{"id":22580,"date":"2025-01-22T15:24:22","date_gmt":"2025-01-22T14:24:22","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/kennethsorensen.dk\/?p=22580"},"modified":"2026-05-05T13:28:44","modified_gmt":"2026-05-05T12:28:44","slug":"psychosynthetic-summer-program","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/kennethsorensen.dk\/en\/psychosynthetic-summer-program\/","title":{"rendered":"Psychosynthetic Summer Program"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Assagioli’s psychosynthetic summer program: rest as an art, communion with nature, internal inventory, and the right use of vacation for inner work<\/span><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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By Roberto Assagioli<\/strong>
Unfinished, unrevised notes
Assagioli Archives, Florence, Doc. #23141 [i]<\/span><\/span><\/a>
Original title: Programma Psicosintetico per l’Estate<\/em>
Translated and edited with notes by Jan Kuniholm [ii]<\/span><\/span><\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Editorial Note<\/strong>
The abstract and contextual subtitle in this online edition have been added by the editor, Kenneth Sorensen, to support readability, navigation, and archival consistency. The original wording and outline structure of these unrevised notes have not been altered.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Abstract<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

In this outline, Roberto Assagioli sketches a psychosynthetic summer program organised around three interlocking purposes: deep rest as a learned art rather than mere inertia, the cultivation of inner life through self-suggestion and communion with nature, and the disciplined work of internal inventory, in which the experiences of the year are gathered, examined, and assimilated into wisdom. He notes the symbolic and energetic qualities of earth, rock, sea, water, air, and sun as supports for psychic restoration, and offers guidance on choosing readings and surroundings wisely. He closes with three approachable openings for sharing psychological and spiritual ideas during the leisure of vacation, through conversations on health, education, and the inner life of those quietly seeking direction.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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We have entered summer and quite a few are preparing to leave and thinking about their vacations. How best to use the summer period for ourselves and others, and how best to take advantage of the special opportunities it offers? Such possibilities are manifold, and if used well can bring us valuable benefits. It is an interesting and useful chapter <\/span><\/span>in the art of life.<\/span><\/span><\/em> Life is interwoven (or should be!) with rhythms or cycles of activity and rest. They vary in amplitude: the diurnal, the weekly and finally the annual, which is the most complete and longest.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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  1. REST<\/span><\/span><\/em> . Learning how to rest. This is not a state of pure inertia. <\/span><\/span>Rest is an art<\/span><\/span><\/em> . Paradoxically, the more tired one is, the more difficult it is to rest. This is explained by the neuropsychic tension produced by fatigue.<\/span><\/span><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n

    Relaxation exercises:<\/span><\/span><\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

    (a) physical<\/span><\/span><\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

    (b) mental<\/span><\/span><\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Rhythmic breathing, comfortable posture, suitable autosuggestions.<\/span><\/span><\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

    At first, when tension and excitement decrease, fatigue surfaces and we feel worse. It is a necessary stage: endure it with confidence in the subsequent benefit. After a while a change of environment and habits enlivens, refreshes and brings out latent energies.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n