Last April we had the visit of M. Emile Coué at Paris, and here are some of his teachings:
Question.--Question of a theist: I think it is unworthy of the Eternal to make our obedience to his will, depend on what M. Coué calls a trick or mechanical process: conscious autosuggestion.
M. Coué.--Whether we wish it or not, our imagination always overrules our will, when they are in conflict. We can lead it into the right path indicated by our reason, by consciously employing the mechanical process that we employ unconsciously often to lead into the wrong.
And the thoughtful questioner says to herself: "Yes, it is true, in this elevated sphere of thought, conscious autosuggestion has the power to free us from obstacles created by ourselves, which might as it were put a veil between us and God, just as a piece of stuff, hanging in a window, can prevent the sun from coming into a room."
Question.--How ought one to set about bringing those dear to one who may be suffering, to make themselves good autosuggestions which would set them free?
Answer.--Do not insist or lecture them about it. Just remind them simply that I advise them to make an autosuggestion with the conviction that they will obtain the result they want.
Question.--How is one to explain to oneself and to explain to others that the repetition of the same words: "I am going to sleep. . . . It is going away . . ." etc., has the power to produce the effect, and above all so powerful an effect that it is a certain one?
Answer.--The repetition of the same words forces one to think them, and when we think them they become true for us and transform themselves into reality.
Question.--How is one to keep inwardly the mastery of oneself?
Answer.--To be master of oneself it is enough to think that one is so, and in order to think it, one should often repeat it without making any effort.