"The Power of Your Subconscious Mind" reveals how to harness the incredible power of your subconscious to transform your health, wealth, relationships, and overall life experience. Joseph Murphy explains scientific principles and spiritual laws that allow you to program your subconscious mind for success and happiness.
This foundational chapter introduces the concept of the subconscious mind as an infinite treasure house containing the answers to all problems and the fulfillment of all desires. Joseph Murphy explains that your subconscious mind is like fertile soil that accepts any seed (thought) you plant in it. The subconscious operates according to universal laws, just like other natural laws such as gravity or electricity. It controls all involuntary bodily functions like heartbeat, digestion, and breathing, and stores every experience, thought, and feeling you've ever had. Most importantly, it cannot reason independently but accepts whatever your conscious mind believes to be true. The key to harnessing this power is learning how to properly communicate with your subconscious through specific techniques that bypass critical conscious resistance.
Real-Life Example: Thomas, a 45-year-old sales manager, suffered from chronic insomnia for over a decade. He had tried numerous medications and therapies with limited success. After learning about subconscious programming, he began repeating the affirmation "Every night I sleep soundly and peacefully, and I wake up refreshed and energized" several times before sleep. He would visualize himself sleeping deeply and waking up feeling completely rested. Within three weeks of consistent practice, his sleep improved dramatically. After two months, he was sleeping through the night without medication for the first time in ten years.
This chapter provides a detailed explanation of the relationship between the conscious and subconscious minds. The conscious mind is the reasoning, critical, and analytical faculty that makes choices and decisions. The subconscious mind is the seat of emotion, memory, habit, and imagination that carries out instructions from the conscious mind. Murphy uses the analogy of a garden: the conscious mind is the gardener who chooses which seeds to plant, while the subconscious is the soil that grows whatever is planted without discrimination. Negative thoughts produce negative outcomes just as surely as weed seeds produce weeds. The subconscious mind is immensely powerful and can solve problems, heal the body, and attract opportunities when properly directed. Most people experience internal conflict when their conscious desires contradict their subconscious programming, which is why changing deep-seated beliefs is essential for manifestation.
Real-Life Example: Sarah constantly struggled with public speaking despite knowing her material thoroughly. Consciously, she wanted to present confidently, but subconsciously she held a belief from childhood that "people will laugh at me if I make a mistake." Before an important presentation, she used Murphy's technique of mental rehearsal, vividly imagining herself speaking confidently and receiving positive feedback. She repeated the affirmation "I speak confidently and clearly, and my audience values what I share." During the actual presentation, she noticed her anxiety had significantly decreased, and she delivered one of her best presentations to date, receiving compliments from her colleagues and supervisor.
Murphy explains how the subconscious mind can produce what appear to be miraculous results through its connection to infinite intelligence. He shares numerous case studies of physical healing, financial turnarounds, and relationship transformations that occurred when people learned to properly direct their subconscious power. The subconscious can access knowledge and solutions beyond your conscious awareness. It works through the law of reverse effort: the harder you try consciously, the more you may block subconscious power. The key is to relax, let go, and allow the subconscious to work through you. Murphy emphasizes that this isn't about "wishing" but about scientifically applying mental principles. When you impress an idea upon your subconscious with faith and feeling, it must externalize that idea in your physical reality according to universal laws.
Real-Life Example: James had been trying to solve a complex engineering problem at work for weeks without success. Frustrated, he decided to apply Murphy's technique of presenting the problem to his subconscious before sleep. He clearly stated the problem and affirmed "My subconscious mind knows the solution and reveals it to me." The next morning, he woke up with a completely novel approach to the problem that he hadn't previously considered. When he implemented this solution, it worked perfectly and even provided additional benefits he hadn't anticipated. His colleagues and managers were impressed with his innovative thinking.
This chapter focuses specifically on using the power of the subconscious for physical and emotional healing. Murphy explains that many illnesses originate in the mind through negative thought patterns, fear, anxiety, and internal conflicts. The subconscious mind controls every cell, tissue, and organ in your body and can activate natural healing processes when properly directed. He provides specific healing affirmations for various conditions and emphasizes the importance of visualizing perfect health rather than focusing on illness. True healing requires releasing fear and completely trusting in the wisdom of your subconscious mind. Murphy shares remarkable cases of people who recovered from so-called "incurable" conditions by changing their mental patterns. He also discusses the role of faith in healing, explaining that it's not blind belief but understanding and applying spiritual laws.
Real-Life Example: Maria had suffered from chronic migraines for fifteen years, often requiring prescription medication that provided only temporary relief. She began using healing affirmations such as "My mind is at peace, and my body reflects this peace through perfect health" several times daily. During migraine episodes, instead of focusing on the pain, she would visualize a healing light moving through her head and neck, releasing all tension. She also worked on identifying and releasing the subconscious emotional triggers for her migraines. Within four months, the frequency and intensity of her migraines decreased significantly. After nine months, she experienced only occasional mild headaches that responded to simple relaxation techniques rather than medication.
This practical chapter provides specific techniques for directing the subconscious mind to produce healing. The primary method is relaxation and visualization before sleep when the conscious mind is less active and the subconscious is most receptive. Murphy details the "sleep technique" where you gently repeat a healing affirmation as you drift to sleep. Another powerful method is creating mental movies where you vividly visualize yourself already healed and engaging in normal activities. He emphasizes that feeling is the secret - you must generate the emotions of already being healed rather than just repeating words mechanically. For chronic conditions, consistency is essential since subconscious reprogramming requires repetition to overwrite old patterns. Murphy also discusses the importance of forgiving others and yourself since resentment blocks the flow of healing energy.
Real-Life Example: Robert had a persistent skin condition that multiple dermatologists couldn't resolve. He began using Murphy's sleep technique, repeating "My skin is clear, smooth, and healthy" as he fell asleep each night. During the day, whenever he noticed the condition, he would immediately replace anxious thoughts with "My subconscious is healing my skin perfectly." He also visualized himself with clear, healthy skin and focused on the feeling of comfort and confidence this would bring. After six weeks of consistent practice, his skin showed noticeable improvement. Within three months, the condition had completely cleared, much to his dermatologist's surprise.
Murphy explains how to program your subconscious mind for financial success and abundance. The key principle is that your subconscious accepts your self-concept regarding money and manifests accordingly. If you subconsciously believe you're undeserving or that money is hard to get, you'll struggle financially regardless of your conscious efforts. Murphy provides specific prosperity affirmations and emphasizes the importance of feeling wealthy now rather than waiting for external evidence. He discusses tithing (giving a portion of income) as a powerful way to demonstrate faith in infinite supply. The subconscious responds to clear, specific financial goals rather than vague desires for "more money." Murphy also addresses common wealth blocks like scarcity mentality, fear of success, and inherited financial beliefs that must be identified and released.
Real-Life Example: Lisa had been stuck at the same income level for five years despite working hard and having valuable skills. She realized her subconscious held beliefs from childhood that "rich people are greedy" and "money corrupts." She began reprogramming her subconscious with affirmations like "Money flows to me freely and abundantly, and I use it for good purposes." She created a specific financial goal of doubling her income within one year and visualized herself easily earning that amount. She also started tithing 10% of her income to causes she believed in. Within eight months, she received an unexpected promotion with a 50% raise, and three months later, she launched a successful side business that brought her to exactly double her previous income.
This chapter addresses how subconscious programming affects your relationships. Murphy explains that you attract people who mirror your subconscious beliefs about yourself and relationships. If you have deep-seated feelings of unworthiness, you'll attract partners who treat you as unworthy. The foundation for harmonious relationships is self-love and self-acceptance programmed into the subconscious. Murphy provides techniques for healing past relationship wounds and releasing resentment, which otherwise block new, healthy relationships. For existing relationships, he suggests mentally seeing the other person as you wish them to be rather than focusing on their faults. The key is to change your inner world first, which then transforms your outer relationships. Murphy also discusses using subconscious power to find your ideal life partner by clearly defining the qualities you desire and impressing them upon your subconscious.
Real-Life Example: After two failed marriages, David examined his subconscious beliefs about relationships and realized he held a pattern of "I'm not good enough" that caused him to settle for incompatible partners. He began daily affirmations: "I am worthy of love and respect, and I attract a partner who loves and respects me." He made a detailed list of the qualities he wanted in a partner and read it nightly before sleep. He also worked on forgiving his previous partners and himself for past mistakes. Nine months later, he met Sarah through a mutual friend. Their relationship developed naturally, and they discovered remarkable compatibility in values, life goals, and personalities. They've now been happily married for five years.
Murphy explains that happiness is an inside job determined by your subconscious programming rather than external circumstances. Most people seek happiness through achievements, possessions, or relationships, but lasting happiness comes from programming your subconscious with positive beliefs about life and yourself. The chapter provides techniques for cultivating a happiness mindset regardless of current conditions. Murphy emphasizes the power of gratitude to reprogram the subconscious for happiness since what you appreciate appreciates in your life. He also discusses the importance of living in the present moment since the subconscious can only work with what you feed it now. Worrying about the future or regretting the past only programs more negativity. The key is to consciously choose happy thoughts until they become automatic through subconscious habit.
Real-Life Example: Jennifer had always believed she would be happy when she achieved certain external milestones - the perfect job, marriage, house, etc. Despite achieving these things, she still felt unsatisfied. She began using Murphy's techniques to program happiness directly into her subconscious. Each morning, she would state "I am happy and grateful for this wonderful day" before getting out of bed. Throughout the day, whenever negative thoughts arose, she replaced them with "I choose happiness now." She kept a gratitude journal and wrote down three things she was happy about each evening. Within a month, she noticed a significant shift in her overall mood and outlook. Friends and colleagues commented on her positive energy, and she found herself enjoying ordinary moments that previously would have gone unnoticed.
This important chapter addresses the transformative power of forgiveness and how to achieve it through subconscious reprogramming. Murphy explains that unforgiveness primarily harms the person holding the resentment by creating negative energy that manifests as various problems in their life. True forgiveness isn't about condoning wrong behavior but about freeing yourself from the emotional poison of resentment. The chapter provides specific techniques for forgiving others and yourself by working with the subconscious mind. Murphy emphasizes that forgiveness is a process that may need to be repeated until the emotional charge is completely released. He also discusses how unforgiveness toward yourself for past mistakes creates self-sabotage patterns that block your success and happiness. Complete forgiveness allows you to access the full power of your subconscious mind unimpeded by negative emotional energy.
Real-Life Example: Michael had held resentment toward his business partner for ten years after their company failed. He blamed his partner for the failure and believed his own financial struggles resulted from this incident. After learning about subconscious forgiveness techniques, he began a daily practice of stating "I completely forgive [partner's name] and release him to his highest good. I am free, and he is free." At first, this felt artificial, but he persisted. He also worked on forgiving himself for his role in the business failure. After several weeks, he noticed the emotional charge around the memory had diminished significantly. After two months, he could think about his former partner without anger. Surprisingly, once he achieved complete forgiveness, new business opportunities began flowing to him that he hadn't experienced in years.
The conscious, critical mind must be relaxed for suggestions to reach the subconscious. Use deep breathing, progressive muscle relaxation, or meditation to achieve a receptive state. The ideal times are upon waking, before sleeping, or during meditation when brainwave states are most open to suggestion.
Once relaxed, present your affirmation, visualization, or mental image to your subconscious with feeling and faith. The subconscious responds to emotionalized thoughts, not just intellectual concepts. Vividly imagine your desire as already fulfilled and generate the corresponding emotions.
Your subconscious mind is like a supercomputer that runs your life based on its programming. It:
Step 1: As you lie in bed preparing to sleep, relax your body completely
Step 2: Choose a simple, positive affirmation related to your goal
Step 3: Repeat the affirmation slowly and quietly 10-20 times
Step 4: Imagine the fulfillment of your desire as you drift to sleep
Step 5: Have faith that your subconscious is working on it while you sleep
Example: For prosperity, repeat "Wealth flows to me freely and joyfully" while visualizing yourself living abundantly.
Program your subconscious with perfect health affirmations. Visualize your body functioning perfectly. Release fear and trust your body's innate healing intelligence.
Replace scarcity beliefs with abundance programming. Feel wealthy now. Visualize financial freedom and specific income goals as already achieved.
Program self-love and worthiness to attract healthy relationships. Visualize harmonious connections. Forgive past hurts to clear blocks to love.
Impress upon your subconscious your ideal career scenario. Visualize successful outcomes for projects and presentations. Program confidence and competence.
The period just before sleep and upon waking are the most powerful times to program your subconscious because your conscious mind is less active. What you think about in these threshold states sinks deep into your subconscious and takes root. Develop a bedtime ritual of positive affirmations and visualizations related to your goals. Keep a notebook by your bed to record insights and ideas that come upon waking, as these often represent solutions from your subconscious.
Modern neuroscience confirms that the subconscious mind processes information differently from the conscious mind. The subconscious: - Processes approximately 11 million bits of information per second (compared to 40-50 for the conscious mind) - Is the source of intuition, creativity, and automatic behaviors - Stores emotional memories that influence current decisions - Can be reprogrammed through neuroplasticity - the brain's ability to form new neural connections throughout life
“Whatever you impress on your subconscious mind is expressed on the screen of space as condition, experience, and event.”
“The law of your mind is the law of belief itself. What do you believe about yourself, life, and the universe? This is what you experience.”
“Remember, you have the capacity to choose. Choose life! Choose love! Choose health!”
“The subconscious mind is amenable to suggestion and is controlled by suggestion. When you understand this, you will understand why it is so important to select the ideas, images, and mental pictures you entertain.”
The book shares numerous examples of people who transformed their lives using subconscious power:
While the book has helped millions, it has faced criticism for:
Counterpoint: Proponents argue that the principles work when properly applied and that taking responsibility for one's mental patterns is empowering. They note that the book doesn't suggest ignoring practical action but emphasizes the mental foundation for effective action.
"The Power of Your Subconscious Mind" provides a practical framework for harnessing the incredible potential within each person. While not a substitute for medical treatment or practical effort, when combined with action, these principles can produce remarkable transformations. The key is consistent practice, emotional engagement with your goals, and faith in the infinite potential of your own mind. By learning to properly communicate with your subconscious, you can overcome limitations, achieve your desires, and live a more fulfilling life.
Days 1-7: Identify and write down your limiting beliefs
Days 8-14: Create positive affirmations to replace each limiting belief
Days 15-21: Practice sleep programming with your affirmations nightly
Throughout: Monitor your self-talk and immediately correct negative statements
Bonus: Keep a journal of synchronicities and manifestations that occur