Magical Path - Psychosynthesis Notes 1

Psychosynthesis Notes 1

The following are various notes and chapter summaries of Roberto Assagioli's book:

Although I found the text, so far, to be reasonably clinical (e.g. use of many clinical terms, such as patient rather than client) it was no more difficult than a standard Psychology book, but in general more interesting and relevant to my interests.

I also noted that in the first part of the book the work "spiritual" seldom appears, instead the word "religious" is used.

In part, it is difficult to know what was the original "spirit" of Assagioli's work, and what has been 'lost' in translation. I also realise that Assagioli was primarily a Psychiatrist and a product of his time, so there is a tendency for 'drier' (more structured?) writing than is common in many modern books which are more aimed at a wide audience of the general public, rather than those within the medical and psychological fields.

In the first part of this book, there is some confusion over what the "stages of the will" actually are. They are listed as follows:

1. deliberation 2. motivation, 3. decision, 4. affirmation, 5. persistence, 6. execution

Later they are listed as:

1. goal, valuation, motivation 2. deliberation, 3. decision, 4. affirmation, 5. planning, 6. direction of the execution.

In part this is a subtle change, but it also may show a development and growth of Assagioli's philosophy. It may also be due to 2 different translators or translations. It is also possible the first list was listed out of order.

It is the deliberation and decision stages which are in many ways divergent to Jay Ray's teachings on Psychosynthesis, as the deliberation is a 'thinking' process which leaves one in the head. Combining the two stages (2 & 3) a choice is still made. In part the intellect may be engaged, as in asking "how do I feel about this?" leading to listening to one's feelings, then answering "it feels wrong, I choose not to do it" or "it feels right, I choose to do it".
It is more appropriate within Jay Ray's teaching to have a deliberation phase after 6, execution, to learn and draw wisdom from the experience, rather than wasting time in circular thinking before acting.

This was summarised in 1st year in Jay Ray's lesson on The "And" Principle:
Appropriate: 1) Sense 2) Feel 3) Act 4) Think
Inappropriate: 1) Sense 2) Feel 3) Think 5) Act (learnt in childhood)

I noticed Assagioli comment on the "Spirit of Synthesis" in one paragraph, and it brought to mind the concept (doctrine) of the 4 Elements in Western Qabalistic thought, where Earth, Air, Fire and Water are brought together (synthesised) into harmony to give rise to Spirit (i.e. all 4 elements when in harmony are pure/refined spirit).

I was intrigued to read a comment by Assagioli that the most important results in Psychotherapy have come about from independent researchers rather than academic psychologists. This is perhaps due to the independent researchers (seemingly he refers mainly to medical and psychiatric doctors) have a great deal of experiential evidence and build their theories from observing a vast array of clients, rather than formulating theories based on laboratory experiments, other people's theories, or personal fancy.

The first half of Chapter One I found to be a little vague, just naming authors and theories to give an overview of some areas of transpersonal psychology. I saw it to be of little immediate value, but would be fine for looking deeper into various philosophies and research on transpersonal topics.

The way Assagioli describes the outer 'shell' of the Egg diagram is good, using the words "delimiting not dividing", which to me really encompasses the ideas of boundaries. Although we are all part of a oneness we have boundaries, which are very important to us as individuals. We are delimited by these boundaries, not divided (cut-off) from all else. The whole concept of an egg is great, as eggs are permeable even though seemingly hard shelled.

I found the talking about the personal self and the true self a little confusing to start with. I didn't find this particularly clear. Overall though, to me, the personal self is us at our stage now, being able to find our centre, and be aware of our individual sub-personalities. The true self is once we have grown enough to really be on our true path, in touch (and in tune) with our Higher Self. This would make sense in a Qabalistic worldview also, where the Ruach (male) and Nephesch (female) parts of ourself are in conflict (as with the subs in Psychosynthesis worldview) but are eventually brought into harmony in an indivisible self, Yechidah.

I noted a quote in part of Chapter one which is very similar to something Jay had in one lesson, perhaps it was a direct quote from this book:
"We are dominated by everything with which our self becomes identified. We can dominate and control everything from which we disidentify ourselves."

This makes a lot of sense to me, both from what I've learn in Psychosynthesis, and also looking at magical worldviews. For example, magicians would sometimes evoke a disease in the form of a "demon" which could be seen as externalising (so as to disidentify the illness) from themselves or their 'patient', then magically battling with it, to overcome it.

Where Assagioli talks about the Realization of One's True Self, it sounds to me like the esoteric concepts of "crossing the abyss" where one becomes a true "Adept". It is a uniting of the higher and lower functions / consciousness. With Assagioli the True Self is brought about by uniting the Self with the Higher Self.

Although different terminology is used, a part of chapter one talks about boundaries, especially where Assagioli talks about extraversion of the self. Some of this is not covered by Jay's course (so far at least), where Assagioli talks about indirect self-realisation, which is through someone else, and sounds a lot like co-dependency. However, the diagram given a little later looks very similar to Jay's diagram of how a therapist acts as a link between the client and their Higher Self to begin with, which is this same or similar idea to indirect self-realisation. Assagioli only covers it briefly here, but I don't see that in a limited sense, as a stage of one's self growth that an external dependency is necessarily detrimental. It occurs during childhood, of necessity, and in early adulthood could be appropriate for a time to allow one to begin to come aware of their own Self. If it goes on for too long however it become detrimental to growth and therefore of no value, and worse begins to restrict growth.

Assagioli also outlines 2 methods of approaching Self Growth. The first involves visualisation of an aim for the new personality. This is not really the approach of Jay's variety of Psychosynthesis, although to a degree it is used within sessions to establish 'ideal' or 'better' models for what one may become, or work towards.
The second approach, which is favoured by Jay's method is the intuitive method, of listening to "the Spirit within" – guidance by the Higher Self, and following feelings and intuitions. While both methods have some merit, I personally favour the second approach on a broader, day-to-day level, while the visualised aim is great for sessions and working through particular issues.

A large section of Chapter 2 is the same as in the book Spiritual Emergency which I've already read and written ideas stemming from the book.

Towards the end of chapter 2 Assagioli talks about childish dependence carrying on in later life on either the parents or other individuals, which is really the root of co-dependence. Although Assagioli probably hadn't developed anything specific (at least terminology-wise) on co-dependence it certainly indicates he had experience dealing with and understanding these issues.

* * *

For more information on Psychosynthesis you can check out the following websites:

* * *

Go To Part:

Back to Esoteric Articles - Magical Path

contact: email Magical Path -

Contents

Psychosynthesis Notes 1