"Subconscious Impressions" \ Day 19 \ 30 Days to Teshuvah
"Consider a child who begins to study Hebrew. The child must work diligently to learn how to read the letters and words. However, once he acquires the necessary skills -- each child according to his natural ability -- he reads easily, without deliberation. The psychologists recognize this as a function of the inner powers of man. During the initial stage when the child is learning to read, he must employ the power of "clarification," i.e., the conscious mind. Afterwards, reading is a function of the subconscious mind."
(Ohr Yisrael, Letter Six).
How can we channel the powers of the subconscious mind to develop good character traits?
Just as there are subconscious intellectual powers, so too there are subconscious emotional powers. The emotions -- both positive (such as love) and negative (such as jealousy) -- are housed in the subconscious.
Since the mighty subconscious powers wield tremendous power over man, we might assume that we are helpless to defend ourselves against their hidden and powerful influence.
Indeed, without the light of Mussar a person is vulnerable to the hidden negative tendencies of the subconscious. However, as Rav Yisrael will soon explain, the study of Mussar harnesses the subconscious powers and transforms human nature into good.
Tip -- The subconscious is far more powerful than the conscious. Therefore, we have a hidden force within us that empowers us with the capacity to change our nature.
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