Top o’ the Mornin’ to Ya!
TLDR: Exploring the fascinating relationship between our conscious and unconscious minds through morning meditation, discovering how our unconscious mind automatically executes tasks when given clear instructions, and finding spiritual growth through stillness and self-awareness.
What?
This morning during my meditation time, I experienced something fascinating about how our minds work. As I was lying in bed after waking up, I went through my usual routine of clearing my mind, gently acknowledging thoughts as they arose and letting them go without judgment or self-criticism.
After meditation, I told myself, “Let’s go. Come on now. Let’s do this.” But nothing happened – my body didn’t move. Then when I specifically thought, “Let’s get up and go to the bathroom and get our day started,” my unconscious mind immediately took over. I didn’t have to consciously think about moving each limb or planning each step – it all happened automatically.
I noticed how my unconscious mind didn’t respond to vague encouragement but immediately followed specific instructions. It was remarkable how efficiently my unconscious handled all the complex movements without my conscious direction once I gave it a clear command.
Why?
I’m sharing this because it reveals something important about how we function as spiritual beings having a human experience. As Christian men, we’re called to control our thoughts and guard our minds. Tony Robbins talks about guarding your mind, Zig Ziglar says the same, and Scripture tells us that God will guard our minds if we are in Him.
Understanding the relationship between our conscious decision-making and unconscious execution helps us see why specificity matters in our goals, prayers, and daily intentions. It’s not enough to have general good intentions – our unconscious needs clear direction to create the life God has called us to live.
Lesson
The unconscious mind is an incredible servant, but it needs specific instructions. It doesn’t think independently or have opinions; it simply executes based on our direct commands. When our instructions are too vague (“Let’s go”), nothing happens. When we’re specific, our unconscious efficiently handles complex tasks without requiring conscious thought about every detail.
This relates to our spiritual practice as well. During meditation and prayer, we clear our minds not to empty ourselves but to create space for God’s presence. I pray that God doesn’t permit anything evil to penetrate that time with Him. This practice gives me, as a Christian man, experience in controlling my thoughts and being selective about what I permit into my mind.
Apply
Pay attention to how your conscious and unconscious mind interact today. Notice moments when your body performs complex actions automatically. Practice giving yourself clear, specific instructions rather than vague encouragements.
Consider incorporating a brief meditation practice into your morning routine. Begin by simply clearing your mind and noticing your thoughts without judgment. Then pray for God’s protection over your mind during this quiet time.
Share with me a story about your conscious and unconscious mind and how they interact for you. I’d love to hear your experiences and insights on this fascinating aspect of how God designed us.
You be blessed.
The Power of Your Conscious and Unconscious Mind: What Meditation Taught Me
