We often think of ourselves as fully conscious beings, aware of every decision and action we take. But science and experience show that we spend a vast majority of our lives—up to 80%—operating on autopilot. We act based on a set or series of ingrained habits, unconscious programming, and subconscious beliefs. So, while we may think we’re making conscious choices, much of our behavior is driven by forces beneath the surface.
This isn’t inherently bad. Our brain uses this autopilot mode to save energy and streamline decision-making. Think about how you can drive a familiar route without even realizing it or how you automatically react to daily stressors without stopping to consider other options. These unconscious patterns are deeply embedded. However, the quality of these automatic behaviors—whether they lead to joy or suffering, fulfillment or frustration—depends on the habits we integrate into our lives.
We Are Not Always Conscious Beings, But We Can Make Conscious Choices
Here’s what I think is the truth: while we aren’t fully conscious all the time, we have the power to make conscious choices. These intentional decisions, when made regularly, can transform our lives and rewire our unconscious patterns. This is where the journey of the Spiritual Warrior comes into play. As spiritual warriors, our mission is to live with purpose, presence, and heart-centered awareness. And this requires integrating positive habits into our daily lives that serve our highest good.
The Importance of Positive Habits
If most of our lives are lived subconsciously, then it makes sense that we should carefully choose which habits we want running our mental and emotional programming. Imagine waking up and beginning your day without a clear intention. Your default behavior—reacting to stress, falling into negativity, or avoiding challenges—will take over. But when you consciously cultivate positive habits, you begin to shift the trajectory of your life, even when you’re on autopilot.
For example:
- Mindfulness practices, such as meditation or breathwork, help you cultivate a calmer, more focused mind. Even when you’re not meditating, the habit of mindfulness spills over into your daily life, making you more aware of your thoughts and actions.
- Gratitude as a daily practice rewires your brain to look for the good in every situation. Over time, this habit shifts your perspective from focusing on lack to appreciating abundance, even when you’re not consciously thinking about it.
- Physical exercise, whether it’s yoga, walking, or martial arts, becomes a way to honor your body as a temple, as one of the Shin Dao tenets teaches. Regular movement supports both mental clarity and emotional balance, leading to unconscious habits of self-care.
Why Integrating Positive Habits is Crucial for the Spiritual Warrior
As a Spiritual Warrior, your path requires deep commitment to self-awareness and growth. It is through the integration of positive habits that you build resilience, clarity, and strength. These habits act as your guiding compass when your unconscious mind tries to pull you off course.
The Spiritual Warrior knows that:
- Self-discipline is a form of self-love. The habits you cultivate today will define the life you lead tomorrow. Whether it’s waking up early to meditate, practicing forgiveness, or fueling your body with nutritious food, these conscious choices create the foundation for your success.
- Consistency trumps intensity. It’s not about making a one-time grand gesture; it’s about the small, daily habits that accumulate over time. When these positive practices become second nature, they shape your subconscious mind, leading to lasting transformation.
- Presence is power. While the unconscious mind wants to dwell on the past or worry about the future, positive habits like mindfulness bring you into the present moment. The more you practice being present, the less power the unconscious patterns of fear and doubt have over you.
How to Start Making Conscious Choices
So how do we shift from being ruled by unconscious behaviors to making conscious choices that elevate our well-being? Here are a few ways to integrate positive habits that align with your journey as a Spiritual Warrior:
- Start small and intentional. You don’t have to overhaul your life overnight. Begin with one habit that resonates deeply with you. Maybe it’s spending five minutes in the morning practicing gratitude or taking a mindful walk in nature. Once this habit is firmly rooted, you can add others.
- Create space for reflection. Set aside time each day to check in with yourself. Are you living from a place of unconscious reaction or conscious choice? Journaling, meditation, or quiet reflection can help you tune into the patterns that are running your life.
- Set triggers for new habits. Link a positive habit to an existing routine. For example, after you brush your teeth in the morning, take a moment to set an intention for the day. Or after you sit down for dinner, take three deep breaths to center yourself before eating. These “triggers” will help you integrate new habits seamlessly into your life.
- Honor your progress, not perfection. Changing unconscious patterns and integrating new habits takes time. Be kind to yourself on the journey. Celebrate the small wins, knowing that each step is moving you closer to your full potential as a spiritual warrior.
We may spend much of our lives in an unconscious state, but the power to make conscious choices lies within us. By integrating positive habits into our daily routines, we can rewire the unconscious mind, creating patterns that support our well-being, growth, and spiritual evolution. For the Spiritual Warrior, these habits are the foundation of a life lived with purpose, presence, and heart-centered awareness.
In the end, it’s not about trying to be “perfectly” conscious all the time. It’s about making choices that align with our highest selves, even when we’re on autopilot. Through positive habits, we empower ourselves to live with more joy, peace, and love—creating a ripple effect that benefits not only our own lives but the world around us.
