at 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. Coue_(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. Coue._--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 becomi