Émile Coué
Early Life and Education
Émile Coué was born on February 26, 1857, in Troyes, France. He was the second child of four children in his family. His father, Charles Coué, was a businessman, and his mother, Philomène Coué, was a homemaker. Coué received his early education in Troyes before moving to Paris to pursue higher studies.
In Paris, Coué enrolled at the University of Paris, where he studied pharmacy. He was particularly interested in the power of the mind over the body, a concept that would later form the basis of his method of conscious autosuggestion.
Career as a Pharmacist
After completing his studies, Coué returned to Troyes and started working as a pharmacist. He quickly gained a reputation for his empathetic approach towards his patients. Coué believed in the power of the mind to heal the body and often encouraged his patients to adopt a positive mindset towards their health.
During his time as a pharmacist, Coué developed a keen interest in hypnosis and began studying its effects on the human mind. He was particularly influenced by the work of Ambroise-Auguste Liébeault, a French physician who was one of the pioneers of therapeutic hypnosis.
Development of the Method of Conscious Autosuggestion
In the early 20th century, Coué developed his method of conscious autosuggestion, which he called "la méthode Coué". This method was based on the principle that any idea exclusively occupying the mind turns into reality, although only to the extent that the idea is within the realm of possibility.
Coué's method involved the use of a specific mantra, "Every day, in every way, I'm getting better and better" (French: "Tous les jours à tous points de vue je vais de mieux en mieux"). He believed that repeating this mantra multiple times a day could help individuals overcome their health issues and improve their overall well-being.
Later Life and Legacy
Coué continued to promote his method of conscious autosuggestion throughout his life. He wrote several books on the subject, including "Self-Mastery Through Conscious Autosuggestion" and "The Practice of Autosuggestion". His work gained considerable popularity in the early 20th century, both in France and abroad.
Coué passed away on July 2, 1926, in Nancy, France. His method of conscious autosuggestion continues to be studied and applied in various fields, including psychology, self-help, and alternative medicine.