Table of Contents
1. Introduction
Autosuggestions are the most important part of the personality defect removal process as they provide solutions to the negative thoughts or reactions of our minds. Our minds tend to keep us in loops of negativity or incorrect thoughts. Autosuggestions help to nullify the negative tendencies of our minds, so that incorrect responses arising due to personality defects are not repeated and we behave appropriately. They directly address the negative impressions at their root and change them, so they become positive. In this way, our behaviour automatically changes for the better. This is a scientific and time-tested method of therapy which reduces our personality defects.
When we are beginning with the personality defect removal process, we first begin by collecting data about ourselves and where we are going wrong by making mistakes at the thought, action or emotional levels. Maintaining a diary helps us to understand our personality traits – both the positive (qualities) and the negative traits (personality defects). After writing mistakes or observations about ourselves for about 10-15 days and taking input or feedback from others such as friends or family members, we are able to see which defects are surfacing more often and are more predominant in us and which defects are impacting ourselves and others. Based on this understanding we select 1 to a maximum of 3 personality defects to work on at a given time. We can work on this set of personality defects for 2-3 months. After selecting 1-3 personality defects to work on as per the priority, it is necessary to frame appropriate autosuggestions for each defect. The following are the methods or techniques we can use to form autosuggestions.
For example, let us say we have selected 3 personality defects which we want to work on: fear, worrying and being disorganised. Then we select one mistake each where these 3 defects manifested from our PDR diary.
Examples
- Mistake/Shortcoming – Fear : I was afraid to meet my friends at my brother John’s birthday party thinking they will think less of me because I have been unable to procure a job. I was looking for excuses to avoid the party, so I would not meet them.
- Mistake/Shortcoming – Worrying : When Sam (my business partner) cheated me, I was devastated and worried about what will happen to me in the future.
- Mistake/Shortcoming – Being disorganised : I left my passport at home and realised this only when I was halfway to the airport. Due to this I almost missed my international flight.
2. How to select the autosuggestion technique
There are different types of autosuggestion techniques which are used depending on the incident. The flow chart below shows how we can decide which autosuggestion technique to use to address our incorrect thoughts, emotions, actions, reactions or both.
After selecting a mistake where a defect we want to work on manifested, to decide the type of autosuggestion technique to be employed, we need to ask a question –
‘Who is responsible for the mistake or whose personality defects are the main cause of the mistake or stress caused in a situation. Am I (self) responsible or others ?’
When stress is caused predominantly due to our own personality defects, then A type autosuggestions are used. On the other hand, when a mistake has been committed by others or their personality defects are the predominant cause of the mistake or the situation, then B type autosuggestions are used.
Examples
Mistake/Shortcoming – Fear : I was afraid to meet my friends at my brother John’s birthday party thinking they will think less of me because I have been unable to procure a job. I was looking for excuses to avoid the party, so I would not meet them.
Analysis of the mistake – A type
This mistake can be due to an incorrect thought or emotion depending on my personality type. When analysing mistakes, the key question which decides the autosuggestion type is – whose personality defects are the main cause of this mistake ? Here since the fear is in my mind, my friends probably do not even know that I am having these thoughts, so the mistake is predominantly caused by my personality defects. This is why we can use an A type autosuggestion technique for this mistake.
Mistake/Shortcoming – Worrying : When Sam (my business partner) cheated me, I was devastated and worried about what will happen to me in the future.
Analysis of the mistake – B type
This mistake is a reaction. When analysing mistakes, the key question which decides the autosuggestion type is – whose personality defects are the main cause of this mistake ? Here since my friend cheated me, it is his personality defects which have caused this situation. So, here we can use a B type autosuggestion technique.
Mistake/Shortcoming – Being disorganised : I left my passport at home and realised this only when I was halfway to the airport. Due to this I almost missed my international flight.
Analysis of the mistake – A type
This mistake is an incorrect action. Here, my own disorganised nature is the cause of the mistake. Since I am predominantly responsible for forgetting my passport, an A type autosuggestion technique.
More information about each specific autosuggestion technique is given below.
3. Different types of autosuggestion techniques
3.1 A type autosuggestions
A1 – Psychofeedback technique : This technique creates awareness of all incorrect thoughts, emotions and actions and enables one to control them. A1 type autosuggestions give psychological feedback to the mind about how it should be thinking, behaving and acting. Due to the impressions of personality defects, our minds have incorrect thoughts and emotions or prompt incorrect actions. The A1 technique is used for all mistakes related to incorrect thoughts, emotions and actions which we are responsible for, meaning our own personality defects have caused the mistake or generated stress in the situation.
Read more about A1 type autosuggestions
A2 – Response substitution technique : This technique is useful to overcome a wrong reaction caused by a short-lived incident., i.e. an incident lasting for less than 1 to 2 minutes or a few minutes. The duration of the reaction is not important. It is the duration of the incident which is taken into consideration. It is used to overcome reactions where our own defects are the primary cause of the reaction.
Through this technique, we tell the mind to substitute the incorrect response with a proper response when we have reactions towards a certain incident or towards a person.
In every incident, positive or negative reactions come to the mind or are expressed by an individual. Incorrect responses are due to personality defects, while correct ones are due to virtues. By taking autosuggestions on our incorrect reactions continuously, the defects in our minds are replaced with impressions of virtues, and this makes our personality much more positive.
Read more about A2 type autosuggestions
A3 – Hypnotic desensitisation technique (Rehearsing the incident in the mind) : This technique is useful to overcome a wrong reaction caused by a prolonged incident causing stress, i.e. an incident lasting for more than 1 to 2 minutes.
In this technique, we imagine that we are able to face a difficult situation successfully while chanting. Since the mind rehearses how to face the incident, when the incident actually takes place we do not feel stress.
Read more about A3 type autosuggestions
3.2 B type autosuggestions
B type autosuggestions are used to overcome stress caused by the personality defects of others, different life situations which we go through or some tragic or traumatic incidents.
B1 autosuggestion technique : This technique is used when we experience stress or unhappiness due to mistakes committed by others and something can be done to overcome the personality defects in others or change the situation. It is used for mistakes committed by children or subordinates. By using this technique, it becomes possible to calmly guide your children or subordinates to act in a correct manner. An important aspect to remember is that even though this technique is used when others are predominantly responsible for the mistake, the focus still remains on changing ourselves. Since it helps us to remain calm when correcting others, we are able to help our children or subordinates better.
Read more about B1 type autosuggestions
B2 autosuggestion technique : The B2 technique is used when nothing can be done to overcome defects in others or to overcome the situation. For example, we may be unable to correct the behaviour of our elders or our superiors at work or anyone who is not receptive to listening to constructive suggestions or corrections and making changes. Also, there may be nothing we can do to alter tragic conditions such as extreme poverty, a very painful or rare illness, an accident, famine, etc. In such situations, keeping a philosophical attitude is the only way to remain positive.
Read more about B2 type autosuggestions
3.3 C type autosuggestions
There are also some other types of autosuggestions.
C1 – Incantation technique : This is called the chanting technique. It is a preventive technique which helps to prevent negative thoughts or emotions from entering our minds. Different impressions of personality defects are active in our minds and they keep sending impulses to the conscious mind in the form of different thoughts throughout day. As a result, the energy of the mind is spent unnecessarily in those thoughts. The C1 autosuggestion technique helps to keep the mind immersed in chanting God’s Name instead, conserving its energy.
Read more about C1 type autosuggestions
C2 – Punishment (aversion) technique : If the other techniques are not effective, then one can resort to this technique. First, we try to work on our personality defects through the A and B type autosuggestion techniques, but if we see no change in an incorrect action or reaction even after diligently taking autosuggestions for about 3-4 weeks, then we can use the C2 technique, or the punishment method.
Read more about C2 type autosuggestion
4. Conclusion
In life, it is the mind and intellect that cause the majority of the problems we encounter. This is because due to emotions and thoughts, we make choices that affect our interactions and the situations we undergo. So, in order to free ourselves from the problems and the destiny we face, we need to examine and become aware of our incorrect thought processes and rectify them by taking autosuggestions. Taking one set of autosuggestion takes only 5 to 7 mins. We cannot even begin to share with you how much of a positive change making this small effort of taking autosuggestions can bring about in your personality, your day to day interactions and your life. We pray that this article inspires you to begin taking autosuggestions in earnest.
