Joseph Murphy’s 6 Powerful Techniques From The Power of Your Subconscious Mind (Chapter 6)

Why Most People Read Self-Help Books but Never Change Their Life
Millions of people around the world have read books on manifestation, positive thinking, the Law of Attraction, and mind power. They watch motivational videos daily, listen to inspiring speeches, and fill their minds with powerful quotes.
Yet after months or even years, many people quietly ask themselves one painful question:
“Why has nothing really changed in my life?”
The bank balance remains the same.
Stress remains the same.
Relationships remain the same.
Fear and anxiety remain the same.
According to The Power of Your Subconscious Mind author Joseph Murphy, the reason is very simple:
“Knowledge without application is useless.”
Most people learn the theory of the subconscious mind, but they never practice the techniques that actually reprogram it.
Joseph Murphy repeatedly explained what the conscious mind is, what the subconscious mind is, and how the miracle-working power within us functions. However, he also emphasized something extremely important:
The subconscious mind changes through repetition, emotion, imagination, and belief — not through reading alone.
In Chapter 6 of his famous book, Joseph Murphy shares practical methods that can help a person influence the subconscious mind and transform different areas of life including health, wealth, peace, confidence, healing, and inspiration.
This article explores the most powerful techniques from Chapter 6 in a detailed and practical way so you can begin applying them immediately.
Understanding the Conscious and Subconscious Mind
Before learning the techniques, it is important to understand the difference between the conscious and subconscious mind.
The Conscious Mind
The conscious mind is the thinking mind. It analyzes, judges, reasons, compares, and makes decisions.
Whenever you say:
- “This is possible”
- “This is difficult”
- “I can do this”
- “I am afraid”
You are using the conscious mind.
The Subconscious Mind
The subconscious mind does not argue. It accepts whatever is repeatedly impressed upon it with emotion and belief.
It controls:
- Habits
- Emotions
- Automatic behaviors
- Healing processes
- Deep beliefs
- Imagination
- Creativity
Joseph Murphy believed that the subconscious mind is connected to infinite intelligence and has the power to transform external reality through internal programming.
That is why these techniques matter.
1. The Passing Over Technique
Let Go of Fear and Hand the Problem Over
One of the biggest mistakes people make is continuously thinking about their problems.
They replay fear repeatedly:
- “What if I fail?”
- “What if things never improve?”
- “What if I lose everything?”
Joseph Murphy explained that the subconscious mind responds strongly to emotional repetition. If fear is constantly repeated, the subconscious begins to accept fear as reality.
The Passing Over Technique is about surrendering the problem to the deeper intelligence of the subconscious mind.
How to Practice It
- Sit quietly in a calm place.
- Close your eyes.
- Take a few deep breaths.
- Think about your current problem.
- Now mentally say:
“I now pass this problem over to my subconscious mind. Infinite intelligence knows the perfect answer.”
Repeat this slowly and peacefully.
Why It Works
This technique reduces mental resistance. The moment you stop obsessing over the problem, the subconscious mind becomes free to produce creative solutions.
Many people unknowingly block answers because they remain emotionally attached to fear.
2. The Visualization Technique
The Subconscious Mind Thinks in Pictures
Joseph Murphy taught that the subconscious mind responds powerfully to mental imagery.
Whatever image you emotionally impress upon the subconscious mind tends to move toward physical expression.
This is why visualization is one of the most powerful mental techniques ever taught.
How to Practice Visualization
Suppose you desire financial success.
Instead of repeatedly saying:
“I want money.”
Visualize scenes that imply success has already happened.
Imagine:
- Receiving a positive bank notification
- Living peacefully without financial stress
- Feeling relief and gratitude
- Smiling confidently
The key is emotional involvement.
The Secret Ingredient: Feeling
Visualization without feeling is weak.
Joseph Murphy emphasized that emotion energizes mental images.
You must feel:
- joy
- relief
- gratitude
- peace
- confidence
as though the desire is already fulfilled.
3. The Mental Movie Method
Create a Movie of Your Desired Life
The Mental Movie Method is an advanced form of visualization.
Instead of imagining random pictures, you create a short mental movie and replay it daily.
The subconscious mind learns through repetition.
How to Practice It
Let us say you want a new career opportunity.
Create a short mental scene:
- Your phone rings
- Someone congratulates you
- You hear: “You got the job.”
- Your family celebrates
- You feel excitement and gratitude
Replay this movie every night before sleep.
Why It Is Effective
The subconscious mind cannot easily distinguish between vivid emotional imagination and physical reality.
Repeated mental rehearsal gradually creates new subconscious patterns.
Athletes, performers, and successful leaders often use similar mental rehearsal techniques.
4. The Baudoin Technique
The Power of the Sleepy State
Joseph Murphy discussed a method inspired by French psychologist Charles Baudoin.
This technique uses the relaxed sleepy state before sleep.
During this time, the conscious mind becomes quieter, and the subconscious becomes more receptive to suggestion.
How to Practice It
As you become sleepy, gently repeat a short phrase.
Examples:
- “Every day I am getting better.”
- “Peace fills my mind.”
- “Success flows into my life.”
Repeat slowly and naturally.
Do not force emotion.
Do not struggle.
Simply allow the words to drift into the subconscious mind.
Why It Works
The sleepy state lowers mental resistance and allows suggestions to enter more deeply.
This is why many subconscious techniques work best before sleep.
5. The Sleeping Technique
Program the Mind Before Sleep
Joseph Murphy strongly believed that the moments before sleep are incredibly powerful.
The final thoughts before sleeping often influence the subconscious mind throughout the night.
How to Practice It
Before sleep:
- Relax your body completely.
- Stop using your phone or distractions.
- Focus on one desire only.
- Imagine it fulfilled.
- Fall asleep feeling grateful and peaceful.
Example
If you desire healing, imagine yourself healthy and energetic.
If you desire peace, imagine yourself calm and emotionally free.
The subconscious continues working during sleep.
6. The Thank You Technique
Gratitude as a Healing Force
Joseph Murphy believed gratitude has extraordinary power.
Why?
Because gratitude implies belief.
When you say “thank you,” you emotionally communicate to the subconscious mind that the desired condition already exists.
How to Practice It
Say:
“Thank you for my healing.”
“Thank you for divine guidance.”
“Thank you for abundance.”
Feel sincere appreciation while repeating these words.
Why Gratitude Changes the Mind
Fear focuses on what is missing.
Gratitude focuses on fulfillment.
The subconscious responds more strongly to fulfilled emotional states than desperate wishing.
7. The Affirmative or Decree Method
Speak With Authority
Words repeated with conviction can deeply influence the subconscious mind.
Joseph Murphy taught that affirmations should not be weak wishes.
They should be calm declarations.
Examples
- “I am healthy.”
- “Divine order governs my life.”
- “Peace fills my soul.”
- “I am guided and protected.”
Important Rule
Do not fight negative thoughts aggressively.
Instead, calmly repeat constructive truths again and again until they begin to feel natural.
Why Most People Fail With These Techniques
Most people fail for three reasons:
1. They Practice Inconsistently
They try a method for two days and stop.
The subconscious mind changes through repetition.
2. They Practice Without Emotion
Words alone are not enough.
Emotion impresses the subconscious mind.
3. They Constantly Return to Fear
They visualize success for five minutes and then spend the rest of the day worrying.
The dominant emotional pattern always wins.
How Long Should You Practice?
Joseph Murphy encouraged daily repetition.
Many people notice emotional shifts within days, but deeper subconscious patterns may require consistent practice for several weeks.
The key is persistence without force.
Final Thoughts
The real power of Joseph Murphy’s teachings is not merely positive thinking.
It is subconscious conditioning.
Reading inspirational books alone will not transform life.
Transformation happens when thoughts are emotionally repeated until they become subconscious beliefs.
These techniques may appear simple, but simplicity does not mean weakness.
Used consistently, they can gradually influence:
- confidence
- emotional health
- motivation
- peace of mind
- habits
- decision-making
- self-image
Joseph Murphy’s message remains timeless:
“Change your thoughts, and you change your destiny.”
The question is no longer whether these techniques work.
The real question is:
Will you practice them consistently enough to allow your subconscious mind to change?