Psychosynthesis: A Psychology of the Spirit

by John Firman

Conceived by Italian psychiatrist Roberto Assagioli, psychosynthesis is one of the first Western psychologies that addresses both spiritual development and psychological healing and growth by recognizing and supporting the particular life journey of the person - the individual's own unique path of Self-realization. Firman and Gila present a comprehensive account of psychosynthesis, providing a transpersonal integration of developmental, personality, and clinical theory. They reveal some of the relationships between psychosynthesis and contemporary developmental research, object relations theory, intersubjective psychology, trauma theory, the recovery movement, Jungian psychology, humanistic and transpersonal psychology, and common psychological diagnoses. Case examples and practical theory designed to support both the layperson and the professional seeking to understand and facilitate psychospiritual growth are included.

Genres: Psychology, Spirituality

234 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 1, 2002

Reviews

[Morgan Blackledge · Rating 5 out of 5]

John Firman and Ann Gila’s in-depth look at Roberto Assagioli Psychosynthesis.

WTF IS PSYCHOSYNTHESIS?

Psychosynthesis integrates spiritual and psychodynamic models of human experience and development. Psychosynthesis visualizes human development on vertical/horizontal axis.

MOVING ON

Horizontal development (self actualzation) visualized as an arrow pointing forward (➡️) refers to the domain of human development focused on in conventional psychodynamic psychotherapy, e.g. identifying and integrating different aspects of the personality, resolving inner conflicts, and generally fostering personal exploration, understanding and growth.

MOVING ON UP

Vertical development (self realization) visualized as an arrow pointing up (⬆️) refers to the domain of human development focused on in spiritual/religious contexts, e.g. transcending the personal self to connect with higher states of consciousness and spiritual experiences.

Psychosynthesis differentiates between the (limited/constrained) EGO and its survival/trauma sub personalities, and the (free) spontaneous and authentic SELF identity.

DISIDENTIFICATION/INTEGRATION

Psychosynthesis refers to disidentification as a process whereby individuals learn to recognize, and detach from the EGO and sub-personalities, such that the individual becomes less fractured, more integrated, and more self realized.

TRIPARTITE LEVELS OF THE UNCONSCIOUS

Freud said “psychoanalysis is only interested in the basement of the human being”. Assagioli famously said, psychosynthesis is interested in the whole building. Assagioli amended the Freudian model of the lower unconscious
(basement) and added a middle (living quarters) and a higher unconscious (attic).

According to Assagioli:

The LOWER UNCONSCIOUS represents the psychological storehouse of repressed and disowned SHADOW material. All the stuff about yourself that you unconsciously don’t like, or can’t tolerate, or are in denial of.

The MIDDLE UNCONSCIOUS represents the psychological strata of what we would currently call the nonconscience. It’s in essence all of the things that are currently happening in you psyche (and brain), that are either implicit, or otherwise outside of your current awareness.

The UPPER UNCONSCIOUS represents the psychological storehouse of repressed and disowned GOLD material. All the wonderful stuff about yourself that you are somehow unable to explicitly feel, acknowledge, or bare.

Psychosynthesis integrates traditional psychotherapy with spiritual practices to assist people in (a) working through their LOWER UNCONSCIOUS primal and instinctual drives; (b) addressing MIDDLE UNCONSCIOUS personal growth and development issues; and (c) connecting with their UPPER UNCONSCIOUS spiritual and transcendent dimensions of self.

NOTE: Psychosynthesis is a conceptual framework for integrating therapeutic and spiritual work and development. It is not a specific therapeutic modality, or spiritual path.

Great book.

Great subject.

5/5 ⭐️

[Alex Kartelias · Rating 4 out of 5]

Never heard about Psychosynthesis untill I read about it in a book on Sufism. Now that I'm more acquainted with it, I'm fasnicating by how close it's relationship is to all the world's religions- especially Zen: Zen always emphasizes to not become drowned by your thoughts but to let them slide by as your inner critic slowly quiets it self down. But what makes this book unique is that it gives a westerner advice on how to synthesis these different thoughts- or sub personalities- as true manifestations of the unmanifested Self- or Atman- and allows the person to live their normal ego- life, why staying connected to the Self. I must read Robert Assagioli's work as soon as possible.

[Ingrid · Rating 5 out of 5]

I had the privilege of taking several classes from John Firman and Ann Gila. This is a wonderful book, highlighting Assagioli's model of Psychosynthesis and the couple's commitment to the work.

[Jason · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great book and reinstalled my desire to read Assagioli’s first book on psychosynthesis. I read his second one because I was able to get it from the library but not the first. I was able to get this book from the library too. However much money assagiolis first book on psychosynthesis is it’ll be worth it. I love psychosynthesis, it’s way more simple than Jung but extremely powerful still.

[Max · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book for an overview of the history Psychosynthesis as well as core concepts such as primal wounding.

[Paul Norris · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book! This is probably going to be my main approach as a therapist.

[Jamie Rogers · Rating 5 out of 5]

Paperback. Partial Read.