THE POWER OF AUTOSUGGESTIONS

The use of autosuggestions is a largely forgotten, or at least overlooked, technique that you can use to reprogram your subconscious mind through the repetition of positive suggestions in the second person. Most people have only heard of positive affirmations and you may be already using these with varying degrees of success. Nevertheless, this approach is an alternative and equally powerful technique to affirmations, if not more so in some cases.

The Difference between Autosuggestions and Affirmations

Autosuggestions and affirmations are similar in their aim, only different in their approach. Affirmations are usually stated in the first-person [I am ...whatever you are affirming...] whereas autosuggestions are stated in the second-person as if addressing someone else, which in this case is yourself using your first name [(Your first name), you are...whatever you are suggesting...]. In other words, with positive affirmations, you affirm the positive statement as if it already holds true for you whereas, with autosuggestions, you simply suggest a positive statement as if wanting to convince yourself of it. This will become clear as you read more below. Nevertheless, choose the technique that suits you best, and of course, you can use both depending on the belief you are wanting to reprogram and how much resistance you are feeling.

How to Use Autosuggestions

As is the case with any technique you use, the most effective way to use autosuggestions is to keep an open mind and let the statements convince you and feel what it would feel like if they did hold true in the present moment for you. Do not judge or over-analyze any of the statements. Once again, with autosuggestions, you use your first name to address yourself gently and convincingly as if you are addressing someone else, and more specifically as if you are wanting to inspire the person you love most. You can also feel as if it is your Higher Self that is addressing you—the personal you in the Physical Plane—and endeavour to feel the Absolute Love that your Higher Self has for you.

When Autosuggestions are Preferable

In my experience autosuggestions is the technique of choice when the negative belief you are trying to challenge triggers inner resistance or when the thought of affirmations cause you to feel anxious. You may find that your subconscious mind is more receptive to autosuggestions because you are not affirming anything contradictory to its beliefs, you are simply suggesting something, even if convincingly so. They can also be a good starting point if you are feeling depressed or despondent about life and not in the 'mood' to affirm anything positive let alone believe it. And finally, in time I have found myself preferring to reserve 'I am' statements for affirming the True Self, whereas with autosuggestions you are clearly addressing your personal self using your first name.

The Suggestor and the Suggestee

Another powerful reason for using second-person autosuggestions when wanting to impress your subconscious mind with new beliefs is because, being subjective, the subconscious mind receives suggestions and is also subject to direction. By saying ‘I am’ there is no suggestion being given to it, or in other words, there is no one directing it. Your objective mind gives the direction and is the ‘suggestor’, and your subjective mind receives the suggestion as the ‘suggestee’. This can explain why some people struggle with affirmations.

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Autosuggestions versus Affirmations by Example

Say, for instance, you are feeling very weak. If you tell yourself ‘I am strong’ then you are unlikely to believe it since you are feeling weak. But if you address yourself as if speaking to someone else and say with encouragement ‘[your name] you are a strong person’, then you sit up and listen.

Stop reading now and try it out for yourself by using a first-person affirmation and a second-person suggestion for something you want to change within yourself. The difference will become very obvious. This is in no way intended to discourage you from using positive affirmations to reprogram the subconscious mind. Rather, autosuggestions are an alternative that you can use when you are facing inner resistance to reprograming your mind—and a very powerful alternative at that.

The Rules for Using Autosuggestions

The rules or guidelines for using autosuggestions are the same as those outlined in the below article for using first-person affirmations. For the sake of brevity, I will not repeat them here but here is a brief summation of the 10 rules. Select the area(s) of your life that you want to change and identify the limiting beliefs that you want to overwrite as well as any wholly new beliefs you want to impress your subconscious mind with. Create a list of a maximum of 10 autosuggestions that are tailor-made for your chosen beliefs. Word your autosuggestions in a gentle and encouraging way that motivates you with minimum resistance, and keep them positive.

With an open mind and a positive attitude, repeat the autosuggestions to yourself daily, morning and night, for 40 consecutive days to create a change in your consciousness. Assume the consciousness of the autosuggestions, or in other words, feel what it would feel like if they held true for you in that moment—allow the encouragement to take hold within your mind. And finally, check-in on yourself throughout the day by asking yourself how you are feeling, and use the autosuggestions accordingly. To gain a deeper understanding of these rules, I encourage you to read the below article.

FURTHER READING: HOW TO USE DAILY POSITIVE AFFIRMATIONS —10 FUNDAMENTAL RULES

25 Autosuggestions to Reprogram Your Mind

• [Your first name] you are so loved. Everybody loves and cares for you.
• [Your first name] you have the whole Universe on your side, everything is going your way.
• [Your first name] you are such a confident person. You are so strong and intelligent.
• [Your first name] I think the best of you. I accept you in every way.
• [Your first name] it is so wonderful to see you in your natural joyful state.
• [Your first name] you are such a wonderful person.
• [Your first name] you are so committed to improving yourself that it's an inspiration to others.
• [Your first name] you have so much energy and zest for life.
• [Your first name] money comes so easily to you. You always have more than enough.
• [Your first name] you can create anything you desire for yourself—you know you can.
• [Your first name] all that is good is possible for you.
• [Your first name] trust Life and be open to change. Life is good and it is kind to you.
• [Your first name] you are free to choose your experiences.
• [Your first name] you direct your own mind and you know how to overcome any obstacle.
• [Your first name] your intuition always guides you in the right direction—listen to it.
• [Your first name] what you desire in your heart is already yours.

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25 Autosuggestions to Reprogram Your Mind (cont.)

• [Your first name] you can enjoy success in every area of your life.
• [Your first name] abundance flows to you in great measure.
• [Your first name] you have the brains and courage to achieve whatever you put your mind to.
• [Your first name] you are so lucky in your relationships. Anyone you love, loves you too.
• [Your first name] you have a wonderful and healthy body.
• [Your first name] everything is good and everyone is well. Relax. You are safe.
• [Your first name] I love you beyond measure and I will always love you.
• [Your first name] I love you just the way you are.
• [Your first name] every day, in every way, you are getting better and better.

Tailor-Made Autosuggestions

You will notice that the autosuggestions in the above list are quite gentle and encouraging at the same time, and also quite personal. Keeping this in mind, you can create your own autosuggestions by adjusting the list of positive affirmations in the below article to make them into second-person autosuggestions. And of course, feel free to create your own to suit your needs.

FURTHER READING: TOP 100 POSITIVE AFFIRMATIONS LIST

You Are Always Using Autosuggestions—Speak Well to and about Yourself

Always speak well to yourself. Most people, however, are their own worst critic and criticise themselves with words they would never dare tell another, and for no valid reason. Never speak badly to yourself because you are inadvertently giving your subjective mind an auto-suggestion, which in time it will accept and adopt as its own. If you catch yourself speaking badly to yourself, immediately and earnestly apologise to yourself just as you would to another person, and replace your self-criticism with a positive auto-suggestion.

Moreover, only speak well of yourself to others. This does not mean being boastful or conceited but rather, it means not putting yourself down when speaking to others. If someone compliments you, do not contradict them by telling them why their compliment does not count and do not play yourself down. Instead, graciously accept compliments and say thank you, while not depending on them for your self-worth. Endeavour to make your inner monologue a constant stream of positive autosuggestions because it indeed is your constant companion of suggestions.

IN A NUTSHELL

Written by Tania Kotsos — Published on 12 JAN 2021
This article is in-part an excerpt from THE ADVENTURE OF I