Subconscious, Conscious, and SuperConscious Minds
May I share something I’m deeply passionate about—knowledge that has been instrumental in my work as a Reiki practitioner and hypnotherapist? It involves the subconscious, conscious and superconscious minds. I believe this understanding can be of immense value as you continue your journey as fully human —physically, mentally, and spiritually.
The Subconscious Mind
The subconscious mind has no power of induction. As a result, whatever you feel deeply or imagine clearly is impressed upon it and carried out in minute detail. It does not judge right or wrong; it simply believes. You can think of the subconscious as the powerful stream of energy that drives your thoughts and actions.
Amazingly, approximately 95% of our daily living is governed by the subconscious mind, including automatic bodily functions, long-term memory, habit patterns, addictions, self-preservation instincts, intuition, creativity, and spirituality.
Why is this important to know?
Every external input you have encountered—from the books you read, the movies you watched, the music you listened to, the conversations you engaged in, to the thoughts you accepted as true—is downloaded into the subconscious mind from birth onward. These impressions strongly influence your habitual thoughts, emotional responses, choices, and reactions in life. Unfortunately, much of this programming is established before the age of seven.
The first seven years of life—especially the first three—are profoundly influential in our development. During these formative years, we lack discernment. Everything we observe and experience is absorbed as absolute truth. As a result, many people live much of their lives on automatic pilot, repeatedly experiencing similar patterns. While the people, places, and circumstances may change, the underlying current shaping their lives often remains the same—rooted in early subconscious programming.
This can be deeply confusing for many. They may wonder why “terrible things” seem to keep happening to them or why they react so strongly to certain situations. These responses are often driven by what lies within the subconscious mind. Conversely, some people consistently experience “wonderful things” and consider themselves lucky. Yet this goes far beyond luck. It is the result of positive input, empowering beliefs, habitual thoughts, and conscious choices—again, often originating in the first seven years of life.
The Conscious Mind
The conscious mind is only responsible for approximately 5% of our daily living. In this, it thinks, plans, organizes, stores our short-term memory and sees life as it appears to be and perceiving limitation of every kind. It operates primarily through logic, anaylsis , intention, and free will. Unlike the subconscious mind, it has the ability to discern and choose. It decides: what thoughts to entertain, what beliefs to question and what actions to take or not take.
This is crucial–because the conscious mind is the gatekeeper of what is impressed upon the subconscious. It can evaluate information as true or false, helpful or harmful, aligned or misaligned. It allows us to pause, reflect, and redirect.
Through intention, the conscious mind sets direction for the subconscious. When you consciously choose a thought, image, affirmation, or feeling—and repeat it with foucs—you are are giving the subconscious instructions. The conscious mind is the director, the subconscious is the executor.
Why is this important to know?
When the conscious mind is unaware, habitual or distracted, the subconscious runs old programs automatically. When the conscious mind is present and intentional, transformation becomes possible.
There are limitiations to the conscious mind: It processes only a small fraction of information at a time. It can become overactive, analytical, or caught in worry. On its own, it can struggle to create lasting change without engaging the subconscious.
The Superconscious Mind
The superconscious mind is the Higher or God Mind within each of us. Therefore, the realm of right ideas. Jesus said, “Seek ye first the Kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things shall be added unto you.” And he said the Kingdom was within man. The Kingdom is the realm of right ideas.
When the conscious and subconscious minds are flooded with the perfect ideas of the superconscious, you experience “Oneness.” “I and the Father are one.” That is, you are one with the realm of perfect ideas; you are made in God’s image (imagination). Here you experience unconditional love, peace, joy and all things beautiful.
Why is this important to know?
In essence the consious mind is the chooser. The subconscious mind is the builder. And the superconscious is the Source. When all three are in harmony, life flows with greater ease, clarity, and peace.
This is why practices such as meditation, hypnosis, visualization, prayer, and repetition are so powerful–they quiet the conscious mind enough to allow deeper impressions to occur.
The Subconscious, Conscious and Superconscious Aligned
Awareness is the first and most powerful step in transformation. As you begin to understand how the subconscious, conscious, and superconscious minds work together, you reclaim your ability to choose differently—to think with intention, feel with compassion, and live in alignment with your highest truth.
Healing is not about fixing what is broken; it is about remembering who you are. When you consciously invite harmony among these three levels of mind, you open yourself to a life guided not by old conditioning, but by clarity, love, and inner wisdom.
From my heart to yours, Denna
Denna J. Shelton, CH, RMP
A free meditation, I AM Harmony, to align the subconscious, concious and superconscious minds creating beautiful, life experiences.
Soul’s Journey to Self Love eBook and paperback NOW live on Amazon, chock full of peaceful nature scenes, calming audio meditations with music by Jonn Serrie, and I AM affirmations promoting inner peace, joy, harmony and self love.
Copyright, 2026, Denna J. Shelton