Intellectually, we have a straightforward understanding of reality. When we become aware of aspects of ourselves and certain behavioral patterns, we can analyze them consciously. However, there is a significant divide between talking the talk and actually walking it.

Awareness vs. Action

Take a client I'm working with—she talks the talk but does not walk it. The most fascinating part? She is completely aware of it. She sees herself talking the talk but not embodying it. Her mind registers everything—she knows—but her physical, emotional, and behavioral responses have not caught up yet.

For true transformation, awareness alone is not enough. We must experience change at a subconscious level—through the body.

The Struggle Between Knowledge and Behavior

Have you ever acted against your best interests, even when you knew better?

For example, as I grew up, I associated certain foods with love. As an adult, I continued reaching for these foods in times of distress despite being fully aware of the pattern. I could observe it, yet somehow my body was stronger than my willpower. Awareness alone could not override my subconscious programming.

Understanding the Subconscious Mind

The subconscious mind is in charge of our biological functions and stores behavioral patterns that are repeated frequently. In this way, we do not need to consciously engage our mind in every action taking place because, once the subconscious mind is trained, it acts automatically, like a powerful shortcut. This includes not only mechanically repeated actions but also emotional responses.

The initial programming is created by copying and pasting what we found in our environment without conscious filtering, since the conscious mind is formed around seven years of age.

The Power of the Subconscious Mind

As a result, the subconscious mind governs most of our actions and states of being—some studies estimate up to 95 percent. While this number is not absolute, it highlights an undeniable fact: much of our behavior is automatic, shaped by past experiences, conditioning, and belief systems.

If that is not enough, the subconscious mind also operates faster than the conscious mind. It processes around 10 million bits of information per second, compared to the conscious mind’s 40 bits per second. By the time we think we have made a decision, our subconscious has already determined our course of action.

This explains why engaging the conscious mind alone for personal development or growth is often ineffective —it does not address the remaining 95 percent from which we operate.

One Game-Changer: Presence

Since the subconscious mind takes over when our conscious mind is not in the moment—whether being creative, overthinking, or dwelling on the past or future—one key to shifting subconscious programming is presence. When there is no clear directive from our conscious mind, the subconscious takes charge with its default programming.

However, sometimes, even when we are fully aware, some subconscious patterns are so deeply embedded that our conscious mind and body seem to move in different directions. This is when we become aware of the mechanism itself—we notice that, despite knowing what we want to achieve or how we want to behave, our body’s response follows a different, ingrained behavior. In that moment, it can feel like we have zero control over ourselves.

How Do We Regain Control?

Working with the subconscious mind is like opening Pandora’s box—it is thrilling, enlightening, and sometimes disheartening. But mastering your subconscious mind means mastering your life. It requires a lifestyle shift—becoming aware of subconscious patterns and making deliberate efforts to reprogram them.

There are three primary ways to rewire subconscious patterns:

• Sheer willpower—Requires immense conscious effort and energy.

• Bodywork/meditation—Requires patience, awareness, and the ability to develop equanimity toward bodily sensations.

• Hypnosis—Requires little to no effort and can have immediate effects, though it can be reversed if not coupled with conscious work.

All these methods are effective and complement each other.

Conclusion

The power of the subconscious mind is undeniable. While awareness is a crucial first step, true transformation requires embodied change —ensuring that the body and our conscious mind align.

Mastering the subconscious mind means regaining control of our lives. My hope for everyone is that we turn our programming into our greatest ally—so that we are able to not only talk the talk but also walk it.