Now moment and subconscious?

[rei]

i was just watching a video about staying in one's power with NLP techniques. the woman started out talking about conscious breathing, how it links us to the Now. as she continued talking, she mentioned the past.

and i started wondering, sure, we can breathe deeply and consciously, and it's a very simple and effective way to bring ourselves into the Now. but could the subconscious and unconscious parts of ourselves be past- or future-focused? how would we know, and how would we address this?

what do you think? if you think it is possible, do you have any ideas for accessing those parts of us to bring them to the Now in a more integrated way, or methods for bringing them to the Now without "accessing" them?

tips and methods we can use on ourselves would be preferable, but any ideas you have are appreciated.

[Tanja]

Originally Posted by rei

and i started wondering, sure, we can breathe deeply and consciously, and it's a very simple and effective way to bring ourselves into the Now. but could the subconscious and unconscious parts of ourselves be past- or future-focused? how would we know, and how would we address this?

If you meditate and you focus your attention on breathing, at some point your mind wanders, and different thoughts go through your mind, sometimes you remember something about the past and sometimes you think of future events/possibilities. As far as addressing those thoughts goes, the point is just to acknowledge them and shift your focus on breathing again. If these thoughts could be considered ''messages' from your subconscious. I'm not sure how else you'd be able to be in the Now and explore whether or not your subconscious and unconscious parts are past- or future-focused.
Maybe someone else could offer more insights..I'd be also interested in hearing it.

[ssandra]

I am by no means an expert...

But i would think that if you are focused with your whole being on the now, without any interrupting thoughts, that all your consciouses(?) are involved in the NOW... if not, they would offer "suggestions" of past or future things to think about...

[Angela]

The unconscious mind has no concept of time. Memories of the past and of the future are stored in there as powerfully, although symbolically, as your experience of the present.

I use TIME Techniques to get new perspectives on my unconsciously held past and future (in the now), get the learnings from them (now) and release negative emotions and limiting beliefs that anchor me to and have me operating AS IF I were in the past or future (not present to now). You get the benefit of all the learnings from your past and future, so that your Now moment is clear of gunk that acts like a veil between your awareness and Now.

You certainly can do this with yourself, although I think it's probably easier for most people to have a session with a therapist, or take a class in it, first, to learn it experientially -- easily and effortlessly. When I first read about this in a book, I thought, feh, give me a break. But doing it "live" with my trainer and with other students was a whole 'nuther, Wizard of Oz kind of thing.

[Tanja]

Originally Posted by Angela

The unconscious mind has no concept of time. Memories of the past and of the future are stored in there as powerfully, although symbolically, as your experience of the present.

Okay, I can see how this operates in our everyday lives.
But, are you saying we can't ''suspend'' them for a short moment even during meditation? These memories, I mean...if you consciously focus on your breathing, is it possible that your unconscious mind is at the same time free of these past/future memories?

[Angela]

Originally Posted by Tanja

Okay, I can see how this operates in our everyday lives.
But, are you saying we can't ''suspend'' them for a short moment even during meditation? These memories, I mean...if you consciously focus on your breathing, is it possible that your unconscious mind is at the same time free of these past/future memories?

Who, me? Sure, you can suspend your focus on anything other than the current moment, by focusing on the current moment. Your representations of the past and of the future are still stored in your unconscious mind, there for you to access when you want them. You can just allow them to leave the stage that is your conscious mind when it's time for you to be present to Now. Breathing-focus is a nice way to do that, and hakalau is another.

While you are focusing on the present, your unconsciously stored inner resources are standing by like silent sentries, ready to inform and protect you if they're needed. If you keep your old gunk (negative emotions and limiting beliefs) stored up, then those will leap in to take care of things, and if you get the learnings, and let the gunk go, the learnings will be there to care for you and protect you. Personally, I prefer to store the learnings and let the gunk go -- I like the results better.

[Tanja]

Originally Posted by Angela

Who, me?

Yes

Originally Posted by Angela

Sure, you can suspend your focus on anything other than the current moment, by focusing on the current moment.

Thank you Angela! This is what got me confused for a moment, I thought there was a possibility that while I was focused on the current moment my unconscious mind was focused on something else at the same time.All cleared up now!

Originally Posted by Angela

If you keep your old gunk (negative emotions and limiting beliefs) stored up, then those will leap in to take care of things, and if you get the learnings, and let the gunk go, the learnings will be there to care for you and protect you. Personally, I prefer to store the learnings and let the gunk go -- I like the results better.

I agree with you and I'm trying to do that to the best of my abilities

[Angela]

Originally Posted by Tanja

Thank you Angela! This is what got me confused for a moment, I thought there was a possibility that while I was focused on the current moment my unconscious mind was focused on something else at the same time.All cleared up now!

One of the nicest things about letting go of the old stored-up negative emotions and limiting decisions ("gunk") is that it does free up more "space" on your conscious "stage" -- so it's easier to focus on the present, or anything else you want to focus on.

Gunk has an inherent threat-focus, which takes up a lot of your mind's resources. When you let go of the Gunky Sentries, who are hypervigilant about protecting you, your positive learnings can take over and protect you without having to be all in-your-face (on-your-stage) about it. It's kind of like the difference between being a Sorceress (with an abundance of relaxed, flexible inner resource) and being a Dictator (with a bunch of tense, militant bodyguards with guns always hanging around).

It's a little harder to meditate when you're being a dictator.

[Abitofzen]

There is a way to gradually bring more of your subconscious (and superconscious... depending on your belief system ) into an activity... meditation or otherwise.

When you create a habit out of an activity, you have basically convinced your subconscious mind that it is something important, and from that point on, your subconscious will become more and more supportive of it.

Most adults (that I have met) in America have done this with driving. As a result, many of us can effectively talk on the phone, eat breakfast, apply makeup, while driving.
Your subconscious is handling the driving, your conscious mind is free for other activity.

If you want to have a powerful meditative experience while driving... do what you normally do (that keeps you safe while you're on the road ), and direct your awareness into the most important aspects of the driving process... the feelings of your hands on the wheel... the image of the other cars, traffic lights, lanes... the feelings of the pedals against your feet, etc.

Put away all other distractions (radio, phone, etc.)... and continue to pour all your awareness into the images and feelings necessary for safe driving.

With just this, you can have a profound experience!

This isn't limited to driving. The same is true of focusing on the breath, walking, martial arts, sports, hobbies, love-making, etc.

Once the habit is created, the subconscious is directing awareness to it. When you add your conscious awareness to this, not only do you develop more focus... there seems to be an interesting meditative/spiritual effect as well...

Do you ever get the complete focus of the subconscious mind? Not likely...

But you will definitely open yourself up to more and more powerful experiences...

keep smiling,

Ben

[themaster]

Originally Posted by rei

and i started wondering, sure, we can breathe deeply and consciously, and it's a very simple and effective way to bring ourselves into the Now. but could the subconscious and unconscious parts of ourselves be past- or future-focused? how would we know, and how would we address this?

I've recently heard of breathing as accessing infinite intelligence.. seems to me I think it's true

Well, I've learned methods for removing past agreements, I can share these methods if you like.. however these methods are based on I think a built "merkaba" I don't claim to know if they should have a effect without.. but I assume they must.. perhaps just not as powerful with the tools/ideas in place

what do you think?

I'm going to learn all this.. I can give you methods when I get there.. my teacher has talked about a idea called "merlins crystal ball" (do some of your own research if you want) and that we will access past life's/concurrent lives

Originally Posted by rei

if you think it is possible, do you have any ideas for accessing those parts of us to bring them to the Now in a more integrated way, or methods for bringing them to the Now without "accessing" them?

I've given you one such idea.. understand that as I understand it.. you don't have to do anything.. these ideas will be integrated into each person as "the shift" continues.. if I understand right.. you would just be leading the pack.. in advance