Before beginning our consideration of the subject of Mental Suggestion, let me call your attention to the following general statements regarding Men-tative Induction (in which general subject is included the sub-divisions called Personal Magnetism; Mental Suggestion; and Telementative Induction) respectively:

(1) Mental States may be caused by Mentative Induction.

(2) Such induced mental states may be caused by the Mentative currents of Personal Magnetism; or by the Mentative currents of Telementation; or by Mental Suggestion.

(3) Mentative currents are waves or streams of vibrant Mind-Power, emanating from the minds of people, and carrying with them the vibrations of mental states; the vibrations tending to induce similar mental states in the minds of people within the field of induction.

(b) There are two poles of Mind-Power, i. e., the emotive-pole, manifesting desire, feeling, emotion, etc.; and the motive-pole, manifesting will, etc.; the acting force, affecting other minds, manifested by these two poles being called Desire-Force and Will-Power, respectively.

(c) Desire-Force tends to awaken similar vibrations in the minds of others, thus producing similar desires - or it charms the wills of others and causes them to carry out its desires - its action and nature bearing a strong resemblance to feminine mental power.

(d) Will-Power tends to awaken desire in the minds of others by sheer mastery and forcefulness - it also acts in the direction of combating and overpowering the wills of others, and taking them captive - it also directs, masters, concentrates, or restrains one's own Desire-Force, on occasions - its action bears a strong resemblance to masculine mental power.

(e) When the mentative currents are emanated, and Mentative Induction is manifested, when the projector and recipients are in the personal presence of each other, we use the term Personal Magnetism. When the same manifestation occurs when the projector and recipients are not in the personal presence of each other, then we use the term Telementative Induction. But the principle employed is the same in each case - induction through telementation being the operative principle. In Personal Magnetism, however, Mental Suggestion usually assists in the induction of mental states. For this reason, Mental Suggestion should be studied in connection with Personal Magnetism, being supplementary thereto.

(4) Mental Suggestion induces mental states, by reproducing the original mental states of others; or one's own previously experienced mental states, including the experience of the race-ancestors, inherited and recorded in the sub-conscious minds of their descendants.

Suggestion operates along the lines of acquiescence, imitation, association, and repetition, always acting through physical agents for inducing mental states.

In Personal Magnetism, the mentator pours out his mentative currents, generated by bis will or desire, or both; either in a general way, or in a concentrated, directed manner; in a personal interview, and thus influences the mind of others by induction - this is usually, or always, accompanied by Mental Suggestion, using physical agents, such as the voice, eye, manner, etc., which heighten the effect produced.

And, now, with the understanding of the above-stated general principles, let us proceed to a consideration of the subject of "Mental Suggestion."

Every student of psychology and mental science has heard and read much of that phase of mental phenomena called "Mental Suggestion." Much has been written and taught about it, and the term has been claimed by some teachers to cover all phases of mental influence. I do not entirely agree with these extreme advocates of suggestion, however, for I find much in the subject that calls for a further explanation. But, nevertheless, I feel certain that mental suggestion plays a most important part in almost every instance of this class of phenomena and must be seriously considered by all careful students of the subjeet. Combined with mentative induction by means of mentative currents, it accounts for nearly every phase of the phenomena of mental influence. Therefore I shall devote several chapters to the consideration of its underlying principles, laws and method of application. I feel that no one can be a successful practitioner of telementative influence or personal magnetism who is not a good suggestionist, because the very "knack" of projecting strong suggestions is necessary for the forceful projection of mentative energy and mental currents.

While all who have examined the subject are aware of the force and effects of mental suggestion, few have found it possible to correctly define or describe the term, or to explain it to others. But I feel assured that my theory of mentative induction, and the two poles of Mind-Power will enable you to form a very clear and comprehensive knowledge of the underlying laws of the subject, so that, understanding it, you will be able to apply its method of application to the best advantage.

"Mental Suggestion" is the term used to designate the process of inducing or exciting mental states or ideas, by means of the imagination, by the agency of words; actions; outward appearances; or other physical symbols.

I divide the phenomena of Mental Suggestion into two general classes or phases, i. e., (1) Active Suggestion, and (2) Passive Suggestion, as follows:

By Active Suggestion I mean the induction or excitement of mental state or ideas in others by means of positive command, affirmation, statements, etc., bearing directly upon the desired mental state. By Passive Suggestion I mean the induction or excitement of mental state or ideas by the subtle insinuation, introduction, or insertion of ideas into the minds of others, which insinuated ideas act in the direction of inducing the desired mental state. Active Suggestion is associated with the use of the motive-pole of the mind of the suggestor; and Passive Suggestion is associated with the emotive-pole of the suggestor. One is the masculine method and the other the feminine.