Author’s note: If you’re new, I strongly recommend you start from the introduction, then learn the concepts one by one sequentially. By doing so you comprehend the concepts much better and can get the most out of it. Click here to do so.)
The mind can be broadly divided into two parts, the conscious and the subconscious.
The Conscious Mind
The conscious mind is responsible for the initiation of any thinking and actions at will.
It can be better understood as the working memory.
The working memory serves as three main roles: input, processing, and output.
- Inputting: getting information into your head. It happens when you are listening or reading, e.g. now as you’re reading the post.
- Processing: trying to make sense out of that information you perceive. You try to retrieve old memories to explain, connect to, and/or compare the new information you’ve been exposed at the moment.
- Outputting: getting information out of your head. It happens when you try to teach someone else on what you’ve learned or share your experiences with someone else. Simply put, whenever you speak and write, which are externalisation of your thoughts.
(Note: These 3 steps are also the fundamental steps of learning anything- more on this in the upcoming learning series.)
Every time you make a decision, you are making it with your conscious mind.
The Subconscious Mind
The subconscious mind is the part of the mind that most people are unaware of.
However, it is what makes you, you.
It is responsible for everything (and I mean EVERYTHING) in your life, except the initiation of any thinking or action, which is the conscious mind’s job. (Can you see how limited the role of the conscious mind is??)
Let me explain.
The subconscious mind can be better understood as the long-term memory.
Your long-term memory has infinite capacity, unlike your PC or mobile phone.
While you don’t think you have a good long-term memory because may not be able to recall what you’ve learned from school two days ago, it is actually much (MUCH) more extraordinary than you think.
Think about it.
Can you recall anything from your childhood? A birthday party? The faces of some of your kindergarten classmates? An ordinary day in your primary and secondary school life? Your first day of college?
Or the road that takes you from your old address to your old school? The decoration of some friend’s house that you’ve only been there for once?
The movies you’ve watched? The video games you’ve played?
The list can go on and on.
You can’t imagine how much you’ve stored within your long-term memory.
And despite how seldom (probably never) you recall them, they are there, and they exert irrepressible effects on your everyday life, despite how unaware you are.
How? Continue reading.
or if you’re new and would like to learn the other concepts, click here. Otherwise, explore other blog posts here.
Thanks for reading! Your attention and feedback matters to me.
-Learning How to Live 2.0
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