Introduction
Joseph Murphy's approach is aimed at those seeking an inner transformation, allowing for more productive actions and decisions without resistance or difficulty. It shows us how we can act in alignment with our subconscious, a powerful and subtle force that shapes every aspect of our lives without us even realizing it.
Our surface consciousness, the attention we give to our daily lives, acts as the gatekeeper of the subconscious. It protects the latter from negative influences that might affect it. However, this surface consciousness, although it seems to direct our actions, is only the visible part of our mind. The real driver of our decisions and actions lies in the depths of our subconscious, an unconscious source of our desires, beliefs, and behaviors. For example, you decide to commit to a fitness routine, lose weight, or quit smoking. For a few days, your conscious will seems to support you, but soon, intense resistance arises. Thoughts flood your mind: “I’m too tired,” “I’ll do it tomorrow,” “I don’t feel like it anymore.” This inner battle is your subconscious reacting, trying to maintain the status quo. Its role, based on deeply ingrained habits, is to bring everything back to what is known and comfortable. However, if you persist and manage to repeat a new habit regularly and long enough, a transformation occur. One of the greatest obstacles to reprogramming the subconscious is fear, with doubt or denial being its manifestations. Facing what we fear may seem intimidating, but it is the only way to dissolving that fear. A first step can be visualizing the situations we dread and imagining ourselves responding differently. Since the subconscious cannot distinguish between a real experience and an imagined one, especially when real emotions are connected to the visualization, this practice is powerful. High-level athletes incorporate visualization into their training, and we can do the same to confront our fears. However, this is not about daydreaming on your couch or meditation mat—it requires active inner training. The idea is to prepare our subconscious to act naturally by approaching each situation with curiosity, as a game to explore. By trying this, we will often be surprised by the results; paradoxically, we will start moving towards our goals without even realizing it.
It is not necessary to be physically young to maintain a sharp mind. Those who manage to preserve their mental and physical health, slowing down the aging process, all share a vision and goals that motivate them to live with curiosity and passion. These individuals never truly retire; they embrace learning, adventure, and curiosity. On the other hand, those who give up on their dreams fall into stagnant routines, becoming rigid and losing their curiosity and inner light. Reconnecting with the subconscious means expanding our attention by reconnecting with our higher intelligence, tapping into the infinite power of life. We must realize that nothing can truly disturb us outside of our own thoughts. The suggestions and opinions of others only have power over us if we accept them. In truth, what guides our responses and actions is primarily determined by subconscious programs that dictate the meaning we give to situations. The power lies within us. When our thoughts align with the infinite force of the subconscious, we are in harmony with the natural laws that govern the universe. Whether we call it God, Tao, or Dharma, this force is benevolent, abundant, and impartial. It supports everything that aligns with it and rebalances any interference that opposes it.. The subconscious eventually integrates this new behavior as “normal,” thus eliminating any resistance. This is how repetition and regularity reprogram your subconscious. This mechanism applies to all areas of life: relationships, career, finances, health.
The secret lies in our ability to develop conscious vigilance. By intentionally directing our attention-presence, we act as a captain steering his ship, giving precise directions to our subconscious. The latter, obedient and powerful, then executes these directives, shaping our behaviors and outcomes. What our consciousness accepts as true, our subconscious materializes. It also governs more fundamental processes, such as our heartbeat, metabolism, and the overall health of the body. By becoming aware of its power, we have the ability to influence this extraordinary force to align our lives with our deepest aspirations. Changing our habits, even those that are counterproductive, is initially uncomfortable. The resistance we feel is a natural response, an attempt by the body to maintain its internal balance. However, by learning to work with our subconscious, to communicate with this inner intelligence, we can gradually make new habits second nature. This process doesn’t necessarily make tasks easier, but it allows us to find joy in self-improvement, whether in sports, business, or personal life.
If we cultivate positive thoughts based on faith, optimism, and gratitude, our subconscious, like a fertile vessel, will transform these mental seeds into a harmonious reality.
The difference between
the conscious and the subconscious
Where the conscious mind evaluates, judges, and decides, the subconscious accepts and executes, without discernment. It feeds on thoughts held long enough and repeated, whether positive or negative, and converts them into habits. Our beliefs, often formed in childhood, are programmed into our subconscious, operating in the background on autopilot. Some of these beliefs serve us, others do not. We may find that certain negative habits persist: low self-esteem, procrastination, addictions, financial self-sabotage, or toxic relationships. Yet, these traits, though deeply rooted, are not set in stone. The key to transformation lies in reprogramming the subconscious. It is possible to reinvent oneself, to evolve into an "updated" version of oneself. However, this metamorphosis does not occur through the force of conscious will. It is a process of commitment, where we must persevere long enough for the new habits to take root, despite the initial resistance from the subconscious and the perceived discomfort.
Chapter 1
Choosing Environmental Influences
and Incoming Information
One of the key steps to transforming our lives for the better is understanding the immense power of the subconscious and consciously choosing what we expose it to. It’s not just about changing habits or making new resolutions. It’s a deeper process where external influences play a crucial role.
The Importance of Choosing Influences
People who are aware of the power of the subconscious know that they must protect their minds by carefully selecting the information they consume. In our modern society, we are bombarded with advertisements, distractions, and anxiety-inducing messages that stimulate superficial desires, fuel fear, and create confusion. This leads to a disconnect between what we want to experience and what our subconscious directs. Only those who understand this can truly make the decision to limit exposure to these negative influences.
Cultivating an Environment Aligned with Our Aspirations
When we aim to change our habits, our environment plays a crucial role. If we try to transform our behaviors while still being influenced by contradictory forces, we will experience heightened resistance. It is essential to align our lifestyle with our deepest aspirations because a supportive environment makes change more seamless. Coercive willpower alone is not enough, as it inevitably exhausts both body and mind. By creating a harmonious environment, we can feed our subconscious with expansive thoughts and emotions that support our goals.
Distinguishing Between Willpower and the Power of the Subconscious
It is crucial to understand that willpower (our waking consciousness) and the power of intention emerging from the subconscious are two distinct forces. The former requires constant effort, while the latter flows naturally when the subconscious aligns with an intention. To develop this power, we need to carefully select the information we consume daily and reprogram our subconscious accordingly—by intentionally choosing what we allow into our minds.
The Power of Thoughts and Beliefs
The thoughts and beliefs we entertain directly influence our actions and decisions. When we feed our subconscious with positive and benevolent thoughts, we naturally become more confident and clear-minded. This clarity allows us to focus on specific goals and act with determination. Conversely, persistent doubts or negative beliefs limit our ability to manifest what we truly claim to want.
Accessing the Infinite Intelligence of the Subconscious
Our subconscious is connected to an infinite intelligence that governs not only the physiological functions of our body but also our behaviors and choices. When we learn to reconnect with this intelligence, we tap into an immense potential for healing and transformation. This inner reconciliation allows us to release unproductive patterns and replace them with new beliefs. In spiritual traditions, this is often described as union with the divine or awakening of consciousness (Yoga).
Unshakeable Faith and Receptivity
To tap into this higher intelligence, we must develop an unshakable faith in our ability to manifest our dreams. This requires an open mind and receptivity to the inspirations that arise from the subconscious. By surrounding ourselves with positive influences and nurturing our minds with clear, benevolent, and inspiring thoughts, we cultivate a fertile ground for effective inner guidance. The external world then seems to magically become a reflection of our inner beliefs and thoughts.
Choosing the influences that shape our minds is a crucial step. This process requires vigilance, discipline, and openness, but it paves the way for a more harmonious and fulfilling life. By protecting our minds from toxic influences and focusing on positive thoughts, we become the architect of our destiny, capable of manifesting a reality aligned with our deepest aspirations.
Chapter 2: Setting Specific Goals
The second essential step is to set a specific goal to accomplish. By focusing our attention on a clearly defined life plan, every element of our existence begins to harmonize around this intention. Visualizing the goal, meditating on it, and internalizing the emotions associated with it imprint our subconscious. At the same time, organizing our schedule and activities helps coordinate all aspects of our lives: our choices of activities, our health, nutrition, physical fitness, relationships, and friendships. This involves embedding the intention deeply into our subconscious, turning this commitment into an automatic response. As we adopt new habits, our self-confidence grows. This enables us to overcome any lingering doubts and move closer to our goal. Defining a clear objective is not just a simple task; it’s a powerful lever to observe our mental reactivity. It helps us identify the thoughts that arise in resistance to what we wish to achieve. These mental challenges then become valuable indicators for our personal growth.
The secret to effectively programming the subconscious lies in repetition, patience, perseverance, and endurance. If, every day, we repeat affirmations and visualize our goal as already accomplished—feeling the associated emotions and using the power of imagination with focus, conviction, energy, and gratitude—the reprogramming is activated. We then begin to notice changes in our attitude, desires, and behaviors, slowly but surely transforming over time. During this process, it is crucial to consume information that encourages and motivates us, while also engaging in tasks. By keeping our minds occupied with the “vision” of the best possible outcomes, our subconscious gradually aligns with these types of thoughts, making the achievement of our goals not only possible but natural.
Chapter 3: Confronting Your Shadow
In our personal transformation journey, the third crucial step is to confront our shadow. This concept refers to all aspects of ourselves that we tend to deny, ignore, or repress. Personal development methods, such as affirmations, positive visualizations, or the law of attraction, often neglect this phenomenon: when we embark on the path of spiritual growth, resistance surfaces and offers us an opportunity to deepen our self-awareness and recognize our blocks. Each breakthrough in consciousness presents a chance to let go of certain negative habits. To move forward, it is essential to face the dark part of ourselves and bring it to light, to make the unconscious conscious, in order to install new programs and create lasting mental habits—there is no shortcut.
It is therefore crucial to have chosen a letting-go technique beforehand (which fundamentally includes all meditation techniques) to be able to manage uncomfortable thoughts and emotional turbulence as they arise. Too often, we focus our energy on tasks to be accomplished. What is often considered self-discipline is actually a set of behaviors that have become automatic (subconscious). Those who believe their discipline stems from their nature or "strength of character" are unaware of the principles and mechanisms governing the human mind. The quality of our inner dialogue and how we interact with others reflect what is happening in the subconscious. It is essential to recognize limiting expressions such as "I can't" or "it's hard to...". For our subconscious to respond positively and support us, we must cultivate an unwavering faith in our ability to tap into this extraordinary power. Consistency in practicing affirmations and visualizations gradually diminishes the hold of doubt. As we integrate these practices, we begin to deeply believe that our goal will be realized, and that’s when synchronicities appear. Perseverance and daily action are essential, even in the face of resistance that tries to steer us away from our objectives. Throughout this process of deconditioning, negative thoughts may arise, trying to convince us to give up or to doubt our path. If we give in to these temptations, negative emotions intensify. This is normal; every transition from one paradigm to another is uncomfortable, as the psychological structure fights for its survival and resists change.
Remember that the key to success lies in repetition and daily exposure to positive content that embeds these principles in you. Books, inspiring audio and video content enrich your mind and offer new perspectives. What you believe and consider "real" or "impossible" corresponds to a command sent to your subconscious, whose role is to align your experience of reality with your beliefs. Never doubt the power of your mind. Your imagination is your most powerful tool for participating in a better version of yourself, achieving your goals, and realizing your dreams. By cultivating a positive mental attitude, we passionately accomplish the actions necessary to achieve our objectives. "Success" and the "sense of fulfillment" then become intimate experiences, connected to our psychological, emotional, and spiritual growth.
Testimonies of those who have achieved external material wealth by forcing themselves to work hard often reveal a persistent feeling of emptiness and frustration/dissatisfaction. These people discover that true wealth is first an inner state aligned with the abundance of the universe. Accumulating riches is not an end in itself but a means to accomplish more. Abundance manifests when our mentality is one of abundance. No external success can transform a pessimistic, confused, and tense mind; an inner revolution is necessary to savor anything external. Studies on the placebo effect illustrate the power of our subconscious and its healing potential. This power is not limited to physical healing—it is infinite. Every mental image held with enthusiasm and gratitude takes root in our subconscious, guiding its manifestation in "reality."
Be cautious—this is not an invitation to resort to Coué's method or magical thinking. A scarcity mindset manifests when we exhibit greed or attempt to control/force things. Taking action with a positive and confident attitude is the key. When your mind relaxes and accepts an idea, your subconscious works to manifest it 'effortlessly.' Affirmations and visualizations must come from a state of clarity, trust, gratitude, and letting go, without denying your shadow. Thus, daily meditative practices are essential to developing this ability to let go. Those who have accomplished the impossible first dared to imagine beyond the limits of what they considered "possible." Staying open to the idea that unimaginable potentials exist expands the realm of possibility. Sincere intellectual humility attracts inspirations and revelations.
You do not attract what you want; you attract what you are.
By sincerely aspiring to improve your subjective self-image and positively affirming the kind of life you wish to lead, you send directives to your subconscious. The more you develop this clear and persistent intention, the more it becomes second nature. Once doubt completely disappears, you instantly manifest this new image of yourself; your thoughts, emotions, and actions are aligned, allowing your subconscious to create a new "reality" experienced through your concrete actions.
Chapter 4 : Prosperity
Prosperity goes beyond the accumulation of material wealth; it is primarily a state of mind, a feeling of omnipresent abundance. For it to manifest, our conscious mind and subconscious must first be united. It is essential that our affirmations/visualizations and our feelings/emotions are not in conflict.
For example, it’s impossible to reach a certain level of income while being consumed by a sense of financial insecurity. If we keep telling ourselves and others that money is the root of all evil, that life is always difficult, or that the rich constantly exploit the poor, we create an inner contradiction that hinders our own success. To reprogram the subconscious, we need to maintain our mental habits daily, like tending to a garden that needs weeding. We must internalize and deeply feel the life we desire—not just in the morning and at night, but throughout the day. This continuous meditative practice helps solidify our intention in both our minds and imagination. By perceiving abundance clearly from within, an idea emerging from this source can have invaluable potential, and the more value we bring to the world, the more reciprocity manifests itself. This law of reciprocity is crucial: by contributing positively to the world, we receive in return.
Emotions such as envy and jealousy block the flow of abundance. To cultivate a true mindset of prosperity, we must sincerely celebrate the success of others. Negativity and resentment create a barrier that distances us from prosperity. By nurturing a benevolent mindset, we open ourselves to wealth. A person who condemns all the rich will never be able to prosper sustainably. We must let go of a victim mentality and the belief that the world owes us something.
To invite abundance, we need to express gratitude and visualize a life where we give and receive generously. Our thoughts and words should reflect a sense of contentment with the opportunities that surround us. Any negative or limiting beliefs regarding wealth should be identified and transformed, as they only create friction in our journey toward prosperity. A consistent practice of visualizing wealth and acting in alignment with these beliefs allows us to naturally attract opportunities and success. Ultimately, true prosperity stems from a sense of inner richness and harmony with the abundance of the universe.
Chapter 5 : Happiness
Happiness is a process, a movement, and not a destination. It does not depend on external circumstances, but on our state of mind. What happens in our outer world is a direct reflection of our inner world. If our mind is kind, optimistic, and generous, these qualities will manifest in our daily life.
Spiritual growth is an adventure filled with ups and downs. When negative thoughts arise, they give us the opportunity to observe them without judgment and to choose other thoughts instead. Each challenge becomes a chance to transcend negativity.
The events in our lives are not causes but effects. Our thoughts are the true cause of our experiences. Thus, changing our thoughts can create new effects (situations), because happiness is a choice, a cause, not an effect of circumstances. "Happiness" is the recognition of the blessings already present in our lives. By regularly expressing authentic gratitude, we cultivate a mindset that attracts more fortunate events.
Chapter 6: Supervising Your Relationship with Others
Human relationships, whether friendly, professional, or intimate, must align with our life plan. They should strengthen our worldview, creating a synergy that propels us toward our ideal. The energy of the people around us can, if we don’t stay grounded in our values, lead us astray. However, it is not these people who pull us down; it is we who, by losing our determination, allow this to happen. Gravitation toward toxic relationships demonstrates a lack of clarity regarding what is essential for us. When we are clear-minded and determined, the right people and favorable situations appear, contributing positively to our journey. The subconscious naturally guides us toward what resonates with our "vision."
Criticizing others is akin to depreciating a part of ourselves. By monitoring our mental activity, we become aware of our role in the experience of a certain "reality." Raising our level of attention and recognizing the glass as half full in every situation constitutes a true spiritual practice. This means accepting that others can be different. It means respecting their right to disagree with us while affirming our own position. This acceptance enhances our ability to interact constructively with the world and with others.
Presence, integrity, and inner clarity are paramount. Integrity involves staying aligned with our values in our thoughts, words, and actions. Success consists of pursuing a worthwhile ideal. Every interaction becomes an opportunity to share life experiences and offer value. No matter the circumstances of our relationships, our subconscious orchestrates all of it; our responsibility is to feed our subconscious with a coherent vision of our life plan.
Chapter 7 : The World as a Mirror
Our immediate environment—the quality of our experiences—reflects our state of mind. For a person who understands the power of the subconscious, they know that the quality of their mental activity is the cause of their experiences, not the other way around. They take full responsibility for it. Our silent thoughts and emotions project themselves as reflections of our inner state. If we cultivate love and kindness, this energy manifests in our experience. If we attract "negative" people and situations, it reveals a part of us that has yet to be illuminated.
Every person we meet becomes an opportunity. The more emotionally we react, the more it indicates that we need to deepen our self-knowledge. The key lies in our freedom to attribute meaning to every situation. If we allow circumstances to dictate our emotional state, we position ourselves as "victims." Instead of seeing an affront, we can view a difficult interaction as a mirror, reflecting a part of ourselves that we need to explore. We have the choice to either feed negativity or let go, allowing for positive transformation. Taking a step back from our emotions, such as fear or anger, enables us to realize that these feelings are often conditioned by our past. This process offers the opportunity to reprogram our minds. By changing our quality of attention, we can transform uncomfortable situations into learning opportunities. Each moment of emotional reactivity is a gift, calling us to free ourselves from limiting patterns. It is through repeatedly practicing this real-time awareness that our subconscious is reprogrammed. An authentically positive mind can transcend negative influences, and a person vibrating at a high frequency is not affected by lower vibratory levels. Our subconscious can change the meanings inherited from the past. Emotions, rather than being a source of suffering, become opportunities for growth and transformation.
Chapter 8: Mental Blocks
We all experience internal blockages that hinder our path to success. These obstacles often manifest without us being aware, in the form of self-sabotage or procrastination. Growing and rising spiritually is a journey of self-exploration rather than being subjected to subconscious programs often beyond our control. This journey, while enriching, is not without challenges. Often, we declare on the surface our desire to be happy and achieve things, but we find ourselves distracted, complaining, procrastinating, wasting time on insignificant activities, and ignoring our priorities. Sometimes, even when we understand a spiritual principle, we fall into the trap of judging others instead of focusing on our own inner growth.
When an opportunity arises, if a person does not feel intrinsically worthy of success, they may sabotage their own achievements. Thus, merely stating that we want something is not enough; we must feel an intense sense of deserving that thing. Our faith in ourselves must remain unshakable, which requires spiritual work and discipline, directing our attention and intention clearly and systematically, contemplating our life plan from morning to night from as many angles as possible. Creating new habits, though difficult at first, will eventually gain momentum. Our self-image, mental architecture, and current habits are the only obstacles to our success. The daily repetition of affirmations and visualizations, while developing new routines centered around our main goal, is all that is needed to see our "reality" transform. It is through this systematic and prolonged repetition that our vision deeply embeds itself in the subconscious, transforming belief into lived reality, rather than mere aspiration.
The discipline of alignment also requires giving up everything that contradicts our life plan. This includes counterproductive information, activities, and relationships. It’s not about procrastinating but taking concrete actions. This practice teaches us to catch ourselves when we drift off course and calmly bring our attention back to our goal until it becomes a habit. Just like in meditation, where one focuses on a singular point of attention, this inner training is crucial. Once this habit is developed, it becomes a muscle that activates effortlessly. Working on our subconscious cannot be purely intellectual reflection; it requires a daily practice of attention and letting go. Practicing Shamatha or Vipassana—sitting "outside the world"—can greatly assist in this effort.
Chapter 9 : Fear
One of the greatest obstacles to reprogramming the subconscious is fear, with doubt or denial being its manifestations. Facing what we fear may seem intimidating, but it is the key to dissolving that fear. A first step can be visualizing the situations we dread and imagining ourselves responding differently. Since the subconscious cannot distinguish between a real experience and an imagined one, especially when real emotions are connected to the visualization, this practice is powerful. High-level athletes incorporate visualization into their training, and we can do the same to confront our fears. However, this is not about daydreaming on the couch—it requires active inner training. The idea is to prepare our subconscious to act naturally by approaching each situation with curiosity, as a game to explore. By trying, we will often be surprised by the results; paradoxically, we will start moving towards our goals without even realizing it.
It is not necessary to be physically young to maintain a sharp mind. Those who manage to preserve their mental and physical health, slowing down the aging process, all share a vision and goals that motivate them to live with curiosity and passion. These individuals never truly retire; they embrace learning, adventure, and curiosity. On the other hand, those who give up on their dreams fall into stagnant routines, becoming rigid and losing their curiosity and inner light. Reconnecting with the subconscious means expanding our attention by reconnecting with our higher intelligence, tapping into the infinite power of life.
We must realize that nothing can truly disturb us outside of our own thoughts. The suggestions and opinions of others only have power over us if we accept them. In truth, what guides our responses and actions is primarily determined by subconscious programs that dictate the meaning we give to situations. The power lies within us.
When our thoughts align with the infinite force of the subconscious, we are in harmony with the natural laws that govern the universe. Whether we call it God, Tao, or Dharma, this force is benevolent, abundant, and impartial. It supports everything that aligns with it and rebalances any interference that opposes it.
Source & inspiration = The Power of Your Subconscious Mind: Unlock the Secrets Within – Joseph Murphy