Il male, dice Assagioli, non sta nella tecnologia ma nell'uso che ne fa l'uomo, ed è quindi necessario sviluppare i poteri interni dell'uomo, fra i quali la volontà, che ha delle risorse immense, in gran parte ancora ignorate dalla psicologia moderna. Questo libro rappresenta il maggior lavoro finora dedicato a ricondurre la volontà umana al centro della psicologia, dell'educazione e della vita di ogni giorno.
I bought this book just because of the very cool name. It floated around in my computer bag for a month or so. I finally started reading it and am blown away with it so far. It deals a lot with Maslow's hierarchy if needs. For a random book I picked up for silly reasons at Half Price Books I couldn't ask for more. I found a copy of Assagioli's "Psychosynthesis" at Half Price books. I am going to read that next and then re-read "The Act of Will"
This book was written in the early 70s and reflects some ideas that are dated. His perspective is that will has seven qualities and if we develop each quality we can use our will for growth. It's worth the read, but I found myself filling in with new information that may temper some of his concepts.
Full of meandering, long-winded explanations and rambling prose. There are occasional glimpses of insight and surprisingly practical advice, but much of it is buried under the aforementioned lexical rubble. The different types of will and the stages of an act of will are described in-depth, and many of Assagioli’s influences and peers are highlighted. It’s just a shame that the useful parts need to be patiently excavated.
It is an amazing book from the founder of Psychosynthesis. As his other book, this one, too, is a clear and comprehensive statement of how important the will in our life is. Again, both practical and theoretical aspects have been mentioned.
This is a kind of psychology book with a unique perspective on the person as the result of conscious Will. And the Will itself is multifaceted aspect of personality that can be grown for fulfillment in its many different dimensions.
While the text is a bit dry, some of the ideas were very new to me and eye opening, I am surprised to not have come across this book earlier.
A mio parere libro estremamente complesso. E secondo me, dedicato solo a professionisti del settore (psicologia). L'ho letto ma non credo di essere in grado di dare un giudizio. Difatto c'erano diverse frasi che necessitavano più riletture per essere realmente capite. Mi è sembrato molto tecnico e molto profondo (psicologicamente parlando).
Bringing forth the notions of transpersonal and universal will and their alignment with the willing Self was the most exciting aspect of the book. Practical exercises and experiential work strengthens his presentation and can make this an action-oriented approach for therapists and their clients. Clear, enjoyable writing. Relevance for magic and sorcery.
Het werk, vertaald in het Nederlands (Over de wil) sprak mij zeker aan en er zijn ook relevante en praktische oefeningen om uit te voeren. Momenteel vindt het echter niet de nodige resonantie om hier op deze manier mee aan de slag te gaan. Het prikkelt wel om dit boek in de toekomst nog eens vast te pakken om te zien of ik er dan meer mee kan.
The Act of Will is a book that was potentially before it's time. Many of the ground-breaking ideas that Assagioli proposed are now a standard part of most life coaching methodologies. However, Assagioli takes things further, and provides the basis for a much deeper understanding of the willed act than most modern sources provide.
At the end of the Historical Survey (Appendix 4), Assagioli really hits the mark. He points out "that attempts to solve the problem of the will on theoretical, intellectualistic lines have led not only to no solution but to contradiction, confusion, and bewilderment." He then suggests that the starting point to producing useful and practical results is through "the direct, existential experience of willing, unhampered by preconceived notions."
Practicing the various exercises and being mindful of the act of willing will lead to an experiential understanding of the will and how to use it for personal growth, finding inner peace, and working towards self-actualization and self-realization.