In the case of obsessions, phobias, hysterias, sexual abnormalities, and so forth, we can only hope to effect an improvement by a thorough analysis of the unconscious causes and conflicts by a competent psycho-analyst. In the lesser troubles of the mind, however, considerable improvement can often be effected by means of a somewhat superficial self-analysis. This will be directed towards investigating one in particular of the primary causes which play an important part in all the minor unpleasant temperamental faults. In order to teach the patient to help himself, it will first of all be necessary to enlighten him to a considerable extent as to the general evolution of his character; at any rate in as far as one important mental complex known as “Narcissism” is concerned. In doing this, many other mental complexes will have to be superficially touched upon; but in order to simplify the work for the uninitiated, they will not be specifically named when they appear; for, although this would make the work more technically accurate, it would, at the same time, make it less clear, and in a book of this type this would be very undesirable. The first object I have in mind is that the work shall be lucid, concise, and readily understood by any person of ordinary education, so that he may gain an insight into the essential causes and growth of some of his abnormal characteristics without undue complication of ideas. It is further hoped that this small work may be of some assistance in suggesting to parents a few of the many things to be avoided in the early training of the child. PAUL BOUSFIELD _7, Harley Street, W._ CONTENTS PART I: THE OMNIPOTENT SELF CHAP. PAGE I THE UNCONSCIOUS MIND 3 II REPRESSION 19 III THE FORCES SHAPING CHARACTER 27 IV DETERMINISM AND WILL POWER 41 V NARCISSISM 49 VI FACT AND PHANTASY 64 VII IDENTIFICATION 74 VIII THE IRRITABLE TEMPERAMENT 87 IX RATIONALIZATION 98 PART II: PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS X SELF ANALYSIS 111 XI READJUSTMENT OF OBJECTIVES 121 XII READJUSTMENT OF THOUGHT 138 XIII AUTO-SUGGESTION 157 XIV CONCLUSION 165 PART I THE OMNIPOTENT SELF CHAPTER I THE UNCONSCIOUS MIND §1