Satsang 14 : Study of ‘A-1’ and ‘A-2’ autosuggestion methods

‘A-1’ and ‘A-2’ autosuggestion methods

We learnt about how to give autosuggestions through the A-1 and A-2 methods. We are going to do a comparative study of the same topic.

For which incidents which autosuggestion should be given? Autosuggestion is given using A-1 technique for inappropriate action by self, inappropriate thoughts in the mind or emotions in self, whereas the A-2 technique is used for reactions that last for very less amount of time, for about 1-2 minutes.

Formula for framing autosuggestions

Let us look at the formulae for framing autosuggestions according to the A-1 and A-2 techniques.

1. Formula for framing autosuggestion according to A-1 technique

The formula for framing an autosuggestion according to A-1 technique is as follows –

Inappropriate action + appropriate perspective/consequences + appropriate action

The sentence construction for framing an autosuggestion according to A-1 technique is as follows –

When — inappropriate action — then — realization of appropriate perspective/consequences — appropriate action

2. Formula for framing autosuggestion according to A-2 technique

The formula for framing an autosuggestion according to A-2 technique is as follows –

Incident + appropriate perspective + appropriate reaction (thought or action)

The sentence construction for framing an autosuggestion according to A-2 technique is as follows –

When — incident — then — appropriate perspective — appropriate thought/action

The important point to be noted while framing autosuggestion according to A-2 technique is that we should mention only the incident in the autosuggestion and should not mention the inappropriate reactions that had come in the mind at that time.

These formulae are important because just like in mathematics with the right formula the problem is solved, using the correct formula for autosuggestion makes it more effective and speeds up the personality defect removal process.

Difference between inappropriate thoughts / emotions
and inappropriate reactions

Let us try to understand the type of incidents for which we can use A-1 method for framing autosuggestions and those for which we can use A-2 method for framing autosuggestions. Before that, let us see the exact difference between inappropriate thoughts / emotions and inappropriate reactions. We will also see how to analyze incidents.

Occurrence of inappropriate thought or inappropriate emotion means that our thought process is incorrect. Let us try to understand this with the help of an example. Suppose Akash wants to go out for 10 minutes to do some work. At that time, he thinks that ‘I am going to come back in 10 minutes anyway, so it is okay if I take father’s vehicle without asking him’. This is called inappropriate thought! Or, thinking that ‘When I ask my father if I could use his vehicle, he may ask me to fill petrol in it, and so it is better to take the vehicle out without asking him’ is also an inappropriate thought!

Here, inappropriate reaction will be any negative reaction occurring in the mind of Akash to the father’s response! For example, ‘When I asked my father if I could use his vehicle, he said that he will need it. At that time, I had the feeling ‘He always does this to me. He never tries to understand me”. Or, ‘While giving his vehicle, father instructed me ‘Drive carefully’. On hearing this, I had the reaction that he always keeps on giving such instructions’. These are inappropriate reactions!

In short, if our own thought process is incorrect, then we have to give autosuggestion according to the ‘A-1’ method, and if negative thoughts appear in our mind or we get disturbed due to others’ response or the situation then we have to give autosuggestion according to the ‘A-2’ method.

Exercise to frame autosuggestions

1. Practice for framing autosuggestions according to ‘A-1’ method

Now let us see how to frame autosuggestions in both methods in the incidents. Let us first practice giving autosuggestions by the ‘A1’ method.

The formula for framing an autosuggestion according to A-1 technique is –

‘Inappropriate action / thought + appropriate perspective / consequences + appropriate action’.

What is the inappropriate thought in this incident? – ‘I have to go out for 10 minutes and it is okay to take father’s vehicle without asking for his permission’. If father’s vehicle is taken out without asking anybody, then the consequences might be that someone else might need the vehicle at the same time and a lot of time will be wasted in searching for the vehicle and further problems may arise. This may cause inconvenience and unnecessary tension.

What is important is that the appropriate action in such situations is we should always ask for permission before using others’ things.

The autosuggestion in such a situation is ‘whenever I am about to take my father’s vehicle without his permission, I will realize that it might cause inconvenience to him and so I will ask for his permission and only then decide about using his vehicle’.

We have to note here that we should never think ‘Why should I ask my family members for permission every time’? If we don’t have the habit of asking others before using their things, then we will definitely tend to behave according to our wishes whether it is inside the house or outside in the office or other places! Today if we take out father’s vehicle without asking, then tomorrow we might think of using the things of a colleague in office too without asking for permission! Therefore, we should avoid the thought process of ‘My inappropriate action is just a small one’ or ‘This is fine’ and try seriously from the point of view of the PDR process. We should remember that even a small hole in a big ship can eventually lead to its sinking in the ocean. Hence, we must remain alert regarding every thought / action of ours.

2. Practice for framing autosuggestions according to ‘A2’ method

Let us now see how to frame autosuggestion according to the ‘A2’ method in this context. When I asked my father if I could use his vehicle, he said he would need his vehicle. At that time, I felt ‘He always does this to me and never tries to understand me’.

The formula for framing autosuggestion by the ‘A2’ method for this inappropriate reaction is –

When — incident — then — appropriate perspective — appropriate thought / action.

The autosuggestion that can be framed according to this formula is ‘When I ask my father if I could use his vehicle for some purpose and when my father replies that he will need the vehicle for himself, I will realize that my father might have some work to do and so I will try to think calmly on how to solve my problem and discuss it openly with my father’.

When we are angry or when there are reactions in our mind, we tend to lose our capacity to take correct decisions. It is important that our mind remains stable, positive, and capable of finding solutions in order to take the right decisions. Therefore, if we remain calm and stable and accept the situation when father says that he needs the vehicle, then we will be able to think of many alternative solutions. For example, we can find out when will father need the vehicle, when will he be back? Can I do my work later? Is it possible for me to go by bus or walk to get my work done? If it is urgent, then can the work be done by someone else? All these alternatives can be thought of. We can also think of planning ahead and asking father beforehand about using his vehicle instead of taking his vehicle out just in the nick of time. The process is, thinking of how I can behave appropriately in any given situation and behaving according to it. In this, whether the behaviour of the other person is appropriate or inappropriate is unimportant. This process is the path towards making positive changes in ourselves and thereby elevating ourselves.

Example for practice

Let us now try out one example for practice. In this example, you need to try to frame the auto suggestion yourself. The incident is – Even after telling my husband to pay the electricity bill, he did not do it and so I got irritated and had a reaction that “he never gives importance to household needs”.

For this, try analyzing whether the auto suggestion needs to be of A1 or A2 type and then start writing the auto suggestion. While analyzing an incident, you need to check the personality defect due to which the reaction surfaced in the mind. When husband did not pay the electricity bill, what does the reaction indicate – “he never gives importance to household needs”? This indicates that in few occasions in the past, the husband has not helped in household needs and this thought is very strong in the wife’s mind. If this is so, then we need to understand that there is preconceived notion in the mind. Additionally, the wife did not try to discuss and understand from husband as to why he was not able to pay the electricity bill. If there are reactions in the mind even without discussing and finding out the reason for the delay in paying the bill, then it indicates that she is trying to draw unwanted conclusions without even trying to understand the scenario.

An auto suggestion of A2 type needs to be written for this. It can be of the form

When husband does not pay the electricity bill inspite of me telling him to do so, I will discuss with him and try to understand as to why he was not able to do so and then will calmly plan out with him on how and when the electricity bill can be paid.