Chapter M: L. D----,

_Nancy, November,_ 1920.

THE MIRACLE WITHIN

_(Reprinted from the "Renaissance politique, littéraire et artistique" of the 18th of December,_ 1920)

HOMAGE TO EMILE COUÉ

In the course of the month of September, 1920, I opened for the first time the book of Charles Baudouin, of Geneva, professor at the Institute J. J. Rousseau in that town.

This work, published by the firm of Delachaux and Niestle, 26, rue Saint-Dominique, Paris, is called: "Suggestion et Autosuggestion". The author has dedicated it: _"To Emile Coué, the initiator and benefactor, with deep gratitude"._

I read it and did not put down the book until I had reached the end.

The fact is that it contains the very simple exposition of a magnificently humanitarian work, founded on a theory which may appear childish just because it is within the scope of everyone. And if everyone puts it into practice, the greatest good will proceed from it.

After more than twenty years of indefatigable work, Emile Coué who at the present time lives at Nancy, where he lately followed the work and experiments of Liébault, the father of the doctrine of suggestions, for more than twenty years, I say, Coué has been occupied exclusively with this question, but particularly in order to bring his fellow creatures to cultivate _autosuggestion._

At the beginning of the century Coué had attained the object of his researches, and had disengaged the general and immense force of autosuggestion. After innumerable experiments on thousands of subjects, _he showed the action of the unconscious in organic cases._ This is new, and the great merit of this profoundly, modest learned man, is to have found a remedy for terrible ills, reputed incurable or terribly painful, without any hope of relief.

As I cannot enter here into long scientific details I will content myself by saying how the learned man of Nancy practises his method.

The chiselled epitome of a whole life of patient researches and of ceaseless observations, is a brief formula which is to be repeated morning and evening.

It must be said in a low voice, with the eyes closed, in a position favourable to the relaxing of the muscular system, it may be in bed, or it may be in an easy chair, and in a tone of voice as if one were reciting a litany.

Here are the magic words: _"Every day, in every respect, I am getting better and better"._

They must be said twenty times following, with the help of a string with twenty knots in it, which serves as a rosary. This material detail has its importance; it ensures mechanical recitation, which is essential.

While articulating these words, _which are registered by the unconscious,_ one must not think of anything particular, neither of one's illness nor of one's troubles, one must be passive, just with the desire that all may be for the best. The formula _"in every respect"_ has a general effect.

This desire must be expressed without passion, without will, with gentleness, _but with absolute confidence._

For Emile Coué at the moment of autosuggestion, _does not call in the will in any way, on the contrary;_ there must be no question of the will at that moment, but the _imagination,_ the great motive force infinitely more active than that which is usually invoked, the imagination alone must be brought into play.

"Have confidence in yourself," says this good counsellor, "believe firmly that all will be well". And indeed all is well for those who have faith, fortified by perseverance.

As deeds talk louder than words, I will tell you what happened to myself before I had ever seen M. Coué.

I must go back then to the month of September when I opened M. Charles Baudouin's volume. At the end of a substantial exposition, the author enumerates the cure of illnesses such as enteritis, eczema, stammering, dumbness, a sinus dating from twenty years back which had necessitated eleven operations, metritis, salpingitis, fibrous tumours, varicose veins, etc., lastly and above all, deep tubercular sores, and the last stages of phthisis (case of Mme. D----, of Troyes, aged 30 years, who has become a mother since her cure; case was followed up, but there was no relapse). All this is often testified to by doctors in attendance on the patients.

These examples impressed me profoundly; _there_ was the miracle. It was not a question of nerves, but of ills which medicine attacks without success. This cure of tuberculosis was a revelation to me.

Having suffered for two years from acute neuritis in the face, I was in horrible pain. Four doctors, two of them specialists, had pronounced the sentence which would be enough, of itself alone, to increase the trouble by its fatal influence on the mind: "Nothing to be done!" This "nothing to be done" had been for me the worst of autosuggestions.

In possession of the formula: "Every day, in every respect . . .", etc., I recited it with a faith which, although it had come suddenly, was none the less capable of removing mountains, and throwing down shawls and scarves, bareheaded, I went into the garden in the rain and wind repeating gently _"I am going to be cured,_ I shall have no more neuritis, it is going away, it will not come back, etc. . . ." The next day I was cured and never any more since have I suffered from this abominable complaint, which did not allow me to take a step out of doors and made life unbearable. It was an immense joy. The incredulous will say: "It was all nervous." Obviously, and I give them this first point. But, delighted with the result, I tried the Coué Method for an oedema of the left ankle, resulting from an affection of the kidneys reputed incurable. In two days the oedema had disappeared. I then treated fatigue and mental depression, etc., and extraordinary improvement was produced, and I had but one idea: to go to Nancy to thank my benefactor.

I went there and found the excellent man, attractive by his goodness and simplicity, who has become my friend.

It was indispensable to see him in his field of action. He invited me to a popular "séance." I heard a concert of gratitude. Lesions in the lungs, displaced organs, asthma, Pott's disease (!), paralysis, the whole deadly horde of diseases were being put to flight. I saw a paralytic, who sat contorted and twisted in his chair, get up and walk. M. Coué had spoken, he demanded confidence, great, immense confidence in oneself. He said: "Learn to cure yourselves, you can do so; I have never cured anyone. The power is within you yourselves, call upon your spirit, make it act for your physical and mental good, and it will come, it will cure you, you will be strong and happy". Having spoken, Coué approached the paralytic: "You heard what I said, do you believe that you will walk?" "Yes."--"Very well then, get up!" The woman got up, she walked, and went round the garden. The miracle was accomplished.

A young girl with Pott's disease, whose vertebral column became straight again after three visits, told me what an intense happiness it was to feel herself coming back to life after having thought herself a hopeless case.

Three women, cured of lesions in the lungs, expressed their delight at going back to work and to a normal life. Coué in the midst of those people whom he loves, seemed to me a being apart, for this man ignores money, all his work is gratuitous, and his extraordinary disinterestedness forbids his taking a farthing for it. "I owe you something", I said to him, "I simply owe you everything. . . ." "No, only the pleasure I shall have from your continuing to keep well. . . ."

An irresistible sympathy attracts one to this simple-minded philanthropist; arm in arm we walked round the kitchen garden which he cultivates himself, getting up early to do so. Practically a vegetarian, he considers with satisfaction the results of his work. And then the serious conversation goes on: "In your _mind_ you possess an _unlimited_ power. It acts on matter if we know how to domesticate it. The imagination is like a horse without a bridle; if such a horse is pulling the carriage in which you are, he may do all sorts of foolish things and take you to your death. But harness him properly, drive him with a sure hand, and he will go wherever you like. Thus it is with the mind, the imagination. They must be directed for our own good. Autosuggestion, formulated with the lips, is an order which the unconscious receives, it carries it out unknown to ourselves and above all at night, so that the evening autosuggestion is the most important. It gives marvelous results."

When you feel a physical pain, add the formula _"It is going away . . .",_ very quickly repeated, in a kind of droning voice, placing your hand on the part where you feel the pain, or on the forehead, if it is a mental distress.

For the method acts very efficaciously on the mind. After having called in the help of the soul for the body, one can ask it again for all the circumstances and difficulties of life.

There also I know from experience that events can be singularly modified by this process.

You know it to-day, and you will know it better still by reading M. Baudouin's book, and then his pamphlet: _"Culture de la force morale",_ and then, lastly, the little succinct treatise written by M. Coué himself: _"Self Mastery."_ All these works may be found at M. Coué's.

If however I have been able to inspire in you the desire of making this excellent pilgrimage yourself, you will go to Nancy to fetch the booklet. Like myself you will love this unique man, unique by reason of his noble charity and of his love for his fellows, as Christ taught it.

Like myself also, you will be cured physically and mentally. Life will seem to you better and more beautiful. That surely is worth the trouble of trying for.

M. Burnat-Provins.

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:

I have no magnetic fluid--

I have no influence--

I have never cured anybody--

My disciples obtain the same results as myself--

"I can say in all sincerity that they tend to do so, instructed as they are in the _valuable 'Method',_ and when, in some far distant future, the thrilling voice of its author called to a higher sphere can no longer teach it here below, the 'Method', his work, will help in aiding, comforting, and curing thousands and thousands of human beings: it must be _immortal,_ and communicated to the entire world by generous France--for the man of letters was right, and knew how to illuminate in a word this true simple, and marvellous help in conquering pain: 'IT IS GOING AWAY--! _There is the chef-d'oeuvre!'"_

B. K. (Emile-Leon).
Paris, June 6th, 1920.