Conscious mind Quote by Laurence Galian
““Delve into the unconscious, to learn the codes inside the unconscious, to discover what are its views of reality. No amount of conscious desire for something can overcome an unconscious belief that if you had that thing, it would destroy you. Think of your father who implied that he would not accept a son who earned more money than he did. You might remember the time you had a nervous breakdown when your first love broke up with you. Or was it when you got into a schoolyard brawl and realized at some level that you wanted that kid dead, perhaps as you pummeled him into unconsciousness? Or perhaps what occurred was much more subtle during the early years of your adolescences, as you very deeply inside began to have sexual feelings for your sister and became disgusted with your body and sex in general. Gradually de-layer the unconscious beliefs that reside silently, but deadly, in your unconscious. In trying to help you to survive, the unconscious could be in fact destroying you. Recall again the diagram of the iceberg in this book; how meditating on it reveals that the world is, in reality, made up of almost seven billion unconscious minds interacting with one another.””
About This Quote
The passage argues that unconscious beliefs dominate behavior, often contradicting conscious desires, and that surfacing these hidden scripts is essential for personal freedom.
In simple terms: Unconscious beliefs drive actions more than conscious wishes.
Awareness of hidden beliefs enables change.
Themes
Mood
Type
When to use this quote
- therapy
- self‑help workshops
- conflict resolution
- personal journaling
Key Concepts
Practical Applications
- use reflective exercises to uncover beliefs
- apply mindfulness to challenge hidden scripts
Questions to Reflect On
- How can we differentiate unconscious from conscious motives?
- What methods best reveal hidden beliefs?
Overemphasis on unconscious may downplay rational agency.