Unseen Bridges: My Journey Through Liminality, Subliminality, and Supraliminality

As I sit here, I reflect on how much of my life has been spent in a constant state of transition, hovering between what is known and what is yet to be discovered. It’s in these spaces between certainty and the unknown that I’ve found my greatest truths. Life, for me, has never been a series of clear-cut paths but rather an endless series of doorways, some half-open, some shrouded in mystery, all leading me to deeper realisations. My journey has spanned three distinct realms, each offering its own lessons, challenges, and revelations.

The Subliminal Realm: The Hidden Depths

Below the liminal lies the subliminal—the realm of unseen currents that shape our thoughts and actions in ways we are not always consciously aware of. It is a space where the subconscious mind reigns, where our deepest fears, desires, and instincts reside. It is here that the seeds of creativity are planted, where ideas simmer beneath the surface, waiting for the right moment to rise into consciousness.

The subliminal realm is like the ocean’s depths, vast and largely unexplored. There are things happening beneath the surface of my mind that I do not fully understand, but that shape my reality in profound ways. These hidden forces guide me, influencing my decisions, my perceptions, and my creative impulses.

In my creative work, I often feel as though I am tapping into something beyond myself. Ideas and inspirations seem to come from nowhere, rising up from the depths of the subliminal realm. It is as though there is a wellspring of creativity beneath the surface, waiting to be drawn upon. I’ve come to trust these subliminal currents, even when I don’t fully understand them. They are the whispers of intuition, the quiet guidance of my subconscious mind.

I have found that some of my best work comes when I am not actively trying to create. Instead, I allow the subliminal to do its work, to let ideas percolate below the surface until they are ready to emerge. It’s a process of trust—trusting that the subconscious mind is always at work, even when the conscious mind is at rest.

In many ways, the subliminal realm is a place of mystery, a shadowy underbelly of our consciousness that we cannot fully grasp. Yet it is also a place of immense power. It is in the subliminal that our most profound transformations begin. It is here that we confront our deepest fears, where we wrestle with the parts of ourselves that we would rather not face. But it is also here that we find the seeds of growth, the sparks of inspiration that lead to new beginnings.

There have been times in my life when the subliminal realm has felt like a place of darkness, where I have been confronted with my own limitations and fears. But I have learned that it is only by venturing into this shadowy space that I can truly understand myself. It is in the subliminal that I come face to face with the parts of myself that need healing, the areas of my life that need change. And it is from this place that transformation begins.

The Supraliminal Realm: Transcending Boundaries

Above both the liminal and subliminal realms lies the supraliminal—a space of higher consciousness, where the boundaries of perception expand and the mind awakens to new possibilities. In this realm, I am not just a passive observer of life; I am a creator, a visionary who shapes my reality with intention and purpose.

The supraliminal realm is where I tap into my full potential, where I transcend the mundane and touch the sublime. It is a space of clarity and insight, where the fog of uncertainty lifts, and I am able to see the world with fresh eyes. In this realm, I am free from the constraints of conventional thought, able to think beyond the limitations of the known and explore the infinite possibilities of the unknown.

There have been moments in my life when I have experienced the supraliminal in a profound way—times when I have felt a deep sense of connection to something greater than myself. These moments of clarity, of heightened awareness, are rare but transformative. They are the moments when I am able to see the bigger picture, to understand the interconnectedness of all things.

In the supraliminal, I am not just reacting to life; I am actively shaping it. I am a co-creator of my reality, using my imagination and will to bring my visions to life. It is in this space that I find my greatest sense of purpose, where I feel most aligned with my true self.

This realm has taught me the power of intentionality—the importance of setting clear intentions and aligning my actions with those intentions. It has shown me that I am not a passive participant in life, but an active creator. And it has taught me the importance of mindfulness—of being fully present in each moment and aware of the impact of my thoughts, words, and actions.

There are moments when life feels like it’s suspended between breaths, where existence itself blurs into an undefined space—neither here nor there. I sit at my desk, the vibrant glow of my 4.5K retina iMac casting an ethereal light on my surroundings, each pixel a perfect reflection of the clarity and depth that technology affords me. Yet as clear as the screen is before me, my thoughts drift into spaces that are far more ambiguous, spaces that do not exist solely in the virtual or tangible realms, but in the unseen. It is in these unseen bridges—liminal, subliminal, and supraliminal—where my life truly resides, a journey that bridges not just realities, but worlds.

The Liminal Realm: Between Worlds

The first of these realms is the liminal—a space of transition and flux. The word "liminal" itself comes from the Latin word limen, meaning "threshold," and it perfectly describes this place where the old is not yet fully left behind, and the new is not fully embraced. In this realm, I am always on the verge of transformation, standing at the crossroads of what is and what could be.

To exist in the liminal realm is to live in a state of constant becoming, rather than simply being. There is a beauty in this constant state of transition, though it can be unsettling at times. I find myself walking through life as if through a mist—each step reveals a new path, a new perspective. It is a space where nothing is fully defined, and yet, within that uncertainty, there is a profound sense of freedom.

I’ve always been drawn to the spaces between. In my photography, I search for those moments that capture a fleeting glance, an emotion just on the edge of being revealed. Street photography, in particular, thrives in the liminal. There is a split second when the scene comes together—a person crossing the street, a shadow falling just right, a conversation half-overheard. These moments are not fully formed, yet they are rich with meaning. They are liminal moments, captured in transition.

Living in the liminal space is to embrace the in-betweens in life. It’s to accept that we are not fixed, and neither is the world around us. We are always in the process of becoming, transforming, evolving. This realization has brought me peace, particularly in times of personal upheaval. Rather than resist the chaos that comes with change, I’ve learned to embrace it. It’s in the uncertainty, the transitions, that I’ve found the greatest opportunities for growth.

I think back to moments in my life where I was at a crossroads—faced with decisions that would alter the course of my future. At those times, it would have been easy to focus solely on the destination, to rush through the discomfort of uncertainty. But I’ve found that the journey, the time spent in the liminal, is just as important as the outcome. The lessons learned in these spaces—patience, resilience, adaptability—have shaped me in ways that destinations alone could not.

The Interplay of Realms

While these three realms—liminal, subliminal, and supraliminal—each have their own distinct qualities, they are not separate. They are interconnected, constantly influencing and shaping one another. My journey through these realms is not linear, but cyclical. I move fluidly between them, often without even realising it.

There are times when I am fully immersed in the liminal, navigating the uncertainty of transition. But even in these moments, the subliminal is at work, quietly influencing my thoughts and actions. And there are times when I experience flashes of the supraliminal, moments of clarity and insight that lift me above the fray.

These realms are not just abstract concepts; they are deeply personal. They reflect the inner workings of my mind, the ebb and flow of my emotions, the constant interplay between conscious and subconscious thought. They are the lenses through which I view the world, the frameworks that shape my experience of reality.

Personal Reflections: Embracing the In-Between

As I reflect on my journey through these realms, I am reminded of the importance of embracing the in-between. Life is not a series of clearly defined moments, but a continuous flow of transitions, shifts, and transformations. It is in the liminal spaces, the places where we are neither here nor there, that we find our greatest growth.

The subliminal realm has taught me the power of introspection—the importance of looking within to understand the hidden forces that shape my life. And the supraliminal has shown me the power of intentionality—the ability to rise above the noise of everyday life and consciously shape my own reality. Together, these realms offer a framework for understanding the complexity of existence, one that acknowledges both the unseen forces at work within us and the potential for transcendence beyond them.

Navigating the spaces between, I have come to understand that these transitions—whether they are emotional, mental, or even physical—are not obstacles but opportunities. In the liminal, I embrace uncertainty, finding beauty in the fluidity of change. It is here that I learn to adapt, to be comfortable with ambiguity, and to trust the process of becoming. Each transition, though often uncomfortable, serves as a bridge to new understanding.

In the subliminal, I have discovered the immense value of self-awareness. So much of who we are is shaped by forces we cannot see, by subconscious desires and fears that lurk beneath the surface. But when we take the time to explore these hidden depths, we unlock the potential for profound personal growth. It’s in this realm that the seeds of our creativity are planted, waiting patiently for the right conditions to bloom. And while we may not always be conscious of these forces at work, we can learn to listen to the whispers of our intuition and allow them to guide us.

The supraliminal, for me, is where the magic happens. It’s the space where everything clicks into place, where I feel a deep sense of connection to the world around me and to my higher self. In this state, I am able to tap into a wellspring of creativity and insight, seeing beyond the immediate circumstances of my life to the greater picture. It’s in these moments of clarity that I am reminded of my own power, not just to navigate life’s challenges but to actively shape my reality. The supraliminal is where I find the courage to dream big, to pursue my passions, and to step into my fullest potential.

Yet, none of these realms exist in isolation. They are constantly influencing one another, creating a rich tapestry of experiences that shape who we are. I have learned to recognize when I am dwelling in each of these spaces and to honor the lessons that each realm has to offer. In the liminal, I learn patience and resilience. In the subliminal, I gain insight into my deepest self. And in the supraliminal, I discover my true potential and purpose.

Lessons for the Neurotypical and Neurodiverse

Though much of this journey is deeply personal, shaped by my own neurodiverse experiences, I believe the lessons I’ve learned in navigating these realms apply to everyone, regardless of their neurological makeup. The liminal, subliminal, and supraliminal realms are not exclusive to those of us who are neurodiverse; they are universal aspects of the human experience.

For those who identify as neurotypical, the liminal may manifest in life’s transitions—whether it’s a career change, a shift in relationships, or a moment of personal growth. The subliminal speaks to the inner workings of the mind, the subconscious forces that influence our behaviours and decisions. And the supraliminal is where we all find our highest purpose, the place where we step into our potential and create the life we envision for ourselves.

In the neurodiverse community, these realms take on a different flavour, shaped by the unique ways we experience the world. For me, as someone who identifies with neurodiversity, my journey through these spaces is intertwined with the highs and lows of living with bipolar disorder. The liminal reflects the constant state of flux, where stability is often elusive, and I am always transitioning between emotional states. The subliminal is where my creativity simmers, often beneath the surface, waiting for the right moment to emerge. And the supraliminal is where I find moments of clarity, where I can see beyond the immediate chaos and connect with something greater than myself.

But regardless of how we navigate these realms, the lessons remain the same. The liminal teaches us to embrace change, to be comfortable with uncertainty, and to trust the process of transformation. The subliminal reminds us that there is always more beneath the surface, that our subconscious minds are constantly at work, shaping our perceptions and behaviours. And the supraliminal encourages us to dream bigger, to see beyond the limits of our current reality, and to step into our highest potential.

The Ongoing Journey

I sit here, reflecting on my journey through these unseen bridges, I am reminded that this is not a journey with a fixed destination. There will always be new thresholds to cross, new depths to explore, and new heights to reach. The beauty of life lies not in reaching the end but in navigating the spaces between, in finding meaning in the transitions and growth in the uncertainty.

I am constantly moving between these realms, sometimes consciously, sometimes without even realizing it. There are moments when I am fully immersed in the liminal, navigating the uncertainty of change. Other times, I find myself diving into the subliminal, exploring the hidden depths of my mind. And then there are those rare, magical moments when I step into the supraliminal, where everything becomes clear, and I am able to see the world with a heightened sense of awareness.

This journey is ongoing, and I know that I will continue to move between these spaces for the rest of my life. But rather than fear the uncertainty, I have learned to embrace it. I have learned to trust the process, to be patient with myself, and to recognise that each step along the way is an opportunity for growth.

Final Reflections

My deep dive into the concepts of liminality, subliminality, and supraliminality began unexpectedly, sparked by a simple invitation to join a Facebook group focused on "Liminal Spaces." What began as a curiosity has since evolved into a framework for understanding my own life, my own journey. These concepts have given me language for experiences that I have long struggled to articulate, and they have provided me with a roadmap for navigating the complexities of existence.

As I’ve explored these realms, I’ve come to see them not as separate, distinct spaces, but as interconnected aspects of my reality. They are the lenses through which I view the world, the frameworks that shape my experience of life. And though my journey through these spaces is deeply personal, I believe it is also universal. We all navigate these unseen bridges, moving between the liminal, subliminal, and supraliminal as we seek to understand ourselves and the world around us.

In many ways, my journey through these realms mirrors the creative process itself. The liminal is where ideas are born, where we stand at the threshold of something new. The subliminal is where those ideas take root, where they simmer beneath the surface, waiting for the right moment to emerge. And the supraliminal is where those ideas come to life, where we bring our visions into reality.

This process of moving between worlds, of navigating the unseen, is not always easy. It requires patience, resilience, and a willingness to embrace the unknown. But it is in these spaces between that we find our greatest growth, our greatest insights, and our greatest potential.

So I continue on this journey, and I am reminded that life is not about reaching a destination, but about navigating the spaces in between. It is in the transitions, the shifts, and the transformations that we find meaning. And it is in the unseen bridges that we discover who we truly are.

If you’ve enjoyed exploring my journey through these realms of consciousness, you won’t want to miss my preparation for a TED Talk. Check it out here: https://www.peterpickering.com/a-ted-talk