The Invisible Power of the Mind: A Lesson on Paradigms

Photo credit: Voice.mv

In 2021, I learned something that changed the way I see myself and the world around me. I realized that although the mind is invisible, its presence is undeniably real. When we feel emotions, we instinctively touch our hearts and say, “That made me happy,” or “That hurt.” However, when we think, we point to our heads. This simple behavior helped me understand a deeper truth: the mind is neither the heart nor the brain—it is something entirely different.

The human mind consists of two distinct parts: the conscious and the subconscious. The conscious mind is our reasoning mind. It has the power to choose, accept or reject ideas, and think independently. It is where our higher faculties reside—perception, will, imagination, memory, intuition, and reason—making it the seat of our intellect.

In contrast, the subconscious mind is our emotional mind. It accepts all information it receives, without questioning whether it is true or false. It cannot distinguish between what is real and what is imagined. This is where our paradigms are built—those deeply embedded mental programs that influence our habits, beliefs, and ultimately, our results.

So how do we know what our paradigms are? We look at our results. If we are unhappy with the outcomes in our lives, it’s often because the paradigms running in the background are no longer serving us. To change our results, we must first change the paradigm behind them.

These paradigms are not formed overnight. They begin to take shape from the moment we are born, influenced by our environment—our families, schools, culture, and even our genetics. A baby’s conscious mind is not yet developed, so everything it experiences goes directly into the subconscious mind without any filter. That same pattern continues for most adults—statistics suggest that 97% of people live their lives on autopilot, allowing the outside world to shape their subconscious, instead of consciously choosing their beliefs and behaviors.

There is an unseen power that flows through all of us. Science may call it energy; theology may call it spirit. As Muslims, we believe this power is the Ruh (soul) gifted by Allah—a divine connection that gives us life and consciousness. Whatever name we give it, this power never stops flowing. The tragedy is that many people allow their paradigms to control how they use this power—often unconsciously reinforcing limitations rather than possibilities.

In 2021, I began learning how to shift my paradigm through discipline, awareness, and dedication. It’s a process of reclaiming control over the mind—of choosing to think, rather than react. It’s not easy, but it is liberating.

My sincere gratitude to my mentor Bob Proctor for the teaching.