Learning how to communicate with the subconscious part of our mind requires a clear understanding of the differences between the conscious and subconscious operating modes. The conscious mind is the critical and analytical part of our mind: it thinks, reasons, evaluates and takes decisions accordingly. It is slow to react, only capable of performing one activity at a time, controls less than 5% of our body functions and stores our short-term memories only. The subconscious mind, on the other hand, has a child-like quality: it takes everything literally, without analyzing the validity or truth of the statements offered. It controls our involuntary functions and stores all our memories, everything we have ever seen, heard, felt, read or experienced. The subconscious mind can perform a number of tasks simultaneously, in an effortless, flowing and fluid manner. It reacts without analytical interferences. One we learn to respond on a subconscious level, we do so more rapidly and efficiently than we ever could in a conscious manner. This is demonstrated by our ability to drive once we have mastered the different steps and skills involved, and by our ability to become proficient at a sport or a musical instrument, for instance. After training long and hard to master the skill, we perform it flawlessly, in an entirely subconscious manner.

Communicating with the Subconscious Mind

Being of child-like quality, the subconscious mind takes everything literally, without analyzing, judging or criticizing the information received. When a statement or input comes into the subconscious part of the mind, it is accepted as a reality, as truth, and responded to accordingly.

A good example of the communication style characteristic of the subconscious mind is given by Don Mottin in one of his presentations. If an individual were to communicate solely on a subconscious level and someone were to approach him and ask: “Excuse-me, do you know what time it is?” The individual would respond: “Yes I do.” If we were to insist, asking: “Would you mind telling me what time it is?” the individual functioning on a subconscious level would smile peacefully and answer: “No, I wouldn’t mind at all.” In order to obtain the actual response to your question, you would have to take a direct approach and ask: “What time is it?” When interacting on a conscious level and being asked the same question: “Excuse-me, do you know what time it is?” the analytical part of the conscious mind engages into action and deducts: “Ah ha, the person must not have a watch, he would like me to look at my watch, secure that information and verbally pass it onto him” and we respond accordingly: “Certainly, it’s half past twelve.”

Accessing the Subconscious Mind

Hypnosis is called critical faculty bypass precisely because it enables us to bypass the critical faculty of the mind and communicate directly with the subconscious mind. Because hypnosis is a natural state of focus and relaxation, there are many ways to gain access to the subconscious mind. Children are highly suggestible because they function primarily on a subconscious level most of the time. For this reason, information and statements given to them, especially by authority figures such as parents or teachers, are accepted as truths in their reality, even if they have no bearing with truth whatsoever. Adults function primarily on a conscious level most of the time, objecting to and analyzing everything they receive through the lens of the critical part of their mind. However, certain situations or circumstances place us in a subconscious level of the mind and enable critical faculty bypass: when we are undergoing strong emotions, when we are concentrating intently and highly focused, when we are involved in sports, training, or doing repetitive, familiar activities, or when we are subjected to repetitive statements over a period of time. Repetitions create an imprint on the fabric of the subconscious mind. Any statement repeated with enough regularity eventually becomes a reality in the perception of the individual receiving it and is extremely resistant to change at a later date.

Understanding the Functioning of our Mind

Understanding the functioning of the subconscious mind enables us to comprehend the extent of the damage left behind by childhood trauma. A child, already functioning primarily in the subconscious mode, who is placed in a state of fear, attack and/or threat by the authority figures he trusts as the center of his world and his primary truth keepers, will accept and integrate the statements or accusations received as truths and reality, permanently shaping the child’s outlook and perspective of himself, his life and the world around him. When given in a repetitive manner, these statements become permanently imprinted on the fabric of his mind. Hence the importance of providing children with a safe, supportive and encouraging platform, as they evolve in a highly suggestible state and are merely learning to become aware of who they are and how the world functions.

Applying this Understanding to our Benefit

Understanding the functioning of the subconscious mind also enables us to work rapidly and efficiently when dealing with the lifelong effects of childhood, other types of trauma, or when deciding to shift negative and/or unhealthy behaviors that have proven resistant to all other types of therapies, medications or conscious willpower attempts. Taking advantage of the natural state of hypnosis we find ourselves in when training or performing familiar physical activities, I have had powerful results using a whole-brain approach of re-imprinting of the mind. Recording specifically targeted suggestions, in a rhythmic beat coupled with the right music, to be played repetitively, day after day, during athletic training has proven to be positively uplifting and motivating for the individual, and produce the desired changes and outcomes.