When the right degree of pressure had been reached, Coué told him to repeat the words "I cannot, I cannot...."
As he repeated this phrase the contracture increased, and all his efforts failed to release his grip.
"Voilà," said Coué. "Now listen. For ten years you have been thinking you could not lift your arm above your shoulder, consequently you have not been able to do so, for whatever we think becomes true for us. Now think 'I can lift it.'"
The patient looked at him doubtfully.
"Quick!" Coué said in a tone of authority. "Think 'I can, I can!'"
"I can," said the man. He made a half-hearted attempt and complained of a pain in his shoulder.
"Bon," said Coué. "Don't lower your arm. Close your eyes and repeat with me as fast as you can, 'Ca passe, ça passe.'"
For half a minute they repeated this phrase together, speaking so fast as to produce a sound like the whirr of a rapidly revolving machine. Meanwhile Coué quickly stroked the man's shoulder. At the end of that time the patient admitted that his pain had left him.
"Now think well that you can lift your arm," Coué said.
The departure of the pain had given the patient faith. His face, which before had been perplexed and incredulous, brightened as the thought of power took possession of him. "I can," he said in a tone of finality, and without effort he calmly lifted his arm to its full height above his head. He held it there triumphantly for a moment while the whole company applauded and encouraged him.