What is Subconscious?

Embodied Philosophy

6 Nov 201902:34

Summary

TLDRThe subconscious, a psychological term, refers to the hidden experiences that influence our behavior through habits, desires, fears, and attachments. Coined by Freud, it's likened to an iceberg's submerged part, impacting our personality. Carl Jung's concept of the 'shadow' also pertains to this realm of disavowed feelings and urges. Practices like dream work, hypnosis, meditation, and shamanic healing can help integrate these aspects for a more fulfilled life.

Takeaways

🧠 The subconscious is a psychological concept referring to experiences hidden from our awareness.
🌊 It impacts our behavior through habits, desires, fears, and attachments.
💭 The term 'subconscious' is sometimes used interchangeably with 'unconscious', a concept popularized by Sigmund Freud.
🏰 In Freud's theory, the unconscious is a storehouse of instincts, urges, desires, and memories not accessible in our waking state.
⛰ The unconscious is often likened to the submerged part of an iceberg, influencing our character and personality.
🌱 Carl Jung referred to the subconscious as one's 'shadow', containing disavowed feelings, urges, and desires.
🚫 These disavowed aspects are often repressed in early childhood due to societal or familial taboos.
🔍 Practices like dream work, hypnosis, meditation, and visualization can help bring the subconscious to light.
🌟 Integrating the shadow aspects of ourselves can lead to a more fulfilled and authentic life.
🎶 The script is accompanied by music, suggesting a contemplative or therapeutic context.

Q & A

What is the subconscious?
-The subconscious is a psychological term referring to the part of the mind that is below the level of conscious awareness, influencing behavior through habits, desires, fears, and attachments.
Is there a difference between the subconscious and the unconscious?
-The terms subconscious and unconscious are sometimes used interchangeably, but they can refer to slightly different concepts. The unconscious, as popularized by Freud, is a storehouse of instincts, urges, and desires beyond waking awareness, while the subconscious might be considered a part of it.
Who popularized the concept of the unconscious?
-Sigmund Freud, one of the founders of modern psychology, popularized the concept of the unconscious, although he did not invent it.
How is the unconscious often metaphorically described?
-The unconscious is often likened to the submerged portion of an iceberg, where what we can see above the water represents our conscious personality, and what lies beneath the surface informs the character of what is above.
What is the term used by Carl Jung to describe the subconscious?
-Carl Jung, a former protege of Freud, referred to the subconscious as one's 'shadow,' characterized by feelings, urges, and desires that are not immediately identifiable with one's conscious self.
Why do certain urges become disavowed in our early years?
-Urges become disavowed in early childhood because they may be taboo in society or don't fit the idealized image we project of ourselves, leading to repression and residing in the unconscious.
What practices can help bring the subconscious to light?
-Practices such as dream work, hypnosis, meditation, visualization, and shamanic healing techniques can be effective in revealing the subconscious.
Why is it important to explore the subconscious?
-Exploring the subconscious is important because it can help integrate unresolved aspects of our personality, leading to a more fulfilled and conscious life.
How does the subconscious affect our waking life?
-The subconscious affects our waking life by influencing our character and personality through hidden desires, fears, and attachments that shape our behavior and decisions.
What role does the subconscious play in the formation of our individuality?
-The subconscious plays a significant role in the formation of our individuality by shaping our sense of self through early childhood experiences and the repression of certain urges and desires.
Can the subconscious be completely unknown to us?
-Yes, the subconscious can be largely unknown to us unless we engage in practices that facilitate its exploration, such as contemplation or therapy.

Outlines

00:00

🧠 The Subconscious Mind

The first paragraph introduces the concept of the subconscious, which is a psychological domain that lies below the conscious mind. It affects our behavior through habits, desires, fears, and attachments. The term is often used interchangeably with the unconscious, a concept popularized by Sigmund Freud, who viewed it as a storehouse for instincts, urges, and memories that are not accessible to our waking awareness. The subconscious is likened to the submerged part of an iceberg, with only a small portion visible above water representing our conscious personality. The paragraph also mentions Carl Jung's term 'shadow' for the subconscious, which contains disavowed feelings and urges that are repressed during childhood. Practices such as dream work, hypnosis, meditation, visualization, and shamanic healing are suggested as ways to explore and integrate the subconscious for a more fulfilled life.

Mindmap

Keywords

💡subconscious

The subconscious is defined as the part of the mind that is not in direct awareness but influences behavior and emotions. In the video, it is described as 'below the conscious mind' and is likened to the submerged part of an iceberg, indicating its hidden yet impactful nature on our personality and actions.

💡conscious mind

The conscious mind refers to the part of our mental processes of which we are aware. The video contrasts it with the subconscious, emphasizing that while the conscious mind is like the visible tip of the iceberg, the subconscious contains a vast amount of information that shapes our behavior.

💡unconscious

The unconscious, as popularized by Sigmund Freud, is a storehouse of instincts, urges, and desires that are not accessible to our conscious awareness. The video uses the term interchangeably with subconscious, highlighting its role in shaping our character and personality.

💡Sigmund Freud

Sigmund Freud is mentioned as one of the founders of modern psychology who introduced the concept of the unconscious. His theories are foundational to understanding the video's exploration of the subconscious and its impact on human behavior.

💡Carl Jung

Carl Jung, a Swiss psychiatrist and a former colleague of Freud, developed the concept of the 'shadow' to describe the unconscious aspects of the personality. The video references Jung to explain how the subconscious contains disowned parts of ourselves that need integration for personal growth.

💡shadow

The term 'shadow' is used to describe the repressed and hidden aspects of the subconscious, such as feelings, urges, and desires that do not align with our conscious self-image. The video suggests that these parts of ourselves can be integrated through practices like dream work and meditation.

💡dream work

Dream work is a therapeutic practice mentioned in the video that involves analyzing and interpreting dreams to uncover insights from the subconscious. It is presented as a method to bring hidden aspects of our personality to light.

💡hypnosis

Hypnosis is described as a practice that can access the subconscious mind. The video suggests it as a tool to explore and potentially integrate the hidden aspects of our personality.

💡meditation

Meditation is presented in the video as a contemplative practice that can help individuals access and understand their subconscious mind, thereby aiding in personal growth and self-awareness.

💡visualization

Visualization is mentioned as a technique to focus the mind and access the subconscious. The video implies that it can be used to influence habits, desires, and fears by creating mental images.

💡shamanic healing techniques

Shamanic healing techniques are referenced as a method to explore the subconscious. These ancient practices are suggested to help individuals connect with their inner selves and uncover hidden aspects of their personality.

💡integration

Integration in the context of the video refers to the process of bringing the unconscious or subconscious aspects of the self into conscious awareness to create a more holistic and fulfilled individual. It is the goal of practices like dream work and meditation.

Highlights

The subconscious is a psychological term meaning below the conscious mind.

It refers to a domain of experience hidden from our awareness.

The subconscious impacts our behavior through habits, desires, fears, and attachments.

The term is sometimes used interchangeably with the unconscious.

Sigmund Freud popularized the concept of the unconscious.

In Freud's theory, the unconscious is a storehouse of instincts, urges, and desires.

The unconscious is likened to the submerged portion of an iceberg.

The visible part of the iceberg represents our waking personality.

The hidden part of the iceberg informs the character of what appears above the surface.

The subconscious is also referred to as one's shadow, a term developed by Carl Jung.

The shadow is characterized by feelings, urges, and desires we cannot immediately identify with.

These urges become disavowed in early childhood.

They are repressed and fade to reside in the hidden world of the unconscious.

Practices like dream work, hypnosis, meditation, and visualization can bring the subconscious to light.

These practices can help integrate unresolved aspects of our personality.

Integrating the shadowy parts of ourselves can lead to a more fulfilled and authentic life.