In a previous blog Tracy Russell led us through the teachings of the butterfly metamorphosis — how we each have the blueprint of potential within us to work through the layers of conditioning that disconnect us from our truth. You can recap on that blog HERE.
In this blog Tracy will take us through connecting to our highest vision or version of self, as well as the shadow aspects that will consequently arise.
“Our heart glows, and secret unrest gnaws at the root of our being. Dealing with the unconscious has become a question of life for us.” ~ Carl Jung
Cherie: You have developed a diagram that helps us to visually understand the concept represented by the butterfly’s transitional states as a metaphor to our lives — can you expand on what the cross symbolizes?
Tracy: In the diagram below I’ve used the cross to represent the unconscious and the conscious.
There is only ONE MIND – which, for the sake of convenience and understanding, we’ll divide, according to its functions, into the conscious and unconscious minds, which is further divided into superconscious and subconscious.
One ancient definition of the cross is ‘the cross of matter’, the vertical bar representing spirit, which interpenetrates the horizontal bar representing matter or the earth plane (horizon line). This is symbolic of bringing heaven to earth.
The world of the caterpillar is black and white, his sight is limited and he knows what to do based on what he’s been taught.
He’s conditioned to consume and stay on his isolated tree, not knowing that there’s a whole world of colour beyond his limited perception.
Similarly we go about our life only connecting to the 5% of information that is filtered via our senses and self talk forming our conscious reality and often fail to tap into the 95% that is our unconscious mind.
Cherie: Can you expand on what roles our superconscious state of mind plays in our lives?
Tracy: It functions best when the conscious mind is not mulling over problems, but rather focused on solving them and looking for solutions (energy flows where focus goes.). Then when the conscious mind is focused elsewhere, ideas will often flash into the mind.
When you get an intuitive flash/idea act on it immediately, the more rapidly you act on these insights the more insights you receive.
The unconscious mind communicates in pictures , metaphors and synchronicities. Visualization and imagining are powerful ways to engage in two-way communication.
Any thought, plan, goal or idea held continuously in the conscious mind will get brought into our reality by the superconscious mind, whether positive or negative. Therefore it’s important to be conscious of what you’re focused on.
Think of it as a mainframe computer that you can tap into in each NOW moment (your point of power).
Call it universal mind, cosmic consciousness, infinite intelligence — it’s where we source our ideas and receive inspiration and life force energy from.
It’s not something outside of ourselves, it is at the core of our being. It’s the source of all creativity. It’s the genius mind that Einstein Mozart, Beethoven, Thomas Edison and countless others knew how to access.
Cherie: Well, that really helps to clarify the role of superconscious. It’s definitely where I get most of my inspiration from — especially whilst in a meditative state. So how do we actively engage the superconscious to better our lives?
Tracy: Whether you’re wanting to create a new project, a new life or live more into your truth, the first step is to connect to that vision, the butterfly… the end result.
- Imagine what it would be like to live your most juiciest, fulfilled, passionate life.
- What would you be doing? What can you see? What can you feel? (engage all your senses)
- If you had no limitations whatsoever, what would your life look like?
- If you had no self-doubt what kind of person would you be?
The thing about growth is that it’s not linear, there is no A to B where you get to a grand finish line, throw your hands up in the air and shout “I’ve arrived!”
Growth is infinite and happens in a spiral of contraction and expansion.
Just remember that when you shine a light on the inner butterfly (that free, expansive liberated self) you will also be illuminating, to the same degree, the shadow self (fears, beliefs and limitations).
You’ll feel the contraction of all that’s not in alignment with your vision.
I’m sure you’ve experienced an epiphany or grand idea which lights you up completely (often at night when your unconscious is more active) and then you wake up in the morning to “What was I thinking, I can’t do that!” Then all the excuses and doubts appear and you’re left feeling deflated.
Remember your imaginal discs (potential) are a higher frequency and those fears and doubts that live on a lower vibration will fight for survival. And yet they hold great gifts and power for us if we learn how to transmute and alchemise them.
Just as any hero in a story has to slay some dragons in order to come through the other side victorious, so do we need to use our challenges and perceived limitations as tools for growth so that we can eventually bridge the gap between our current reality and desired reality.
These beliefs and fears lurk in the shadow of our subconscious mind and it’s a necessary part of growth and transformation to be able to face, feel and heal these aspects so we can return to wholeness.
This is what happens within the chrysalis — the butterfly who’s wanting to emerge and the caterpillar needing to die so that this new vision/ higher aspect of self can be re-birthed.
Yet the old dies hard and doesn’t give up without a fight!
Dictionary: (from the Latin revolutio, “a turn around”) is a fundamental change in power or organizational structures that takes place in a relatively short period of time.
This is the revolution within, where there’s a shift in power from your head to your heart — from fear to empowerment, restriction to freedom.
Cherie: Thank you. I’m sure we can all relate to what you have outlined there about the superconscious and how we can tap into it and trust our heart guidance more. Now for the subconscious — how can we better understand ourselves through this aspect of mind?
Tracy: The term Subconscious mind is an individual accumulation of knowledge through personal experience and ideas that have been fixed through education, repetition or impact which form your conditioning and it controls ±97% of our behavior! Here are some characteristics of the subconscious:
It can’t tell real from imagined – whatever picture or image you send it, it believes it to be absolutely true.- It stores memories, beliefs, habits and generates your instincts.
- The conditioned mind doesn’t’ know the difference between a truth and a lie, it can’t process negatives.
- It takes everything personally… there is no one else but you.
- It represses memories with unresolved emotions and presents them for resolution when ready.
- Runs the body. Has a blueprint of the body now and of perfect health.
- Generates, stores, distributes and transmits energy.
- Functions best as a whole integrated unit, not as parts.
Cherie: So it’s like our ‘auto-pilot’ but we’ve got to switch to manual. How do we do this?
Tracy: Your subconscious mind contains all the mental and emotional imprints from the past, your beliefs about yourself and the world around you. You’ve got to ask yourself:
- What beliefs are you holding that are not serving your highest good and potential?
- Are they absolutely true?
- How could the opposite belief be just as true?
Some beliefs could be “I don’t have the time” I need more money” “How can I do that?” I’m not good enough” I’m not experienced enough”.
Remember every problem has a solution and it’s to keep focused on the solution.
One of the greatest obstacles is not knowing HOW to create our vision and so we find excuses and keep waiting for the right time or conditions, or a treasure map with the coordinates to land in our lap!
Yet you don’t have to know the how of creating your vision. In fact if you know the how, you’re not moving beyond your comfort zone into your greater potential.
If you know the how it means you’ve done it before.
Growing into your potential involves moving beyond the known, into the unknown. You’re blazing a new trail one step at a time using courage to slay your dragons and passion and purpose to fuel and direct your journey.
Remember this is about bringing heaven to earth… activating the vibration of what you’re wanting to create into your reality RIGHT NOW.
Start your day in the vibration of who you truly are at the core of your being (LOVE) and do those things that add joy and sparkle to your every day whilst following your bliss… this is how you pave your way.
For more info on the unconscious mind and the natural laws download the pdf HERE.
And if you’re wanting some help to unpack your vision, download this document with some questions to help get you started… Download HERE
Cherie: Awesome stuff, Tracy! Thank you so much for sharing your take on the superconscious and subconscious mind. I’m sure we all feel a lot more elucidated now.
In the next installment, Tracy will be discussing the integration of your inner feminine and masculine aspects and their role in the manifestation of your vision.
You can read the 3rd blog here: How to Heal and Unite Your Inner Feminine and Masculine
More about Tracy:
Tracy Russell is transformational coach, facilitator, writer and speaker guiding adults and young adults to their hearts, inner nature, authentic power and potential so that they may share their unique expression with the
world and be the rEVOLUTION that’s needed. She’s a truth-detective, edge-walker, nature-lover, fear-slayer, heart-activist and Wild Hearted Woman in training. She lives in Cape Town, South Africa where you’ll find her either up a rock face, somewhere in nature, dancing or hanging out with her beloved, spirited daughter… when she’s not doing the work she loves of course.
Find her on Facebook HERE
Visit her Site HERE
UPDATE: Tracy made her transition in March 2024. She is truly flying high now in the great beyond. She will be remembered with love and great appreciation for all the wisdom she left us with.
Cherie Roe Dirksen is a self-empowerment author, multi-media artist and musician from South Africa.
Cherie Roe Dirksen
Cherie Roe Dirksen 