Archibald S. Van Orden’s introduction to “Self mastery through conscious autosuggestion” (1922) by Emile Coué.

Introduction

The pendulum of medical thought is swinging away from materialism. The day of the predominance of the pill is past. Practitioners of all schools now realize that a very large part of our weal and woe is the result of our thinking. Probably ninety per cent, of all cures have a mental basis independent of the apparent material means employed. This is no argument against the physician or healer of any school, but it is an argument in favor of scientific understanding and employment of mental means for human betterment.

Emile Coué stands out as leader of the great and ever increasing host of those who believe that mind is the principal factor in health and sickness. He tells us that in every case the material element has its place, but that this place is one of subservience; that matter is servant, mind is master; and that matter will obey the direction of mind, if the thing aimed at “is in any way possible.” This implies that there may be instances in which the desired thing “is not in any way possible,” but Coue does not undertake to define the latter class. After reading of the many cures induced by his “method,” one cannot avoid the conclusion that further development and application of the “method” will greatly reduce the field now regarded as “the impossible. ”

Coué is scientific. He does not start with a theory and then try to prove it by logic; but he begins with “experiments” and builds up his theory inductively. He takes you to a clinic where things are being done, not to a lecture room where things are being discussed. He recognizes the fact that people, not thoroughly acquainted with his “method,” may find in it much that “seems childish”; but his answer is, “it produces results.” One feels like paraphrasing the words of another: “The lame walk, the ill are made whole, and happy are they who do not stumble at that which is seemingly too simple in my method.”

Coue is in line with a considerable number of scholars who have studied and utilized hypnotism in its various phases, particularly related to disease. For many years is was supposed that hypnotism and kindred phenomena were abnormal, but we know now that these phenomena are perfectly natural, that they have been the greatest factors in all the ages for moral and physical health or disease, and that the modern psychologist is merely attempting to use consciously, for human good, that which had previously been a great uncontrolled power for both good and ill.

The unique contributions which Coué has made to human betterment are, his recognition of the primary place of the imagination in the cure of disease, and his development of a “method” whereby the imagination may be energized and directed for its beneficent work.

Our mentality is of two sorts, that which we use consciously and that which we use unconsciously or subconsciously. Coué agrees with many others in recognizing this dual mentality. But no predecessor, I believe, has recognized the closeness of the relationship between subconscious mentality and the imagination. It would seem, at times, that the two are almost identical in his thought. Is it fair to interpret him as meaning that the imagination is at once the entrance and exit by which we open up our unconscious powers and draw them out for our good or ill? Perhaps so, but he does not theorize much in this little book; his interest is rather in practical cures, and these are so wonderful that the reader will find his credulity put to the test. To this, your natural questioning, Coue and his disciples would say “come and see,” which is after all the only scientific test of anything.

The formula, “Every day, in every way, I am getting better and better,” Coué says, “covers all cases,” and, regardless of the disease or difficulty, this formula repeated as directed produces results if they are “in any way possible.” Doubtless the thing which happens is that the imagination takes hold of the general idea of progressive betterment, as suggested in the formula, and fills in the details of that idea with data of its own experience and hope. (The rheumatic patient, repeating the formula, sees himself in imagination reaching the point where he can walk or run, etc.) Now, the wonder of the “method” is this, that this imagined cure has marvelous power to call into action the subjective mind, which produces in reality the thing imagined.

If the Coue “method” has such wonderful effect on the unconscious personality for the cure of disease, why shouldn’t it have an effect along moral and social lines that is equally wonderful? The fact seems to be that this process which Coué has learned to utilize for cures, is the process which has been back of every great historic movement. A person gets hold of an idea. He holds it before his imagination until it possesses his subjective mind and transforms him. He constantly gives the thought to others until they are transformed, and eventually the idea of the one man becomes the dominating force of whole nations.

Mr. Coué’s brief statement of the relation of his “method” to education is destined to become a classic on this vital subject. That education should begin at birth and even before, that it is the duty of parents 8 THE COUà “METHOD”

and relatives to see to it that the minds of children are placed in the correct attitude toward their own development, that education consists in “self-mastery” and not in teaching subjects; in these matters and some others the “master” stands on common ground with many thoughtful people; but he advances beyond others in showing a clear, scientific, and simple “method” of accomplishing these highly desirable results. The little section in this book which deals with this subject should receive the thoughtful attention of all who are interested in the future of the children of this land.

The name of the originator sometimes leaves its mark in history. Such is Confucius. The history of China for the past twenty-five hundred years is the outworking of the imagination of the Sage in the lives of the untold millions of Chinese through those ages.

Coué has taught us how the psychology of the mob is produced. We are all changed into the image of that which is held before the eyes of our imagination. We can change ourselves as we wish. We can be sick, or well; good, or bad accordingly as we direct our imaginations this way or that. Perhaps we think there are limitations; but let us not talk about those until we have begun to approach them. We can have the kind of world we want to live in, as soon as we are willing to hold proper ideals before our imaginations until our unconscious minds change us into that which we imagine. And don’t forget the night and morning repetition of the formula, and even the string with its twenty knots; Coue has proven them to be effective.

Archibald S. Van Orden