Defining the Subconscious Mind, Conscious Mind, and Ego
We are all of 3 minds
All of us are made up of subconscious, conscious, and ego. But what are they?
Our subconscious minds are akin to a computer hard drive. They are where our operating systems, data storage, and programs are saved
The Subconscious is your OS
Our operating systems are our values and beliefs. They’re the foundation on which we run. And like computer operating systems, sometimes we’re running an outdated OS.
Old values and beliefs are in our subconscious. And until we seek them out to replace or remove them – they are still driving our system.
Our data storage is thoughts and feelings that might be disconnected until a program or the operating system engages them.
Mindfulness is conscious awareness
Being consciously aware means being mindful.
Mindfulness is conscious awareness of our inner mindset/headspace/psyche self. It requires being aware, in the present. That self-awareness comes down to our thoughts, feelings, actions, and intentions. When we know what we’re thinking, what and how we’re feeling, what we’re doing and the intentions behind it – we’re consciously aware.
Ego is our outward projection and inward reflection
What is the ego? It’s how we project ourselves to the world without. But it’s also a mirror reflection of who we believe we are – warts and all.
Often, the ego has been largely constructed via subconscious habits, beliefs, and values.
It’s a construct because it’s not a product of the here and now, and thus not truly who, what, where, how, and why we are. Unlike our conscious mindset/headspace/psyche selves.
Self-awareness gives the conscious mind control
Every single person on Planet Earth can control only one thing. Themselves.
We each get just one chance around in these bodies. One life experience. Shouldn’t we give ourselves what control we can to make it as amazing as possible?
When we get deep into it, all that we can control is ourselves, here and now. More specifically – we can control our mindset/headspace/psyche.
This week’s Applied Guidance for Mindfulness Tool:
To define our subconscious mind and our ego, we must be consciously aware.
The only way to see the beliefs, values, and habits of our subconscious – and the inward and outward projections of our ego – we must seek them.
This is one way to do that. This is a 5-minute exercise. Before you begin, choose what you want to learn – the root of a value, belief, habit, or projection inwards and outwards
1. Go somewhere you can be alone, and uninterrupted
2. Seat yourself comfortably.
3. Take three slow, deep breaths in and out. Deep breaths to calm, center, and focus yourself.
4. Set a timer for 5 minutes. Start it and close your eyes.
5. Take three more slow, deep breaths in and out.
6. For the subconscious, focus on belief, value, or habit as you know it now. Dig into it, feel it out, and let yourself sink into its depths. Be present in yourself as you do this
7. For the ego, focus on “I AM” statements that you make to yourself or others.
8. At the end of the time, write out what you have learned.
This can unearth some not-so-pleasant memories. But the easiest way to change what’s in your subconscious mind is to root out what’s already there. To change your ego, you need to be conscious of what you’re projecting and reflecting.
Use this tool with care, as often as is practical for you.
Blogs: titaniumdon.com and mjblehart.medium.com
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