Each time I read Psychosynthesis, I'm amazed at how current the issues are, how well the content has withstood 45 years of great change in our world. This book was first published in 1965. By that time, Roberto Assagioli had been developing Psychosynthesis for over 50 years. This year we celebrated 100 years of Psychosynthesis at the AAP (Association for the Advancement of Psychosynthesis) Conference in Chicago, marking the anniversary of Assagioli's dissertation, completed in 1910. How might Psychosynthesis develop in the future? In the Introduction, Assagioli compares and contrasts Psychosynthesis with existential psychology. In the amazing plethora of psychologies, methods, protocols and techniques offered today, what makes Psychosynthesis stand out? How is it similar and how is it different?
In chapter one, subtitled, "Dynamic Psychology and Psychosynthesis," he lists a large number of influences and strands in the stream of psychology of the day. He says that in attempting to coordinate and synthesize these, one can arrive at "a pluridimensional conception of the human personality." From there he presents his famous schematic, the egg diagram, in which he presents his idea of the psychological structure of the human person.
At the same time, Assagioli makes it very clear that Psychosynthesis is not a 'one-size fits all' psychotherapy. He writes of the dynamism of the concrete real living person. He emphasizes that the Self is 'one,' and states that the small self of ordinary consciousness is but a 'reflection' of the Self. However, the problem is that humans experience themselves as divided in many ways, ..."we are limited and bound in a thousand ways - the prey of illusions and phantasms, the slaves of unrecognized complexes, tossed hither and thither by external influences, blinded and hypnotized by deceiving appearances."
Then, we are offered a way out: achieve a "harmonious inner integration, true Self-realization and right relationships with others. This is accomplished through the stages of psychosynthesis, which Assagioli lists. He describes what is to be done in each stage.
I'm wondering, what has been our own experience with each of these stages? And, what have we learned through observing and assisting others to through them?
Yes Carla, I agree, quite amazing. Roberto Assagioli continues to be inspiring with his timeless ideas and thinking. I'm so glad you thought of doing this book group which motivated me to read this one more time.
ReplyDeleteAt the moment I'm drawn to his statement on p 7 "...psychosynthesis can be applied by the individual himself or herself, fostering and accelerating inner growth and self-actualization, which should be the aim of all and which sometimes is felt as an imperative inner urge, as a vital existential necessity."
Having now stepped into the new world of blogging, I'm wondering what may be meaningful, interesting, inspiring to you from this first chapter.
Seriously, it is only with the patience and kindness of my coworkers and friends that I keep moving one step at a time into this brave new world of technology. Being able to be connected with each other in this way leaves me feeling very grateful for all the evolving possibilities.
Light and Love, Hedi
Hedi, thanks for the comment. I want to encourage other participants in the book study to chime in here, too.
ReplyDeleteFor my part, I find Roberto Assagioli's vision and commitment to it to be tremendously hopeful. Toward the end of chapter one, he points to the parallels between the synthesis that takes place within an individual person, between that person and others and from there to "the entire human family" and ultimately to "The Supreme Synthesis." This kind of vision is quite inspiring to me! What it means to me is that every bit of inner work we do has the potential to spread far and wide and ripple through time.
I hope others who are reading this book will also comment about their experience!