The Practice of AutosuggestionBrooks, C. Harry (Cyrus Harry)
Science
The Practice of Autosuggestion
Brooks, C. Harry (Cyrus Harry)
Coué, Emile, 1857-1926; Mental suggestion
We should approach autosuggestion in the same reasonable manner as we
approach any other scientific discovery. There is no hocus-pocus about
it, nor are any statements made here which experience cannot verify.
But the attitude we should beware most of is that of the intellectual
amateur, who makes the vital things of life small coin to exchange with
his neighbour of the dinner-table. Like religion, autosuggestion is a
thing to practise. A man may be conversant with all the creeds in
Christendom and be none the better for it; while some simple soul,
loving God and his fellows, may combine the high principles of
Christianity in his life without any acquaintance with theology. So it
is with autosuggestion.
Autosuggestion is just as effective in the treatment of moral
delinquencies as in that of physical ills. Drunkenness, kleptomania,
the drug habit, uncontrolled or perverted sexual desires, as well as
minor failings of character, are all susceptible to its action. It is
as powerful in small things as in great. By particular suggestions we
can modify our tastes. We can acquire a relish for the dishes we
naturally dislike, and make disagreeable medicine taste pleasant. So
encouraging has been its application to the field of morals that Coue
is trying to gain admittance to the French state reformatories. So
far, the official dislike for innovations has proved a barrier, but
there is good reason to hope that in the near future the application of
this method to the treatment of the criminal will be greatly extended.
By way of anticipating an objection it may be stated that the Coue
method of Induced Autosuggestion is in no sense inferior to hypnotic
suggestion. Coue himself began his career as a hypnotist, but being
dissatisfied with the results, set out in quest of a method more simple
and universal. Conscious autosuggestion, apart from its convenience,
can boast one great advantage over its rival. The effects of hypnotic
suggestion are often lost within a few hours of the treatment. Whereas
by the use of the general formula the results of Induced Autosuggestion
go on progressively augmenting.
Here we touch again the question of the suggester. We have already
seen that a suggester is not needed, that autosuggestion can yield its
fullest fruits to those who practise it unaided. But some persons
cannot be prevailed on to accept this fact. They feel a sense of
insufficiency; the mass of old wrong suggestions has risen so
mountain-high that they imagine themselves incapable of removing it.
With such the presence of a suggester is an undoubted help. They have
nothing to do but lie passive and receive the ideas he evokes. Even
so, however, they will get little good unless they consent to repeat
the general formula.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
Reviews
Reviews
No reviews yet
Be the first to share your thoughts on this work.
Join the Discussion
Join the discussion
Sign in to leave a comment or review.
Sign InorCreate an account