auto-, aut-

(Greek: self, same, spontaneous; directed from within)

autoepilation, autodepilation
A spontaneous loss of hair.
autoerotic asphyxiation
The practice of self-strangulation while masturbating, which purportedly increases pleasure due to the decrease of oxygen going to the brain; also written autoerotic asphyxiation, also called autoerotic asphyxia.
autoeroticism, autoerotism, autoerotic
1. In psychoanalytic psychology, the earliest stage in the development of object relationships where the self is the only object recognized and the infant does not differentiate between self and nonself.
2. Spontaneous erotism, self-erotism; sexual gratification aroused or obtained by oneself, i.e. not with another person; masturbation.
The act of oral stimulation of one's own penis as a form of masturbation.
autofocus (adjective) (not comparable)
Descriptive of the ability to see or to focus automatically: Examples include an autofocus lens or an autofocus camera.
1. A reference to self-fertilization or any of various types of self-fertilization; especially, the fertilization of a flower by its own pollen or the union of two closely related cells or nuclei of protozoans or fungi.
2. In biology, descriptive terms for the fusion of sister-cells or of pairs of nuclei within a cell.
Self-fertilization in plants.
1. In botany, self-fertilization or self-pollination in plants by their own pollen.
2. In biology, the union of nuclei within and arising from a single cell, as with certain protozoans and fungi.
3. Reproduction in which a single cell undergoes reduction division producing two autogametes that subsequently fuse.
1. The supposed development of living organisms from nonliving matter.
2. The process by which a vaccine is made from bacteria obtained from the patient's own body.
1. Self-generation.
2. Origination within the organism.
1. Occurring within a given system.
2. Produced by the activities of living organisms within a system and acting upon that system.
autogenic training, autogenic therapy
1. A method of relieving stress by using meditation and other mental exercises to produce physical relaxation.
2. A relaxation technique utilizing self-suggestion, and meditation.

Autogenic Therapy is a research based relaxation technique that promotes self empowerment and peace of mind.

"Autogenic" means generated from within and once learned, Autogenic Therapy becomes a skill for life which can help to reduce stress and increase well being.

—As stated by the British Autogenic Society.

Autogenic Training (AT) is a relaxation technique, a psycho-physiologically-based form of autonomic self-regulation, and a self-help resource for health.

It is a method of inducing the relaxation response which is opposite to the stress response, bringing about a healthy balance between the sympathetic (fight or flight) and the parasympathetic (rest renewal and repair) activities of the body's autonomic nervous system.

—As stated by Dr. A. Bowden. M.B., Ch.B, D.C.H, MFHom. Lead Clinician Autogenic Training The Royal London Homoeopathic Hospital.

Autogenic training, devised in the early 1900s by German psychiatrist and neurologist, J. H. Schultz, first published in 1932, is a way of using suggestive words or phrases; such as, "I feel calm" or "I feel heavy" to passively encourage your body to relax.

Dr. Schultz' method, known as autogenous training, teaches a people to create a feeling of warmth and heaviness throughout their bodies; thereby experiencing a profound state of physical relaxation, bodily health, and mental peace.

Once you become proficient at it, you can use autogenics to overcome addictions (such as smoking or gambling), change unwanted behaviors (such as nail biting), and resolve anxieties (such as fear of flying).

In fact, you can use autogenics to help overcome just about any psychological or physiological problem; and the results will vary (a) according to the severity of the problem and (b) according to your own discipline and confidence.

—Based on information from
A Guide to Psychology and its Practice, "Augogenic Training".
autogenous (adjective), more autogenous, most autogenous
1. Originating within the body: "Autogenous reproduction of a species; such as, a female insect that does not have to feed on anything in order to produce viable eggs that will result in their offspring."
2. A term used by the Germans to mean self-generating or self-induced: "Autogenous exercises or training can refer to self-hypnosis; that is, making suggestions to oneself that can result in relaxation, calmness under stress, or even putting oneself to sleep."
autogenous training
Autosuggestion or a process by which an individual trains the subconscious mind to believe something, or systematically organizes the person's own mental associations, usually for a given purpose.

This is accomplished through self-suggestion methods or repetitive, constant self-affirmations, and may be seen by some as a form of "self-induced brainwashing".

Whatever one thinks, whether with a negative attitude or a positive belief, it will usually determine what the results will be!

Inter-related cross references, directly or indirectly, involving word units dealing with "equal, identical, same, similar": emul-; equ-, equi-; homeo-; homo-; iso-; pari-; peer; rhomb-; syn-; tauto-.