The Power of Your Subconscious Mind

About the Author

Joseph Murphy, a towering figure in the realms of self-help and spirituality, was born in Ireland in 1898. His early life was marked by a deep immersion in religious studies, which later significantly influenced his philosophies and teachings. After emigrating to the United States, Murphy became a prominent minister in the New Thought Movement, a spiritual movement that arose in the 19th century and emphasized the power of the mind in shaping reality. He earned degrees in psychology and religious science, blending his academic knowledge with his spiritual beliefs. This unique combination allowed him to craft teachings that resonate deeply with those seeking to understand and harness the power of their minds.

Murphy is perhaps best known for his seminal work, The Power of Your Subconscious Mind, published in 1963. This book has sold millions of copies worldwide and continues to be a cornerstone in the self-help genre. It is lauded for its practical advice on how to use the subconscious mind to achieve health, wealth, and happiness. Murphy's teachings are a synthesis of ancient wisdom, modern psychology, and personal anecdotes, making his ideas accessible and actionable for readers of all backgrounds. His influence extends beyond the New Thought community, impacting psychology, self-help literature, and even modern therapeutic practices.

Main Idea

At the heart of The Power of Your Subconscious Mind lies a profound yet simple idea: your thoughts, particularly those that are habitual and deeply rooted in your subconscious, shape your reality. According to Murphy, the subconscious mind is a powerful tool that can be directed by conscious thoughts to bring about desired changes in one's life. This concept is not entirely new; it draws from ancient philosophical and spiritual traditions. However, Murphy presents it in a way that is both accessible and practical for the modern reader.

The main premise of the book is that your subconscious mind is a storehouse of all your memories, beliefs, and experiences, and it operates based on the programming it receives from your conscious mind. By consciously choosing positive thoughts and beliefs, you can reprogram your subconscious to create positive outcomes in your life. Murphy argues that the subconscious mind is connected to a higher power, or Universal Consciousness, which responds to the instructions it receives. Therefore, by aligning your thoughts with positive outcomes, you can effectively 'command' the universe to bring about those outcomes in your life.

"The law of your mind is the law of belief. This means to believe in the way your mind works, to believe in belief itself." — Joseph Murphy

Table of Contents

1. Introduction: The Treasure House Within You
2. How Your Mind Works
3. The Miracle-Working Power of Your Subconscious
4. Mental Healings in Ancient Times
5. Mental Healings in Modern Times
6. The Subconscious Mind and Success
7. The Subconscious Mind and Wealth
8. Your Right to Be Rich
9. The Subconscious Mind and Relationships
10. The Subconscious Mind and Happiness
11. The Subconscious Mind and Health
12. How to Stay Young in Spirit Forever

Introduction: The Treasure House Within You

Murphy begins his journey into the subconscious mind by likening it to a treasure house within each individual. This metaphor is powerful because it conveys the idea that within each person lies an untapped source of infinite potential, waiting to be discovered and utilized. The introduction sets the tone for the entire book, emphasizing that the key to unlocking this treasure lies in understanding and directing the subconscious mind.

The treasure house is a symbol of the vast resources—creativity, power, wisdom—that reside within everyone. Murphy argues that by using the conscious mind to tap into these resources, individuals can transform their lives in profound ways. This concept is closely tied to the idea of the law of attraction, which suggests that by focusing on positive outcomes, we can attract them into our lives.

"Think good, and good follows. Think evil, and evil follows. You are what you think all day long." — Joseph Murphy

• A person who constantly worries about financial instability may find themselves facing continuous financial challenges, as their subconscious mind creates situations that align with these fears.
• Conversely, someone who envisions and believes in financial prosperity will attract opportunities and situations that lead to wealth.

How Your Mind Works

In this chapter, Murphy delves into the mechanics of the mind, explaining the relationship between the conscious and subconscious. The conscious mind is described as the "thinking" mind, the part of us that is aware and makes decisions. The subconscious mind, on the other hand, is the "automatic" mind, which stores all of our experiences, beliefs, and habits. This chapter emphasizes the importance of understanding this relationship, as the conscious mind can direct the subconscious to create the life we desire.