AUTOSUGGESTION
Autosuggestion is a process by which it is possible to train the subconscious mind to believe
something, or systematically schematizes the person's own mental associations, usually for a given purpose. This is accomplished
through self-hypnosis methods or repetitive, constant self-affirmations, and may be seen as a form of self-induced brainwashing.
The acceptance of autosuggestion may be quickened through mental visualization of that which the individual would like to
believe. Its success is typically correlated with the consistency of its use and the length of time over which it is used.
Autosuggestion can be seen as an aspect of prayer self-exhorting "pep talks", meditation, and other similar activities. A
trivial example of self-improvement by autosuggestion is the New Year's resolution especially if it is followed up by systematic
attention to the resolution.
Autosuggestion is most commonly accomplished by presenting (either through caressing
or bombarding) one's mind with repetitive thoughts (negative or positive), until those thoughts become internalized. Practitioners
typically hope to transmute thoughts into beliefs, and even into actualities. Visualizing the manifestations of a belief,
verbally affirming it, and thinking it using one's "internal voice", are typical means of influencing one's mind via repetitive
autosuggestion. Autosuggestion is normally thought of as a deliberate tool, but it can also refer to an unintentional process.
The French psychologist
Emile Coué wrote extensively on the theory and practice of autosuggestion.
Applications of deliberate autosuggestion
are intended to change the way one believes, perceives, or thinks; to change one's acts; or to change the way one is composed
physically or physiologically. An example might be individuals reading nightly aloud a statement they have written describing
how they would like to be, then repeating the statement in their mind until they fall asleep. People have attributed changes
to such a nightly routine or similar employment of autosuggestion, for example, increased confidence the conquering of life-long
fears heightened mental faculties (e.g., ability to calculate mathematics or read at a quicker rate), eradication of diseases
or infections from one's body, and even improved eyesight and growing taller. It is not uncommon to hear people claim that
they have been able to get rid of warts on their hands, simply by making a point of saying, "There go my warts!" every time
they saw a garbage truck or a trashcan, but it is not clear whether such anecdotal reports should be taken as evidence of
the power of autosuggestion.
The same type of effect that deliberate autosuggestion may achieve can also be seen in
individuals not consciously trying to program themselves through autosuggestion. The dominant thoughts that occupy a person's
conscious mind, if constantly present over an extended period of time, may have the effect of training that person's subconscious
mind to organize that individual's beliefs according to those thoughts. In this sense, the mechanisms of pathological fixations
and obsessions to some extent resemble the process of autosuggestion.
Autosuggestion is differentiated from brainwashing
or hypnosis in that the suggestions given during the sessions originate with the individual, rather than originating with
suggestions from others.
AUTOSUGGESTION
This is really an extension of autogenic training, or meditation,
by taking the ability to reduce stress and tension further through creating a state
of autohypnosis. This is done by the repetition of a simple phrase while in a relaxed or meditative state.
While this can be very useful during, say, labour and delivery, it requires some commitment beforehand
to become practised enough to use effectively.
The practice was devised almost 100 years ago by a French pharmacist called Emile Coue, who recognised the strength
of unconscious healing that could be harnessesed by an individual. The repeated phrase for which he is most remembered is,
'Every day, in every way, I am getting better and better.'
Although a self-help technique, advice and instruction can be
obtained from a medically qualified hypnotherapist. The following 'click on' sites should help you
to find an accredited practitioner near to you.