As humans, we are subject to multiple dualistic forces that often cause internal conflicts; including attraction-repulsion, excitement-depression, inferiority-surplus value, etc. Assagioli provides an in-depth analysis of the problem here.
By Roberto Assagioli. Translated by Kenneth Sørensen.
Polarity is a universal fact inherent in cosmic manifestation. It is true that the ultimate and highest reality is the One, the Absolute and the Transcendent, but this reality can only be defined by what it is not.
From the very moment the cosmic manifestation begins to unfold, duality is born. The first fundamental duality is precisely that which exists between the manifested and the unmanifested. In the Bhagavad Gita this is expressed in the words: “Having permeated the entire universe with a part of myself, I remain.” In the process of manifestation, the fundamental polarity is between Spirit and Matter.
It is necessary to state that all polarities exist in a relationship between two elements and therefore polarity is never definitive, but relative precisely in relation to a specific pair of polarities. The same element can be positive in its relationship to a certain “pole” and negative in its relationship to another. An example of such relativity exists in the fundamental polarity between spirit and matter. According to some, spirit is the free and transcendent reality that stands above the various pairs of opposites that exist in manifested life. This is assumed by Keyserling in his book: From Suffering to Fulfillment (London; Selwyn and Blount) (1.)
According to others, spirit corresponds to the positive pole, and the dynamic and creative element in all dualities. This is, for example, Jung’s idea. In other words, Keyserling considers the “tension” between spirit and the various manifestations of life as a tension that exists in a “vertical” direction. He calls it the “dimension of intensity”, while Jung considers polarity more as a horizontal relationship.
Different polarities
Physical polarity
In the physical world, the most common and recognized polarity is that which exists between the negative and positive poles of electricity. This polarity constitutes the basic constitution of matter itself, since every atom contains electrical charges differentiated into a positive nucleus and an alternating number of negative electrons. Electrical polarity manifests itself in a variety of ways, which have many practical applications, e.g. as induced and alternating current, etc. Interesting analogies can be found in the field of psychology in relation to the polarities that exist here, e.g. emotional attraction and repulsion, ambivalence and the “compensatory” function.
In living organisms, such as the human body, there are different polarities. One of the most important is that between the sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous systems, the former stimulating catabolism and the latter assimilation or anabolism. Other polarities exist between the different endocrine glands.
One of the most important and common polarities in the three kingdoms of organic life (the mineral, vegetable, and human kingdoms) is the sexual one. The positive pole is represented by the masculine element and the negative by the feminine element. This does not mean that the former is active and the latter is passive. Both are active but in different ways. The masculine element is the dynamic, initiating pole, while the feminine element is the receptive, nourishing, and forming pole. This type of polarity extends far beyond the relationship between man and woman to countless forms in life. It is especially and profoundly emphasized by the Chinese, who consider the two principles as the foundation of cosmic evolution as well as of every aspect of human life. The creative aspect symbolized by the father and heaven they call Yang, while Yin is the receptive and forming aspect symbolized by the mother and earth. According to Chinese philosophy, human well-being depends on the harmonious correspondence between man and the cyclical evolution of the universe, which is woven through the countless connections and interactions between Yang and Yin. (2.)
Emotional polarity
Within the realm of emotions and feelings we find these dualities familiar to all: pleasure – pain, elation – depression, trust – fear, attraction – repulsion, love – hate. Their extent is so great that the life of the average man may be said to be based on his emotional reactions – to things, events and persons. These reactions have a specific function and purpose if they are maintained within appropriate limits. But if we allow them to take over – as is often the case – then we are apt to become their slaves. Later we shall consider how the limitations of the opposites can be overcome.
Mental polarities
Within the mental realm, there is the polarity between the concrete analytical activity and the synthetic activity of the abstract intelligence – between the inductive process (from the specific to the general) and the deductive process (from the general to the specific).
The consideration of the human personality in its totality reveals various fundamental polarities that have been extensively studied by modern psychology. The knowledge gained about man in this process has stimulated the development of important psychological, educational and psychotherapeutic techniques. The most important polarities here are between: the body – the psyche, the consciousness – the unconscious, the lower unconscious and the higher unconscious; Pathos (receptivity, sensitivity, reactivity) – Ethos (activity, dynamism, will), Eros (emotion) – Logos (reason).
Spiritual polarity
The fundamental duality in the spiritual realm is that which exists between the personality and the transpersonal Self. It is a polarity which causes much inner conflict until a harmonious connection and an increasing fusion or union (spiritual psychosynthesis) is achieved.
Interindividual polarity
There are also many “interindividual” polarities that are of the utmost importance. The most important and fundamental one, existing at all levels, is between man and woman. Next is the polarity between adults and children—especially between parents and children. In addition, there are the various relationships, both between individuals and the various groups to which they belong.
Among these we find the family which can be considered as a unit, a “psychic being”, consisting not only of the members who are alive but also of the influences that come from ancestors and family traditions. These influences are sometimes of help to the individual, they offer an ideal and a way of life that one can be encouraged to live by. At other times, and perhaps more often, they can inhibit the individual and even oppress him.
In addition, there are the social groups of various kinds (social and professional classes, cultural and religious groups, nations) with which the individual finds himself associated in a state of passive subordination or cooperation, as a leader and governing agent or in conflict with. Similar relations exist between groups, both among those of the same type and size, for example between families and families, classes and classes, nations and nations, etc. But there also exist relations of a “hierarchical” nature, between the family and the state, the class and the nation; between a state and an association of states.
Two types of polarities that are of great importance are those that exist between the northern and southern individuals and groups in any nation and on any continent, and between the western and eastern populations.
Balancing polarities
Each of these multiple polarities confronts us with the problems associated with their interaction and balancing. The following is a brief overview of the general principles and methods for balancing the polarities with the aim of resolving the polar tensions.
1. Fusion of the two poles , which implies a neutralization of their energetic tension.
2. Creation of a new being and of a new reality.
3. Regulation of the opposing poles by means of an “intermediate center” or a principle higher than both poles. A regulating action of this type can be brought about in two ways:
a. By reducing the oscillation between the two extremes, so that they sometimes even disappear, thus creating a more or less complete neutralization. An example of this is the oscillation between excessive authority and uncontrolled freedom in upbringing and education and the search for a balanced attitude.
b. By consciously and wisely directing the interplay so that the result is harmonious and constructive and in accordance with the cyclical alternation of both the individual and the overall human and cosmic conditions. (This is the method taught in Chinese philosophy and especially in the I Ching)
4. Synthesis , which is created by a higher element or principle that transforms, sublimates and reabsorbs the two poles into a higher reality.
The different types of polarity require corresponding and appropriate solutions. Man has often had the freedom – and hence the responsibility – to choose between different methods of balancing. It should be pointed out, on the other hand, that the indicated solutions are not always as obvious as the above list might lead one to believe. Sometimes, they can overlap or be combined in different ways, as the following examples will show.
Fusion in the world of electricity
In the field of electricity, the simplest result is a neutralization of the voltage through the fusion of the positive and negative charges. However, the result is determined by the conditions under which the fusion occurs, which can give rise to considerable variations. For example, when the poles are brought towards each other and the voltage overcomes the resistance of the medium separating them, a discharge is created that manifests itself as a spark. Lightning is an example of this phenomenon. When, on the other hand, the poles are kept apart but connected by a conducting wire that has a built-in “resistance” somewhere on the wire, the electrical energy becomes susceptible to various transformations. The latter process is used with increasing creativity in connection with the conversion of electricity into light, heat and movement. In these cases, the neutralization process produces various useful effects.
In the biological field, health can be defined as a dynamic equilibrium that is constantly threatened and restored between a series of polarities that exist, for example, between the divisions of the nervous system, between the various endocrine glands and, generally speaking, between the anabolic and catabolic functions.
Polarization in psychological life
In the same way, psychological life can be considered as a constant polarization and tension between alternating tendencies and functions, as well as a constant effort – unconsciously or not – to establish equilibrium. Among the most important psychological polarities are: impulse-inhibition; feeling-reason; extroversion-introversion.
In connection with the sexual polarity, the union of the two physical elements has a creative effect. The dynamics of their fusion leads to the birth of a new organism similar to that of the parents. Within humanity, this wonderful physical and creative function is closely linked to the psychological polarities and this often creates very complex situations and difficult problems.
Balancing the psychic powers
The balancing of the opposing qualities in the realm of drives, emotions, and feelings requires the intervention of a higher regulating principle of a mental or transpersonal nature. The first task is to prevent the drives and emotions from overwhelming and flooding reason and will.
The best way to achieve this is to learn to disidentify from them consciously in order to be free at all times and to maintain the “I”, the center of consciousness, at a higher level above them. In this way one becomes able to observe and evaluate them, and to regulate them wisely when necessary.
Let us make it clear that “regulating” does not mean “suppressing” and that this in no way leads to a lack of sensitivity. Let us consider, for example, the fundamental polarity of pleasure and pain. As long as we remain slaves to this duality, always actively seeking pleasure and fearfully fleeing pain, we will not find lasting peace or permanent satisfaction. On the other hand, forced inhibition and superficial passivity will certainly not constitute a satisfactory solution. It can only be achieved by means of the clear insight that makes it possible to understand the causes, nature and function of both pleasure and pain. This insight carries the realization that one can learn much from both pleasure and pain when one accepts pleasure without demanding it or being bound to it and accepts pain when it is inevitable without fearing or rebelling against it. In this way one can “distill the essence” that they contain.
Furthermore, one can gradually raise the quality and level of these “opposites”. One gradually moves from enjoying physical pleasures for their own sake to the joys of the emotions and the mind until one finally experiences spiritual joy. One creates a path from physical suffering to emotional problems and intellectual storms and from there to compassion for the suffering of others and of all humanity. From all these experiences one gathers the fruits of wisdom and learns to maintain the center of consciousness stabilized and “dry” at a level higher than the alternation of pleasure and pain. Finally, one can learn to acquire the ability to identify oneself with the Universal Life, with the supra-individual Self, with the Supreme Being, which transcends all “opposites” in unspeakable bliss.
If we examine the specific polarities in the emotional realm more closely, we can clearly distinguish two basic solutions. One is recognized at the same level and can be called the compromise of the “middle way,” the fusion of the two poles. The other solution is achieved at a higher level: this is the fusion of the poles into a higher synthesis.
The method of synthesis, which is in a sense analogous to a chemical combination, includes and absorbs the two elements into a higher unity, endowing them with properties that are distinct from each of them. The difference between the solution achieved through compromise and that reached through a synthesis can be clearly indicated by a triangle diagram. Here are a few examples.
The polarity between “mind” and “heart”, between reason and emotion (Logos and Eros) is regulated first of all by recognizing their respective functions and their legitimate place in the whole, without one dominating the other. This can be followed by a mutually increasing collaboration and a blending of the two, until a synthesis arises that Dante expresses so well in the words: “Intellectual light full of love”.
The polarity between sensitivity and receptivity ( Pathos ) and dynamism or will ( Ethos ), which in a broader sense corresponds to the psychosexual polarity – because the former is “feminine” and the latter “masculine” – can also be initially controlled by a balanced adaptation to be later replaced by a creative synthesis.
The fundamental polarity between the human personality as a whole and the spiritual Self can also be resolved into a unity. This is the goal of the process of harmonization and transmutation which involves a series of protracted conflicts, approximations and contacts, each of which creates partial, increasing and expanding fusions. In short, this is the process of spiritual psychosynthesis. It constitutes the noble endeavor and the central drama of the life of every human being who either consciously or unconsciously aspires to this high goal or who is pushed towards it by his inability to find lasting satisfaction or true peace until he has achieved it.
The interaction between the Self and the personality creates a series of “triangular” connections similar to those we have indicated earlier. Here are some of them:
The various efforts at equilibrium, adaptations and syntheses can be created in different ways. Sometimes intense crises and conflicts precede them. In other cases they are achieved in a more gradual and harmonious way by means of a progressive decrease in the swing of the “pendulum”. A clear understanding of this synthesis process makes it possible to achieve it much more easily and more quickly. The essential prerequisite, as has been said before, is to avoid identification with any of the poles and to control, transmute and direct their energies from a higher center of attention and power.
Notes
(1.) See also: Das Buch von Personlichen Leben, Stuttgart: Deutsche Verlag Anstalt, 1936 – pages 505, 510, 515.
(2.) Several Chinese texts deal with this point. One of the most interesting is the I Ching or Book of Changes, which, disguised as a method of divination, contains treasures of wisdom. Jung, in The Secret of the Golden Flower , and so does Keyserling, express great appreciation of it.
How to move forward
Here you can receive seven free meditations where you develop different aspects of yourself.
Also read the article Psychosynthesis an Integral Psychology and the biography of Roberto Assagioli
