|
Often the image of an iceberg is used to represent the two components of the human mind. The part of the iceberg we see above the surface of the ocean is said to be the conscious mind while the massive, mysterious, greater part, the unconscious mind, is that which exists unseen under the ocean’s surface. Both parts, the seen and the unseen, make up the iceberg. Or, to continue this metaphor, both parts, the conscious and the unconscious, make up the human mind, and it is the human mind that controls human behavior.
In his classic book on the subconscious (The Power of Your Subconscious Mind, Joseph Murphy, Ph.D., D.D., Reward Books, 2000) the author presents the contrasts between these two components of the human mind:
Conscious mind |
Subconscious mind |
rational |
irrational |
objective |
subjective |
waking |
sleeping |
surface self |
deep self |
voluntary mind |
involuntary mind |
proactive |
reactive |
analytical |
creative |
controlling |
responsive |
reasoning |
feeling |
choosing |
non-selective |
judgmental |
non-judgmental |
thinks things out |
perceives by intuition |
captain/navigator of the ship |
crew of the ship |
the starter of the engine |
the automobile’s engine itself |
a camera |
the photosensitive film |
controls the cerebrospinal or
autonomic system |
voluntary system |
Elsewhere in his book, Dr. Murphy focused on many characteristics of the sub-conscious or unconscious mind: always working for you; seeks to take care of you and preserve you; inspires and guides you; knows the answers to all your problems; a source of power and wisdom; invisible; possesses miracle-working powers; does not respond to mental coercion; storehouse of latent power; possesses infinite intelligence; possesses an amazing intuitive faculty; understands subjectively-known facts; is all-wise; will warn you of danger; possesses knowledge of tomorrow’s events; never sleeps; is always on the job; releases guidance to you; deserving of your complete trust; records your inner motivation, thoughts, and feelings; and in general leads, governs, and directs all your ways.
Dr. Murphy pointed out the important relationship between these two components of the human mind. Not only does the hypnotherapist have to know about the intricacies, suggestibilities, and power of the unconscious mind, he must know about the integration mechanism between the conscious and subconscious. When we lack knowledge about this integration, it results in unhappiness and discord. However, when these two components of the human mind effectively work together, the amazing results are wisdom, creativity, and empowerment.
|
