Self Mastery Through Conscious Autosuggestion Part 11

_Question._--Why is it that I do not obtain better results although I use your method and prayer?

_Answer._--Because, probably, at the back of your mind there is an _unconscious doubt,_ or because you make _efforts._ Now, remember that efforts are determined by the will; if you bring the will into play, you run a serious risk of bringing the imagination into play too, but in the contrary direction, which brings about just the reverse of what you desire.

_Question._--What are we to do when something troubles us?

_Answer._--When something happens that troubles you, _repeat_ at once "No, that does not trouble me at all, not in the least, the fact is rather agreeable than otherwise." In short, the idea is to work ourselves up in a good sense instead of in a bad.

_Question._--Are the preliminary experiments indispensable if they are unacceptable to the pride of the subject?

_Answer._--No, they are not indispensable, but they are of great utility; for although they may seem childish to certain people, they are on the contrary extremely serious; they do indeed prove three things:

1. That every idea that we have in our minds becomes _true_ for us, and has a tendency to transform itself into action.

2. That when there is a conflict between the imagination and the will, it is always the imagination which wins; and in this case we do exactly the _contrary_ of what we wish to do.

3. That it is easy for us to put into our minds, _without any effort,_ the idea that we wish to have, since we have been able without effort to think in succession: "I cannot," and then "I can."

The preliminary experiments should not be repeated at home; alone, one is often unable to put oneself in the right physical and mental conditions, there is a risk of failure, and in this case one's self-confidence is shaken.

_Question._--When one is in pain, one cannot help thinking of one's trouble.

_Answer._--Do not be afraid to think of it; on the contrary, do think of it, but to say to it, "I am not _afraid_ of you."

If you go anywhere and a dog rushes at you barking, look it firmly in the eyes and it will not bite you; but if you fear it, if you turn back, he will soon have his teeth in your legs.

_Question._--And if one does a retreat?

_Answer._--Go backwards.

_Question._--How can we realize what we desire?

_Answer._--By often repeating what you desire: "I am gaining a.s.surance," and you will do so; "My memory is improving," and it really does so; "I am becoming absolutely master of myself," and you find that you are becoming so.

If you say the contrary, it is the contrary which will come about.

What you say persistently and very quickly _comes to pa.s.s_ (within the domain of the reasonable, of course).

Some testimonies:

A young lady to another lady: "How simple it is! There is nothing to add to it: he seems inspired. Do you not think that there are beings who radiate influence?"

... An eminent Parisian doctor to numerous doctors surrounding him: "I have entirely come over to the ideas of M. Coue."

... A Polytechnician, a severe critic, thus defines M. Coue: "He is a Power."

... Yes, he is a Power of Goodness. Without mercy for the bad autosuggestions of the "defeatist" type, but indefatigably painstaking, active and smiling, to help everyone to develop their personality, and to teach them to cure themselves, which is the characteristic of his beneficent method.

How could one fail to desire from the depths of one's heart that all might understand and seize the "good news" that M. Coue brings?

"It is the awakening, possible for everyone, of the personal power which he has _received_ of being happy and well."

It is, _if one consents,_ the full development of this power which can transform one's life.

Then, and is it not quite rightly so? it is the strict duty (and at the same time the happiness) of those who have been initiated, to spread by every possible means the knowledge of this wonderful method, the happy results of which have been recognized and verified by _thousands_ of persons, to make it known to those who suffer, who are sad, or who are overburdened ... to all! and to help them to put it into practice.

Then, thinking of France, triumphant but bruised, of her defenders victorious but mutilated, of all the physical and moral suffering entailed by the war; may those who-have the power (the greatest power ever given to man is the power of doing good [Socrates]) see that the inexhaustible reservoir of physical and moral forces that the "Method" puts within our reach may soon become the-patrimony of all the nation and through it of humanity.

Mme. Emile Leon, _Collaborator, in Paris, of M. Emile Coue_

"EVERYTHING FOR EVERYONE"

By Mme. Emile Leon, Disciple of M. Coue.

When one has been able to take advantage of a great benefit; when this benefit is within reach of everyone, although almost everyone is ignorant of it, is it not an urgent and absolute duty (for those who are initiated) to make it known to those around them? For all can make their own the amazing results of the "Emile Coue Method."

To drive away pain is much ... but how much more is it to lead into the possession of a new life _all_ those who suffer... .

Last April we had the visit of M. Emile Coue 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. Coue calls a trick or mechanical process: conscious autosuggestion.

_M. Coue._--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 G.o.d, 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 repet.i.tion 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 repet.i.tion 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.

_Question._--And outwardly, how is one to keep one's liberty?

_Answer._--Self mastery applies just as much physically as mentally.

_Question_(Affirmation).--It is impossible to escape trouble or sadness, if we do not do as we should, it would not be just, and autosuggestion, cannot ... and ought not to prevent _just suffering._

_M. Coue_(very seriously and affirmatively).--Certainly and a.s.suredly it ought not to be so, but it is so often ... at any rate for a time.

_Question._--Why did that patient who has been entirely cured, continually have those terrible attacks?