"Making Your Subconscious Work for You" - Spiritualize Your Daily Life" - Swami Kriyananda

Summary

This video discusses the power of the subconscious mind, using anecdotes and examples to explain how it can both hinder and help personal growth. The speaker highlights the importance of aligning the subconscious with conscious goals, comparing it to an iceberg where most of the mind operates beneath the surface. Techniques like affirmation, meditation, and embracing positive thought patterns are emphasized as ways to reprogram the subconscious, making it an ally in achieving personal success and overcoming negative habits.

Takeaways

• 😀 The subconscious mind is influential and can both help and hinder us based on how we have conditioned it.
• 🧠 The subconscious is not unconscious; it operates in the background and affects our decisions, actions, and energy levels.
• 💡 If we let our subconscious take control, it can lead us back to bad habits, even when we think we have overcome them.
• 🤔 The mind is like an iceberg: only a small part is visible (conscious mind), while the larger part (subconscious) is submerged.
• 💪 It's important to align both the conscious and subconscious mind to avoid working against ourselves.
• 🎯 To change habits and negative influences, we must work with the subconscious, not just the conscious mind.
• 🌙 The moments before sleep and upon waking are key opportunities to influence the subconscious through positive affirmations.
• 🔄 Our thoughts can generate fatigue or energy. Changing our mindset can instantly renew our energy.
• 🔑 Affirmations should be stated in positive terms to be effective, and repetition helps them penetrate the subconscious.
• 👁 Using visualization, rhythm, and affirmation, we can project positive energy and work with our subconscious to achieve our goals.

Q & A

What lesson can be learned from the story of the man who gave up drinking but relapsed?

The story illustrates how the subconscious can be crafty and deceptive, persuading the conscious mind to justify harmful behaviors. It emphasizes the need to remain vigilant and not let the subconscious lure us back into habits we wish to break.

Why is the subconscious considered influential in shaping behavior?

The subconscious is a large part of our awareness and influences our actions, often without us being fully conscious of it. It stores habits and past experiences that can either hinder or help us, depending on how we condition it.

How can someone effectively change their subconscious behavior?

To change subconscious behavior, one must work with the subconscious rather than trying to suppress it. This involves reprogramming it with positive affirmations and conditioning, especially during moments when the subconscious is more receptive, such as before sleep.

What example demonstrates the power of thought over physical energy?

An example in the script describes someone feeling exhausted when faced with a pile of dishes after a long day. However, when receiving an exciting invitation from a friend, they suddenly feel full of energy. This shows that fatigue can often be mental rather than purely physical, driven by thoughts.

Why is it important to accept challenges rather than resist them?

Resisting challenges can drain energy, as described in the speaker's experience with his overwhelming tasks. When he accepted the inevitability of these tasks, he regained energy. Acceptance allows us to redirect energy positively instead of wasting it on resistance.

How can affirmations be used to influence the subconscious?

Affirmations, especially when repeated in a rhythm and with imagery, can deeply penetrate the subconscious mind. By using positive, rhythmic statements like 'I am peaceful,' we can train the subconscious to adopt new, beneficial patterns.

What is the role of visualization and affirmations in managing mood and emotions?

Instead of focusing on the reasons for a negative mood, shifting attention to positive emotions through visualization and affirmations can change one's emotional state. For example, focusing on happiness rather than addressing the specifics of why you're moody can lead to quicker emotional recovery.

Why is the subconscious more receptive at certain times, like before sleep or after waking up?

During transitions between conscious and subconscious states, like when falling asleep or waking up, the mind is more open to influence. This is an ideal time to use positive affirmations because the subconscious is more susceptible to suggestion.

How can we prevent negative influences from gaining control over the subconscious?

Instead of feeding negative influences with attention, we should focus on reinforcing positive aspects and ideals. By energizing positive thoughts and actions, we diminish the power of negativity in our subconscious.

What is the danger of 'worshipping' past mistakes, according to the speaker?

Dwelling on past mistakes or allowing them to define you is akin to idol worship, as it gives those mistakes more power over your life than they deserve. The speaker emphasizes the importance of acknowledging mistakes but not allowing them to dominate your thoughts and actions.