Author: Roberto Assagioli
Roberto Assagioli’s ideas can be encapsulated in a nutshell (egg) with the Greek concept of Gnothi Seauton – Know Thyself. Psychosynthesis allows for an in-depth journey of discovery that will be different for every individual; yet the journey embodies similar experiences attained through similar techniques.
The text is in a slightly clinical style, which is not surprising considering that Assagioli had a background in Psychoanalysis and Psychiatry. This book was most likely written to showcase his Psychosynthesis concepts to his peers in Psychiatry who had a Freudian background.
However, don’t let the prospect of a slightly clinical styled book put you off. If you are interested specifically in Psychosynthesis it is an essential read, and also highly recommended if you are in any way interested in Transpersonal Psychology or Self Development.
Assagioli’s comments on the Spirit of Synthesis bring 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).
Assagioli comments 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.
A key diagram in Psychosynthesis is the Egg diagram that provides a simple but effective map of consciousness and framework for understanding the psyche. Assagioli describes the outer ‘shell’ of the Egg diagram using the words “delimiting not dividing”, which to me really encompasses the ideas of boundaries. Although we are all part of the ‘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.
Two important concepts within Psychosynthesis are identification and dis-identification, the importance of which are briefly touched upon in the quote:
“We are dominated by everything with which our self becomes identified. We can dominate and control everything from which we dis-identify ourselves.”
Assagioli outlines two approaches to Self-growth. Personally I favour the second approach, the intuitive method, of listening to “the Spirit within” – guidance by the Higher Self, and following feelings and intuitions.
Assagioli talks about childish dependence carrying on into later life either on the parents or other individuals. This 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.
It would seem Assagioli was very much a product of his training in Freudian thought, and Psychiatry (and also his Qabalistic thought, although this doesn’t easily show through in his writing). Assagioli was really the seed or beginning point of Psychosynthesis, developing the system from his own theories and experiences, and from tools and techniques he had worked with in Psychiatry and Psychotherapy fields. His “version” carries with it an aura that is the product of his own Self. Modern teachers of Psychosynthesis impart an aura that is the product of their own Self, and living “sum total” of their experiences. Sometimes their teachings on Psychosynthesis draw on other things such Shamanism, co-dependency, Jungian concept, plus all of their own insights and wisdom.
Assagioli makes some comments on techniques that I consider need some serious consideration by anyone involved in Self-development or spiritual learning:
Techniques are only tools and can be modified. There is a high importance of the principles and the basic purpose of the entire endeavour. This to me is the experiential part of learning. Such things as the talks we are doing, it is the process, which is most important, not a right/wrong of the actual talk. All techniques can be modified at will, but should keep in mind the purpose of the therapy.
Assagioli has some rigid concepts about different groups or types of people, and likes to put them in convenient ‘boxes’ – which is not surprising for a Psychiatrist. There are the “nervous patients”, “normal people”, academic / well educated people (who should easily be able to understand Assagioli’s concepts!), and people of varying degrees of “culture”. I find this limiting, and not truly recognising the individual, unique essence within people.
Somewhere I partially disagree with Assagioli is where he talks about freeing oneself of emotions while looking at issues. He described emotions as “disturbing and distorting”. Emotions can be “disturbing (more so) and distorting (less so)” when one is not familiar with emotions, as many of us are in present society, especially men. However, emotions are critical in being human, and alive. Once one learns to accept emotions, even “disturbing” emotions can be experienced with relatively less discomfort, and far from being distorting they help clarify the picture. Assagioli’s relegation of emotions to “distorting” fits in with his sense, feel, think, act model, as thinking in his opinion is critical at making the “correct” decision, and more appropriate to scientific thought and method. Acting on something that may be disturbing is not necessarily rational. However, feelings and emotions are something that have developed within humans and other animals for very important reasons and in humans aid the analytical mind.
Read about, reflect on, and then put into practice some of the concepts of Psychosynthesis and experience life more fully.
Review Date: 11th January 2004
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For more information on Psychosynthesis you can check out the following websites:
- Inner Path
- The Will Project
- Southern Psychosynthesis Community Network
- Psychosynthesis – Two Not 2
- Psychosynthesis Books
- Psychosynthesis Online
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