Exploring the Human Mind: From Subconscious Influences to Cognitive Reframing
This article explores the concept of the subconscious mind and its potential influence on our lives. It delves into Dr. Joseph Murphy's book, "The Power of Your Subconscious Mind," and the central thesis that our subconscious beliefs shape our experiences. While the book's core message about the importance of positive thinking holds value, the claim that solely the subconscious dictates our lives simplifies a complex phenomenon. Our reality is shaped by a multifaceted interplay of internal and external factors, including our thoughts, emotions, behaviors, and the environment we navigate. The article acknowledges the rise of cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) in contemporary psychotherapy, emphasizing that our perceptions and interpretations of external stimuli significantly influence our emotional responses.
Recently, I delved into Joseph Murphy's book, "The Power of Your Subconscious Mind." While its central concept of subconscious influence on our lives held initial appeal, I found the repeated examples and lack of nuanced discussion repetitive. This experience prompted me to reflect on different approaches to understanding the human mind.
Dr. Murphy's work resonates with the concept of positive self-affirmation, a valuable practice in many therapeutic approaches. The idea that focusing on positive thoughts and beliefs can influence our experiences has gained traction in cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) developed by Albert Ellis and Aaron Beck.
CBT emphasizes reframing negative thought patterns and developing healthy coping mechanisms to manage emotions. This approach aligns with the idea that it's not the external stimuli themselves that determine our emotions, but how we interpret them. President Trump's response to the plight of African Americans, as you mentioned, exemplifies this notion. His interpretation of the situation leads to an uncaring and unconcerned attitude, contrasting with the emotional response felt by others.
While CBT and positive self-affirmation offer valuable tools, it's important to acknowledge the complexity of human behavior. As you rightly point out, other fields like physics, chemistry, and biology contribute to understanding human beings. Additionally, while recognizing the potential limitations of psychoanalysis, completely dismissing it might be an oversimplification.
Your personal intellectual journey, seeking knowledge from various disciplines, reflects a comprehensive approach to understanding the "amazing creature called human beings." This pursuit, as William Shakespeare aptly noted in Hamlet, differentiates us from "other animals" through our ability to reason and contemplate our existence.
While definitive answers to the question of "who we are" remain elusive, it's a question worth exploring through various lenses. This pursuit, regardless of the limitations of current knowledge, continues to be a fascinating intellectual journey.
Conclusion:
Exploring the human mind requires a multifaceted approach, drawing from various disciplines like psychology, neuroscience, and philosophy. While Joseph Murphy's book offers an introductory perspective, recognizing the limitations and embracing other avenues for understanding ourselves is crucial for a more complete picture. As we continue to explore the complexities of the human experience, the journey itself becomes a valuable pursuit in the quest for knowledge and self-discovery.
After UCLA College of Letters where I obtained PhD is Philosophy, Psychology and Religion I got a teaching job at the University. I felt uneasy teaching. I applied for a job in the mental health field; I got many offers and within two years was running the mental health center where I worked, supervising psychologists and psychiatrists who have been in that field for many decades.
Eventually, I felt bored by the job (of been executive director...I was barely thirty two years old when I was the executive director of the largest mental health agency in the city where I lived) and quit and tried doing other things.
Nothing I tried worked out for me. So, I did other executive director jobs but eventually wound up quitting and returning to college teaching until I felt that teaching is too easy for me; I felt unchallenged being a college professor (I filled my time writing on assorted subjects that interested me).
Eventually, I realized that I have a destiny and fate. My normal routine is to read until I go to sleep (although there is a huge TV in the house, I seldom watch it) and get up around 5 AM, think for a while, and then go to my computer and type the thoughts that I just had in my sleep.