by Jason
Autogenic Training is a Western therapeutic discipline developed by the psychiatrist Johannes Heinrich Schultz in the 1920s, based on self-hypnotic techniques for regulating the autonomic nervous system. This 2005 post from alt.magick.chaos reframes it as a chaos magic technology — a method for metaprogramming the subconscious to carry out "desirous magics." The author draws parallels to Patanjali's yoga sutras and Kabbalistic cosmology, situating AT within a broader cross-cultural tradition of sense-withdrawal and inner programming. The practical instructions given here follow Schultz's original sequence of progressive heaviness affirmations, adapted via Ph.D. Raymond Lloyd Richmond's redaction of the Ostrander and Schroeder "Superlearning" curriculum. The essay is notable for its careful attention to safety — warning against sessions that run too long, the risk of colour-state entanglement, and the absence of certified Autogenic Therapists in the United States.
Autogenic Training has been hailed the Zen and alchemy of the West. It is also a very powerful means of self-hypnosis for self-regulated organic and cellular healing, and is a little known secret among chaos magicians for metaprogramming thought-form manifestations in desirous magics by virtue of commands given to the subconscious to carry out in and from the subconscious.
By its very nature Autogenic Training aims at the reduction of exteroceptive and proprioceptive afferent stimulation. Which in terms of the Ashtanga Yoga of Patanjali is known as "Pratyahara", and in Kabbalah is known as "Tzimtzum". Quite simply the practice is geared while passively concentrating to withdraw the five senses and sense-data projections totally within. In this state one either simply witnesses being-becoming for transcendence and/or programs the human bio-computer for behavioral modification or reality manipulation. In say self or overself (lowest to highest range in delta brainwaves) where intention and thought meet and mold reality instantaneously, this medium serves as a taste of the wonders that await. The magic of the subconscious works, but it works slower than self magic, and requires more impetus, here simply repetition of a pre-determined and very specific resolution or phrase in sessions (10–30 times), lasting anywhere from a day or two to several months depending on the complexity of the metaprogram. Added will power is considered redundant. The phrasing is enough.
The training itself isn't at all demanding, but there are rules to success. First it matters not a jot whether you believe Autogenic Training will work as prescribed. It's not of sympathetic magic, but rather is a prolonged programming of the subconscious to gain control over the neuromuscular system, vasomotor system, the heart, the respiratory mechanism, warmth in the abdominal area, and the cooling of the forehead. This is done by mentally, never verbally, repeating resolutions. Training is done three times a day at the first to make central in one's psychophysiologic makeup the aim of the practice. This is rather similar to "reality testing" in Mnemonic Induction of Lucid Dreams (MILD).
Next, training is segmented by stages and proceeding levels are never assumed until preceding tasks are mastered; i.e. the resolutions programmed are in fact manifest.
The Cancel Resolution
The 'cancel' resolution can be considered the crux of the whole operation. When ending a session mentally affirm "Arms & legs firm — breathe deeply — open eyes." There needs to be implemented an end point to the subconscious in sessions or the hypnoid effects of the training will remain in waking consciousness; and I needn't go into much detail how operating a vehicle entranced isn't in your or other vehicle operators' best interest.
Finally, this is powerful work. It's advised sessions in preliminary stages are confined to one or two repetitions of the resolutions of a sub-class and end the session. Later when all resolutions are mastered time spent in the effects may be by time allotments increased. The British Autogenic Society has concluded it psychophysiologically safe after six months having mastered the initial programs to sit in meditation up to 45 minutes. I like the number 60 and have found an hour's time not harmful.
Per time, set a time metaprogram at the onset: "In 60 minutes I will pleasantly and progressively awake from yogic sleep."
Per falling asleep and losing consciousness in sessions, set a metaprogram in the beginning: "I will stay awake and aware while I am training."
What to Expect in Altered States
At the first hypnagogic imagery and visual hallucinations ranging from awe-inspiring to the hideous may be seen accompanied by the appropriate aria of atmospherics in auditory hallucinations. These are to be overcome by not giving rise to emotion.
Then next by degrees all colors in the electromagnetic color spectrum evidence themselves. The images of color, what I simply call "the lights", are one's own emotional attachments. There are two strategies available in dealing with the state.
You have the option of contemplating first dominant colors by a process of assimilation. For this simply fix mindfulness on a color and wait for the color to respond. The lights will show you your weaknesses. It is the most painful approach but the charges in emotional release are plenty; this avenue also is the easiest to get lost in. Get lost and it's a mirror maze few in the field will have the ability to come in after you, should you catch their attention. (As a side note to Americans: there aren't Autogenic Therapists to be found in the U.S.A. should you run into trouble. It's a European thing.) When you have superior control over your short-comings the colors merge to form pure white light of self, soul.
The other strategy is simply witnessing the lights without becoming attached to or moved by what is seen or felt and hold to the technique of passive concentration. Zen Buddhists adhere to the latter. They refer to the ordeal as "nothing special".
In my journal are found instructions on how to transcend soul states and universal mind states for union with Maya or God.
The Protocol
The following is a redaction of Ph.D. Raymond Lloyd Richmond's Autogenic Training, itself an adaptation of the regimen found in Superlearning by Ostrander, S., and Schroeder, L. (New York: Dell Publishing Co., circa 1979). The discipline is modeled around a three-month timeframe for the purpose of aesthetics, but mastery in each stage is key.
I am completely calm. (once)
My right arm is getting limp and heavy. (8 times)
I am completely calm. (once)
My right arm is getting heavier and heavier. (8 times)
I am completely calm. (once)
My right arm is completely heavy. (8 times)
I am completely calm. (once)
Cancel: Arms and legs firm — breathe deeply — open eyes.
3 days each: Left arm; both arms; both arms & right leg; both arms & left leg.
Colophon
Written by Jason (handle only; full name not given) and posted to alt.magick, alt.magick.chaos, and related groups in July 2005. The essay synthesizes Johannes Heinrich Schultz's Autogenic Training methodology with chaos magic metaprogramming theory, drawing on Patanjali's Pratyahara and the Kabbalistic concept of Tzimtzum to situate the practice within a cross-traditional framework of intentional sense-withdrawal and subconscious programming.
The AT protocol itself follows the Schultz sequence as adapted by Raymond Lloyd Richmond from the Ostrander-Schroeder "Superlearning" curriculum (Dell, c. 1979). The interpretive framework — the application of AT to chaos magic — is original to the author.
Preserved from the Usenet archive for the Good Work Library by the New Tianmu Anglican Church, 2026. Original Message-ID: <[email protected]>
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