The Mind
The Power of the Mind
The Mind is like an iceberg. We are really only aware of a small part of the mind, the Conscious Mind, because that is what we see, use and interact with on a deliberate level. It is like the portion of the iceberg that is above the surface. Our conscious mind controls our analytical, judgemental and critical thinking as well as our short term memory and will power. However, the biggest part of our mind, more than 80% of our total psychological processes and the bulk of who we actually consider ourselves to be is embodied in our Subconscious Mind.
Our fears, habits, emotions, our automatic body functions such as the heart beating, our breathing, walking, talking and nearly everything else we do automatically is controlled by the Subconscious Mind. Our long term memories and our creative faculties are both subconsciously stored, controlled and accessed when the need arises. Everyone has the natural ability to tap into their Subconscious Mind, the 80% of their psychological process that hide below the surface, so as to create the positive changes they are looking for in their lives.
Identification with the Conscious Mind
Identification with your mind is really just an attachment to what constitutes the Conscious Mind. Attachment to the mind, the thought processes we think of as ourselves, creates an opaque screen of concepts, labels, images, words, judgements and definitions that blocks all true unadulterated experience of the world we live in. We constantly view the world through a filter of learned and interpreted beliefs that impacts on our perception of the world. This perception of the world is influenced by our upbringing and our beliefs, which in turn influences how our minds interact with the world. Two different people may believe different things about the same object or situation, both believing their view to be true, and both people, are equally justified in their views of the world the hold, neither being right or wrong about their perception.
The mind is a tool of the body. What most people do not realise is that the mind is actually subservient to the higher self, but is very hard to switch off. The mind is responsible for all the Self Talk we are subjected to from all the daily input it receives. The mind uses any input given it from the world as fuel for its activities be it news media, physical activity, quiet self contemplation or the affections and attentions from a loved one; the mind uses all our experiences and input as fuel for its activity. When we provide it with fuel that doesn’t further our purpose, goals, desires or other activities in the world, then its activities can have a negative effect on our disposition and view of the world. If we provide it with positive joyful experiences then it will focus on positive activities.
The Minds True Place in the Scheme of Things
How do we control the mind? Stop thinking, or try to think of positive things? Not being able to stop thinking is a dreadful affliction, but we don’t realise this because almost everybody is suffering from it, so it is considered normal (Tolle, Power of Now, 2008, p.14).
The mind and the activity of the conscious mind are actually a lower level function of the body. The body is easily able to survive without the activity of the conscious mind (disregarding the need for sustenance) as all the bodies important functions, respiration, cardiac activity, digestion, immune responses etc, are carried out autonomically (subconsciously) and without active input from your conscious mind.
Separation from the mind, the ability to observe the mind detached from its activities, according to Eckhart Tolle, is one of the objectives of enlightenment and is the primary way we will all experience true peace (of or from the mind). Self Development assists in this process of self reflection and analysis in order to help us gain better control over our thoughts, desires and feelings. Exercising control over these areas of our psyche also allow us greater freedom and focus when we are required to make choices and decisions about our life path, our objectives in relation to goal setting and desires, and also assists us in working towards our objectives in many ways.
How to Control the Mind
There are many things we can do to separate ourselves from the incessant mental noise or what is known as the compulsive thinker, which prevents people from finding that realm of inner stillness. The best technique for salvation from the effects of incessant thinking is meditation and breathing exercises, where we can find true peace and satisfaction from the day to day issues that most people face. Eckhart Tolle refers to this state of inner stillness as just being or living in the now in the truest sense, and it is this state that is pursued by Buddhist monks, Yogis’, and millions of people fed up with the information saturation the modern world has immersed us in. He says that the Power of Now is not in the time of now, but it is the place that Now is experienced. This place of Now poses several problems for the mind. Because the mind can only use your experiences as the basis of its fuel, the minds value to someone ‘living in the moment’ is greatly diminished.
Ask Yourself a Question!
Ask your self this question: Regardless of all your perceived (or real) problems in the world, what problem do you have NOW? Right NOW; this very instant! In this very moment that you read these letters on your computer screen, what problems do you have? You can breath! You are not in danger or bleeding to death. Right NOW, in this moment, you have no problems. Later on you may have ‘issues’ you need to address, and the mind will undoubtedly focus on those for you thereby raising you level of happiness or anxiety; but if you sit, quietly for a moment and just notice your breathing and the quiet hum of your computer, you have no problems; and the minds justification of existing is greatly diminished.
In essence, the mind has to continually justify its existence by focusing on past experiences and or regrets, and future possibilities and events not yet experienced. The problem with the mind focusing on the future is that it uses your current sensory input as the basis for its activities. But when a person is exposed to significant negativity, as in the case of watching excessive amounts of television, its activities often form the basis of fears and anxiety towards things that have not yet happened. The Law of Attraction states: ‘what you think about most will be drawn unto you’. Based on this premise, it now becomes very apparent how important it is to monitor what goes ‘in to’ your mind.
The Fun Stuff
One of the first and best things you can do for yourself when beginning a program of Self Development is to undertake a Media Fast. A Media Fast greatly assists a persons progress by removing many negative inputs from the minds source of fuel for thought. It will also assist you in finding greater peace and joy with your day to day existence thereby continually improving the effectiveness of the Creative Visualisation, Positive Thinking, Self Esteem and Relaxation Lessons.
You may be interested in a short article title Theory Of Mind Source Interaction, in draft format, as it examines why the mind needs to be kept occupied.
Brain Wave Patterns (technical stuff)
Brain wave patterns are grouped according to the frequency range directly related to the thought patterns being experienced. These frequencies are:
- Beta (13 Hz – 30 Hz) is the state of normal wakeful consciousness. As you are working, driving, talking, generally undertaking normal every day activity, you are usually in a Beta state. High beta activity is sometimes associated with anxiety, panic and stress. The Fight or Flight response results in a Beta brain wave state.
- Alpha (8 Hz – 12 Hz) brain wave pattern is consistent with light relaxation. This brain wave state is typified by calm, focused mind. Alpha is sometimes called the ‘super learning state’ because the brain seems to be more receptive and open to new information. Most people who mediate do so in an Alpha brain wave state.
- Theta (4 Hz – 7 Hz) is a state of deep relaxation. Dreams and deep meditation are often associated the a Theta brain wave state. This brain wave pattern is associated with The Subconscious Mind.
- Delta (0.5 Hz – 3 Hz) is the slowest of the brainwave patterns and can be a state of deep sleep or trance like consciousness. Maintaining awareness in whilst in a delta state is suspected to open a path to the Subconscious Mind as it is also associated with this .