Dear Group,
As we proceed with our reading I find delight in the fact that we can do this at all and wishing we could be sitting in a circle around my living room, discussing the issues that have come up. The goal in psychosynthesis always is to actually experience the concepts being taught. Creating that opportunity is what I would normally do. Nevertheless, I’m challenging myself to talk ‘about’ for the sake of our present process.
I too would prefer Assagioli used different language at times. But I remind myself of the time and circumstances under which he operated 100 years ago when psychoanalysis was king. Even that was not generally accepted. The whole mental health field as we know it today did not exist. All that aside, when I put my attention to what he said, it’s clear that he was and continues to be quite revolutionary in his thinking.
This is my big picture understanding of what he says. There are many dimensions of existence. There are many dimensions of the human being. Psychosynthesis prepares us to become aware of and bring into harmonious relationship some of this levels - personal and transpersonal psychosynthesis. Once this is achieved, we can then have our own, direct experience of the further levels, not requiring outside intermediaries, gurus, teachers for direction.
Psychosynthesis does not aim to answer all questions of existence. After achieving our own synthesis we find the answers for ourselves, directly.
“ Psychosynthesis does not aim nor attempt to give a metaphorical or theological explanation of the great Mystery- it leads to the door, but stops there.” p5 in the 2000 Synthesis edition. In the next paragraph on the same page he states very clearly the central purpose of psychosynthesis. “In the list of techniques used in psychosynthesis the various phases of psychosynthetic treatment are indicated. The starting point of the treatment is the ascertainment of the unique existential situation of each patient, of the problem which it presents and of the ways for their solution. This includes naturally a psychoanalytical phase. Then follows the activation of the latent aspects and functions and the development of the weak ones through the use of the active techniques suitable for each task. After, or rather while this is being done, the harmonization and integration into one functioning whole of all the qualities and functions of the individual must be aimed at and actively fostered - the central purpose of psychosynthesis.......” Synthesis 2000 edition page 5.
In the psychosynthesis framework, our true identity is the Self, the Transpersonal Self, the Soul, the Higher Self. The personality, the I, the center of consciousness and will, is a reflection of the Self. The mind, the emotions and the body are the instruments which constitute the personality.
Even though we are One, as human beings most of us become aware of this in an unfolding process. In looking back, I see very clearly how I moved from becoming aware of my self as a physical being, to exploring my emotional, and mental aspects. The experience of the personality, the ‘I’ is not a small event. Standing in the center and harmonizing the interactive system of the physical, emotional, mental (pem) aspects is a high achievement. And yes,even though the pem manifest in the subpersonalities as well, they are explored on their own also. There is one personality. It coordinates/integrates/harmonizes/synthesizes the pem as well as the subpersonalities and the various functions.
The Self is always projecting Transpersonal Qualities - many - like love, compassion, harmony, cooperation, wisdom, courage etc.
It always stands ready to become known to the personality. It is often said that Psychosynsthesis is both a top down and bottom up process. So while the Self reaches down (so to speak) the personality is reaching up. At some point when the personality is more or less integrated and the instruments (pem) are strong enough to hold the flooding of the energy from the Self we begin the experience of the higher synthesis.
Non of these steps are clear cut but happen simultaneously in varying degrees. And even though we know conceptually that we are ONE, the experience of that evolves over time. That is what psychosynthesis aims to do. Even though everyone is a Soul, a Spiritual Being and potentially can come to that realization and experience, everyone is not dedicated to that journey. We each have the freedom to proceed as we choose. I believe that is all RA meant. It is not a question of dividing people into two camps. However, the guide does have a responsibility to make an honest, deliberate assessment in order to be a constructive agent in the client’s journey and to avoid causing harm. Being a guide is more than being the wise friend or neighbor and carries great responsibility. This underscores again the absolute dedication a guide must have for her/his own personal work and ongoing development and synthesis.
The work for us all, guides included, is to tend to our own synthesis. With that in mind, I encourage you all to actually try one of the techniques about some personal issue of your own. This has been a good reminder for me and I too am experimenting with a couple of the techniques. Will share at our conference call next week to which I look forward with great anticipation.
In Light and Love, Hedi
Dianne,
ReplyDeleteLanguage again:) I'll give it a shot and see how it goes answering your questions. Instead of flooding, let us imagine any word that conveys contact or movement of energy from one plane to another. And yes, that can happen from any direction and for any number of reasons. And as you say and Roberto Assagioli (RA) too, everyones experience is unique.
Yes, I meant beyond the Transpersonal in my last note.
The egg diagram is a suggested map of the Psyche. The "I" is the center of consciousness and will, is the reflection, outpost of the Self - Transpersonal Self. In essence, part of the Self but at a different level of consciousness. One of its functions is to direct and coordinate its
vehicles, the physical, emotional, mental aspects of the human being, which as such don't specifically appear on the map.
These aspects along with the "I" are referred to as the personality.
Having an experience of this would really be the most clarifying.
In Light and Love, Hedi
.
Dianne,
ReplyDeleteWhatever the levels beyond the Transpersonal are, will be experienced directly by each of us as we achieve Transpersonal Synthesis.
RA says that psychosysthesis (that includes Transpersonal Synthesis)
leads us to the door only. It is clear from that and other comments of a similar vein that there are more levels.
RA was influenced by a number of perspectives. I am too. However, the goal of psychosynthesis is to prepare ourselves for direct experience and go from there. PS stands on its own no matter whatever other influences anyone involved with it has.
In Light and Love, Hedi
I am curious as to what the levels are beyond the Transpersonal? And, is this coming from RA (could you direct me to that citation) or from some other perspective that is informing your experience (or vice-versa)? Which, by the way, I consider ALL experience valid.