Does Theravada acknowledge Subconsciousness?

[Leon-nl]

I would say no. I found this:

"The system of psychology built up in the abhidhamma teachings is a highly sophisticated and subtle one. It is one of the great historical triumphs of the human mind. It is best to approach these teachings on their own terms. There is much here that contradicts modern psychological assumptions. To cite just the most glaring example, there is no place in abhidhamma for the " subconscious" as understood in modern terms. Consciousness is seen as arising momentarily upon a single object, there is no room for multiple levels of consciousness happening simultaneously. This idea becomes more evident when we realize that, unlike modern theories, abhidhamma has a very clear concept of what precisely consciousness is."

source: http://www.arrowriver.ca/dhamma/abhi1.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Any other meanings? Any other document(s) where this is discussed?

[retrofuturist]

Greetings Leon,

You may find this of interest...

Anusaya: Latent tendencies - The self, habits, awareness and liberation. By Piya Tan

Metta,
Paul.

[SarathW]

What is the definition of subconsciousness for this discussion?

[Leon-nl]

Hi Paul, Namaste,

I quickly scanned the text you linked to, but the author speaks about "unconsciousness" and doesn't use the word "subconsciousness".
For me it is strange to speak about "unconsciousnes" thought at all, as we all know that one of the five aggregates is the aggregate of consciousness.
Maybe I miss a piece of the puzzle? or an author with a wrong explanation?

Metta to u2!

[subaru]

Which of these are considered working of subconsciousness:
1) Stopping at the red-light without thinking about it
2) dreaming in sleep
3) A memory or emotion arise without any known reason
4) being startled upon hearing a loud bang

it's interesting to find out if our subconsciousness has conscience or ethics , if yes where do they come from.

[Leon-nl]

But then Subaru you already suppose that subconsciousness exists...

[Leon-nl]

SarathW: The definition of subconsciousness here is the Western, psychological idea of subconsciousness.

[Leon-nl]

Let me give an example:

I like somebody very much. I don't know exactly why and I start investigating why I like this particular person. Then I start having sexual thoughts about this person while exploring my feelings and thoughts.
Do these thoughts come from the subconsciousness?

I would say no, in buddhism we don't know such thing as subconsciousness. But I might be wrong.

[SarathW]

SarathW: The definition of subconsciousness here is the Western, psychological idea of subconsciousness.

I do not know much about Western thinking.
Does a baby in mother's womb has subconsciousness?

[dhammacoustic]

Latent tendencies and bhavanga might be related to what modern psychology calls the subconscious. Probably Yogacara's ālayavijñāna would be of interest to you as well.

[Goofaholix]

I think the Buddhist definition of sub-concious would be anything below the radar of awareness, ie it's an adjective not a noun.

The aim of Buddhist mental cultivation among other things is to bring whatever we are un-concious of into awareness.

[SarathW]

Buddism is talking about both Nama and Rupa (Namarupa)
It involve mind and mater and mindmatter.

[samseva]

SarathW: The definition of subconsciousness here is the Western, psychological idea of subconsciousness.

Unless you have a very clear definition—the meaning or definition of 'subconscious' even in Western psychology changes from one school to another—you'll only end up with Buddhist concepts that have some similarities to the one you have in mind (which we don't know). Also differentiating and specifying 'unconscious' and 'subconscious' would be useful—are they the same thing, if not, what differentiates them and so on.

Do that (first part) and I'll cough you up some Pāḷi terms.

[Pinetree]

You probably mean "unconscious", because the subconscious is so obvious, it can not escape acknowledgement.

I am thinking the unconscious is part of kamma.

[Leon-nl]

Let me give a simple definition:

existing in the mind but not immediately available to consciousness