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The subconscious mind plays an immense role in shaping our behaviors, thoughts, and emotions, and even our abilities, yet its mysterious nature leaves it largely hidden from our awareness. Swiss psychiatrist Carl Jung devoted much of his work to studying the subconscious and argued it could provide valuable insights if properly understood.
Jung believed the mind is divided into three parts – the conscious, subconscious, and unconscious.
The conscious mind encompasses thoughts we are aware of in the present moment. What we mean, when we say “mindfulness.” When you are actively thinking about something, liek reading an article on a website – this is your conscious.
Below that lies the subconscious, containing information just below the surface of consciousness that can be readily recalled. Are you aware that you are breathing or that your heart is beating? This is part of the subconscious. The subconscious also records all of your encounters, thoughts, memories and imprints. Each of which could be recalled if you could find a to tap into the subconcious – hint: Hypnosis 
Deeper still is the unconscious, where powerful desires, fears, and primordial patterns called archetypes reside outside of our awareness. We’ll save archetypes for another day, but just know that they transcend the ‘self’ and appear throughout humanity’s stories, dreams, artwork, mythology, and our religions – as though it is embedded in our DNA.
According to Jung, “The contents of the unconscious are always striving to enter consciousness and this striving is manifested in dreams, fantasies, and symptoms.” (Jung, 1964).
In other words, the subconscious and unconscious are actively attempting to communicate with our conscious selves through symbolic messages that often appear nonsensical unless interpreted. When we seek to understand these messages, we get practical insights that can manifest changes within our lives.
Your subconscious mind is constantly at work processing information, even when you’re not consciously thinking about it. The subconscious mind stores all your memories, habits, beliefs and automatic responses that were formed from your life experiences.
As crazy as it seems, most of what influences your behavior actually happens in your subconscious mind without you consciously realizing it. For example, you don’t have to stop and think about how to ride a bike or type on a keyboard – habits like that are run by the subconscious. Your emotional reactions and preferences are also shaped here. The subconscious mind also filters the huge amount of sensory data coming into your brain at all times, allowing only some bits into your conscious thoughts. This is why you may act without fully understanding why. Your subconscious notices things your conscious mind misses.
To access the wisdom of the subconscious, we have a couple options:
1. The practice of active imagination excercises
2. Entering the daydreaming state
3. Meditations focused on exploring spontaneous thoughts and images
4. Dream Journaling to record, then reflect on themes within your dreams.
5. And of course – Hypnosis
Bringing contents of the subconscious mind into conscious thought through these exercises help achieve psychological states promoting well-being. When we recognize unconscious patterns driving behavior and thoughts outside of our control, we gain insight that can lead to positive change.
Overall, the subconscious is a powerful but hidden part of who you are. Understanding more about how it works can help you recognize why you do certain things and think certain ways – even if you don’t fully “get” yourself yet. Gaining insight into your subconscious mind just may help you learn some pretty cool things about what makes you tick.
