The Science Behind Visualisation: How Your Thoughts Shape Your Reality
The human mind is a complex and mysterious entity. It is the source of our thoughts, emotions, and behaviours. While the conscious mind is responsible for our logical reasoning and decision-making abilities, the subconscious mind is often overlooked despite its immense power. In this blog piece, we will explore the power of the subconscious mind and its impact on our daily lives.
What is the Subconscious Mind?
The subconscious mind is the part of our mind that is not directly accessible to our conscious awareness. It is responsible for controlling our automatic behaviours, habits, and emotions. It is like an iceberg, with only a small portion visible above the surface, while the majority lies hidden beneath.
The subconscious mind processes information at a much faster rate than the conscious mind. It is estimated that the subconscious mind processes up to 11 million bits of information per second, while the conscious mind can only process up to 40 bits per second. This means that the subconscious mind has a tremendous influence on our thoughts, emotions, and actions.
The Power of the Subconscious Mind
The subconscious mind has the power to influence our beliefs, attitudes, and behaviours. It is responsible for shaping our perception of the world around us and the way we interact with it. Our beliefs and attitudes are formed through our experiences and the messages that we receive from our environment. These messages are often internalised by the subconscious mind, and they shape our thoughts and actions.
One of the most powerful aspects of the subconscious mind is its ability to influence our habits. Habits are automatic behaviours that are repeated over time. They are formed when our subconscious mind recognises a pattern of behavior and automates it. Once a habit is formed, it becomes difficult to break because it is deeply ingrained in our subconscious mind.
“The power of the subconscious mind is like a genie that will grant our wishes, as long as we believe that we deserve them.”
– Joseph Murphy
The subconscious mind also has the power to control our emotions. Emotions are the result of our thoughts, and our thoughts are influenced by our beliefs and attitudes. When we have negative beliefs and attitudes, our subconscious mind will create negative thoughts, which will lead to negative emotions. On the other hand, when we have positive beliefs and attitudes, our subconscious mind will create positive thoughts, which will lead to positive emotions.
The subconscious mind also has the power to influence our health. Our thoughts and emotions have a direct impact on our physical health. When we have negative thoughts and emotions, our body releases stress hormones, which can lead to a variety of health problems, including high blood pressure, heart disease, and obesity. On the other hand, when we have positive thoughts and emotions, our body releases endorphins, which can boost our immune system and promote overall health and wellbeing.
Harnessing the Power of the Subconscious Mind:
The subconscious mind is a powerful tool, but it can also be a double-edged sword. If we allow negative beliefs and attitudes to take root in our subconscious mind, they can have a detrimental impact on our thoughts, emotions, and behaviours. However, if we learn to harness the power of the subconscious mind, we can achieve incredible things.
One of the most effective ways to harness the power of the subconscious mind is through positive affirmations. Positive affirmations are short, positive statements that are repeated to yourself throughout the day. They can help to reprogram your subconscious mind with positive beliefs and attitudes. For example, you could repeat the affirmation “I am confident and capable” to yourself several times a day. Over time, your subconscious mind will begin to internalise this belief, and you will feel more confident and capable in your daily life.
Another way to harness the power of the subconscious mind is through visualisation. Visualisation is the process of creating a mental image of a desired outcome. When you visualise a desired outcome, you send a powerful message to your subconscious mind that this is something that you want to achieve.
“Whatever we plant in our subconscious mind and nourish with repetition and emotion will one day become a reality.”
– Earl Nightingale”
The Benefits of Visualisation:
Visualisation is a technique that involves creating a mental image of a desired outcome. It is a powerful tool that can help to reprogram the subconscious mind and influence our thoughts, emotions, and behaviours.
When we visualise a desired outcome, we activate the same neural pathways in our brain as we would if we were actually experiencing that outcome. This means that our brain is not able to distinguish between the mental image and reality. As a result, visualisation can help to create a sense of certainty and belief that the desired outcome is achievable.
The subconscious mind is particularly receptive to visual images because it processes information in a different way than the conscious mind. While the conscious mind processes information in a linear, logical way, the subconscious mind processes information in a more holistic, intuitive way. This means that the subconscious mind is more easily influenced by visual images and symbols than by words or logic.
Visual images can also tap into the emotions, which are controlled by the subconscious mind. When we visualise a desired outcome, we can create a positive emotional state, which can help to override negative beliefs and attitudes that may be holding us back. This positive emotional state can also help to attract more positive experiences into our lives.
For example, let’s say that you want to improve your public speaking skills. You could visualise yourself giving a confident and engaging speech in front of a large audience. As you visualise this image, you might feel a sense of excitement and enthusiasm. This positive emotional state can help to override any negative beliefs or attitudes you may have about public speaking, such as fear or self-doubt. Over time, this visualisation exercise can help to reprogram your subconscious mind with more positive beliefs and attitudes about public speaking, which can help you to become a more confident and effective speaker.
It is important to note that visualisation is not a magic pill that will instantly transform your life. It is a tool that requires consistent practice and effort to be effective. The key is to be persistent and to visualise your desired outcome regularly, with emotion and conviction. By doing so, you can harness the power of your subconscious mind to achieve your goals and live a more fulfilling life.
There are many exercises and techniques that can help to tap into the power of the subconscious mind. Here are a few examples:
-
Affirmations: Affirmations are positive statements that you repeat to yourself on a regular basis. By repeating affirmations, you can help to reprogram your subconscious mind with more positive beliefs and attitudes. For example, if you struggle with self-doubt, you could repeat the affirmation “I am confident and capable” several times a day.
-
Visualisation: As discussed earlier, visualisation is a technique that involves creating a mental image of a desired outcome. By visualising your desired outcome regularly, you can help to reprogram your subconscious mind and create a sense of certainty that the outcome is achievable.
-
Hypnosis: Hypnosis is a state of consciousness in which the subconscious mind is more receptive to suggestion. During a hypnosis session, a trained hypnotherapist can help you to tap into your subconscious mind and make positive changes at a deep level.
-
Gratitude journaling: Gratitude journaling involves writing down things that you are grateful for on a regular basis. By focusing on the positive aspects of your life, you can help to reprogram your subconscious mind with more positive beliefs and attitudes.
-
Meditation: Meditation is a practice that involves quieting the mind and focusing on the present moment. By meditating regularly, you can help to quiet the chatter of your conscious mind and tap into the wisdom of your subconscious mind.
-
Self-hypnosis: Self-hypnosis is a technique that involves inducing a hypnotic state in yourself. By doing so, you can help to tap into your subconscious mind and make positive changes at a deep level. There are many self-hypnosis resources available, such as guided meditations and recordings, that can help you to practice self-hypnosis.
-
Positive self-talk: Positive self-talk involves using positive language when talking to yourself. By using positive language, you can help to reprogram your subconscious mind with more positive beliefs and attitudes.
-
Brainwave entrainment: Brainwave entrainment is a technique that involves using sound or light to influence brainwaves. By using brainwave entrainment, you can help to induce a hypnotic state and tap into the power of your subconscious mind.
These exercises and techniques can be practiced individually or in combination with each other. The key is to find the techniques that work best for you and to practice them consistently over time. By doing so, you can tap into the power of your subconscious mind and achieve your goals and aspirations.
“The mind is everything. What you think, you become.” – Buddha
Reprogramming the subconscious mind to positivity and abundance is a powerful way to overcome limiting beliefs and manifest a more fulfilling life. Here are some tips on how to do this:
-
Identify limiting beliefs: The first step in reprogramming the subconscious mind is to identify any limiting beliefs that may be holding you back. These beliefs are often formed in childhood and can be deeply ingrained in the subconscious mind. Examples of limiting beliefs include “I’m not good enough”, “I don’t deserve success”, and “Money is hard to come by”. Once you identify these beliefs, you can begin to challenge and replace them with more positive beliefs.
-
Use positive affirmations: Affirmations are positive statements that you repeat to yourself on a regular basis. By repeating affirmations, you can help to reprogram your subconscious mind with more positive beliefs and attitudes. Examples of positive affirmations include “I am worthy of success”, “I am deserving of abundance”, and “Money flows to me easily and effortlessly”. Repeat these affirmations daily, preferably in front of a mirror, with emotion and conviction.
-
Practice visualisation: Visualisation is a powerful tool for reprogramming the subconscious mind. By visualising yourself already living the life you desire, you can create a sense of certainty and belief that it is achievable. Imagine yourself living in abundance, surrounded by all the things you desire. Use as many senses as possible to make the visualisation as vivid as possible. The more emotion you put into it, the more effective it will be.
-
Practice gratitude: Gratitude is a powerful way to shift your focus from lack to abundance. By focusing on what you have, rather than what you don’t have, you can help to reprogram your subconscious mind to a more positive and abundant mindset. Keep a gratitude journal and write down things that you are grateful for on a daily basis. This will help to retrain your mind to focus on the positive aspects of your life.
-
Use subliminal messaging: Subliminal messages are messages that are below the threshold of conscious awareness. They can be embedded in music, videos, or even pictures. By exposing yourself to positive subliminal messages, you can help to reprogram your subconscious mind with more positive beliefs and attitudes. You can find subliminal messaging videos and audios on YouTube and other platforms.
-
Avoid negative influences: The subconscious mind is highly influenced by the environment around you. If you surround yourself with negativity and limiting beliefs, it will be more difficult to reprogram your subconscious mind to positivity and abundance. Surround yourself with positive influences, such as uplifting books, movies, and people.
-
Be patient and persistent: Reprogramming the subconscious mind takes time and effort. It is important to be patient and persistent in your efforts. Don’t expect overnight results, but rather focus on making small, consistent changes over time. By doing so, you can gradually reprogram your subconscious mind to a more positive and abundant mindset.
So reprogramming the subconscious mind to positivity and abundance is a powerful way to overcome limiting beliefs and manifest a more fulfilling life. By using techniques such as positive affirmations, visualisation, gratitude, subliminal messaging, and avoiding negative influences, you can gradually reprogram your subconscious mind and achieve your goals and aspirations. Remember to be patient and persistent in your efforts, and to focus on making small, consistent changes over time.