I'm not so sure. Your subconscious mind drives most of what your conscious mind does (it does for most vertebrates).
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With respect we understand so little of our own subconscious that I can not endorse the statement that most vertebrates are driven by subconscious messages (how does having a spinal column mean that a creature is controlled by subconscious desires?).
However I agree that the subconscious mind influences humans in profound ways. This of course is where we can program our mind to change the way we react to any situation.
Our conscious mind, to me, is the urethral or spiritual component that gives us life. We have attempted to describe the conscious mind as best we can (which is what we do, rationalise), and define it into the prime and subconscious realms.
What you describe as the "mind" I describe as consciousness, without which we would be a lump of organic matter. So I will stick to my guns and suggest that we are approaching the same principal with different descriptions.
However you have raised a very worth while point in the education of our friend.
The subconscious mind is where we can "rewire" our thought patterns.
For example, we have all heard of mantras, such as
"Thank you for my friends and family"
Say this enough times, and you may find that your relationships with these people grow. Love is the most powerful force in the universe and can overcome all obstacles. Being grateful for what have is one of the most powerful things you can do in your life. Every night I thank the Universe for everything that I hold dear, the roof over my head, my beautiful partner, my friends, family, my cat, my education, the list goes on.
Repeating mantras is a great way to reprogram your subconscious thought process to enact change in your life.
"I am going to work"
"I will eat a healthy, balanced diet"
Furthermore, by visualising your goals, you are able to harness the power of the subconscious mind even further.
Earlier I suggested that mind is easily fooled. In no way am I trying to say it is weak (as in pathetic, correctly utilised it is the strongest force on the planet), I am simply stating the mind can only work with what information it has been given
Example.
Close your eyes. Think of a big juicy lemon, imagine its texture, the vivid yellow of its flesh. Now imagine you are about to take a nice big bite of it.
Can you taste the sourness in your mouth?
That’s my point, what information we give our mind, the data that we put into it is what we are going to get out of it.
I 100% agree with your statement that harnessing your mind and controlling your urges is going to build a fortress. I think it is a very powerful statement in fact!
So to our friend, I say, that if you want to know what the power of the mind is, first think about what you want. Visualise this goal and repeat it as fact. Then be thankful for you have now, and you will see change effect you. Not straight away, but it will happen.