AUTO
SUGGESTION AND POSITIVE THINKING
EMILY Coue, the French psychologist of the 20th century advocates the approach
to self- improvement through the formula of auto
suggestion, “Every day in every way. I am getting better and better.” This also is one aspect of the modern concept of positive thinking.
The fact of the matter, nevertheless, is that any auto suggestion or statement in positive thinking has to be made when the
conscious and subconscious are fully receptive. For this, the body – mind mechanism must be relaxed, in touch with its true state of peace and harmony. In reality, however, moods of despondency, irritability, grudges, self – pity and insecurity often grip the mind, which then knows no stability or consistency. The person concerned alternates between highs and lows. In this state of low receptivity and disturbance, any suggestion or wish would be bounced back and thus not allowed to flower forth.
The key to the solution is to be found in the modern findings that when one is fully relaxed, he cannot ever feel insecure, angry or depressed. Indeed, as Swamy Satyananda, founder of the Bihar school of yoga observes, relaxation confers an altered state of perception. With the venting out of stresses, the aspirant also experiences freedom from ignorance and confusion which feed on these negative forces. He then obtains access to this real inner self which is the seat of peace and confidence.
This reality this truth is thus beauty. In the manner conceived of by John Keats “Beauty is truth, truth beauty” ( Endymion ).
This relaxed and integrated state is also that state of inner harmony where conflicts and inner contradictions are dispelled. In this power of self – knowledge and inner conviction, of its own true potential, the body- mind mechanism, receives the statement, wish, visualisation or positive thinking through the conscious mind. The message naturally percolates to the sub – conscious and other aspects of the personality.
This is also an indication of the supreme heights one can take himself to, where sky is the limit, through comprehension of the divinity within oneself, through the realisation of the vedic concept, Brahmaivahamasmi: “I am verily the power of divinity.”