Table of content
In this short statement, Roberto Assagioli defines the special elements that characterize psychosynthesis and that should be included in any training in psychosynthesis.
By Roberto Assagioli; Translated by Kenneth Sørensen
1. To receive training in psychosynthesis means that one begins to learn about psychosynthesis and experiment with it on oneself in order to later be able to help others apply it to themselves. Before one is able to communicate psychosynthesis to others, we must first have experimented deeply with it ourselves. Intellectual knowledge is not sufficient. Each of the techniques must be tested over a long period of time on oneself. Only in this way will we be in a position to communicate it further with the authorities.
2. Although psychosynthesis is offered as a synthesis of different therapies and educational approaches, it is important to remember that it has its own original and central essence. This is to avoid a watered down or distorted version or one that overemphasizes the concepts and tendencies of other schools. There are certain fundamental features and a deepening of these concepts, the deep experience and understanding of these, is central and absolutely indispensable in any psychosynthesis training. It is the experience of:
Disidentification
The personal self
The will , the good, strong and intelligent
The ideal model
Synthesis (in its various aspects)
The superconscious
The Transpersonal Self
(In the vast majority of cases, it is not possible to have a complete experience of this, but it is good to have a theoretical knowledge of its characteristics and an experience of its guidance).
3. There are different levels of meaning attached to each of these experiences, but none of them are ever strictly defined or complete. Continuing one’s training, on the other hand, will always reveal new and more interesting aspects that tie the experiences together. This means that each experience is not isolated but will include others. Therefore, it is unrealistic to talk about “having understood or not understanding”. Understanding is always partial and believing that one has understood everything indicates a lack of understanding. It is a gradual process.
4. The preceding points clearly show that the best attitude to adopt is a combination of humility, patience, and experimentation. It is also more realistic, honest, and effective in achieving rapid progress in psychosynthesis training.
5. Psychosynthesis is not identified with a technique or practice. Despite the fact that guided imagery and visualization exercises are often used in group settings, psychosynthesis can under no circumstances be reduced to these techniques.
6. One can know all the main points without having grasped the spirit of psychosynthesis. Real training involves the above factors as well as an intuitive understanding of the spirit of psychosynthesis and a sound technical knowledge.
Psychosynthesis operates within five main areas:
The therapeutic ; therapist/client relationships.
Personal integration and actualization ; realization of one’s own potential.
Education , that is, the psychosynthesis created by parents and teachers in the educational system at all levels.
The interpersonal ; marriage, couples, etc.
The social ; proper social relationships within groups and between groups.
We can each choose a specific area of work to specialize in. However, being familiar with the other areas is valuable since they are all interconnected. However, since self-actualization and integration are the heart of psychosynthesis, a thorough knowledge of this area is necessary for anyone working in the other areas.
7. The attainment of a certain degree of mental polarization is a requirement for becoming a psychosynthetic. This does not mean that the mind should be developed and the emotions suppressed or ignored. On the contrary, it means that the mind should be cultivated and not only the emotions, so that one achieves a personal center of gravity that constitutes a center where a kind of balanced and loving reason prevails – in the broadest and deepest sense of the word, instead of uncontrolled emotionality.
8. Psychosynthesis training has no end. At some point, the training one receives from others is replaced by self-training. This self-training in psychosynthesis never stops. Psychosynthesis is an open system that never ends but only has temporary stops.
9. Only after you have received thorough training (and this is assessed by the person leading the training) should you begin a professional engagement with individuals or groups. The time it may take is impossible to predict, as there are so many variables involved.
10. Since the training is endless, it is advisable to adapt both the length and intensity of the training received from a psychosynthesis counsellor. Intensity refers to the number of sessions received per month.
11. Since each of us can only be a partial expression of “psychosynthesis,” it is advisable to gain experience with psychosynthesis through the methods and personalities of various psychosynthetics.
12. Like any other training, psychosynthesis training can become diluted or distorted after a period of time, especially when it is not actively maintained and continued. Therefore, it may be worthwhile to undergo a refresher training now and then.
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
Read the introductory article about integral meditation
