Meditation og blændværk: overlegenhed, selvhævdelse og stolthed

Glare is negative perceptions that stand in the way of self-knowledge. Different types of glare are reviewed and how they are illuminated is highlighted.

By Roberto Assagioli and others. Excerpt from the book Creative Meditation.

Introduction

As touched upon earlier in this study, human life is marked by glamour. It has been compared to walking in a haze or mist, so that one is unable to see one’s surroundings clearly and correctly. But it is even more correct to think of it as a veil or blanket that one holds up before one’s eyes, whereby everything naturally becomes blurred and distorted, takes on a different hue and a different form. A brief reflection will show the truth of this analogy. Few people are able to look at life without giving it an emotional hue. But some have a poorer perception of reality and of things as they really are behind these distorting “veils” than others, and there is great variation in the forms of glamour that condition a person’s vision, thinking, feelings, attitudes and reactions. Seven types of glamour were mentioned in the second instruction of the fourth year. In this instruction, which is being studied here, the “positive” and dogmatic illusions that seem to be particularly prevalent at present are to be examined.

Individual and global glamour

But first, it is important to remember that there is world glamour as well as individual glamour. These two types are closely intertwined, and although the individual has greater responsibility for the individual glamour, it is helpful to adopt an attitude that is proportionate to the extent of the glamour, and to guard against a glamour of excessive self-deprecation, if one believes that there are universal causes behind some of the problems that plague.

On the other hand, one also has a certain responsibility for the glamour and illusions that abound in the world. One has helped to build them, and one still does so with fear, desire, and unenlightened thinking. Therefore, one has a special obligation to try to break them down. It is therefore of great importance that one tries to see and understand them better, and that one finds out how they can be worked on in a practical way.

Discover the glamour

Two prerequisites or attitudes are necessary for this task. The first is a certain measure of disidentification, i.e., that one distances oneself from the illusions and considers them for what they are. As long as one identifies with a particular illusion, one is permeated by it. When one is completely possessed by an illusion, one neither knows it nor admits it, and therefore one can do nothing to break it. The first step is therefore to discover it. If one discovers it, one immediately has a different situation – the illusion is still inside, but now one knows it, and therefore one can begin to distance oneself from it. (See the technique of disidentification in the second instruction of the fourth year).

Use the will

The second prerequisite is to use the will. It is not enough to want to combat the glamour by using the various techniques described, because the will must also be included in the process. First, one must take the necessary precautions and then use the various techniques, because when these decisions are made, the will is expressed. Then the will energy is needed to build up endurance and determination to be able to carry out the process for as long as necessary.

It must also be remembered that there is an intermediate stage between discovering a spell and getting rid of it or breaking it down. It is during this period that the real struggle takes place, and one finds oneself in the paradoxical situation of having the spell within oneself, despite being able to see through it. In other words, it is still there and tends to assert itself at all times, but the person refuses as much as possible to be controlled by it. This can continue for a long time, and it is a difficult period, because even if one tries to control the spell and prevent it from affecting life, it is still rooted within and constantly intrudes. It would be more correct to say that at this stage one controls the spell rather than breaking it down. The stages or steps in the process are therefore:

1. Contemplation – seeing the glamour as it is
2. Disidentification – standing at a distance as the observer
3. Control – to keep track of it and prevent it from influencing.
4. Degradation – to break it down gradually and eliminate it

A lengthy process

These stages often overlap, but remembering them will help you see the different points you are standing on when the various delusions are bothering you. This will help you avoid becoming discouraged if it takes a long time to work through them. Delusions do not disappear “overnight,” or as soon as they are discovered. Some of them are deeply rooted in the subconscious, as was described in the second instruction , and it can be a long process to draw them out of the subconscious and break them down in the light of the soul’s higher consciousness.

The process has been compared to the mist rising from a deep valley as the Sun rises behind the mountains, spreading its light and warmth over the land. At first, clouds of mist rise, and when the Sun’s rays have drawn the mist all the way up, it gradually breaks up as it reaches the higher layers of the air, until finally the whole cloudless panorama can be seen in its true proportions.

Positive glamour

The charms in this category have been called “positive” because they are based on positive actions and thinking, which was mentioned in the third instruction of the third year as one of the characteristics of the new age. It should be noted that the word “positive” is not used here in the sense of valuable or good. On the contrary, “positive” charms are as negative in a qualitative sense as all other forms of charms. In fact, they can be more negative because they are often harmful and have destructive effects.

Assertiveness and inferiority complex

Two different types of people are predisposed to them. The first type are those who have an innate assertiveness, are authoritative and “strong-willed” in a personal sense. The second type, on the contrary, are people who have an inherent weakness, which they are so keenly aware of and feel offended by with bitterness. This encourages them to overcompensate for the weakness by displaying and maintaining power. An example of this is the assertiveness and aggression that are sometimes found in people who are small in stature, as they feel physically inferior. Adler has prepared a good account of this psychological mechanism and mentions that various forms of “inferiority complexes” can creep in at the very root of the various forms of aggression and assertiveness.

These two opposing causes of positive forms of glamour should be remembered, for it may be helpful in selecting and applying the right techniques for working with them to understand the origin of any glamour one is trying to break down. There are many glamours in this positive category, but only a few of them can be mentioned here. However, the following examples will help to raise awareness of the many variations that exist with this “over-positive” tendency, and of the different forms they can take, and to show how such glamours can be controlled, combated, and broken down.

1. The illusion of power

The fascination with power is an exaggerated and distorted manifestation of the normal urge for self-assertion. Power provides both intense subjective satisfaction and makes it possible – at least temporarily – to achieve success or acquire desired things. This fascination can overshadow the person to such an extent that he/she becomes obsessed with it. A particular example of this was Friedrich Nietzsche, whose will-to-power had such unfortunate results.

The desired power can occur in three different ways:

1. About people who create a glamour regarding authority.
2. Above the forces of nature.
3. Above the fabric

The last two points create a glamour regarding efficiency and technology.

The technique of right proportions , which was illustrated in the second instruction, will clearly be a valuable exercise for anyone who finds that they have this fascination with power or a tendency towards it. As Theodore Roosevelt said, it “must be given its due place,” and then one will see oneself in a truer perspective. The cultivation of the opposite is also one of the main techniques for working through this fascination. (See later in this instruction.)

2. The illusion of authority

The illusion of authority, or more correctly, of the exercise of authority, has its parallels at all levels and in many areas. There are countless little dictators in every organization, and the present bureaucratic systems provide ample breeding ground for them. Until recently, the autocratic father was accepted as the normal head of the family—a fact that has been one of the causes of youth rebellion.

This autocratic attitude is based not only on the love of power, but also on a belief in doing the right thing – which is of course also a delusion. In more or less conspicuous forms, it is so widespread today that it is a fundamental attitude of a large part of humanity.

Spiritual authority

The glamour of authority, like all glamours associated with power and a sense of superiority, can manifest itself on the physical, emotional, and mental levels. But it can also occur in the spiritual consciousness. When glamour is based either on a strong sense of divine guidance or “revelation” or on the authority of established dogmas and creeds, it can become a serious glamour and a dangerously distorting and aggressive force. The Inquisition is an example of the worst form of this glamour of “spiritual authority,” and of how it can become all-powerful.

Fortunately, the culture of authority is rapidly disappearing. It was a distinctive feature of earlier times, but the freedom-loving and free-thinking societies that are being built today – at least in the West – have a new attitude. There is no longer any respect for “authorities”. They are largely discarded, and it can be expected that the hold of this glamour on all dictators and its support for them will gradually diminish as the new age continues.

Although the glamours of efficiency and technology very often, as previously mentioned, develop from the love of power and its exercise, they are more specifically connected with activity, which is the third category of glamour, which will be studied later. It will be described in the sixth instruction.

Technique for transmutation

The technique recommended for working on the glamour of power can also be recommended for working on the glamour of authority, which is in reality an expression of the love of power. However, when used for a while, one can also practice the technique of transmutation (see the second instruction). With this technique, which will be explained in more detail in the sixth instruction, one controls the energy behind a glamour and uses it in a higher way. This means that once one has discovered one’s tendency to become over-authoritative, has placed oneself and one’s situation in proper proportion, and has taken some steps to cultivate opposite qualities, such as humility, one proceeds to transmute one’s love of authority and one’s dictatorial tendencies into a sense of responsibility with genuine and compassionate concern for the people around one. Both the previous attitude and the method of expressing it have thus been transmuted, and thus the energy behind the glamour can be used in a constructive and useful way.

3. Delusions about physical strength

The glamour of physical strength can be called a more primitive expression of the positive assertive type of glamour. For those people who cannot express themselves at the higher levels, competitions and sports serve a good purpose. It requires self-discipline, courage, concentration, endurance, the ability to withstand hardships and very often group efforts and cooperation.

The glamour arises when one places too much importance on results and when one’s attention is focused solely on them. This develops pride on the physical level and a competitive spirit emerges, which can then fuel recklessness and even lead to extreme forms of physical aggression and violence.

The techniques that have been mentioned can also be useful exercises for this illusion. They will also be beneficial in relation to all subsequent illusions that fall within the overpositive range.

4. The illusion of ambition

The glamour of ambition is closely connected with the three preceding ones, for the love of power, of success, and of high positions are the driving forces of ambition. When a man is afflicted with this, he is occupied solely with reaching the top, and this has harmful effects both on himself, on those close to him, and socially. Often the ambitious man continues his striving far beyond his physical strength, and he exhausts his energy to an extent that leaves the physical body completely exhausted and open to physical and mental ailments.

The side effects of ambition

But the ambitious person also tends to take on too much in other ways. This results in inefficiency and even failure, and it also affects others. This is humorously described in the book The Peter Principle by Dr. Laurence J. Peter and Raymond Hull. (Published by William Morrow & Co. Inc.). It has become a bestseller, which can be taken as an encouraging sign because it exposes the glamour of ambition and ridicules the current commonly used promotion system, which Dr. Peter calls “hierarchy,” which results in poor management and the incompetent organization that is seen everywhere.

Among the more serious effects of ambition is that it often fosters ruthlessness, cruelty, and a total disregard for the rights of others. It is often the motivating impulse behind crime and acts of violence, and it is, of course, the driving force behind all dictators.

From ambition to destruction

In addition to personal ambition, the group to which the ambitious person belongs can be the focus of excessive ambition. Dictators and national leaders are ambitious on behalf of their people and country, striving to expand their territories and, as a consequence, to dominate other nations. They are so preoccupied with this that it requires total self-sacrifice, for all their energy is used to achieve this goal. Such people assume an extraordinary amount of responsibility and run a great risk. Ambition can very easily lead to destructive action, and recent history contains many dramatic examples of this.

Fortunately, only a few people are in a position where the illusion of ambition can have such disastrous consequences on a larger scale, but one must understand how it works on a group and on a nation as well as on an individual, so that one does not run the risk of being caught in its grip, probably without knowing it, and the risk of contributing to it without realizing that that is precisely what one is doing.

Spiritual ambition

Ambition is a glamour that is easier to detect in others than in oneself, and like the glamour of authority, it can be associated with a spiritual life as well as with achievements at the level of personality. It can be said that the higher the level of manifestation of any glamour, the more difficult it is to detect, and spiritual ambition—even if it occurs in a highly transformed form of desire for personal success—can insidiously distort a true higher motivation.

5. Delusions of pride and superiority

Pride and feelings of superiority are delusions closely related to ambition. People overestimate themselves and their achievements, and look down on others who have not achieved much and consider them inferior. This tendency may begin as a need to “show off,” but it can develop into a sense of superiority, and if so, they bask in this delusion and feed it with the satisfaction that this attitude gives them.

People who have a prideful delusion cannot stand superiority in others. This reaction is especially prevalent today, taking the form of aversion to people who prove themselves to be more capable, and they try to belittle them in every way possible. Like a seesaw, one’s personal sense of superiority rises when another’s superiority falls. The widespread practice of “getting the truth out” about the great men and women of the past, finding out and elaborating on all their shortcomings, making these people inferior to what they were, and even ignoring their achievements, is largely due to this attitude.

This is naive as well as unfair, because the great have accomplished something despite their weaknesses and shortcomings, and they should be appreciated all the more because they overcame these obstacles sufficiently to accomplish great things. This has sometimes been the most heroic part they have accomplished. It should also always be remembered that people function at different levels, so even if they have shortcomings and even mistakes at one level, they can achieve a lot at another.

The widespread tendency to belittle others was expressed by Rabindranath Tagore in the words:

The firefly said to the stars, “The astronomers say that the day will come when you will be destroyed.” The stars did not answer.

Possession Delusion

For people without special opportunities or abilities, this glamour often takes the form of pride in possessing possessions. This is what lies behind the expression “being on a par with your neighbor,” which, although it seems to be a minor glamour, often does a lot of harm. In addition to the bad feeling it creates, the whole life is spent acquiring more money, higher status, better cars, bigger houses, and more and more things that feed pride, and this worthless empire is often built at the expense of health and true joy and fulfillment in life.

6. The illusion of being sure you are right

Being sure that one is right is also an aspect of pride. It is a feeling of superiority on a mental level, and it is accompanied by a failure to detect or tolerate the views of others, dogmatism, and other “sins” of a mental nature, which will be studied in more detail later. It is a delusion that tends to arise as the faculty of thought begins to develop—for example, the mental arrogance that is often seen in young people before they acquire more knowledge and greater wisdom.

However, this is an attitude that is disappearing due to the current crisis in which humanity finds itself. The widespread questioning of the value standard that all existing forms and ways of life have is causing an increasing number of people to feel confused, perplexed and insecure. This confusion is a necessary stage that has its good aspects, but it can also create problems and difficulties, and it feeds negative illusions such as fear and depression.

The glamour of glamour

Before leaving the subject of the illusion of pride, it is important to know that this illusion constitutes one of the greatest obstacles to discovering the illusions of others. It not only prevents a person from seeing his own weaknesses, but it also makes him refuse to acknowledge them, even if

they are quite prevalent. Pride has the special property of being able to hide a person from himself, and it is therefore necessary to go deeper into this problem to be sure that pride does not “fool us” into wrong judgments and into a disproportionately great feeling of being of great importance and of being the best suited. The technique of right proportions is also of great value in this connection. It is, in fact, especially useful for all positive glamours which tend to create a feeling of personal over-importance and superiority.

7. Delusion of Self-Centeredness

It must be understood that all people are normally self-centered to some extent, and therefore they have more or less a fascination in this direction. To use an analogy from the science of astronomy, people with this fascination have not yet achieved their own “Copernican revolution,” as they still consider themselves to be the center of everything around them in the same way that astronomers before Copernicus believed that the Earth was the center of the universe. This is of course a completely wrong view, but many people still live their lives this way. They expect everything and everyone to pay special attention to them, but they ignore the fact that other people may have the same tendency and that they have the right to live their own independent lives.

Self-centeredness also creates isolation, loneliness, and withdrawal. People who are “blurred” by this glamour completely lack the ability to take an interest in other people and have a very limited psychological understanding. They simply cannot conceive of identifying with another person, and their intense self-absorption, as far as their own lives are concerned, prevents them from opening up.

A radical way to get rid of this illusion is to use the technique of right proportions here too. Another exercise that is of great value in this regard is the “as if” technique , described elsewhere in this instruction. By resolutely trying to think and act “as if” you were acting in the place of another person, you can imagine and arrive at a true understanding of their feelings and reactions. In this way you can become more aware of the worlds in which others live, and this causes an opening in the boundary ring that exists around self-centeredness, thereby beginning a process of breaking down its hold.

8. Various illusions regarding loneliness and isolation

Loneliness, isolation and withdrawal are illusions related to Loneliness can be called an archaic illusion, because in reality there is no loneliness, neither for the individual nor in the universe. Every human being is constantly affected by countless influences on all levels. These influences range from the rays that reach humans from distant galaxies after millions of light years, to the climatic conditions in the surroundings, and to the psychological influences that modern people are bombarded with both from the noisy mass media and quite involuntarily from the psychological atmosphere or the “ocean”, which in psychological terminology is called “the collective unconscious”.

Isolation is a delusion

But conversely, every human being also influences his surroundings all the time, even if he is not aware of it. On the physical level, he can carry microbes and viruses, and each of us has a specific scent that animals can especially detect and recognize. Emotionally and mentally, he also constantly influences others, not only with words and actions, but also through subtle psychological influences. One should be aware of these processes, for they involve considerable responsibility, and with such knowledge one becomes able to distinguish between the influences that are helpful and the influences that can be harmful among the constant streams that one both receives and sends out.

People who feel lonely or have a separative attitude have the mistaken belief that they are unaffected by everything that goes on around them, but paradoxically, this makes them more likely to be affected. That is, they are more likely to unleash harmful and destructive forces, because their lack of consideration for and communication with others tends to develop criticism, prejudice, displeasure, and even outright hatred.

Hypersensitivity

But there is also another and completely different kind of isolation and loneliness, where the cause is hypersensitivity. In this example, it is a form of self-protection, a defense mechanism that is built up by creating a kind of “psychic armor”. This is a more negative type of isolation, and it will be discussed later when the negative illusions are studied.

It is not necessary to go into more detail about the technique of breaking down the feeling of loneliness. The methods that can be used for this are quite clear, and the qualities that should be cultivated to counteract it are mentioned in a list in connection with right human relations and the principle of goodwill in the first and second instructions respectively. Several of the techniques mentioned can be used in working through this illusion, but it should also be remembered that the feeling of loneliness is often nourished by other illusions, especially those that exist on the mental level.

Illusions of freedom and independence

Nowadays there is a great demand for freedom both for individuals and for groups. But this raises a strange paradox. It is claimed that when people achieve freedom, they either use it incorrectly, for example, for extreme forms of uncontrolled self-expression, freedom of action and even acts of violence, or they do not know what to use it for. The latter category is motivated to seek some external support or, in other words, to go back to some form of authority. Eric Fromm has described this quite well as “ The Escape from Freedom” in his book of the same name. (Eric Fromm, Escape From Freedom . Hart, Rinehart and Winston, New York, 1941). People discover that freedom gives responsibility and that it can in itself become a burden, which they try to avoid in various ways, either by seeking an authority they can trust – or blame – or by seeking some kind of replacement.

This naturally leads to clashes between the uncontrolled freedoms and limits the expected freedom. For example, the relationship between the freedom of the individual and the freedom of a group raises many problems, and very quickly it becomes clear to those involved that the newfound freedom they tried to enjoy is not as simple as they imagined, nor is it a panacea for all frustrations.

Freedom from and freedom to

Freedom should not be thought of simply as “freedom from,” but rather as “freedom to.” The desire to be free from gives rise to the illusion of freedom. There is a tendency to think of freedom as a blissful state away from everything that binds and limits, when in reality it only frees man to new possibilities on other levels, which he himself must embrace and manifest.

Just as with loneliness, there is no such thing as complete freedom and independence. Everyone is inextricably linked and involved in a web of interdependence, and the illusion of freedom will persist even if one believes that it is possible to break free from it and live independently of everything around one.

The right demands for freedom should be freedom to express the best in oneself, to be creative, and to have the opportunity to develop. This does not mean free agency or selfish gratification at lower levels or anarchy. The right use of freedom requires a high degree of personal discipline and self-control.

Freedom for the benefit of all

This fascination should not always take the extreme and obvious forms that are often seen among the youth of this day, but rather should take the form of a subtle influence that affects inner attitudes and reactions. It can lead to the emergence of other fascinations such as resentment, bitterness, and frustration. To counter this, one must become aware of where one is free and in what areas of life, and perceive the real levels of freedom. Then one must agree with oneself to accept the minor restrictions that may limit one’s actions, and to see them in proper proportion as temporary limitations necessary for the greater good.

Techniques such as disidentification and right proportions will be useful here, and techniques of presence and indifference, which will be explained in detail later, will be especially helpful in providing a more expansive attitude and a more comprehensive view that neutralizes this glamour at all levels of consciousness.

Impatience and irritability

Lastly, another form of glamor is treated, which is often a “burden” for the positive, dominant and aggressive type of person –  impatience. To this is added a fierce temper, irritability and a wrathful attitude, which make life unbearable for a large number of people. These glamors have a destructive quality, and they affect others very strongly as well as the person themselves. They eliminate serenity, suppress joy and embitter the system and create a general unrest within the person himself and in his surroundings. These glamors should be worked on with the greatest care. In this time of forced living and nervous pressure, impatience and irritability are extremely widespread, and it must be noted here that this form of glamor and also others, such as fear and depression, tend to appear and increase when the physical body, which includes the nervous system, is under unusually great strain.

The cause and effect of the glamor

A spell can have its roots on any of the three levels of the personality, and one should always try to discover the point within oneself from which it seems to come. A “mental” spell, for example, may well originate in an emotional attitude, and an emotional reaction such as irritation may well have its cause in greater nervous strain or physical ill health. In the latter case it is clearly useless to blame the emotional nature and to use only psychic or spiritual techniques. One must employ the means available on the physical levels to alleviate the situation and relieve the original pressure.

High intelligence – great impatience

Intellectual ability is often the cause of impatience. People who can think quickly, perceive clearly, and complete tasks with skill tend to show impatience toward people who are slower and less skilled, without seeing the difficulties that the less skilled have to contend with. In reality, those people who have reached high levels of intelligence and integration should be able to see the problems of others much more easily and therefore have greater understanding of their situation and show them greater compassion. However, this is rarely the case with the positive type, who has a dominant will and is preoccupied with moving forward to achieve their own goals.

Tolerance

Recognizing the bigger picture and the fact that one cannot expect perfection is the first step in working through this illusion. One finds oneself in an imperfect universe where everyone, along with all living things, is constantly evolving toward greater awareness, ability, and perfection. It is a slow process in which everyone is involved, and no one has the right to be impatient with the inadequacies and imperfections of other people. Recognizing this eliminates the mistaken idea that everyone should have the same qualities and be at the same level of ability, as this realization develops greater tolerance.

Again, the technique of correct proportions will be helpful, as will the cultivation of a sense of humor. One is often irritated and even momentarily angered by inanimate objects – but a sense of humor can quickly put an end to such ridiculous reactions.

One of the difficulties with illusions of this kind is that they tend to appear far too quickly to be balanced, but practice in the use of the various techniques, such as disidentification, as-if, and indifference, will be helpful in gradually breaking down the tendency to react quickly, automatically, and irritablely.

Humility and acceptance

When it comes to cultivating opposites, one should try to develop not only the obvious opposite qualities such as patience, forbearance, and tolerance, but also, for example, humility, which can break down the feeling of superiority, which is often rooted in impatience. One often has to work on one illusion in parallel with another, because they regularly evoke each other and then support and nourish each other. Acceptance is another quality that should be cultivated, because it builds a general resistance to these illusions. When one stops resisting the obstacles and imperfections around one and develops the ability to accept, one simultaneously develops tolerance and equanimity, and this will save a lot of wasted energy.

It is helpful to seek the cause of a fascination and to believe that it is within one’s power to change it. A woman who suffered from impatience and irritability all her life assumed that these were traits of her personality and that they could not be changed. Finally, she recognized that they gave her a sense of superiority. In the light of this insight, these fascinations disappeared and all her relationships improved.

The cure is love.

In conclusion, one can say that an important characteristic of the positive charms is a wrong and sometimes violent use of energy. The positive type of person has a higher proportion of energy in them than the more negative types, and it is often difficult to control this energy and use it only in a correct and constructive way. Such a person has a high potential and can achieve great things, but this power also contains a tendency to become destructive. The great “opposite” that should be cultivated by all who possess a greater proportion of energy and will and similar traits is love. This is the right solution to all the problems and difficulties that may arise. Love balances the positive, dynamic and exciting forces and is the great guardian of their correct use.

Techniques for cultivating opposites

It is beneficial to remember that the first two techniques— disidentification and right proportions —were described in the second instruction. The next two to be studied are the cultivation of opposites and the “as if.” The first, which is one of the simplest and most understandable, is also one of the most significant psychological and spiritual methods for working through personal illusions. It is a help when dealing with psychological, nervous, and also psychic difficulties, and it is the “master method” especially for negative illusions.

Where it is difficult to combat a delusion directly, its opposite can often be cultivated much more easily, and in doing so one can reach the point where the opposite defeats the delusion that has created worry. For example, it is difficult to combat fear directly, but “courage” can be developed so that fear is reduced and eventually even eliminated. This is a method that has been included in most spiritual faiths since the dawn of time, and it is mentioned in Patanjali’s Yoga Sutras:

 To overcome the obstacles and their consequences requires intense application of the will to some truth (or principle).

(Sutra 32 in the first book)

Alice A. Bailey, in her comments on this sutra in The Light of the Soul (Esoteric Center Publishing), has listed the seven obstacles and the contradictions:

This is an example of how the technique can be used as preparation for greater soul awareness, but it is equally suitable for working through any glamor or unfortunate character trait that is particularly troubling.

The horizontal and the vertical method

There are two ways of cultivating an opposite: One is the psychological method – cultivating, for example, by neutralizing fear, and love by neutralizing hatred, and so on. This method can be called the horizontal method. The other can be called the vertical method, because it involves an invocation of the soul, so that the downpour of energy and light coming from the soul neutralizes and then breaks down the spell. It is necessary to have a clear understanding of the spell to be broken in order for all the techniques to be effective, and this is especially true in the cultivation of opposites, and one depends on understanding the spell correctly in order to make the right choice of the opposite to be cultivated. Will is also an essential element in this technique, because the method requires a constant effort to develop that which is latent, or which may have only just begun to exist.

The technique of cultivating opposites can be used for most illusions. For example, the opposite of self-centeredness is group awareness and universality – the opposite of loneliness and isolation is cooperation – the opposite of dependence is togetherness. But as a very special exercise, this technique is best used to balance the negative illusions, which will be described in the next instruction.

Combination of techniques

The process of cultivating opposites is always more or less effective, and often it is not entirely sufficient, especially when the intensity, or one could say the “tension” of the fascination, is very strong. For example, when it comes to deep fear, it is not enough to cultivate “courage”, it will also be necessary to use other techniques. In general, it will always be a good principle to use more than one technique and to combine them so that their effects are complementary.

The following exercise can be used to cultivate any of the qualities listed below, or any other essential quality that you feel you need.

Practice for cultivating opposites

1. Sit in a comfortable position – relax all muscular and mental tension – breathe slowly and rhythmically.

2. Think about the quality you are seeking to cultivate. Realize its value and evaluate it in your mind and with your feelings, and resolve to develop it more and more.

3. Call upon it now. To help, you can mention it repeatedly or read a short sentence related to it.

4. Commit to maintaining and expressing this quality throughout the day, no matter what happens, and to be its living example and radiate it.

The “As-if” technique

The first thing to be clear about the as-if technique is that it is not about making yourself believe that you do not have the delusion in question. The method is not denial, as some extreme schools practice, but rather a clear recognition of the delusion and then a decision to go ahead in spite of it. You know all too well what it is, but you refuse to identify with it, and in this way you can put it in its rightful place and keep it at “arm’s length,” so to speak.

Here is an example: You may feel depressed, but you perceive the depression as a wave of emotions. You stand at a distance from it. It may wash over you and envelop you, but it is not identical with the “ I” – and as the “I” you strive to act as if the depression were not there. This makes all the difference. So you do not deny an existing fact, but put it in its rightful place.

Acting as if clearly requires a great deal of disidentification, and working further with this technique, as described in the second instruction, will help to develop the ability to use this method. It will also be quite clear that when acting as if, one is not plagued by a prevailing glamour, and this generally means that one must awaken a great deal of its opposite. For example, it takes courage to live on as if one has no fear, and it takes strong inner positivity to act as if one does not feel any form of depression. So by using disidentification, one simultaneously cultivates the opposite. These three methods are closely linked.

It is the thinking that controls

Acting “as if” has the advantage of being immediate, without having to wait for results, as with other techniques that are more profound and therefore work more slowly. The as if technique, in a sense, short-circuits the emotional part of the human being. It is the faculty of thought that commands and directs the physical body to function properly and, without taking into account the emotional reactions, isolates and prevents them from intervening. This does not eliminate the illusion, but it temporarily renders it powerless.

Desensitization

The as-if technique is effective when there is a conscious feeling that is contrary to the way one wants or should function. It will succeed if the feeling to be overcome is moderate and not too intense, but when fear or another feeling is very intense, the technique that should be used is desensitization or the technique of imaginary training. Likewise, when there is a blockage from the subconscious with traumatic impressions from the past that have formed a complex, it will be difficult and in some cases even impossible to act “as-if”. In such cases, one must first work on the blockage by using methods that are adapted to such a condition.

Real or unreal

At this point in the study, it would be right to clarify two questions that are very often asked about the as-if method. Isn’t it a loose claim, some ask, to be able to cultivate something unreal, something false? And likewise, doesn’t this method lead to a delusion where one believes one has overcome something that one has not in reality?

With such questions one overlooks the fundamentals of this technique, which is the fact that as an observer one has discovered the illusion and decided which technique to use to counteract it and furthermore that this attitude of the impartial observer who controls it must be maintained in order to be able to carry out the experiment successfully. For example, despite being afraid inside, one acts as if one is not afraid. One knows what one is doing. Therefore, even if this attitude is maintained correctly, one must not believe that one has eliminated the illusion. This is absolutely not self-deception.

Focusing and invocation

Another point of view is that one cannot wait until one has completely overcome a delusion to adopt a positive attitude towards it. For all progress requires that one direct one’s attention forward towards the goal one wishes to achieve. And this applies to all developments, all discoveries and all achievements. First the vision of what is to be accomplished is captured, and this causes the thought to send out an “arrow”. Then this state is strengthened very slowly by the creative thinking as well as by the physical and emotional efforts to arrive at that which builds up and consolidates the effort with focus and invocation.

Invocation causes a specific creative force to come to the aid. Invocation establishes the power in the mind and strengthens the attitude by awakening an emotional response to the attribute invoked. Above all, it is an act of will, and when the will participates, one is well equipped to overcome the current spell.

The multifaceted human being

The idea that one should not pretend to be something one is not is an oversimplification that does not take into account the multifaceted nature of man. The different elements of the interior work in different ways. One is not controlled by one particular spell in all parts of one’s being, at least very rarely, and therefore it is not hypothetical to act in accordance with the highest concepts and ideals.

Sincerity and impulsiveness

Those who object to this technique on the grounds that it is a loose claim are exhibiting another delusion – the delusion of sincerity. This is one of the “higher” bbllæænndd– works, but it is good to be able to see through it and know that it can have unhappy and sometimes disastrous consequences.

Sincerity does not mean giving vent to every impulse and letting go of all emotions. This is nothing more than an impulsiveness and primitive attitude of people who have not begun to process and transmute their own inner selves. True sincerity means fidelity to principles, to one’s ideals and judgments, and does not defend aggressive behavior patterns or unpleasant statements that often come from people with this fascination.

Therefore, the as-if technique is not a form of self-deception or of completely intending to deceive others. One can even often quite openly admit to a delusion, for example, being afraid, being impatient, or being depressed, and yet declare that one will continue as if one is not. This may be considered a “stop-gap” method due to the pressure of circumstances, but it is a very useful technique as long as one is trying to solve the problem of eliminating the delusion completely. In order to do this, various other methods are also required.

The Law of Group Effort and Glamor

When the law of group effort is studied, it becomes clear that it is again a delusion connected with the individual’s relations to others. For example, self-assertion is a direct opposite to group effort, self-centeredness prevents or makes free interaction in true group life very difficult, and possessiveness makes sharing difficult.

In fact, it may be said that the attempt to live in groups and to work with the law of group effort is a severe test of these forms of illusion, and it offers a great opportunity for their elimination. Yet many people are more or less successful in living in groups and attempting the “group life” today, and it is a hopeful sign that the illusions which hinder right relations are diminishing in many ways. It is quite certain that we will see much more group work and true group interaction as the old autocratic order disappears.

Interest in psychology – especially humanistic psychology – is also moving in that direction. There is a genuine interest in and concern for human relationships, for the ability to work and live together, and for a new attitude towards the creative results of group exchange.

Life of groups

The modern concepts of group life and group effort should not be limited to specific and relatively small groups in which one participates for a specific purpose or because of mutual interest. Everyone belongs to groups of all kinds—family, social, political, religious, national, and so on. This means that one must think about what one does as a society and what responsibilities one has as a nation, as much as in the case of more specific groups and affiliations. It also means that, as mentioned earlier, one has a responsibility for the breakdown of group glamour, as well as of a national, racial, and even world-wide nature.

The joint effort

Breaking down illusions at this level requires joint action, and here one can see that group efforts are playing an increasingly important role today. Many are united in their efforts to combat worldwide illusions and problems. For example, in the religious field, groups are working to eliminate the illusion of authority and dictatorship. Scientists in many nations are showing concern about whether the powers of science are being used properly. And people are grouping together in efforts to combat illusions of many kinds, such as the cult of possessions and social status, and the “rat race” of modern society.

Two exercises

 Exercise in the “as if” technique

I. Sit quietly in a relaxed position and in harmonious calm and breathe slowly. Say to yourself: “I recognize that I have a delusion within me concerning – (fear, despair, impatience, criticism, name the delusion you intend to work on). I observe it, am aware of its consequences and of the dangers associated with it, and therefore I refuse to identify with it. I recognize that it is a delusion.”

 II. Recognize that while you are unable to immediately eliminate or directly change this glamour, you can prevent it from influencing your outward attitude and behavior and keep it “on a leash” or “bypass” it.

III. Imagine that you are now in a situation that provokes this fascination. It could be an important meeting or exam, a complicated relationship with a difficult child, a troublesome partner or a demanding boss, or any number of other types of problems. Imagine the situation fully and go through it carefully step by step with your But instead of allowing “natural” or normal urges, feelings or fascinations to condition your behavior or course of action, imagine that you are ignoring them and that you can act with confidence, patience, trust and courage.

IV. Re-emphasize your inner non-identification with this glamour, and identify yourself as an unprejudiced observer, a spectator, and director of all your actions.

Repeat this exercise until you have developed a certain degree of inner confidence that you will be able to act in this way in current situations.

Group effort exercise

I. Delusions that hinder group effort:
Dictatorship, belief in authority, personal ambition, certainty of being right, independence, self-interest, narrow-mindedness, fanaticism, possessiveness.

II. Points for reflection:
1. To which groups that use these words in a broader sense do I belong?
2. Do any of the above-mentioned illusions prevent me from fulfilling my rightful part in them?
3. What illusions seem to be present in the groups to which I am attached?
4. Does my attitude reinforce these illusions, and what can I do to help break them down?

Pondering these four questions can provide much insight into one’s obligations in relation to the various groups to which one is attached, and into the true meaning of group endeavor. They can also be helpful in selecting the most appropriate themes for meditation.

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Also read the article Psychosynthesis an Integral Psychology and the biography of Roberto Assagioli

Read the introductory article about energy psychology

Read the introductory article about integral meditation