Revelation

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 is: the revelation individuals have about themselves.

This revelation can have different aspects and effects, even contrary ones. The first type is extremely positive in nature: it is a vision of the amazing potential, latent or active, at the superconscious levels. This can come in a blinding flash, a light that reveals the Spiritual Self.

To this is added a new understanding: the true understanding of oneself and others. The field of consciousness is enlarged and expanded and the pervasive feelings are of joy, goodness, love and gratitude.

But even this revelation, if it is unexpected, sudden or too intense, can result in undesirable, even morbid, reactions. It can give rise to over-excitement and self-exaltation. If the distinction between the Spiritual Self and the personal T is lost to the conscious mind, the qualities and powers of the Spiritual Self may be wrongly attributed to the normal personality, even to the point of megalomania.

The other aspect of inner revelation, in contrast to the above, is the coming to the surface of the lower, darker parts of the personality, which previously may have been unknown, unrecognized, or denied and repressed in the unconscious. These are what Jung called the ‘Shadow’. This revelation, when it is sudden, can be very disruptive and produce states of depression, fear and even despair. In order to reduce such effects, prior psychological knowledge – an awareness of ‘depth psychology’ – can be very helpful. Preparing in this way can lessen the shock of surprise and help an individual to accept the revelation by showing that this dark side is part of the common human condition.

There may also be other less extreme – albeit harmful – reactions, even at the physical level, if the nervous system is unable to take the intensity or voltage generated by the psycho-spiritual energies bursting in on the field of consciousness. Here, too, prior knowledge of the various levels of human nature, such as that provided by ‘three- dimensional psychology’ can ease the situation, enabling a person to accept the reactions and suggesting ways of eliminating them.”