Trust the unconscious process…
Is your default setting one of positivity? Do you have peace of mind? Are you able to maintain an optimistic outlook?
The pursuit of positivity and optimism often prompts us to scrutinise external aspects of our lives, such as career, relationship, and financial status. Yet, the true source of our suffering often resides within our own minds.
The mind, a powerful yet often misunderstood entity, is only 5% conscious, leaving a staggering 95% in the realm of the unconscious. This unconscious mind acts as the control centre of our lives, housing every memory, skill, habit, feeling, emotion, and behaviour we have ever experienced.
Sadhguru aptly describes the situation, stating, “People talk about tension, anxiety, stress… You can call it by many names, but essentially what’s happening is your own intelligence has turned against you.” He goes on to discuss how your mind is like a sharp knife. If you mishandle it, you will continue to cut yourself.
To comprehend the magnitude of the unconscious mind’s influence, consider that it operates at a staggering 40 million bits of data per second, while the conscious mind processes a mere 40 bits per second * (Dr. Lipton, Stanford University)
As children, we lack control over our environment, leading to the storage of emotions, habits and behaviours without conscious awareness. These imprints resurface in adulthood, shaping our reactions to situations based on past associations. How we handle professional and personal rejection, for example, may be traced back to childhood references such as praise, criticism, encouragement, or dismissal.
To break free from the continuous negative impact of childhood imprints, it is imperative to recognise that change initiated from the 5% conscious mind is ineffective. Instead, shift the focus to the 95% unconscious mind to bring about transformative change.
Embracing this shift requires letting go of two common traits: impatience and the need for control. Similar to how you engage with your body; you don’t expect instant results after one gym session. You also trust the process beyond the workout, where without further input, the body undergoes unconscious processes, such as regulating blood sugar levels, fat loss, muscle repair and growth to bring about the desired results.
This same principle applies to your mind. After engaging in exercises for the mind, it’s crucial to allow your mind the space to undergo its transformative process without constant supervision.
To help achieve this you have to acknowledge that every exposure contributes to shaping your reality. Be mindful of toxic relationships, negative work environments, or detrimental media consumption. Listen to your body’s needs for proper nourishment, sleep, exercise, and rest. Steer clear of unhealthy habits that can jeopardise your wellbeing. Lastly, allow your unconscious mind time to process life by incorporating moments of stillness, such as meditation or taking time away from external stimuli. Then trust the process, the unconscious process.