Originally published in 1922, Self Mastery Through Conscious
Autosuggestion caused a stir throughout the scientific and religious
communities. Émile Coué's assertions that the repetition of certain
phrases, or mantras, can have a positive effect on the health and
happiness of an individual challenged the existing reliance on chemicals
and clergy. However, his theories, which are laid out in straightforward
detail in his work, were solidly based on his firsthand experiences with
patients, including such stalwart methods as conditioning therapy and
the placebo effect. Often invited to lecture on the subject, he finally
was motivated to commit it to writing by his desire to help people help
themselves. French pharmacist and psychotherapist EMILE COUE (1857-1926)
founded the Lorraine Society of Applied Psychology and was known across
Europe and the U.S. for his theories on the power of autosuggestion,
which was dubbed the "Coué Method" and is still practiced today.