subconscious mind will be absorbing every word.