SOME NOTES ON THE JOURNEY OF M. COUÉ TO PARIS IN
OCTOBER, 1919
The desire that the teachings of M. Coué in Paris last October should
not be lost to others, has urged me to write them down. Putting aside
this time the numerous people, physically or mentally ill, who have
seen their troubles lessen and disappear as the result of his
beneficent treatment, let us begin by quoting just a few of his
teachings.
_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
assurance," 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 pass_ (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. Coué."
. . . A Polytechnician, a severe critic, thus defines M. Coué: "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. Coué 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 Coué_
"EVERYTHING FOR EVERYONE"
By Mme. Emile Leon, Disciple of M. Coué.
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 Coué 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 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.
_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. Coué_(very seriously and affirmatively).--Certainly and
assuredly 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?
_Answer._--He expected his attacks, he feared them . . . and so he
_provoked_ them; if this gentleman gets well into his mind the idea
that he will have no more attacks, he will not have any; if he thinks
that he will have them, he will indeed do so.
_Question._--In what does your method differ from others.
_Answer._--The differ not the _will_ which rules us but the
_imagination;_ that is the basis, the fundamental basis.
_Question._--Will you give me a summary of your "Method" for
Mme. R----, who is doing an important work?
_M. E. Coué._--Here is the summary of the "Method" in a few
words: Contrary to what is taught, it is not our will which makes us
act, but our imagination (the unconscious). If we often do act as we
_will,_ it is because at the same time we think that we can. If it is
not so, we do exactly the reverse of what we wish. Ex: The more a
person with insomnia _determines_ to sleep, the more excited she
becomes; the more we _try_ to remember a name which we think
we have forgotten, the more it escapes us (it comes back only if, in
your mind, you replace the idea: "I have forgotten", by the idea "it
will come back"); the more we strive to prevent ourselves from
laughing, the more our laughter bursts out; the more we _determine_
to avoid an obstacle, when learning to bicycle, the more we rush
upon it.
We must then apply ourselves to directing our _imagination_ which
now directs us; in this way we easily arrive at becoming masters of
ourselves physically and morally.
How are we to arrive at this result? By the practice of conscious
_autosuggestion._
Conscious autosuggestion is based on this principle. Every idea that
we have in our mind becomes true for us and tends to realize itself.
Thus, if we _desire_ something, we can obtain it at the end of a
more or less long time, if we often repeat that this thing is going to
come, or to disappear, according to whether it is a good quality or a
fault, either physical or mental.
Everything is included by employing night and morning the general
formula: "Every day, _in every respect,_ I am getting better and
better".
_Question._--For those who are sad--who are in distress?
_Answer._--As long as you think: "I am sad", you _cannot_ be
cheerful, and in order to think something, it is enough to say without
effort: "I do think this thing--"; as to the distress it will disappear,
however violent it may be, _that_ I _can_ affirm.
A man arrives bent, dragging himself painfully along, leaning on
two sticks; he has on his face an expression of dull depression. As
the hall is filling up, M. E. Coué enters. After having questioned this
man, he says to him something like this: "So you have had
rheumatism for 32 years and you cannot walk. Don't be afraid, it's
not going to last as long as that again."
Then after the preliminary experiments: "Shut your eyes, and repeat
very quickly indeed, moving your lips, the words: 'It is going, it is
going' (at the same time M. Coué passes his hand over the legs of
the patient, for 20 to 25 seconds). Now you are no longer in pain, get
up and walk (the patient walks) quickly! quicker! more quickly still!
and since you can walk so well, you are going to run; run! Monsieur,
run!" The patient runs (joyously, almost as if he had recovered his
youth), to his great astonishment, and also to that of the numerous
persons present at the séance of April 27th, 1920. (Clinic of Dr.
Berillon.)
A lady declares: "My husband suffered from attacks of asthma for
many years, he had such difficulty in breathing that we feared a fatal
issue; his medical adviser, Dr. X---- had given him up. He was
almost radically cured of his attacks, after only one visit from M.
Coué".
A young woman comes to thank M. Coué with lively gratitude. Her
doctor, Dr. Vachet, who was with her in the room, says that the
cerebral anaemia from which she had suffered for a long while,
which he had not succeeded in checking by the usual means, had
disappeared as if by magic through the use of conscious
autosuggestion.
Another person who had had a fractured leg and could not walk
without pain and limping, could at once walk normally. No more
pain, no more limping.
In the hall which thrills with interest, joyful testimonies break out
from numerous persons who have been relieved or cured.
A doctor: "Autosuggestion is the weapon of healing". As to this
philosopher who writes (he mentions his name), he relies on the
_genius_ of Coué.
A gentleman, a former magistrate, whom a lady had asked to
express his appreciation, exclaims in a moved tone: "I cannot put my
appreciation into words--I think it is admirable--" A woman of the
world, excited by the disappearance of her sufferings: "Oh, M. Coué,
one could kneel to you--You are the merciful God!" Another lady,
very much impressed herself, rectifies: "No, his messenger".
An aged lady: It is delightful, when one is aged and fragile, to
replace a feeling of general ill health by that of refreshment and
general well-being, and M. E. Coué's method can, I affirm for I have
proved it, produce this happy result, which is all the more complete
and lasting since it relies on the all-powerful force which is within
us.
A warmly sympathetic voice calls him the modest name he prefers
to that of "Master": Professor Coué.
A young woman who has been entirely won over: "M. Coué goes
straight to his aim, attains it with sureness, and, in setting free his
patient, carries generosity and knowledge to its highest point, since
he leaves to the patient himself the merit of his liberation and the use
of a marvellous power".
A literary man, whom a lady asks to write a little _"chef d'oeuvre"_
on the beneficent "Method" refuses absolutely, emphasizing the
simple words which, used according to the Method, help to make all
suffering disappear: "IT IS GOING AWAY--_that_ is the _chef-d'oeuvre!"_
he affirms.
And the thousands of sick folks who have been relieved or cured
will not contradict him.
A lady who has suffered much declares: "In re-reading the 'Method'
I find it more and more superior to the developments it has inspired;
there is really nothing to take away nor add to this 'Method'--all
that is left is to spread it. I shall do so in every possible way."
And now in conclusion I will say: Although M. Coué's modesty
makes him reply to everyone: