The Power of Autosuggestion - is this real?

*Updated version, 2003

I purchased last week a copy of Napoleon Hill's book, "Think and Grow Rich". This self help book was first published back in 1937 and has sold over 15 million copies worldwide to date. WOW!

I learned that this is a 20-year research task completed by Napoleon Hill upon the idea and encouragement of Andrew Carnegie. 

Napoleon interviewed hundreds of well-known men at that time to identify how they have become successful and accumulated their vast fortune. Among these men were Thomas Edison and Henry Ford.

The book that I got is the revised version, added are the success stories of the billionaires/millionaires of the 21st century such as Bill Gates, Steven Spielberg, Mary Kay Ash, etc.

I am still midway in reading this book but I got intrigued already by his six (6) definite steps on how our desire for riches can be transmuted to its financial equivalent and the most common one is.. money.

trans·mute /trænsˈmju:t/ verb
trans·mutes; trans·mut·ed; trans·mut·ing

formal : to completely change the form, appearance, or nature of (someone or something) — usually + into [+ obj]

These six(6) steps can be found in Chapter 2 (Desire) of the book and I have briefly outlined the instructions as follows:

1) Be definite as to the amount of money that you desire.

2) Determine exactly what you intend to give in return for the money you.

3) Establish a definite date when you intend to possess the money you desire.

4) Create a definite plan for carrying out your desire, and begin at once, whether you are ready or not, to put this plan into action. 

5) Write out a clear, concise statement of the amount of money you intend to acquire:

• name the time limit for its acquisition
• state what you intend to give in return for the money
• describe clearly the plan through which you intend to accumulate it. 

 6) Read your written statement aloud, twice daily, once just before retiring at night, and once after arising in the morning. AS YOU READ- see and feel and believe yourself already in possession of the money.

So... where is 'Autosuggestion'?

We are applying the principle of autosuggestion in step#6. We are actually 'deceiving' our subconscious mind when giving it instructions through autosuggestion.

In Napoleon's words,

"To make this 'deceit' more realistic, conduct yourself just as you would, if you were ALREADY IN POSSESSION OF THE MATERIAL THING WHICH YOU ARE DEMANDING, when you call upon your subconscious mind."

When we begin to see our self in possession of our material desire, we are demanding (and expecting) meanwhile our subconscious mind to hand over the plans that we need.

He said that we need to be on the alert for these plans. They may "flash" through our mind through the 'sixth sense' in the form of an "inspiration". Act upon it right away. 

Napoleon further emphasized that our subconscious mind will only act on instructions that are:

a) emotionalized and handed over to it with 'feelings'

• Faith is the strongest and most productive emotion
• Plain words that are void of feelings do not influence 

b) presented over and over again through 'repetition'

I have already completed step#1-5. To be honest, I am still hesitating to do #6 because my family might find it weird that I am chanting at night and in the morning. :)

Has anyone recently tried this step consistently? What was your result?