Stephanie Sorrell > Quotes

“Self-actualization is the point where people become fully functional and able to realize their potential. Self-actualization is the basic force that drives the person forward. When a person is achieving their potential, then they have what Maslow termed as a ‘peak experience’. This is an experience which transcends the ego boundaries and where the subject comes in touch with their full potential. This can manifest as spiritual realisation, but not necessarily a religious one. Self-actualization is the desire and drive to becoming everything we are capable of becoming.”
― Stephanie Sorrell, Psychosynthesis Made Easy: A Psychospiritual Psychology for Today

“Because Assagioli understood the importance of being grounded in the
world, he would treat the ‘whole’ person, initially using his training in
psychoanalysis to locate hidden blocks in the personality. As we shall see in the
chapter on Subpersonalities many of the blockages are developed in early
childhood. This is not necessarily because parents are inherently bad but
because they were emotionally handicapped in some way, performing their
actions unconsciously as, perhaps, their own parents had done. Rather than
blaming our ancestral lineage for being emotionally unaware, we need to
remind ourselves that before the early 19th century there was very little
opportunity to concentrate on psychological issues as the often physically
onerous way of life did not leave room for this. The physical work of earning a
living, putting bread on the table and caring for big families where there was
little money available, took its toll on the body. Initially, it was only the wealthy
and upper classes who had the money and time to explore the deeper issues of
the unconscious.”
― Stephanie Sorrell, Psychosynthesis Made Easy: A Psychospiritual Psychology for Today

“Rather, it sustained those three vital qualities which connect us to our vision in life: value, meaning and purpose.”
― Stephanie Sorrell, Depression: Understanding the Black Dog

“He believed that if people failed to experience a sense of meaning in their everyday life and, in this sense, within the confines of the prison camp, they were likely to give up and perish without hope.”
― Stephanie Sorrell, Depression: Understanding the Black Dog

“Accepting of themselves and others More efficient in perceiving reality More spontaneous in their relationships Tendency to focus on the solutions to problems rather than the problems themselves An autonomy from cultural influences and societal injunctions A capacity for transcendence/intense mystical experiences A deep identification with humanity with empathy A sense of humor Ability to be creative”
― Stephanie Sorrell, Psychosynthesis Made Easy: A Psychospiritual Psychology for Today

“While it is true, commodities will make us more comfortable and less anxious; the emotional feedback loop is transitory. An insatiable longing sets in again because no amount of money and worldly distraction can make us happy. This is not to say material resources are wrong in themselves because they are necessary to our health, comfort and contentment. As long as there is a sense of inner value outside, then we are less likely to become dependent on them for our sense of well-being and purpose. Like anything, money can be held lightly.”
― Stephanie Sorrell, Depression: Understanding the Black Dog