Subconscious vs Unconscious: What's the Difference?
Have you ever wondered about the difference between your subconscious and unconscious mind? These terms are often used interchangeably, but they actually refer to different aspects of our mental processes. In this article, we will explore the definitions of subconscious and unconscious, collective unconscious, how they differ from one another, how they can be used, and how you can rewire your brain to improve your life.
The Role of the Conscious Mind
Before we dive deeper into the differences between the subconscious and unconscious, it’s important to understand the role of the conscious mind. This is the part of our psyche that we are consciously aware of and can actively control. It’s the part of our mind that we use to think, reason, and make decisions.
However, the conscious mind is only capable of processing a small amount of information at any given time. This means that the vast majority of our mental processes occur in the subconscious and unconscious mind.
Defining Subconscious and Unconscious Mind & Collective Unconscious
The subconscious mind is the part of our psyche that is just below the level of our conscious awareness. It is responsible for processing and storing information that we are not actively aware of, but that still affects our thoughts, emotions, and behaviors. For example, if you have a deep-seated desire to be loved, this desire may be stored in your subconscious mind and affect your behavior in subtle ways.
On the other hand, the unconscious mind is the part of our psyche that is entirely beyond our conscious awareness. According to Freud, the unconscious mind contains repressed memories, desires, and fears that are too socially unacceptable or emotionally painful to be consciously acknowledged. These repressed thoughts and feelings can influence our behavior without us even realizing it.
In addition to the personal unconscious, which contains repressed memories and desires from our individual lives, Carl Jung also theorized the existence of a collective unconscious. This is a shared store of knowledge and experience that is inherited by all humans.
According to Jung, the collective unconscious contains archetypes, or universal symbols and patterns of behavior that are common to all humans. For example, the archetype of the hero represents the universal desire for courage and strength in the face of adversity.
The Use of Subconscious Thoughts
Subconscious thoughts can be both helpful and harmful. On one hand, they can be used to drive motivation and achieve our goals. For example, if you have a strong desire to succeed in your career, this desire may be stored in your subconscious mind and drive you to work harder and pursue opportunities.
On the other hand, subconscious thoughts can also be negative and hold us back. For example, if you have a fear of failure that is stored in your subconscious mind, this fear may prevent you from taking risks and pursuing your goals.
Is Your Deep-Seated Fear at Subconscious Mind Affecting Your Behaviours?
A deep-seated fear is a fear that is rooted in your subconscious mind and has been formed as a result of past experiences, beliefs, or values. For example, if you have fear of abandonment, which may have been formed as a result of experiences in childhood where you felt rejected or left out by friends or family members, this deep-seated fear can affect your behavior in many ways.
You may have difficulty forming close relationships or trusting others, because you are afraid that they will eventually leave you. You may also have a tendency to cling to relationships or become overly dependent on others, because you are afraid of being alone. This is how the subconscious works.
In addition, your fear of abandonment may lead you to engage in behaviors that push others away, such as being overly critical or controlling. You may also avoid situations where you feel vulnerable or exposed, because you are afraid that others will reject or abandon you.
Your deep-seated fear can also affect your self-esteem and self-worth, because you may believe that you are not lovable or worthy of love and attention. This can lead to feelings of anxiety, depression, and low self-esteem, which can further reinforce your fear and make it difficult to break free from its grip.
It is important to recognize the ways in which your deep-seated fear is affecting your behavior and seek help to address it.
Rewiring Your Brain
By becoming aware of our subconscious and unconscious thoughts and desires, we can begin to rewire our brains and make changes in our behavior. This can be especially helpful for those who struggle with anxiety, depression, or other mental health issues.
But working through subconscious and unconscious thoughts can be a complex and challenging process. It’s important to have a trained hypnotherapist who can help guide you through this process and provide support along the way
Unconscious and Subconscious Reprogramming
In order to make changes in our lives, it’s important to become aware of the subconscious and unconscious thoughts and desires that are driving our behavior. This is where hypnotherapy and psychoanalysis comes in.
Hypnotherapy is a technique that uses hypnosis to access the subconscious mind. During a hypnotherapy session, the hypnotherapist will guide the individual into an altered state of consciousness, this allows the individual to access their subconscious thoughts and desires and work through any underlying issues that may be contributing to their behavior.
Similarly, Psychoanalysis focuses on accessing the unconscious mind. During a psychoanalysis session, the individual will work with a therapist to explore their repressed memories and desires and uncover any unconscious motivations that may be driving their behavior.
Summary
In summary, subconscious and unconscious refer to different aspects of our mental processes. Becoming aware of our subconscious and unconscious thoughts and desires can be a powerful tool for making changes in our lives and overcoming mental health challenges.
With the help of a trained hypnotherapist, we can work through these thoughts and reprogram our brains to achieve our goals and live happier, healthier lives. If you want to resolve your issue from a deeper level, book a FREE Strategy Call with us now.
Frequently Asked Questions
The terms unconscious and subconscious are refer to different aspects of the mind. The unconscious mind consists of thoughts and emotions that are completely beyond our awareness, while the subconscious mind includes both automatic processes and thoughts that are just below the surface of conscious awareness.
Memory involves the encoding, storage, and retrieval of information, which can occur at both the conscious and subconscious levels. Some memories are consciously retrieved through intentional effort, while others may surface without conscious awareness or effort. Therefore, memory can be both a conscious and subconscious process.
Sleep is considered a state of altered consciousness, as it involves a reduction in awareness and responsiveness to the environment. During sleep, the brain undergoes a variety of complex processes, some of which can be conscious (such as dreaming) and some of which are subconscious (such as memory consolidation).
