Mind and Subconscious Mind
Since Freud there has been a tradition in the field of Psychology to think of the
human mind (not the brain) as having two parts, the conscious part and the subconscious
part. That way, functions of mind can be accounted for without regard to whether
or not they are done intentionally, reflexively, or habitually. Within sub-traditions,
such as that developed by Carl Jung, the subconscious became the unconscious, and
even the collective unconscious. Many people seem to use the words subconscious
and unconscious interchangeably.
In one current approach to hypnotherapy apparently the concept of the subconscious
mind is considered obsolete. This practitioner explains his results in terms of
neurological substrates and the mechanisms of brain mechanics and chemistry. However,
even those who are willing to define the subconscious mind out of existence do not
appear ready to discard the rest of the mind.
The mind is a singularly unscientific construct that, like hypnosis, can be defined
in any way the writer wishes to use it. Cutting edge epigeneticist Bruce Lipton
(The Biology of Belief, 2008) (1) writes that the mind is composed of energy and
is therefore a non-physical entity. In a recent talk, Deepak Chopra, MD (10-19-09)
(2) explained that scientists have never been able to physically locate the mind-nor
even the function of memory-anywhere in the body. He said that most evidence suggests
that memory is not a function or property of the brain, but of the mind, which is
distinguished from the brain by being non-physical. Dr. Lipton agrees.
The Mind
Eastern philosophical and religious traditions similarly regard the mind to be a
non-physical aspect of our being, located at our "center," behind the fourth (heart)
chakra, in the middle of the chest. These traditions refer to "mind" as we refer
to "heart." Apparently supporting these ancient concepts, recent neurological research
reveals that far more neurological information originates from our heart than from
our brain, where it radiates out and communicates with the body via neuroenergetic
vibrations just as the brain does (Rollin McCraty, Ph.D. The Living Matrix, 2009)
(3).
Even if we construe the mind and all its functions and manifestations to be concrete
and observable there will still be invisible pathways of communication and effects
underlying it. As it continues to direct all the subtleties of our life the mind
will still be composed-or at least manifest in the form of-energy. Einstein has
satisfied generations of scientists that everything in the universe is reducible
to energy, which is exactly as invisible as the wind. The mind-and indeed the entire
fabric of our existence-depends upon the patterns of subatomic activity that underpin
all life and the universe itself. No one knows the mysteries of how, according to
the laws of subatomic activity, the mind-and everything else-is at once physical
and non-physical (blinking in and out of physical existence) and at once here and
there (nonlocal). This has led many (e.g. Deepak Chopra, op. cit.) (4) to suppose
that Mind is not a discreet possession or characteristic of you or me, but that
it is a core aspect, feature and function of existence that is shared by all of
us, and that it is not "inside" the body. Rather, it is we who exist "inside" this
invisible field of which everything is made. Jung was on the right track.
Mind: Organization Across the Lifespan
It is equally clear that our individual and collective being has a sense of direction
and organization, just like the lilies of the field, but more complicated. The healthy
human develops naturally to maturity and follows prescribed and predictable social
patterns of behavior across the lifespan. Hence my definition of Mind: it is the
"organ" of that organization, integration and direction across the lifespan; it
is the "quality" that makes awareness, organization and coordination possible. It
is aggregate Consciousness. It is possible that this quality (Mind) inheres in all
life and that it explains the sense of intelligence, order, organization and direction
that is observable throughout the web of life.
Consciousness and Mind
Awareness is consciousness. Consciousness is the capacity to perceive activity and
respond to it. Whatever else it is that underpins life-and expresses itself as energy-it
must be consciousness. Every one of our fifty trillion cells has consciousness,
as do the atoms of which they are composed. Consciousness appears to be the basic
building block of existence. If the brain is not the source of the mind, then the
brain-like the heart-acts as a radio receiver, transformer and transmitter for the
vibrational energies of Mind. These energies exist "in" Mind, or the Zero Point
Field (Lynne McTaggart, 2002) (5), not the brain. Humans have a highly developed
frontal lobe that allows for self-conscious or self-reflective awareness, along
with the capacity to intentionally direct mind energies (Lipton, p. 103) (6) through
every kind of mental activity. This highlights the mechanics, power and importance
of conscious mind focus, but how could that be the whole story?
Consciousness and Subconscious Mind
All of our functions of mind must be precisely coordinated in their intricate dance
throughout a lifetime in order for us to survive, grow, and thrive as creatively
and satisfactorily as possible. But the vast majority of our mind functions can't
possibly originate in focused awareness. There are too many, and most of them are
far too complex and subtle for the conscious mind to comprehend and direct. If it
is Mind that organizes, coordinates, directs-even originates-all of the activity
of consciousness, including wound healing, growth and development, central nervous
system activity, memory and gene expression, then the aspect of mind that has the
necessary skills to accomplish these latter feats lies far beyond the ability of
waking, intentional, focused consciousness. I refer to the aspect of mind that can
handle these tasks as the subconscious mind. It satisfies the definition of consciousness
and mind but it is not a product of any self-conscious mental activity and therefore
not transmitted by the frontal lobe. It is a product of "deeper" processes.
"Sub" is a prefix meaning "below." Conscious and subconscious mind comprise an indivisible
whole, a seamless fabric of awareness that supports our existence in every moment.
When I semantically divide conscious from subconscious it doesn't mean that you
lose any of your awareness. At any given time your being is conscious of all the
information that is available to your frontal lobe, while you also remain connected
with everything that is in the basement (the subconscious), though at the moment
you are not self-consciously aware of it. Often information drifts between the floors
and the basement of awareness: the border is permeable. Your consciousness is unified.
Though the conscious mind can formulate a healing thought, only the subconscious
mind can carry it out.
Subconscious, not Unconscious
The terms "subconscious" and "unconscious" are often used interchangeably. I disagree
with the use of the word "unconscious" when referring to the subconscious mind-or
to mind at all. My argument is more than semantic. I disagree with it on the grounds
of usefulness and practicality, and because "subconscious" is healthier and more
therapeutic. "Unconscious" connotes a division between states of awareness that
doesn't in fact exist, and it suggests a state of obliviousness that does not favor
being open to the holistic and fluid nature of mind and body/mind. It can cause
the perception of being split or divided-unwhole and therefore unhealthy. I believe
that talking in terms of the subconscious mind fosters a sense of acceptance and
openness to deeper currents of mind and a greater sense of wholeness and connection
and that unconscious does not. Subconscious awareness can come up from the basement;
it's only below conscious awareness; it's not gone from awareness; it's not divided
from you. There is no doubt that it exists and that it is as close as your ability
to receive it. If you're unconscious you're just asleep, oblivious, and likely to
remain that way. The word connotes inertia and disconnection. I object to those
implications. I prefer the expectation that I am boundless, unlimited, connected
and whole. Unconscious means to lose consciousness, and I don't believe that is
even possible. Where would you leave it?
I suggest that we think and talk about consciousness as fluid and holistic in order
to promote people's sense of coherence and wholeness. "Health," after all, is a
synonym of "whole." When we feel whole we feel healthy.
Next:
The Subconscious Mind in Clinical Application
References:
(1) Bruce H. Lipton, Ph.D. (2008). The Biology of Belief. New York: Hay House.
95-97.
(2) Deepak Chopra, MD (10-19-09). Public Talk: St. Louis, MO.
(3) Rollin McCraty, Ph.D. The Living Matrix. (2009). San Rafael, CA: Becker Massey
LLC.
(4) Chopra op. cit.
(5) Lynne McTaggart. (2003). The Field. New York: HarperCollins.
(6) Lipton, op. cit. page 103.
Published 11-9-09 by the International Hypnosis Research Institute
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