The diagram above is a representation of the mind. The conscious mind represents only 1/10th of the mind while the subconscious mind is 9/10ths .

The iceberg that struck the Titanic did not look threatening from the top, but the real threat was the mass that lay beneath the sea. This is exactly how it is with our state of the mind. The real cause of our emotions and feelings is contained in the subconscious mind in the form of impressions and centres. An example of a few would be:

• The desire centre,

• The temperament centre

• The give-and-take account centre (Refer to the article on the Law of give and take)

Unknown to our conscious mind these impressions and centres in the subconscious mind are the main cause of our actions and our reactions and the basis of our personality. In truth our personality is a slave to the impressions in our subconscious mind. Is there a solution to this problem? The solution is simpler than we can imagine and we shall expand on it in our section on spiritual practice.

For more details on how the mind functions and how impressions are formed please read the article on The structure and functions of the mind.