By Roberto Assagioli and others. Excerpt from the book Creative Meditation.
Meditation has a very important function, in that it creates awareness of the many inner “pairs of opposites,” of the problems involved, and of techniques for balancing them. The “pairs of opposites” are the great dualities between which one tends to oscillate, responding first to one and then to the other—for example, between spirit and matter, joy and sorrow, love and hate. Recognizing them and balancing them so that there is equilibrium between them is a fundamental part of both psychological and spiritual integration, as well as of one’s progress, and therefore it is a vital and practically oriented subject to which one should give all possible attention.
Through the work of balancing the pairs of opposites, one is able to find this harmonious point of equilibrium, and it is this process that the Buddha in his teachings calls treading the noble middle path. Here one must understand that it is not a matter of choosing a middle path based on compromises, but rather of finding a higher and more correct point of tension, where both poles are used in a constructive way.
Duality and polarity
Polarity is a universal fact. Duality has existed from the very first moment when cosmic manifestation began to unfold. The first basic duality is both that which is manifested and that which is not manifested. In the process of manifestation itself, the fundamental polarity is spirit and matter. All polarities are a relationship between two elements, and as such the relationship is never absolute but relative in any pair of opposites. Thus the same element can be positive in its relationship to one particular “pole” and negative in its relationship to another.
The most commonly known polarity in the physical world is that between the positive and negative poles of electricity. This polarity has formed the basis of knowledge of the composition of matter, with the discovery that each atom is made of charged electricity, and that it consists of a positive nucleus and a varying number of negative electrons (later it was discovered that it also consists of various smaller particles).
Sexual polarity
In the three kingdoms of organic life (plant, animal, and human), one of the most significant and general polarities is the sexual one. The positive pole is seen in the masculine element and the negative pole in the feminine element. This does not mean, however, that the masculine is active and the feminine is passive. Both are active, but in different ways: the masculine element is dynamic and positive, while the feminine element is receptive and “reproductive.”
Yang and Yin
In addition to the male-female relationship, there are countless types of polarity. This has been especially emphasized and emphasized by the Chinese, who consider these two principles to be the basis of both cosmic evolution and every aspect of human life. The creative aspect, which the West symbolizes by the Father and Heaven, they call Yang, and the receptive aspect, which the West symbolizes by the Mother and Earth, they call Yin. This philosophy expresses the view that the good relations of humanity depend on the harmonious interaction between the cyclical evolution of humans and the universe, which is woven together by countless relationships and interactions between Yang and Yin. Many Chinese scriptures deal with this subject. Among the most interesting are the I Ching and The Book of Transformations or Changes.
Nervous system polarity
In living organisms, such as the human physical body, there are many polarities. One of the most significant is that between the sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous systems. The former stimulates the breakdown of organic matter and the latter stimulates digestion and the building process. Furthermore, there are polarities between the various endocrine glands.
In the emotional realm, there are the familiar dualities: pleasure-pain, excitement-depression, trust-fear, attraction-repulsion, love-hate.
The polarity of thinking
In the mental realm, there are polarities between the analytical activity of the concrete mind and the synthesis-creating influence of the higher abstract mind, as well as between the inductive process (from the specific to the general) and the deductive process (from the general to the specific). The human personality as a whole also has various basic polarities that have been the subject of extensive research by contemporary psychologists. Among the most significant psychological polarities are: Impulse-inhibition, humility-assertion, emotion-reason, extroversion-introversion.
Spiritual polarity
The fundamental duality in the spiritual realm exists between the personality and the soul, and it is a polarity that causes much inner conflict until such time as harmonious relationships and increased fusion or unification (psychosynthesis) in this duality are achieved.
The polarities of society
The relationships that are created with fellow human beings create countless polarities. Not only is there that between man and woman, and between the individual and the group, there is also that between the young and the elderly, between employer and employee, and on an even more comprehensive level between the Nordic and Southern types, between Westerners and Easterners, etc.
Balancing
There is a constant interaction between the many polarities, and thus humans are confronted with the problem of balancing them. Here it is only possible to give the following brief overview of the principles and general methods that can be used to balance the polar opposites with the aim of dissolving the “polar tensions”, but it may give an indication of the aim and nature of the task to be accomplished.
- Fusion of the two poles, which means that the energy they are charged with is neutralized.
- Creation of a new being, of a new reality.
- The adjustment of the polar opposites by means of an “intermediate stage” or principle higher than both. Such a regulating effort can be provided in two ways:
- By reducing the number of swings between the two yyddeerr– points, sometimes even to a zero point, which can lead to a more or less complete neutralization (the “golden mean”). An example of this, of great current interest, can be seen in the swing in a teaching situation between excessive authority and no control at all in the effort to balance attitudes.
- By managing the changes consciously and wisely, so that the result is harmonious and constructive and in accordance with the cyclical changes that occur both in the individual and general conditions, and in the human and cosmic conditions.
- Synthesis, brought about by a higher element or principle that transforms, sublimates, and incorporates the two poles into a higher reality.
There must be correspondence between the different types of polarity and the methods of resolving them. But the individual often has the freedom – and consequently the responsibility – to be able to choose between flfleeeerrrreee aaff– balancing methods. It should be emphasized, however, that the solutions suggested do not always constitute as clear a possibility as the above list might lead one to believe. At times they may overlap or be combined in different ways.
Disidentification
Balancing opposing qualities in the emotional realm requires the intervention of a higher and regulating principle, which is mental and spiritual in nature. The first task is to prevent one from being overwhelmed by emotions or from obscuring reason and will. The best method of achieving this is to avoid identifying with emotions and to maintain contact with the soul, the center of consciousness, on a higher level in order to be able to observe, evaluate, and then control them wisely.
It must be understood that the word “control” does not mean “suppress,” and that the aim is not to create an insensitive and unapproachable tendency. Here we are dealing with a fundamental polarity—pleasure-pain. As long as one remains a slave to this duality, that is, always greedily seeking pleasure and fearfully fleeing pain, one will not find peace or true satisfaction. On the other hand, a forced prohibition or an artificial insensitivity certainly does not lead to a satisfactory solution. A satisfactory solution can only be reached by means of methods that require clear insight and that enable man to understand the causes and nature of both pleasure and pain, and how these two concepts function.
This insight gives the realization that by accepting pleasure without demanding it or being attracted to it, and by accepting inevitable pain without fear and without rebelling against it, one can acquire valuable lessons about both pleasure and pain and “extract the essence” that they contain. In addition, one can gradually raise the quality and level of these “opposites.” One progresses little by little from feeling the joy of physical pleasure to the joy of compassion and consideration, and finally to experiencing spiritual joy. Thus a direction is created that leads from physical suffering to emotional difficulties and from there to intellectual unrest, and this leads to compassion for others, for humanity, and for all of creation. This gives many experiences in which one gathers the fruits of wisdom and learns to keep the center of consciousness stable to an ever higher level than the level of the interaction between personal pleasures and pains.
Finally, one can acquire the ability to identify with the universal being, with the supra-individual soul and with the highest being, and then one will be able to transcend all “opposites” in unspeakable bliss.
Specific polarities
If we examine the specific polarities within the emotional realm, we can clearly distinguish between two types of resolution. One occurs at the same level and can be called the “middle way” of compromise, i.e. a fusion of the two poles. The other resolution is achieved at a higher level and consists of two processes:
- A wise management and use of the two opposing forces.
- Merging these two forces into a higher synthesis.
The first method of wisely using the opposing forces is explained in more detail in a special book on magic, which – in addition to the actual subject – contains interesting psychological material:
“In order to balance the forces, it is necessary to maintain them equally strong and to use them alternately. The milder and calmer you are, the more effective your anger will be. The stronger you are, the more your kindness will be valued… the more indifferent you are, the easier it is to make others like you…”
Ritual of High Magic, by Eliphas Levy, Chapter VIII.
A correct and constructive application of this method naturally requires good motives and pure intentions.
Creation of synthesis
The second method, which concerns synthesis, corresponds to a certain extent to a chemical combination, where two chemical elements merge into a higher unity, which thereby acquires a quality that is completely different from the quality possessed by each of the two elements. The difference between the solutions obtained by compromise and those obtained by synthesis can be illustrated quite clearly with a triangular diagram. Here are a few examples:
Opposites and their synthesis
Intense crises and conflicts will in many cases be the reason for taking the initiative to balance, adapt and create synthesis. However, in some cases it will be possible to reach the same result in a more gradual and harmonious way. For example, a clear understanding of these psychosynthesis processes will make the whole process easier and faster. The most important requirement is, as mentioned, that one avoids identifying with one of the two poles, and that one instead controls, transmutes and directs their energies from a higher realization and power.
The symbolism of the pyramid
Another way to view the synthesis of qualities is to remember the pyramid as a symbol. At the top there is union, and from there lines run downwards, moving further and further apart and out into the physical.
level and on the human level, where there is a maximum of differences, which at the stage of human development entails conflicts, misunderstandings and different perceptions.
Here is an example that will clarify many problems: The three most important spiritual energies or qualities are truth, beauty, and goodness – this has been recognized since Plato. At the top of the pyramid they form a beautiful synthesis, but humanity often keeps them widely separated, and this is a fact that must be recognized – and it usually does not happen. You can create real beauty without involving goodness and truth. You can create scientific truth without involving goodness and beauty, and unfortunately there can be manifestations of real goodness that are sometimes very silly. In some cases this answers the great question of the independence of art and morality, which has been so brilliantly debated. At the top of the pyramid there is harmony and synthesis, but at the lower levels there are great differences and often conflicts.
The mind and the heart
Another polarity of great importance is found between the “thinking faculty” and the “heart,” between reason and emotion. This is regulated first of all by recognizing the respective functions and legitimate activities of these two areas, so that one area does not dominate the other. This can be followed up by guiding the two areas into a deeper mutual cooperation, whereby they finally arrive at the synthesis that Dante so well expressed in the words “intellectual light full of love.”
The fundamental polarity between the human personality and its soul is first perceived as a unity after a long process of conflicts, transmutations, approximations and contact, leading first to partial and later even greater fusions, culminating in a complete fusion or soul penetration. In this process, meditation plays an important role. This ongoing process of psycho-spiritual growth has been given many names, including individuation, psychosynthesis, self-expression and self-realization.
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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
