PSYCHO-THERAPEUTIC METHODS

The reader will have seen from the preceding chapters that we have proceeded upon the theory that Suggestion is the universal operative principle manifesting in all forms of mental healing, under whatever guise the latter may be presented and by whatever method it may be applied. But it must be remembered that by “Suggestion” we do not mean the theories of any particular group of psycho-therapists, but rather the broad general principle indicated by that term which operates in the direction of influencing the Subconscious Mind and its activities. Let us consider the principle of Suggestion that we may understand what it is, and what it is not.

The term “Suggestion” has as its root the Latin word suggero, which is translated as follows: sug (or sub), “under;” and gero, “to carry;” that is, “to carry or place under.” In its general usage it signifies “The introduction indirectly into the mind or thoughts; or that which is so introduced.” Ordinarily a “suggestion” is an idea indirectly insinuated into the mind, and generally without the process of argument or reasoning. In the New Psychology, the term “suggestion” is used in the sense of an idea which is “carried under” the objective or conscious mind, and introduced to the subjective or Subconscious Mind. In Suggestive Therapeutics, a “suggestion” is an idea introduced into that part of the Subconscious Mind which governs and controls the physical functions and activities, and which is embodied in the cells and cell-groups of the body as we have stated in the preceding chapters.

By many mental healers the term “Suggestion” is applied only to the particular method of applying Suggestion employed by physicians and others who practice under the general theories of Suggestive Therapeutics, and the first mentioned class deny that they use Suggestion because, as they say, they do not use the methods of the practitioners of Suggestive Therapeutics, and make their cures by “metaphysical” or “spiritual” means, or according to some creed or metaphysical theory which, accepted, works the cure. We think that the unprejudiced reader who has followed us this far will have seen that these metaphysical theories, creeds, and special dogmas are simply the outward mask of Suggestion. These healers simply supply a form of Suggestion which is acceptable to the patient because of his temperament, training, etc., and the healing process operates along the lines of the “faith cure.”

The fact that healers of entirely opposite theories and doctrines manage to make cures in about the same proportion and in about the same time, would seem to prove that the theories or dogmas have but little to do with the real work of healing. Whatever form of Suggestion is most acceptable to the patient, will best perform the healing work in that particular case. This will also serve to explain why some patients failing to obtain relief from one school of mental healing often are cured by healers of another school, and vice versa. Some need Suggestion couched in the mystical terms of some of the cults; others need it garbed in religious drapings, while others prefer some vague metaphysical theory which seems to explain the phenomena. Others still are repelled by any of the above forms, but respond readily to the Suggestion of a physician administering “straight” suggestive treatment, without any religious, metaphysical, or mystical disguise. In all of these cases the real healing work is done by the Subconscious Mind of the patient himself, the various forms of Suggestion serving merely to awaken and rouse into activity the latent forces of nature.

We invite your consideration of the following forms of “treatment” for various disorders, as given by some of the “Divine Scientists” and other metaphysical and semi-religious organizations and cults. As you read them, try to discover the Suggestive germ so nicely surrounded by the sugar-coating—the Suggestive pill so cleverly concealed by the “metaphysical” raisin.

From a journal published in Chicago several years ago, called “Universal Truth,” the following “treatments” were clipped:

A correspondent who asked for a “treatment” adapted to the cure of nervousness, is instructed to use the following formula, which must be “repeated over and over”:

“I am warmed and fed and clothed and healed by Divine Love.”

Another correspondent is given the following formula for the cure of sore feet, the affirmation to be made frequently:

“I so thoroughly understand the divine working of the Truth, and I so thoroughly realize the presence of the Father in me and about me that I am now conscious that omnipotent Love rules in every atom of my being, soul and body. My feet can never be weary nor sore. God created my feet perfect. I walk the pathway of life in perfect ease and comfort. All the obstacles in my path have vanished, and my feet are bathed in a sea of pure love. Through a knowledge and realization of the presence of Omnipotence, I praise and thank God for the perfect spirit of peace that now dwells within me.”

The following additional “treatment” is suggested to this sufferer from sore feet:

“Mentally place yourself in an attitude to realize the power of the words you utter, for the fullness of peace and harmony in your feet comes with realization. The more frequently this spiritual medicine is used, the sooner comes manifestation of perfect health.”

The same journal contained the following item:

“The following invigorating affirmations are used at the Exodus Club, Chicago, Sunday mornings, the congregation repeating them after the leader: ‘With reverent recognition of my birthright, I claim my sonship with the Almighty. I am free from disease and disorder. I am in harmony with my source. The Infinite Health is made manifest in me. The Infinite Substance is my constant supply. The Infinite Life fills and strengthens me. The Infinite Intelligence illumines and directs me. The Infinite Love surrounds and protects me. The Infinite Power upholds and supports me. I am out of bondage. I have the freedom of the sons of God. With all that is in me I rejoice and give thanks. God and man are the all in all, now and forever more.’”

The same journal recommends the following affirmations for general health treatment:

“Monday—Perfect health is my external birthright.

“Tuesday—I have health of intellect, therefore I have wise judgment and clear understanding.

“Wednesday—I am morally healthful, therefore in all my dealings I love to realize that I am quickened by the spirit of integrity.

“Thursday—Healthfulness of soul gives me a pure heart and righteousness of motive in everything I do.

“Friday—Meditation upon the health of my real being outpictures in physical health and strength, in even temper, joyous spirits and in kind words.

“Saturday—My health is inexhaustible, because I keep my eye steadily fixed upon its eternal Principle, and my mouth filled with words of its Omnipotence.

“Sunday—The Father and I are one; one in purpose, alike in Substance, and one in manifestation.”

In the same journal a correspondent gives the following treatment for rupture:

“You were conceived in Divine Love. You are the expression of that pure, perfect Love. Divine Love is a binding, cementing power. It is the power that holds all atoms in their places. Every atom of your body is drawn and held together in its place by this power. If any of them get separated as by rupture or any other appearance, they may be drawn together and cemented by the omnipotent power of Love; but the word must be spoken. Therefore use the following: ‘The omnipotent spirit of Love in me heals this rupture and gives me peace.’ Then, mentally realize the truth of your words, for the Spirit alone can heal.”

The following treatment for appendicitis is given in the same journal:

“The false theories of physicians and surgeons, and the general impressions regarding that error named Appendicitis are powerless to produce or perpetuate such manifestation. The great law of harmony reigns and only waits the universal acknowledgment of its supremacy to obliterate all such falsity, thereby obliterating the manifestation. We claim, therefore, freedom from such error for every soul. We make this claim in the name of Jesus Christ.”

From the same source is taken this treatment for periodical nausea in a child:

“Dear child, every organ of your body is designed to represent the ideal and perfect organ in your real spiritual being; and every function of your body must respond to the word of truth which is now sent forth to establish harmony in your consciousness. The infinite Love that is omnipresent and all-powerful permeates and penetrates every organ and function of your body, and corrects every tendency to discord or disease. By that infinite Love you are now made free. You are fearless and free. You are joyous and free. You are free from the fear of others. You manifest health, strength and peace. Harmony reigns in mind and body. The word of truth has made you free.”

Also the following treatment for constipation:

“I do realize that the power of divine Love so permeates every atom of my being that my bowels move freely and without effort. This inflowing of divine Love removes all obstructions and I am healed. I realize joy and eternal life so fully that the spirit of Peace is ever present with me. I acknowledge the fullness of joy, peace and power, and have come into a realization of my oneness with infinite Spirit; therefore I rest in thee, O my father.”

Another journal of “Divine Science” gave the following “Health Thought” to be held during the month:

“All the natural channels of my body are open and free. The substance of my body is good.”

Also the following treatment for general health:

“What is true of God is true of man. God is the One All, and is always in a state of wholeness. I, the man of God, am always whole, like unto the One All. No false belief environs or limits me. No shadow darkens my mental vision. My body is a heavenly body, and my eyes do behold the glory of God in all visible things. I am well, and provided for, thank God, and nothing can make me think otherwise.”

While to the orthodox practitioner of medicine the above affirmation and “treatments” may seem to be nothing but a ridiculous conglomeration of mystical, religious and metaphysical terms, without sequence, logical relation, or common-sense, it is true that statements and treatments similar to the above have successfully healed many cases of physical ailments. There are thousands of people who will testify that they were healed in a similar manner, and the majority of them believed that there was some particular and peculiar virtue in the formula used, or in the theories and beliefs upon which the formula was based. But the unprejudiced student of Suggestion will readily see that the real healing force was with the mind and being of the patients themselves, and that the faith, belief and expectant attention was aroused by the formula and the theories. The principle is that of all Faith Cures—the principle of Suggestion.

Other schools of metaphysical or religious healers treat the patient by impressing upon his mind the fact that God being perfect, good and loving could not be guilty of creating evil, pain or disease, and that such things are non-existent in the “Divine Mind,” and are merely illusion, errors, or false claims of the “mortal mind,” or “carnal mind” of the patient; therefore, if the patient will deny their reality, and will admit as existent only such things as are held in the Divine Mind, i. e., the good things, then the evil things, being merely illusions and untruths, must of necessity fade away and disappear and perfect health will result. Others treat their patients by impressing upon their minds the idea that sickness and disease is either the world or “the devil,” or of the “principle of evil,” the latter being described as “the negation of truth,” and similar terms; and that therefore fixing the mind and faith upon the “principle of Good,” or God, must result in driving away the evil conditions. Others hold that disembodied spirits are aiding in the cure. There are thousands of variations rung on the chimes of metaphysical or religious suggestions in the cults. And they all make some cures, remember—in spite of their theories rather than because of them.

The Mental Scientists come nearest to the ideas of the New Psychology, when they teach that “As a man thinketh, so is he,” and that the mind of man creates physical conditions, good and evil, and that the constant holding of the ideal of perfect health and the assertion thereof, will restore normal healthy conditions to the person suffering from physical ailments. Mental Science is very near to being “straight suggestion” so far as the actual method of treatment is concerned, although it resembles some of the other cults when it begins to speculate or dogmatize regarding the nature of the universe, etc.

Differing from these metaphysical, mystical, or religious schools of healing in theory, although employing the same principle, we find the school of Suggestive Therapeutics, proper, favored by many of the regular physicians and by a number of other healers who base their treatment upon the idea of “straight suggestion” coupled with hygienic truth and rational physiological facts. Perhaps a better idea of the theories and ideas of this school may be obtained by referring to the actual treatments given by some of their leading practitioners.

Herbert A. Parkyn, M. D., an eminent practitioner of Suggestive Therapeutics, gives the following instruction to his pupils: “Students often ask for information as to what they should say to a patient when thorough relaxation is realized. As no two cases are exactly alike, it follows that the suggestions given must necessarily fit the case, and be given with a view to bring about the mental and physical condition desired. For instance, in treating a patient who is afflicted with insomnia, suggestions of sleep should be persistently given; and in cases of malnutrition suggestions of hunger should be made to stimulate the appetite for food. The operator should bear in mind that the reiteration of the suggestion that will change the condition existing, to that desired, is always the right one, and his own intelligence will be the best guarantee as to what the suggestion should be.... Always arouse the expectant attention of a patient.... So logical a line of argument can be made that each patient will have a reason for expecting certain conditions to be brought about. With the patient’s attention on the desired results, they generally come to pass. It is better not to give negative suggestions, such as, ‘You will not, or cannot do this, that or the other thing,’ etc. Pointing out what is not desirable does not suffice. In place of such suggestions, tell what you really wish your patients to do. For example, if a man should mount his bicycle incorrectly, he would profit nothing if we should merely tell him that the way he mounted was not the proper one. How much easier it would be for all concerned if the proper manner of mounting should be shown at once. Just so it is with therapeutic suggestions, keep suggesting the conditions of mind or body you wish to bring about.”

The following treatment given as an example by F. W. Southworth, M. D., in his little book on “True Metaphysical Science, and its Practical Application through the Law of Suggestion,” furnishes an excellent illustration of the form of suggestive treatment favored by this particular school. The patient is addressed as follows:

“As thoughts are not only things, but forces and act upon our mental and physical life for good or ill, we must be careful to always keep ourselves in that condition of thought which builds up and strengthens, to constantly think thoughts of health, of happiness, of good, to be cheerful, hopeful, confident and fearless. (Repeat five or six times.) In order to sustain this condition of positive thinking it requires the development of the will power. The will is the motive power and the controlling force in all aspects of our life, but we develop it especially for the concentration and control of thought. This is the higher self—the infinite will. Exercise it with vigor and earnest persistency, and learn to rely upon it. Assert its power as you assert the power of the muscles in exercise and it will manifest itself and the thought will be positive, the secretions of the body will be normal, and the circulation of the blood in the head will be kept at that proper equilibrium which insures the constant nutrition of the cells of the brain and their constant vigor and strength of control of all the organs and tissues of the body, and this vast and intricate machinery of the body will work harmoniously for the production of nutrition through elaboration of the food elements.

“As our body is constantly changing and wasting, we must rebuild and restore it constantly, and we do so from the air we breathe, the water we drink, and the food we eat. The most important of these is the air you breathe, as it is not only a food in itself to the tissues, but it vitalizes the food you eat and the water you drink. Give it that quality of your thought and breathe it as you have been directed at least six times per day for a period of from five to ten minutes each time. Recognize it as both a food and an eliminator of poisons, as it is, and breathe, breathe, breathe, by Nature’s method, and the lungs will distribute the oxygen to the blood, and the blood being the common carrier of the body will take it to all parts of the body and on its return will gather up all the waste and poisonous matters and will bring them to the lungs, where, meeting the fresh oxygen, they will be burned up and exhaled as carbonic acid gas, leaving the body pure and clean.

“The water you drink, in the proportion of three and one-half pints each day, is necessary in all adult bodies to insure perfect secretion and excretion. As the result of this required liquid being provided in normal quantity, the secreting glands will manufacture the proper amount of juices needed in digestion, absorption and assimilation of your food, and the excreting glands, those which bring about excretion or the removal of waste matters from the body—the liver giving you the bile, which produces a daily movement of the bowels—the kidneys and bladder removing the chemical deposits which come about through the processes of digestion, and the skin excreting a large amount of waste matter from its twelve square feet of surface, which you remove with a towel each morning after moistening it with cold water. By following these laws of Nature you will have a good appetite and digestion, a daily movement of the bowels, refreshing sleep, and, as your nutrition is restored from day to day, a feeling of satisfaction and happiness will be the result. Be earnest and persistent and do everything cheerfully, with a firm determination of doing your part to restore nutrition.

“When you breathe, give it the quality of your thought; it is for the purpose of getting food, life; feeding from the air and eliminating poisons from your body. (Repeat five and six times.) When you sip the water, think each time that it is to produce perfect secretion and excretion—to give you a good appetite, digestion, refreshing sleep and a free movement of the bowels each morning. (Repeat five or six times.) Each day look forward to the morrow for progress and advancement. Think health—talk it and nothing else. Do not talk with anyone about disease or allow any person to talk to you on such subjects. Be cheerful, hopeful, confident and fearless always, and you will be happy and healthy. Eat, drink, breathe and be merry.”

It will be noticed that in the above described treatment, the suggestions are made along physiological and hygienic lines. That is, the suggestions indicate the physiological processes which are performed normally in the healthy person, the idea being to set up an ideal pattern for the Subconscious Mind to follow. In all scientific suggestive treatment the idea is always to paint a mental picture of the desired conditions rather than to dwell upon the existing undesirable conditions. The ideal is always held up to view, and the patient’s mind is led to realize the ideal—to make the ideal real—to manifest the thought in action—to materialize the mental picture.

The general principles of Suggestive Therapeutics may be applied effectively by means of Auto-Suggestion. In fact, the “affirmations,” “statements” and “assertions” used by many of the New Thought schools are but forms of Auto-Suggestion. There is no essential difference between the Suggestion given by others, and the Auto-Suggestion given by one’s self to one’s self. The healing power is in the mind of the patient, and whether it is called forth by his own Auto-Suggestion or the Suggestion of a healer matters not. The Auto-Suggestion is merely a case of self-healing by Suggestion, and is administered upon the principle of “every man his own suggestionist”—“sez I to meself, sez I.” Auto-Suggestions are usually given to one’s self in the form of “affirmations,” as, “I am improving; my stomach is doing its work well, digesting what is given it, and the nourishment is assimilated, etc.” In other works by the writer hereof, the method of addressing one’s self as one would another is recommended as particularly efficacious. That is to say, instead of saying, “I am, etc.,” in Auto-Suggestion, it is better to address one’s self in the second person, as “John Smith (naming yourself), you are, etc.” In short, the Auto-Suggestion seems to have additional force imparted to it by being directed as if it were being given to another person.

The following thought of Dr. Schofield is worthy of careful consideration in connection with the methods of applying Suggestion. He says, referring to the treatment of hysterical disorders and ailments: “We must, however, remember one great point with regard to suggestion—that it is like nitrogen. Nitrogen is the essential element in all animal life; it forms four-fifths of the air we breathe, and yet, curious to say, we have no power to use it in a pure state. We can only take it unconsciously, when combined with other substances in the form of proteid food. It is the same with suggestions. Not one hysterical sufferer in a hundred can receive and profit by them in a raw state—that is, consciously; they must generally be presented, as we have said, indirectly to the subconscious mind by the treatment and environment of the patient. An electric shock often cures slight hysterical diseases instantaneously, acting, as it often does, on the unconscious mind through the conscious. No doubt it would be easier if we could say to these sufferers, ‘The disease is caused by suggestions from ideal centers, and to cure it, all you have to do is to believe you are well.’ Still, it would be as impossible for us to take our nitrogen pure from the air, the mind cannot as a rule be thus acted on directly when the brain is unhealthy. Suggestion must be wrapped in objective treatment, directed ostensibly and vigorously to the simulated disease.”

Not only is the above true regarding the treatment of hysterical disorders, but to all disorders as well. The methods which will bring about the best results must be carefully modeled upon the patient’s particular temperament, education, prejudices for and against, and general belief. The skilled suggestionist adapts his treatment and methods to each individual case coming to him for treatment. Whatever method will best arouse the patient’s belief, faith and expectant attention is the best method for administering the suggestions. The successful suggestionist must be “all things to all men,” never, however, losing sight of the fundamental principle of Suggestion—the arousing of faith, belief, and expectant attention.