glossary

A definition of acceptance in psychology, by Roberto Assagioli From the Archive in Florence "A spiritual paradox – True (positive, generous) acceptance often is the most effective and quickest means to free oneself from a situation, a condition, a bondage. This for two reasons: 1.(...)

Here is a short definition of the technique "acting as if" by Roberto Assagioli, one of the many psychosynthesis techniques used in counselling.   "I have recommended the technique of "acting as if"; that is, of acting as if a psychological attitude existed in us, instead of the contrary(...)

Here comes a short compilation on archetypes by Roberto Assagioli: TD= Transpersonal Development, 2007. PS= Psychosynthesis, 1965.   “The two main symbols of development are the seed and the flower: a seed has all the potential it needs to become a tree, and a flower, from its(...)

A definition of ascent by Roberto Assagioli from his book Transpersonal Development The third group of symbols, a frequently occurring one, is that of elevation, ascent or conquest of the 'inner space' in an ascending sense. There is a series of inner worlds, each with its own special(...)

A short definition of Attachment, by Roberto Assagioli: "Now we shall discuss the many forms of attachment - to people, things and ways of living - which are like heavy balls of lead tied to the feet of those trying to advance, or snares along the path, things that can sometimes even cause(...)

“I have recommended the technique of “acting as if”; that is, of acting as if a psychological attitude existed in us, instead of the contrary one. Some are shocked at the use of this method because they consider it hypocritical; they say in effect: i “If I am angry and harbor resentment(...)

“I have recommended the technique of “acting as if”; that is, of acting as if a psychological attitude existed in us, instead of the contrary one. Some are shocked at the use of this method because they consider it hypocritical; they say in effect: i “If I am angry and harbor resentment(...)

A definition of spiritual awakening by Roberto Assagioli from his book Transpersonal Development. "We now come to the fifth group of symbols. These are among the most significant and effective. They are the symbols of reawakening or revival. We might describe our normal state of(...)

See Centred

What does it mean to be centred? In Psychosynthesis, we speak a lot about being centred, and by that we point to the stable, never changing point of pure awareness and will - embedded in all human beings. It is being aware of oneself as a loving observer and when this permanent, unchanging(...)

Here comes a short definition of the collective unconscious, by Roberto Assagioli. (see also unconscious) “Human beings are not isolated, they are not “monads without windows” as Leibnitz thought. They may at times feel subjectively isolated, but the extreme existentialists conception is not(...)

  Here is a definition of Concentration by Roberto Assagioli: Concentration and meditation "In taking up the subject of concentration the first point to realize is the difference between spontaneous or automatic concentration and deliberate controlled concentration. They are(...)

What is the conscious “I”?, by Kenneth Sørensen Who am I? This is one of the most important questions, and in answering it psychosynthesis has a unique point of view in comparison with other psychologies. According to psychosynthesis: I am not my thoughts, my emotions or my body, but(...)

Roberto Assagioli in his booklet Meditation for The New Age, vol. 3, booklet one: "Criticism is one of the most insidious of the glamours which goodwill can eradicate because it is a double-edged glamour, that is, it affects both its originator and its object. To think of someone critically(...)

A Short definition of criticism, by Roberto Assagioli: "We will now examine another of the greatest obstacles standing in the way of spiritual development: the tendency towards personal self- affirmation, and the aggressive ways in which this manifests itself. It can take various forms:(...)

What is The Dark Night of the Soul? Here is a short introduction and a collection of quotes by Roberto Assagioli about the spiritual crisis called The Dark Night of the Soul, by several mystics. It is a crisis before achieving full spiritual liberation or oneness with the Spirit and must(...)

A definition of descent and going deeper by Roberto Assagioli, from his book Transpersonal Development "The second group of symbols has to do with the idea of going deeper, descending to the 'bottom/depth' of our being. Exploration of the unconscious is regarded symbolically as a descent(...)

This is a short compilation of quotes on desire, by Roberto Assagioli. Desire or Impulse are one of the psychological functions according to psychosynthesis theory: "Another group of functions that must be accorded a similar consideration are the dynamic or “hormic” func­tions (from the(...)

A short definition of devotion by Roberto Assagioli from his book Psychosynthesis Typology: "... devotion is often called love, but in reality it has a tone and a quality decidedly different from that of love, a fact that justifies and even requires the use of different terms to describe(...)

Definition of disidentification In this glossary item, you will find Roberto Assagioli's dis-identification and self-identification exercise and some important discussion about it. If you wish to explore the technique, you are welcome to use the 7 meditations I have created.   Roberto(...)

Empathy. “Regardless of one's intellectual understanding, genuine existential understanding is not possible without empathy, i.e., the projection of one's consciousness into that of another being. Its development and use demand an attitude of impersonality and selfforgetfulness; it can be(...)

A definition of empowerment by Roberto Assagioli from his book Transpersonal Development. "The ninth group of symbols, and a very up-to-date one, is that of 'empowerment' or 'intensification'. Spiritual conquest may be regarded as an empowerment, an intensification of one's awareness of(...)

A definition of Enlightenment by Roberto Assagioli in Transpersonal Development: "One of the most frequent manifestations of the superconscious in the conscious mind is that of enlightenment, which results from the opening of the 'inner eye'. There are many similarities between intuition(...)

  Here is a short compilation on equality, by Roberto Assagioli:   Higher, Lower and Equality The denomination “high” and “heights” has been used both in the East and in the West to designate what are called religious or mystical attainments. Mountains were considered to be the(...)

Roberto Assagioli about Eternity from his booklet Meditation for The New Age, Year Three: "In connection with the concept of Eternity, we should realise that this word has two meanings: the one just referred to, unlimited duration of time, and the other, which is in a sense the opposite—the(...)

A definition of evolution by Roberto Assagioli from his book Transpersonal Development. "The eighth group of symbols, which has much in common with human experience, is indicated by the words 'evolution' and 'development'. In a sense we might say that these words are synonymous. To develop,(...)

A definition of spiritual expansion by Roberto Assagioli from his book Transpersonal Development The fourth group of symbols includes those of expansion, or broadening, of consciousness. It is helpful to remember that though different symbols may appear contradictory, actually they(...)

Here comes a compilation of quotes about the experience of the personal self, the conscious "I", which in Assagioli's understanding is the inner observer, the centre of pure self-awareness, and will. The experience of the personal self or conscious “I” 1) “If we eliminate the content,(...)

See Extrovert

Roberto Assagioli's definition of introvert versus extrovert from the article Jung and Psychosynthesis: “We now come to the direction of the vital interest, and so pass from the descriptive to the dynamic aspect. One of Jung’s most valuable contributions was the discovery and description of(...)

A definition of freedom and liberation by Roberto Assagioli, in his book Transpersonal Development: "The fourteenth group of symbols is that of 'liberation'. This is related to symbols of development. The removing of the 'tangles' is a process of liberation from our complexes and illusions(...)

Roberto Assagioli defines seven groups of glamours related to each of the seven psychological types in his study course: Meditation for the New Age. (Year Three) A glamour is an emotional distortion of reality due to an identification with some aspect of the emotional life, defined(...)

Here comes a short explanation of what has been called the Great Chain of Being by Arthur Lovejoy and how it relates to psychosynthesis according to Roberto Assagioli. By Kenneth Sørensen, This text is an extract from my unpublished book Two Versions of Psychosynthesis: A Comparison of(...)

See grounding

What does it mean to be grounded?   To be grounded is important, particularly for people who tread the spiritual path because the inflow of spiritual energies can easily inflate our ego.   In Assagioli’s words: “An incapacity of the mind to stand the illumination, or a(...)

A short definition of Illumination by Roberto Assagioli: "III. ILLUMINATION One of the ways in which the superconscious manifests most frequently in the consciousness is illumination, which follows the opening of the “inner eye”. Although intuition and illumination have a close affinity,(...)

Short definitions of imagination by Roberto Assagioli, one of the psychological functions of psychosynthesis: "Imagination is a function which in itself is to some extent synthetic, since imagination can operate at several levels concurrently: those of sensation, feeling, thinking and(...)

  Roberto Assagioli about Imagination:   “Imagination is a function which in itself is to some extent synthetic, since imagination can operate at several levels concurrently: those of sensation, feeling, thinking and intuition. In one sense it is a cross-section of these four(...)

Here is a compilation of quotes about immanence from the writings of Roberto Assagioli. The articles Roberto Assagioli about panentheism and What is reality, also contain many important insights into immanence. "We have already referred to the two main aspects of divinity: immanence and(...)

See immanence

A short definition of Inferiority, by Roberto Assagioli: We can distinguish two different causes, or groups of causes, of indecision. One, which may be considered "constitutional," occurs in introverted types who indulge in excessive and sterile self-analysis. They often have an intense(...)

The self, the inner person and the subpersonalities When we endeavour to identify with the loving observer, we often pass through different layers of mental and emotional content we must disidentify from before we can identify with consciousness itself. Some of the most important obstacles(...)

A short definition of inspiration by Roberto Assagioli: INSPIRATION AND CREATION Inspiration and psycho-spiritual creation represent other types of relationship and interaction between the superconscious and consciousness. It is of importance to reach a realization of the differences(...)

  Here is a short definition of instinct in relation to fear by Roberto Assagioli: There are five main forms of fear, and these underlie the five fundamental instincts: - The first is the instinct of self-preservation, the root of which is the fear of death. - The second is the(...)

Roberto Assagioli's definition of introvert versus extrovert from the article Jung and Psychosynthesis: “We now come to the direction of the vital interest, and so pass from the descriptive to the dynamic aspect. One of Jung’s most valuable contributions was the discovery and description of(...)

  Definition of Intuition, by Roberto Assagioli Intuition is one of the psychological functions which Roberto Assagioli acknowledge and in this compilation of quotes, Assagioli will define the psychological definition of intuition in its many aspects. "The value of intuition has to be(...)

See star

A short definition of love by Roberto Assagioli from his book Psychosynthesis Typology: "Everybody is interested in Love. It is one of the most-used words in the language, — probably the most frequently used after “I” and “money”. Nearly everybody either has been or will be in love.(...)

Here comes a compilation of quotes by Roberto Assagioli about the Lower unconscious. The Lower Unconscious This contains: The elementary psychological activities which direct the life of the body; the intelligent co-ordination of bodily functions.The fundamental drives and primitive(...)

By Roberto Assagioli, Lesson XII, 2 June 1963, Assagioli Archive Florence. “The doctor first of all teaches the patient the techniques of meditation. Then he trains him to perform it by means of “guided meditation”; that is, the doctor does the meditation with the patient, pointing out the(...)

A definition of memory, by Roberto Assagioli:   "This contrast indicates that there must be something basically wrong with the current methods of teaching languages, and that the elimination of the present incalculable waste of time and effort in this field demands, not mere(...)

Here comes a compilation of quotes by Roberto Assagioli about the Middle unconscious “The Middle Subconscious This is formed of psychological elements similar to those of our waking consciousness and easily accessible to it. This inner region is the seat of the elaboration of our(...)

A short compilation on the mind, by Roberto Assagioli Mental Development By Roberto Assagioli, from his article Notes on Education: "This does not only consist of a quantitative increase in mental activity, but refers to different ways of using the mind, bringing about a. change in(...)

A definition of panentheism as it is used in psychology by Roberto Assagioli   Panentheism is a term Ken Wilber and the co-founder of Esalen Institute, Michael Murphy, also use to describe their philosophy. In his article on Panentheism Murphy shows how some of the great geniuses in history(...)

A definition of Spiritual Path by Roberto Assagioli in Transpersonal Development. The eleventh group of symbols covers that of the way, path or pilgrimage. This too has always been a universal metaphor. Esoteric tradition speaks about the 'path of the disciple' and about the way of(...)

Here comes a short definition of what has been called the perennial philosophy and how it relates to psychosynthesis according to Roberto Assagioli. By Kenneth Sørensen, This text is an extract from my unpublished book Two Versions of Psychosynthesis: A Comparison of Assagioli and Firman(...)

How to develop the presence of the conscious “I” (See also the compilation of quotes by Assagioli about presence at the end of my text KS) By Kenneth Sørensen The conscious ”I” is not only the observer of our inner world, but also a willer and a lover, and therein lies the deepest significance(...)

Here comes a compilation of quotes by Roberto Assagioli, from his articles. Psychosynthesis presupposes psychoanalysis Psychosynthesis presupposes psychoanalysis or, rather, includes it as a first and necessary stage. There is in this respect a close analogy with chemical processes—both(...)

Roberto Assagioli saw a need for “a science of the Self and of its energies”. In this glossary Item, we will see how psychosynthesis is the first step towards Assagioli’s goal of a new psychology, called Psychoenergetics. Here is a large article by Kenneth Sørensen about Psychosynthesis and(...)

Roberto Assagioli about psychological levels "The collective unconscious is a vast world stretching from the biological to the spiritual level, in which therefore distinctions of origin, nature, quality and value must be made." (C. G. Jung and Psychosynthesis) "The third group of symbols,(...)

PSYCHOSYNTHESIS AND GESTALT PSYCHOLOGY By, Roberto Assagioli, From Psychosynthesis Research Foundation, Newsletter   "As to the difference between Psychosynthesis and Gestalt Psychology—both of which emphasize the reality and value of 'wholes' it can be briefly said that the latter is(...)

Notes on Psychosynthesis, Religion and Philosophy Roberto Assagioli, from Psychosynthesis Research Foundation, newsletter, April, 1962     I think it advisable to answer a question which has been put to me and explain in what sense psychosynthesis is "neutral" concerning religion and(...)

Here come some quotes from Assagioli about the definition of psychosynthesis psychotherapy (see also Jung and Psychosynthesis): "Criteria of Psychosynthesis Therapy The criteria which are characteristic of psychosynthetic therapy and which distinguish it in a certain measure from other(...)

By Roberto Assagioli, A Practical Contribution to a Modern Yoga, The Beacon, 1933 Purification of the personality PURIFICATION. When man sets himself earnestly about the task of his spiritual development, he soon discovers that the first necessity is a thorough purification of all the(...)

A short compilation of quotes on radiation by Roberto Assagioli: “Each of us necessarily and inevitably radiates what he is.” Roberto Assagioli “Energies radiate outwards from the personality as if from a great source of light; luminous rays shine out and pervade the atmosphere. This(...)

Definition of Resurrection by Roberto Assagioli from his book Transpersonal Development. "We have now reached the fifteenth group of symbols, that of resurrection and return, what in the gospels is referred to as the return of the prodigal son to his father's house. This is a return to a(...)

A short definition of revelation by Roberto Assagioli: "IV REVELATION A type of illuminative experience different from those mentioned so far is the “flash” of consciousness, often a sudden perception, of what a human being is, in which an individual experiences a revelation of himself.(...)

A short definition of Revelation by Roberto Assagioli from his book Transpersonal Development "There is one sort of enlightenment that is different from the types of experience we have mentioned so far, and that is the awareness - and at times the sudden realization - of what a human being(...)

A short definition of scientific knowledge by Roberto Assagioli from Psychosynthesis Typology: "It is interesting to note that, in order to obtain scientific knowledge, the mind must perform two different and even opposing functions; first of all, it must analyse and therefore distinguish(...)

  A definition of the scientific method by Roberto Assagioli: "This is an appropriate point, I think, at which to clarify what the “scientific method” truly consists of, in view of the confusion and misunderstanding about it that now prevails. It was applied first and especially in the(...)

Here is a short definition of the term self-identification by Roberto Assagioli:   “… everybody has some kind of self-identification—and yet very few people have ever stopped to ask themselves what it really means, what it implies, how it can be more consciously experienced and what are(...)

A short definition of selfishness, by Roberto Assagioli "Selfishness, instead, is the result of the fundamental urges to self-preservation and self-assertion, of the outcome of the desire to possess and to dominate; and as such, continually finding obstacles that prevent its satisfaction,(...)

  Here is a short compilation of quotes by Roberto Assagio, about the Seven Ways. Read also his article The Seven Ways, which goes into depth with this concept.   “There are many different ways of expanding the consciousness as one moves upwards, and they are related to different(...)

Roberto Assagioli about Silence: “As one teacher has said: “. . . the cultivation of a technique of silence is of incalculable value ... In the silence power is generated, problems are solved and important recognitions are registered. In the silence sensitivity can be developed and the(...)

  Here is a short definition of the soul, by Roberto Assagioli.   M.L. What is the relationship of the soul and the personality? R.A. The difficulty in answering this question is first of all a semantic one, due to the very different meanings in which the two words have been and(...)

  Roberto Assagioli about the star at the top of his Egg-diagram: "The jewel is also one of the most meaningful spiritual symbols. It corresponds in my diagram to the star symbolising the spiritual Self. It is drawn as a star because the diagram is two-dimensional but it is better to(...)

see sub-personality

Sub-personalities according to Roberto Assagioli The following quotes are among my research notes from my book The Soul of Psychosynthesis (KS). Please also read the Article: Life as a Game and Stage Performance (Role Playing), by Roberto Assagioli, for a full presentation of(...)

see sub-personality

Assagioli gives his thoughts on sudden or spontaneous enlightenment in his article: The Superconscious and the Self.  ... some people have reported undoubtedly genuine experiences of the Self which occurred more or less unexpectedly, without any conscious effort of the individual. In this(...)

A psychological definition of the superconscious according to Psychosynthesis   “What distinguishes Psychosynthesis from many other attempts at psychological understanding is the position that we take as to the existence of a spiritual Self and of a superconscious, which are as basic as the(...)

  Here is a definition of symbols, their value, effect and usage in psychotherapy, by Roberto Assagioli, from his book Psychosynthesis, p. 173-75, 1965: TECHNIQUE OF SYMBOL UTILIZATION Purpose The purpose of this technique is to utilize the enormous and by far not yet realized(...)

What is Synthesis? Giordano Bruno proclaimed the synthesis of the opposites as the principle tenet of a forgotten philosophy. He speaks of the unifying of the opposites: of love and hate, of poisons and their antidotes, of concave and converse. By, Roberto Assagioli M.D., Source: (Handed out(...)

Roberto Assagioli about the conscious "I" and our identity as the inner observer Here comes a compilation of quotes from Roberto Assagioli about the conscious “I”, defined as the inner observer and actor. Assagioli described the “I”, the ego, the personal self (terms pointing toward the(...)

The Self - definitions of the self and Self by Roberto Assagioli The Self - an experience By, Roberto Assagioli, From Psychosynthesis Research Foundation, Newsletter When we held the Valmy Conference in May 1958 much discussion took place about the Self and it occurs to us that readers of(...)

A short definition of the will, by Roberto Assagioli: "The will is the synthetic power which coordinates, organizes and directs all the other faculties and, therefore, should have a greater development in order to truly master them, while nearly always the opposite is the case. The will(...)

A short definition of thinking, by Roberto Assagioli Reflective Meditation Its simplest definition is to think; an accurate but limited definition, since clear ideas on the function of thinking are not common property. It has been stated that "the mind thinks in us," rather than it(...)

See mind

A definition of transformation by Roberto Assagioli from his book The Act of Will.   "Law X—The psychological energies can find expression: I. directly (discharge—catharsis) 2. indirectly, through symbolic action 3. through a process of transmutation.   At first sight the direct(...)

A definition of transmutation by Roberto Assagioli from his book Psychosynthesis. Once the choice of the ideal form has been made, practical psychosynthesis, the actual construction of the new personality, begins. This work may be divided into three principal parts: Utilization of the(...)

Below is a compilation of quotes by Roberto Assagioli about typology:   Why we use typology "… the essential unity of all souls does not exclude differences existing in their personal appearances. Therefore, we must make a serious study of these different qualities. This study should(...)

Roberto Assagioli about The Unconscious in his booklet Meditation for The New Age, vol. 3, booklet two:     Roberto Assagioli's Egg-diagram: 1. lower unconscious, 2. Middle unconscious, 3. Higher unconscious, 4. Field of(...)

Here is a couple of quotes by Roberto Assagioli about The Viennese neurologist Viktor Frankl: Investigation of the Superconscious The basic premise or hypothesis is that there exists – in addition to those parts of the unconscious which we have called the lower and middle unconscious,(...)

See visualization

  A short definition of Visualization by Roberto Assagioli:   TECHNIQUE OF VISUALIZATION Purpose The general purpose of evoking the imagination has already been discussed. The great importance and paramount value of visualization is that it constitutes the necessary preliminary(...)

What is The Dark Night of the Soul? The concept the “dark night of the soul” is being used by many to describe a long and painful crisis where they undergo a deep transformation. Roberto Assagioli also speaks about the “dark night of the soul” but in a much more specific way, than many do(...)