Can we really change ourselves and control our subconscious?

"Men are disturbed not by events but by their opinions about events" - Epictetus

If this is true, why can't we just stop having opinions on things that bother us?

That might sound simple and easy but it is not because our interpretations and opinions are subconscious. Our brain assumes that whatever our subconscious feels and says is absolutely accurate and true. That might seem odd to read but it is in fact true for everyone. You cannot control it. You cannot change it.

Let's take an example of a person who is suffering from depression. While it is very easy for someone to say to that person to simply phase out the bad thoughts, it's not possible for the person suffering because it is not he who chooses to think those thoughts, but it is his subconscious mind that does it.

Isn't it then right to say that what often causes suffering is our own beliefs? Aren't we our own imprisoners and torturers?

How do we free ourselves from this self-made prison then?

We need to learn to ask questions to our subconscious instead of just assuming whatever it is thinking is true. We need to engage it in a rational dialogue.

This is what Socrates taught Athenians at that time.

In essence, this is the basis for modern therapy as we like to call it. Getting questioned upon our own beliefs. Engaging in a rational dialogue.

But then another question arises, can we choose what we think and do not think?

We can. We can choose our beliefs that stem out to be our thoughts in the future.

The major reasons why emotional problems occur amongst people is because of two reasons. One, thriving to take something under your control when it actually cannot be under your control. For example, how others perceive you. Two, Failing to take control over something which can be controlled i.e. our beliefs. For example, one might say that they had to choose to believe that because their parents believed the same thing.

Solving these 2 problems would essentially bring an end to the self-prison we make.

Finally, can we really change ourselves and control our subconscious?

This question is similar to the question "What is the good life" in the sense that there is no 'right' answer to this question. While some may be able to control their subconscious, others would not. We can never find one formula. This is why I think we need philosophy - to train our minds to think, to formulate answers to questions such as these, and most importantly, to be unique. So that we not only learn techniques to change ourselves but also train ourselves to ask complex questions that only we can answer.