Let not the old self usurp the good progress made or pull you back to old ways, but take all that you have learned one step forward now with the new self more firmly implanted within and more expressive without. See clearly the difference between the old and the new and know that you have done good work. Hold onto the new self, and know also that the more secure you are in this new self, the better off you will be. So, begin each day with this self in the lead, and reassert often your commitment to your new path of heart and to this new self. You can’t go wrong!
Beware! Let not the old self distract the journey of the new self as you make your way toward lasting change. Turn swiftly away from its old ideas, desires, and behaviors as you look only forward now into the light of a new day. With eyes forward, heart open and ready to receive, and with mind focused on the path ahead, bid goodbye to the old self with gratitude and love for all that you have experienced. Without regret, resentment or sadness, move on, for there is no peace in such sentiments. Find peace now in knowing that you did all you could and that times call for new action, new behaviors, and a new you now. That is what fuels your new self and your new path of heart, a new and determined intent to change!
There are no mistakes; there are only lessons, lessons learned, lessons still to learn, and lessons that have shifted one’s perspective and left a lasting impression. Some lessons are immediately life changing, while others must be experienced again and again for their significance to sink in. Have patience with the self as life’s lessons are experienced and fathomed, as their challenges come each day and prod you along on your journey toward wholeness. One day and one step at a time make up a whole journey. Have patience as your journey unfolds one lesson at a time, and make no mistake about it, your ARE learning and you ARE growing. Don’t give up!
Each new dawn is an opportunity to intend change… – Photo by Jan Ketchel
The subconscious mind is command central for the human mind. Nonetheless, though it sets in motion the bulk of everything we think, feel and do, it itself does not think. The subconscious mind simply obeys suggestions. The intensity or accrued stress of the suggestion determines the likelihood of it being activated.
The subconscious is the programmed mind. All animals respond almost totally to circumstances with preprogrammed instinctive behaviors. Humans have the innovation of consciousness, which allows for the possibility of choice of response to any given encounter, over simply the automatic, unreflected action of the subconscious mind.
Nonetheless, the subconscious remains formidably dominant in human behavior. A person might choose to confront a situation that their subconscious mind’s program determines should be avoided. This program can be overridden by the conscious will, however, the subconscious might concurrently generate pervasive anxiety to freeze the intended behavioral action of the conscious will.
However, the proficiency of the evolutionary programs of the subconscious that have led to individual survival, and survival of the species for eons, tend to reassert themselves pretty easily over orders directed to the subconscious from the conscious mind. Anyone who has attempted to establish a new habit is well acquainted with the tendency of older, more established habits, to defeat conscious efforts to change.
The subconscious is comprised of evolutionary habits, as well as habits rooted in one’s outer socialization. The rules and expectations of significant others, in the impressionable years of childhood, are often internalized as powerful programs for behaviors that eventually operate unconsciously through the subconscious mind. These internalized programs are incessantly reinforced by the internal dialogue, which automatically judges self and other with predetermined prejudice.
The key to establishing a new habit in the subconscious mind is suggestion. When a hypnotist puts a subject into trance, they are essentially turning off the subject’s conscious mind. Next, a suggestion is made to the subject that goes directly to the subconscious mind and is then behaviorally enacted upon, as suggested.
Not everyone can be put into trance by a hypnotist, but everyone is put into trance by the many powerful programs that run daily, through suggestions operating at a subconscious level. Thus, if one has an internal dialogue that repeats the suggestion, “I am unworthy of love”, the entranced outcome will be a mood and behavior that reflects unworthiness and lack of lovability. These programs are often so powerful that even constant feedback to the contrary, from a loving partner for instance, cannot change this embedded suggestion.
Though a hypnotist might temporarily suggest a new program, creating change in a subject, the locus of control remains in the hands of another person, the hypnotist. This is why self-hypnosis is the preferred vehicle of change.
Saturation of suggestion during waking life definitely implants a suggestion to the subconscious. Thus for instance, if I want to remember my dreams, or become conscious while out-of-body during sleep, I might state this intention incessantly throughout the day.
Regardless of outcome on any given night, if I persevere with stating my intention, every day, that suggestion will reach subconscious action at some point. Every time we state an intent, we accrue energy toward a powerful suggestion becoming operational.
Unfortunately, we don’t know for certain how much energy must be accrued before it tips the scales to action. The guidance here: perseverance furthers. As well, just as the hypnotist silences the conscious mind prior to implanting a suggestion, it is best to relax the body and mind prior to stating one’s suggestion.
Be of calm body and mind, state your suggestion many times a day, many days of the month. With the calm abandon of detachment, yet with the knowing certainty that the subconscious will be impressed, await the manifestation of your dream.
Inject some new vitality and vigor into your life in the simple act of breathing with intent to gain energy, calmness, and peace of mind. Instill loving compassion into your intent, and in every action you take use kindness as your anchor. In this manner find not only new vitality and vigor in your own life but a calm heart-centeredness that will provide you with a central attitude of caring and kindness that is worth every breath you take. Let no breath leave your body without these intents and all will begin to change for the better, within and without.
Sending you all love, The Soul Sisters, Jan & Jeanne
