The subconscious is a scarey thing to comtemplate for some people. We have been taught that it is a dark place that keeps deep dark secrets about ourselves that could destroy our peace of mind at the very least, and our lives at the very worst. And quite possibly it does. But, that is not its only function.

I think of it as a vast library full of books that has all my memories in it. It is not a dark place at all. There are bright pleasant lights, beautiful carpets and comfortable armchairs there. I enjoy to my visits! Yes, I know there are some books that have unpleasant memories and maybe some that have dark secrets, but I know that when I visit there I am in control of what books are opened and read. I know it is my choice and so my visits are comfortable and relaxed. Sometimes when I go there I ask for specific memories. A couple months ago I was trying to recall the name of a town. I had been there are several occasions and I had sent mail to a relative that lived there. But I just couldn't recall the name of that town! The only thing that came to mind was the word wood and I knew there was more to it than that. So, I went into my library(the subconscious) and talked to the librarian there. I calmed my breatheing, stilled my mind and relaxed my body. Then I told her that the name of that town was stored there and I reminded her that I had been there and seen the name and I had written the name myself. I pictured the town in my mind and then I asked that it be given to my conscious mind. A few minutes later I found myself thinking of trees and so I thought maybe that was a clue. So, I started thinking about different kinds of trees and a second later the name of that town popped into my head; Birchwood.

The subconscious does intrude itself on our conscious lives and it takes control to make it behave the way we wish it to. If we allow it to run rampant it does have the ability to hurt us. But, we need the sub- conscious to remain healthy in our body, mind and soul. The thing to do is to train the subconscious. Train it to work with us and not against us. The reason it works against us is because of the things it has already been told. For those of us with low self esteem, the sub- conscious tells us the things we have always thought about ourselves. When we go there and tell the subconscious the truth about ourselves it will reprogram itself to believe the new things we are saying and will tell us those things which in turn will build self esteem.

Set apart some of each day to spend with your subconscious mind. First thing in the morning is a good time. Tell it what you want to hear from it throughout the day and gradually you will replace the bad messages with good ones. As you develope this healthy approach, I believe that even the deep dark bad secrets it keeps won't have the effect on you that they have in the past. It is all a matter of perspective after all!