In a world increasingly filled with distractions, the art of tuning into our body’s signals and subconscious mind has gained renewed relevance. One intriguing example of how our minds and bodies interact in mysterious ways is the “doorway effect.” This phenomenon — walking into a room and forgetting why you went in — has become symbolic of how fragmented our attention can be. But it’s not just a lapse in memory; it’s a reminder of the power of “event boundaries” and our mind’s structure. Yet, if we listen carefully to our deeper consciousness and the physical signals it sends us, we may find ourselves more grounded and more attuned to our goals, choices, and memories.
The Doorway Effect and Event Boundaries in the Mind
The doorway effect was famously studied by Gabriel Radvansky and his colleagues in a 2011 study at the University of Notre Dame. Participants navigated a virtual environment in which they moved from one room to another, carrying objects that they needed to remember. The study found that simply passing through a doorway impaired memory retrieval, a phenomenon coined “the doorway effect.” Essentially, passing through a door acts as a type of mental “reset,” segmenting information associated with different spaces and creating a brief cognitive boundary.
From an evolutionary standpoint, this effect makes sense. Our brains evolved to prioritise new surroundings for survival, which may explain why entering a new space feels like the closing of one mental chapter and the opening of another. It’s as though our brains are asking, “Is this environment safe? What should I focus on here?” — relegating the past intention to a lower priority.
Interestingly, the doorway effect isn’t just a quirk of human memory. It’s a gateway to understanding how our bodies and minds process space, time, and context. In her book A Mind for Numbers, Dr. Barbara Oakley discusses how this segmentation can help us shift attention and absorb new information. But in a world of constant distractions, it’s essential to cultivate awareness and, when possible, take intentional pauses to remember our goals and purposes, “keeping them with us” even as we transition across event boundaries.
Gut Instinct and the Wisdom of the Body
Another phenomenon closely related to subconscious awareness is the sensation that we have forgotten something important, often described as a “gut feeling.” This instinct arises from a concept that psychologists call “somatic markers,” a theory popularised by neuroscientist Antonio Damasio. In his book Descartes’ Error, Damasio suggests that gut instincts are rooted in our body’s ability to retain emotional experiences and memories. This knowledge manifests as physical sensations (the “gut feeling”) which can signal underlying thoughts or concerns we may not be consciously aware of.
Moreover, intuition often acts as a mental shortcut — what Nobel Laureate Daniel Kahneman refers to as “System 1” thinking in Thinking, Fast and Slow. System 1 is the fast, intuitive, and subconscious part of our mind that allows us to make quick decisions based on accumulated experiences. This process often signals itself through subtle bodily cues, like a feeling of unease or anticipation. While it’s not infallible, tuning into these signals can give us access to insights that are otherwise difficult to access through rational thought alone.
Tuning into Our Body: Lessons from Meditation and Mindfulness Practices
Mindfulness practices like meditation have been shown to improve our ability to tune into bodily sensations and subconscious thoughts. Research by Dr. Sara Lazar at Harvard Medical School has demonstrated that mindfulness meditation can alter brain structures associated with memory, empathy, and emotional regulation, enhancing our ability to notice and interpret bodily signals. Lazar’s 2005 study found that consistent meditators showed increased gray matter density in areas of the brain involved in learning and memory, as well as emotional control.
When we meditate, we often practice what is called interoceptive awareness — the ability to recognise and make sense of internal body signals. This form of awareness can be profound in decision-making, emotional regulation, and memory retrieval, as we become more in tune with subtle physical cues. In his book The Body Keeps the Score, psychiatrist Bessel van der Kolk explains how the body stores memories of trauma, sometimes leading us to react to situations based on past experiences, even if we’re not fully conscious of the connection. By cultivating a mindful practice, we can learn to recognise and navigate these cues more effectively, helping us understand ourselves at a deeper level.
The Science of Deeper Consciousness and Learning from Ourselves
The concept of tapping into our “deeper consciousness” has been explored by Carl Jung, who argued that much of our consciousness is submerged in the “collective unconscious” — a realm of shared archetypes and experiences that influence our lives, even if we’re not fully aware of it. Similarly, Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi’s concept of “flow” describes a state of complete immersion in a task where our conscious and subconscious minds harmonise, leading to heightened creativity and productivity. By aligning our actions with our inner motivations, we tap into a level of awareness that feels natural, intuitive, and deeply connected.
Csikszentmihalyi’s findings align with Buddhist philosophy, which suggests that we all have access to an inner “knowing” when we quiet the mind. The 20th-century Buddhist teacher Thich Nhat Hanh famously taught that mindfulness of the body allows us to “come home to ourselves” — to understand and interpret the constant stream of information from our senses and our subconscious. Hanh’s teachings emphasise that it’s not about avoiding thoughts or sensations but about recognising them as they arise, creating a harmonious relationship between our inner and outer worlds.
Practical Steps for Tuning into Our Deeper Consciousness
Practice Mindful Observation: Spend a few minutes each day observing your thoughts and bodily sensations without judgment. Noticing subtle cues, like a change in breathing or a slight tension in your muscles, can signal deeper concerns or needs that you may not be consciously aware of.
Engage in Body Scans: Regular body scans can help you connect with different parts of your body, noticing sensations and understanding their possible meanings. This technique, commonly used in mindfulness meditation, involves paying attention to each area of the body in turn, which can reveal stored tension or stress.
Journal Regularly: Recording your thoughts and feelings, especially after moments when you “sense” something, can provide insight into how your subconscious operates. Over time, journaling can help you recognise patterns and better understand your gut reactions.
Honor Your Intuition: Give weight to your “gut feelings” when making decisions. Ask yourself if there’s a reason behind your instinctive response, even if it doesn’t immediately make logical sense. Your body might be picking up on cues or information that your conscious mind hasn’t yet processed.
Reduce Distractions: Creating intentional “event boundaries,” as Dr. Radvansky’s research suggests, can help to reset your mind between tasks, making it easier to remember your goals and stay focused. Turning off unnecessary notifications or setting a clear intention before starting a new task can also reinforce this focus.
Embrace Flow States: Find activities that allow you to fully engage in the present moment. Whether it’s playing an instrument, writing, or gardening, these immersive tasks can deepen your connection to your inner consciousness.
The Art of Listening to Ourselves
In an era of rapid information and relentless distraction, tuning into our deeper consciousness and listening to the body’s subtle cues offers a path toward greater self-awareness and intentional living. Studies like Radvansky’s doorway effect research reveal just how powerful these subconscious processes are, while the teachings of figures like Damasio, Csikszentmihalyi, and Thich Nhat Hanh highlight the benefits of embracing our inner knowledge. By taking the time to observe, listen, and respond to our bodies and subconscious minds, we may find ourselves better equipped to navigate life’s uncertainties, leading to greater clarity, purpose, and fulfillment.
