PENGUINBOOKS THEACTOFWIIL

RobertoAssagioliwasoneofthemastersofmodernpsychologyinthelinethat runsfromSigmundFreudthroughC.G.JungandAbrahamMaslow.Himselfa colleagueofallthesemen,Assagioli wasamongthepioneersofpsychoanalysisin Italy,thoughhepointedoutthatFreudhadlargelyneglectedthehigherreachesof humannature.Overmanyyearsuntilhisdeathin1974Dr.Assagiolidevelopeda comprehensivepsychologyknownaspsychosynthesis.Psychosynthesisseesman astendingnaturallytowardharmonywithinhimselfandwiththeworld.Dr. Assagioli'sconceptofthewillisakeypartofthatvision.PenguinBooksalso publishesRobertoAssagioli'sPsychosynthesis:AManualofPrinciplesand Techniques.
ANESALENBOOK

TheEsalenPublishingProgramiseditedbyStuartMiller

AlsobyRobertaAssagioli,M.D. Psychosynthesis:AManualofPrinciplesandTechniques

TheActofWill
ROBERTOASSAGIOLI,M.D.
PenguinBooksLtd.Harmondsworth, Middlesex,EnglandPenguinBooks,40WestzsfrdStreet, NewYork.NewYork10010,U.S.A. PenguinBooksAustraliaLtd,Ringwood, Victoria,Australia PenguinBooksCanadaLimited,2801JohnStreet, Markham,Ontario,CanadaL&R1B4PenguinBooks (N.X.)Ltd,182190WairauRoad,Auckland10,New Zealand AnEsalenBookfirstpublishedintheUnitedStatesof AmericabyTheVikingPress1973PublishedinPenguin Books1974Reprinted1976,1979,1980,1982,1983 Copyright PsychosynthesisInstitute,1973All rights reserved

PrintedintheUnitedStalesofAmericabyOffset PaperbackMfrs.,Inc.,Dallas,PennsylvaniaSetin MonotypeBaskerville

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS Harper&Row,Publishers,Inc.:
From MotivationandPersonalitybyAbrahamMaslow.From StrengthofWillanil HowtoDevelopItbyBoydBarrett.OxfordUniversityPress:

From AConfession,TheGospelinBrif,WhatIBelievebyLeoTolstoi, translatedbyLouiseandAylmerMaudeandpublishedbyOxford UniversityPress. PressesUniversitaircesdeFrance: From CaractereetpersonnalitebyGastonBerger.

ExceptintheUnitedStatesofAmerica,thisbookissoldsubjecttothecondition thatitshallnot,bywayoftradeorotherwise,belent,resold,hiredout,or otherwisecirculatedwithoutthepublisher'spriorconsentinanyformofbindingor coverotherthanthatinwhichitispublishedamiwithoutasimilarcondition includingthisconditionbeingimposedonthesubsequentpurchaser PREFACE Everyonecanhave,orhashad,theexistentialexperienceof "willing"butoften withoutfullrealizationoraclearunderstanding.Thisbookhasbeenwrittenasan introductionandaguidetosuchexperience,andasatrainingmanual.Itis intendedtobeatoolfortheexploration,development,andutilization ofthewill.It considersnotonlyhowthewill usuallyoperates,buthowitcan bestoperate.It describesthequalitiesofthewillanditsvariousaspectsthestagesofthewilled actandthepurposestowardwhichthisactcanbedirected.Itislargelyaphe nomenologicalexplorationbasedonmyownexperienceandonstatementsand reportsofmyclients,students,andcolleaguesovermanyyears.Theamountof empiricaldatathuscollectedprovidesasuregroundfordescribingthevarious methods,techniques,andexercisesforthepracticaltrainingofthewillandforits optimumuseatalllevelsofexistencefromthepersonaltothetranspersonaland reachingintotherealmwheretheindividualwillmergeswiththeuniversalwill. Thisvolumeisalsoapreliminarymapoftheactofwillingfromthepointofview ofthenewerdevelopmentsinpsychologythatistosay,existential,humanistic, andtranspersonalpsychologyalthoughithasrootsinvariousoldercontributions. Becausethesubjectissochallenging,IhavemadetheStyleassimpleaspossible. Butonoccasionthissimplicity isdeceptive.Isuggestthatnotonlycanthisvolume bereadasapieceofinterestinginformationbutthatitcanprofitablybestudiedin

depth,andthemany techniquespracticedandappliedindailylife.Thechapterson LoveandWill,theTranspersonalWill,andtheUniversalWillmightbear particularconsideration,astheirsubjectsmaybenewtomanyreaders.Ishould alsoliketomentionthatcertainrepetitionsaredeliberateandareintendedfor emphasis,andthatcrossreferencesinvariouspartsofthetextmayhelponeto graspboththemanifoldnatureofthesubjectanditsunderlyingunity. Asforlanguage,thereaderwillfindtheword"will"usedasanounthroughout. Thishasbeendoneforthepurposeofsimplifyingthetext.However,itshouldbe notedattheoutsetthatno"metaphysical"claimisbeingmadeeitherfororagainst thepropositionthatthe"will"exists.Myapproach,dealingasitdoeswith "willers"and"willedacts,"isempiricalandphenomenological.Itsfoundationis psychosynthesis,bothpersonalandtranspersonal:aprocessofgrowthbasedonthe harmoniousintegrationofallaspectsofthepersonalityaroundtheself,thecenter ofawarenessandwill.Sothisbookcantakeitsplaceasasequeltomyprevious one,Psychosynthesis*inwhichthesubjectofthewillwasbrieflyintroduced.
*AnEsalenBook,NewYork:PenguinBooks,1971

Ihopeandtrustthatitmaybeauseful companiontomanywhowanttodevelop andmakegooduseoftheirwills.Muchremainstobedone,andtowardthisendI suggestintheWillProject(PartThree)ageneralplanbothforindividualsandfor groupstocontinuetheworkofstudyandresearch.Suchaplanisgreatlyneededat presentbecauseoftheunfortunateneglectormisuseofthewillandbecauseofthe enormouspotentialinherentinitsrightuseforachievingselfactualizationand Selfrealization,andforsolvingmajorhumanproblems. NowIwanttoexpressmygratitudetoallwhohaveassistedintheproductionof thebook.First,tomymanystudents,clients,andcoworkerswhoreadportionsof themanuscriptatvarioustimes,offeredtheircommentsandsuggestions,and helpedgenerally.Ofthislargegroup,Iwouldliketosingleoutforparticular mentionStuartMiller,editoroftheEsalen/Vikingseries,whosemanyperceptive comments,suggestions,andadditionsweredeeplyappreciatedJamesVargiu,who studiedthemanuscriptindepth,makingvaluablesuggestionsandadding examplesandSusanVargiuwhogreatlyhelpedinthisworkbyreorderingthe originaltext.OtherstowhomIgladlyrecognizemyindebtednessareDr.Frank Haronian,BetsieCarter,StevenKull,andDr.PieroFerrucci.IdaPalombi, SecretaryoftheIstitutodiPsicosintesiinFlorence,andmyfriendKennethLeslie Smithalsogavevaluablecooperation. Withgoodwillandthetrustthatthedevelopmentofthewillmayhavea substantialroleintheemergenceofanewperiodofhumancooperation,Ileavethe nextstepstothereader. Florence,ItalySeptember,1972 PersonsinterestedinobtainingfurtherinformationaboutPsychosynthesismay writetoanyofthefollowingcenters:

PsychosynthesisResearchFoundation,Inc.

40East49thStreetNewYork,NewYork 10017 HighPointFoundationPsychosynthesisTrainingCenter 647NorthMadisonAvenuePasadena,California91101 PsychosynthesisInstitute 150DohertyWayRedwoodCity,California94062 KentuckyCenterforBioPsychosynthesis,Inc. 122LakewoodDriveLexington,Kentucky40502 TheHillCenterforPsychosynthesisinEducationOldWalpoleRoad Walpole.NewHampshire03462 CanadianInstituteofPsychosynthesis,Inc. 3496MarloweAvenueMontreal,Quebec,CanadaH4A317

TheActofWill
ROBERTOASSAGIOLI,M.D.
CONTENTS

PARTONE Chapter THENATUREOFTHEWILL 1.Introduction 2.TheExistentialExperienceoftheWill 3.TheQualitiesoftheWill 4.TheStrongWill 5.TheSkillfulWill:PsychologicalLaws 6.PracticalApplicationsoftheSkillfulWill 7.TheGoodWill 8.Loveand Will 9.TheTranspersonalWill 10.TheUniversalWill PARTTWO THESTAGESOFWILLING 11.FromIntentiontoReaction 12.Purpose,Evaluation,Novation,Intention 13.Deliberation,Choice,andDecision 14.Affirmation 15.PlanningandPrograming 16.TheDirectionoftheExecution PARTTHREE EPILOGUE 17.TheJoyousWill TheWillProject Appendices APPENDIXONE: SelfIdentificationExercise APPENDIXTWO: ThinkingandMeditation APPENDIXTHREE: QuestionnaireontheWill APPENDIXFOUR: HistoricalSurvey

Pages 3 7 19 35 46 66 85 91 106 123

135 140 151 170 178 189

199 203 211 218 232 235

APPENDIXFIVE: DifferentialPsychology

ReferenceNotes Index

248 263 270

TheActofWill
ROBERTOASSAGIOLI,M.D.

PartOne TheNatureof theWill 1

INTRODUCTION
IfamanfromapreviouscivilizationanancientGreek,letussay,oraRoman suddenlyappearedamongpresentdayhumanity,hisfirstimpressionswould probablyleadhimtoregarditasaraceofmagiciansanddemigods.Butwerehea PlatooraMarcusAureliusandrefusedtobedazzledbythematerial wonders createdbyadvancedtechnology,andwerehetoexaminethehumancondition morecarefully,hisfirstimpressionswouldgiveplacetogreatdismay. Hewouldsoonnoticethat,thoughmanhasacquiredanimpressivedegreeof powerovernature,hisknowledgeofandcontroloverhisinnerbeingisvery limited.Hewouldperceivethatthismodern"magician,"capableofdescendingto thebottomoftheoceanandprojectinghimselftothemoon,islargelyignorantof whatisgoingoninthedepthsofhisunconsciousandisunabletoreachuptothe luminoussuperconsciouslevels,andtobecomeawareofhistrueSelf.This supposeddemigod,controllinggreatelectricalforceswithamovementofthe finger 3 andfloodingtheairwithsoundandpicturesfortheentertainmentofmillions, wouldbeseentobeincapableofdealingwithhisownemotions,impulses,and desires. Asseveralwriters,Toynbeeamongthem,havepointedout,thiswidegulfbetween man'sexternalandinnerpowersisoneofthemostimportantandprofoundcauses

oftheindividualandcollectiveevilswhichafflictourcivilizationandgravely menaceitsfuture.Manhashadtopaydearlyforhismaterialachievements.His lifehasbecomericher,broader,andmorestimulating,butatthesametimemore complicatedandexhausting.Itsrapidlyincreasingtempo,theopportunitiesit offersforgratifyinghisdesires,andtheintricateeconomicandsocialmachineryin whichithasenmeshedhimmakeevermoreinsistentdemandsonhisenergy,his mentalfunctions,hisemotions,andhiswill.Forconvincingevidenceofthisit wouldsufficetoobservethedayoftheaveragebusinessmanorpolitician,or careerwomanorhousewife. Theindividualoftenlackstheresourcestocopewiththedifficultiesandpitfallsof thiskindofexistence.Hisresistancemaycrumbleinthefaceofthedemands,the confusions,andtheenticementsitimposes.Theensuingdisturbanceleadsto increasingdiscouragementandfrustrationeventodesperation. Theremedyfortheseevilsthenarrowingandeventualclosingofthefatalgap betweenman'sexternalandhisinnerpowershasbeenandshouldbesoughtin twodirections:thesimplificationofhisouterlifeandthedevelopmentofhisinner powers.Letusexamineinwhatwaysandtowhatextentthesetwoprocedurescan providetheneededremedies.

TheSimplificationoftheExternalLife Thetrendtowardsimplicitybeganevenbeforetherise
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andexpansionofmoderntechnologyasareactionagainsttheincreasing complicationsandartificialitiesof"civilized"life.Itsgreatestexponentshavebeen JeanJacquesRousseau,withhisappealforareturntonature,andThoreau,who renouncedthebenefitsofcivilizationandwithdrewtoleadthesolitary"simple life"whichhedescribedsoablyinWalden.Recently,disillusionmentwiththe "blessings"oftechnologicalachievementhasexplodedintoextremeand increasinglybitterindictmentsofthewholestructureofmoderncivilization,intoa wholesalerejectionofourpresent"wayoflife." Uptoacertainpoint,thesimplificationoflifeisfeasibleanddesirable.Tosome extenteveryoneisabletoresisttheattractionsoftheworldandthepaceofmodern life,eliminatemanyunnecessarycomplications,reestablishclosercontactwith nature,andpracticetheartofrelaxingandrestingatintervals.Butpastacertain point,oneencountersgreatdifficulties.Dutiesofeverykind,familyties, professionalobligationskeepusboundtothewheelofmodernlifeandoften compelustoconformtoitshurriedpace. Butevenifcircumstancespermittedaveryhighdegreeofsimplificationandit wereputintopractice,theproblemwouldbeonlypartiallysolved.Modernman certainlycouldnotnorindeedhashereasontoabdicatefromthepredominant position,andtheconsequentresponsibility,hehasacquiredonthisplanet.Theevil doesnotlieinthetechnologicalpowersthemselvesbutintheusestowhichman putsthemandinthefactthathehasallowedthemtooverwhelmandenslavehim. Resistancetotheprevailingnegativetrendsofmodernlifecallsformuch

determination,muchfirmnessandpersistence,muchclearsightednessand wisdom.Butthesearepreciselytheinnerqualitiesandpowersinwhich

Introduction/ 5 modernmanissorelylacking.Soweareledtothenecessityofrecoursetothe secondprocedure. TheDevelopmentofMan'sInnerPowers Onlythedevelopmentofhisinnerpowerscanonsetthedangersinherentinman's losingcontrolofthetremendousnaturalforcesathisdisposalandbecomingthe victimofhisownachievements.Avividrealizationthatthisisindispensablefor maintainingthesanityandindeedtheverysurvivalofhumanity,thatonlythuscan manfulfillhistruenature,shouldspurhimontotacklethistaskwithanintensity ofdesireanddeterminationequaltothatwhichhehaspreviouslydevotedtohis externalattainments. Fundamentalamongtheseinnerpowers,andtheonetowhichpriorityshouldbe given,isthetremendous,unrealizedpotencyofman'sownwill.Itstraininganduse constitutethefoundationofallendeavors.Therearetworeasonsforthis:thefirst isthewill'scentralpositioninman'spersonalityanditsintimateconnectionwith thecoreofhisbeinghisveryself.Thesecondliesinthewill'sfunctionin decidingwhatistobedone,inapplyingallthenecessarymeansforitsrealization andinpersistinginthetaskinthefaceofallobstaclesanddifficulties. Butwhenonedecidestostartthistask,oneisapttobeconfusedandbaffled.A historicalsurveyoftheproblemsrelatedtothewillshowsthatattemptstosolve thisproblemontheoretical,intellectualisticlinesleadnotonlytonosolution,but tocontradictionconfusion,andbewilderment(seeAppendixFour,pages235ff.). ThereforeIbelievethattherightprocedureistopostponeallintellectual discussionsandtheoriesonthesubject,andbeginby discoveringtherealityand thenatureofthewill throughitsdirectexistentialexperience.
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TheActofWill
ROBERTOASSAGIOLI,M.D.

2
THEEXISTENTIAL EXPERIENCEOFTHEWILL
Theexperienceofthewillconstitutesbothafirmfoundationandastrongincentive forstartingtheexactingbutmostrewardingtaskofitstraining.Itoccursinthree phases:thefirstistherecognitionthatthewillexiststhesecondconcernsthe realizationof havingawill.Thethirdphaseofthediscovery,whichrendersit completeandeffective,isthatof beingawill(thisisdifferentfrom"having"a will). Thisdiscoveryofthewillishardtodescribeasistrueofanyexperience,itcannot befullycommunicatedbywords,butthepathsleadingtoitandtheconditions favoringitcanbeindicated.Ananalogytothediscoveryofbeauty,tothearousal oftheaestheticsense,maybeilluminating:Arevelationoccurs,an"awakening" whichmaycomewhenonelooksatthedelicatehueoftheskyatsunset,ata majesticrangeofsnowcappedmountains,orintothecleareyesofachild.Itmay comewhilecontemplatingthecrypticsmileofLeonardo's"Gioconda."Itmay comewhilelisteningtothemusicofBach

TheExistentialExperienceoftheWill /7
orBeethoven,orwhilereadingtheinspiredversesofgreatpoets. Thisawakenedsenseofthebeautiful,thoughoftenfaintandconfusedatfirst, becomescleareranddevelopthroughrepeatedexperiencesofanaestheticnature, andcanalsobecultivatedandrefinedthroughthestudyofaestheticsandthe historyofart.Butnoamountofintellectualconsiderationandstudycanofitself taketheplaceoftheinitialrevelation. Theawakeningcanbefacilitatedandoftenbroughtaboutbycreatingfavorable circumstancesforthispurposeforinstance,bythequietandrepeatedcontempla tionofnaturalsceneryandworksofart,orbyopeningoneselftothecharmof music. Thesameistrueofthewill.Atagivenmoment,perhapsduringacrisis,onehasa vividandunmistakableinnerexperienceofitsrealityandnature.Whendanger threatenstoparalyzeus,suddenly,fromthemysteriousdepthsofourbeing,surges

anunsuspectedstrengthwhichenablesustoplaceafirmfootontheedgeofthe precipiceorconfrontanaggressorcalmlyandresolutely.Beforethethreatening attitudeofanunfairsuperiororwhenfacinganexcitedmob,whenpersonal reasonswouldinduceustoyield,thewillgivesusthepowertosayresolutely: "No!AtallcostsIstandbymyconvictionsIwillperformwhatItaketoberight." Similarly,whenassailedbysomeinsinuatingandseducingtemptation,thewill raisesus,shakingusoutofouracquiescenceandfreeingusfromthesnare. Theinnerexperienceof"willing"maycomealsoinother,morequietandsubtle ways.Duringperiodsofsilenceandmeditation,inthecarefulexaminationofour motives,inmomentsofthoughtfuldeliberationanddecision,a"voice,"smallbut distinct,willsometimes
8/THENATUREOFTHEWILL

makeitselfheardurgingustoaspecificcourseofaction,apromptingwhichis differentfromthatofourordinarymotivesandimpulses.Wefeelthatitcomes fromthecentralcoreofourbeing.Orelseaninnerilluminationmakesusawareof therealityofthewillwithanoverwhelmingconviction thatassertsitself irresistibly. However,thesimplestandmostfrequentwayinwhichwediscoverourwillis throughdeterminedactionandstruggle.Whenwemakeaphysicalormental effort,whenweareactivelywrestlingwithsomeobstacleorcopingwithopposing forces,wefeelaspecificpowerrisingupwithinusandthisinnerenergygivesus theexperienceof"willing." Letusrealizethoroughlythefullmeaningandimmensevalueofthediscoveryof thewill.Inwhateverwayithappens,eitherspontaneouslyorthroughconscious action,inacrisisorinthequietofinnerrecollection,itconstitutesamost importantanddecisiveeventinourlives. Thediscoveryofthewillinoneself,andevenmoretherealizationthattheselfand thewillareintimatelyconnected,maycomeasarealrevelationwhichcanchange, oftenradically,aman'sselfawarenessandhiswholeattitudetowardhimself,other people,andtheworld.Heperceivesthatheisa"livingsubject"endowedwiththe powertochoose,torelate,tobringaboutchangesinhisownpersonality,inothers, incircumstances.Thisenhancedawareness,this"awakening"andvisionofnew, unlimitedpotentialitiesforinnerexpansionandouteraction,givesanewfeelingof confidence,security,joyasenseof"wholeness." Butthisinitialrevelation,thisinnerlight,howevervividandinspiringatthe momentofitsoccurrence,isapttogrowdimandtoflickeroutorgiveonly

TheExistentialExperience oftheWill/ 9
intermittentflashes.Thenewawarenessofselfandwillbecomeseasilysubmerged bytheconstantsurgeofdrives,desires,emotions,andideas.Itiscrowdedoutby theceaselessinrushofimpressionsfromtheouterworld.Thustheneedtoprotect, cultivate,andstrengthenthe|initialattainmentbecomesevident,inordertomakeit

aconstantpossessionandutilizeitsgreatpossibilities. "Butwhenoneputsoneselftothistask,onefindsoneselfconfrontedby difficulties,andexperiencingresistance.Thefirstresistanceisoftenduetothe currentmisunderstandingaboutthenatureandfunctionofthewill.TheVictorian conceptionofthewillstillprevails,aconceptionofsomethingsternand forbidding,whichcondemnsandrepressesmostoftheotheraspectsofhuman nature.Butsuchamisconceptionmightbecalleda|caricatureofthewill.Thetrue functionofthewillisnot]toactagainstthepersonalitydrivesto forcethe accomplishmentofone'spurposes.Thewillhasadirectiveand regulatory functionitbalancesandconstructivelyutilizes!alltheotheractivitiesandenergies ofthehumanbeingwithoutrepressinganyofthem. Thefunctionofthewillissimilartothatperformedbythehelmsmanofaship.He knowswhattheship'scourseshouldbe,andkeepshersteadilyonit,despitethe driftscausedbythewindandcurrent.Butthepowerheneedstoturnthewheelis altogetherdifferentfromthatrequiredtopropeltheshipthroughthewater, whetheritbegeneratedbyengines,thepressureofthewindsonthesail,orthe effortsofrowers. Anotherformofresistancecomesfromthegenerallyprevailingtendencytoward inertia,toletthe"easygoing"sideof one'snaturetakecontrol,toallowinner impulsesorexternalinfluencestodominatethepersonality.Itmaybesummedup asunwillingnessto"takethe
10/THENATUREOFTHEWILL

trouble,"topaythepricedemandedbyaworthwhileundertaking.Thisoften holdstrueforthedevelopmentofthewillbutitcannotreasonablybeexpected thatthetrainingofthewillcanbeaccomplishedwithouttheexpenditureofeffort andpersistencerequiredforthesuccessfuldevelopmentofanyotherquality, whetherphysicalormental.Andsucheffortismorethanworthwhile,becausethe useofthewillisatthebasisofeveryactivity.Thereforeamoredevelopedwill improvestheeffectivenessofall futureendeavors. Aftertheconviction,thecertainty,thatthewillexists,andthatonehasawill,is acquired,comestherealizationoftheclose,intimateconnectionbetweenthewill andtheself.Thisculminatesintheexistentialexperienceofpureself consciousness,thedirectawarenessoftheself,thediscoveryofthe"I."Inreality, thisexperienceisimplicitinourhumanconsciousness.Itisthatwhich distinguishesitfromthatofanimals,whichareconsciousbutnotselfconscious. Animalsareconscious:theyclearlyshowthisintheiremotionalreactionsto situationsandtheireffectiverelationswithhumanbeings.Humanbeingsgo beyondmereanimalawarenessandknowthattheyareaware.Butgenerallythis selfconsciousnessisindeedimplicitratherthanexplicit.Itisexperiencedina rathernebulousanddistortedwaybecauseitisusuallymixedwith,andveiledby, thecontentsofconsciousness(sensations,drives,emotions,thoughts,etc.).Their constantimpactveilstheclarityof consciousnessandproducesSpurious identificationoftheselfwiththesechangingandtransientcontents.Thus,ifweare tomakeselfconsciousnessexplicit,clear,andvivid,wemustdisidentifyourselves

fromallthesecontentsandidentifywiththeself. It ispossibletoachievethis realizationbymeansofcertain

TheExistentialExperienceoftheWill/11 kindsofmeditation,butparticularlybytheuseoftheExerciseofSelf Identification,whichisgiveninmybookPsychosynthesisandquoted hereinAppendixOne(page211)fortheconvenienceofthereader. Selfconsciousness,orawarenessoftheself,hastwocharacteristics:one introspective,theotherdynamic.Thiscanbeexpressedinvariousways: forinstance,"Iamawareofbeingandwilling"or"InthatIam,Ican will."Thisintimaterelationshipbetweenthe"I"andthewill,between beingandwilling,hasbeenclearlysetforthbyProfessorCaloinhis articleonthewillintheItalianEncyclopedia: Volitionalactivity isincloseconnectionwiththeconsciousnessofthe/ asbothanactiveandaunifyingcenterofalltheelementsofpsychiclife. TheI,whichisatfirstanobscuresubjectivity,apointofreferenceof everypsychicexperience,affirmsitselfgraduallyasitsucceedsin distinguishingitself,asasourceofactivity,fromeveryoneofits particularelements(feelings,tendencies,instincts,ideas).Thewillisjust thisactivityoftheIwhichisaunity,whichstandsabovethemultiplicity ofitscontents,andwhichreplacesthepreviousimpulsive,fractional, centrifugalactionofthosecontents.IandwillarecorrelatedtermstheI existsinsofarasithasitsownspecificcapacityforactionwhichisthe willandthewillexistsonlyasadistinctiveandautonomousactivityof theI.* Itiswelltobecomeawareoftherelationshipsbetweentheselfandthe willononehandandthevariousotherpsychologicalfunctionsonthe other.Thisawarenessmaybeclarifiedbythediagramonpage13. Thewillhasbeenplacedatthecenterofthediagramindirectcontact withtheconsciousI,orpersonalself,toshowthecloseconnection betweenthem.Throughthewill,theIactsontheotherpsychological functions, *Referencenotesbeginonpage263.
12/THENATUREOFTHEWILL

1Sensation 2.EmotionFeeling 3.ImpulseDesire 4. Imagination 5. Thought 6. Intuition 7.Will 8.Centralpoint:The1,orpersonalself

regulatinganddirectingthem.Thediagramisoversimplified,likealldiagrams,but ithelpstogiveprominencetothecentralpositionofthewill. Butthereremainsafurtherstepthatcanbetaken,afurtherdiscoverythatcanbe madethatoftherelationshipbetweentheIandtheTranspersonal,orhigher, Self,ofwhichtheIisareflectionorprojection.Thisrelationshipisdepictedinthe diagramonpage14ofthepsychologicalconstitutionofman. TheIisindicatedbythepointatthecenterofthefieldofawareness,whilethe TranspersonalSelfisrepresentedbyastarattheapexofthesuperconscious.Iwill notdwellfurtheronthishere,becausethesubjectisdealtwithinthechapteron theTranspersonalWill,whichisafunctionoftheTranspersonalSelf. Tobeginthediscussionofthetrainingofthewill

TheExistentialExperienceoftheWill/ 13

1.TheLowerUnconscious 2.TheMiddleUnconscious 3.TheHigherUnconscious,orSupcrconscious 4. TheFieldofConsciousness 5. TheConsciousSelf,or"I" 6. TheTranspcrsonalSelf 7. TheCollectiveUnconscious

requireslayingsomeconceptualgroundwork.Becauseoftherichnessofthe subject,Ihopethereaderwillbearwithmeintheelaborationofcategoriesin describingthewill.Thesecategoriesarenecessarytogetacompletepictureofthe fullydevelopedwilland,mostimportant,togetapurchaseontrainingsuchan importanthumanattribute. Ishallusethreecategoriesordimensionsindescribingthewill:aspects, qualities,andstages.Thefirstcategory,aspects,isthemostbasic,andrepresents the facetsthatcanberecognizedinthefullydevelopedwill.Thesecondcategory, qualities,referstotheexpressionofthewill:thesearethemodesofexpressionof thewillinaction.Finally,thestagesofthewillreferspecificallytotheprocessof willing,theactofwillasitunfoldsfrombeginningtoend.
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Thefullydevelopedwillcanbethoughtofashavinganumberofdifferentmajor aspectstheseshouldbethoughtofastheprincipalfacetsofourmainsubject,the majorelementsintheoutlineofthewill.Eachoftheseaspectscanbetrainedin specificandappropriateways.BecausethebulkofPartOneofthisvolumeis concernedwiththesemajoraspects,itiswelltooutlinethematonce.Theaspects ofthefullydevelopedhumanwillarethestrongwill, theskillfulwill,thegood will,andtheTranspersonalWill.Letmedescribetheseprincipalaspectsofthe willbrieflysothatthereadercanhavetheminmindaswecontinuetooutlinethe phenomenology ofthewillinotherregards. 1.TheStrongWill.Aswehavepreviouslymentioned,totrainthewillonemust startby recognizingthatthewillexiststhenthatonehasawillandfinallythat oneisawill,or,essentially,a"willingself."Thenonehastodevelop thewilland makeitstrongenoughtobeadequateforitsmanifoldusesinallthedomainsof

life.Mostmisunderstandingsandmistakesconcerningthewillarisefromthe frequentmisconceptionthatthestrongwillconstitutesthewholewill.Strengthis onlyone oftheaspectsofthewill,andwhendissociatedfromtheothers,itcanbe, andoftenis,ineffectualorharmfultooneselfandotherpeople. 2.TheSkillfulWill. Theskillfulaspectofthewillconsistsoftheabilitytoobtain desiredresultswiththeleastpossibleexpenditureofenergy.Inordertogo somewhere,onedoesnotproceedby walkinginastraightlineacrossopencountry orbyclimbingoverbuildings.Oneratherstudiesaroadmapandusesexisting roads,which,althoughnotinastraightline,canleadonetohisdestinationwith theleastamountofeffort.Andonetakesadvantageofalreadyexistingmeansof transportation,

TheExistentialExperienceoftheWill/ 15
thatis,ofvehiclesthataregoinginthedirectionhehaschosen. Similarly,inordertouseourwillmostskillfully,weneedtounderstandourinner constitution,becomeacquaintedwithourmanydifferentfunctions,drives,desires, habitpatterns,andtherelationshipsbetweenthem,sothatatanyonetimewecan activateandutilizethoseaspectsofourselvesthatalreadyhavethetendencyto producethespecificactionorconditionweareaimingfor. 3.TheGoodWill. Evenwhenthewillisendowedwithbothstrengthandskill,itis notalwayssatisfactory.Infact,itmayevenbeaveryharmfulweapon,forifsuch awillisdirectedtowardevilends,itbecomesaseriousdangertosociety.Aman ofstrongandablewill,capableofusinghisnaturalgiftstotheutmost,can overpowerorcorruptthewillofothersonewhodareseverything,fearsnothing, andwhoseactionsarenotrestrainedbyanyethicalconsideration,byanysenseof loveorcompassion,canhaveadisastrousinfluenceonacommunityorevenan entirenation. Therearetwogreatlawswhichoperateinthephysicalandinthepsychological worlds:theLawofactionandreaction,andtheLawofrhythmandequilibrium. Throughtheiroperation,thosewhocauseharmattractharmuponthemselves thosewhoareviolentandmercilessultimatelyevoketheviolenceandcrueltyof othersagainstthemselves.Historyoffersmanysuchexamples,fromCaligulato RasputintoHitler.Becauseoftheworkingoftheselaws,thewill,tobefulfilling, mustbegood.Thus,goodwillisbothdesirableandultimatelyinevitable.Itmay thereforebestatedthatlearningtochooserightgoalsisanessentialaspectof trainingofthewill.Itisnecessary,bothforthegeneralwelfareandforourown, l6/THENATUREOFTHEWILL thatourwillbegoodaswellasstrongandskillful.Allthisisthespecificfieldof interpersonal,group,andsocialpsychosynthesis. 4.TheTranspersonalWill.Thethreeaspectsofthewillsofarmentionedseemto constitutethetotalityofthecharacteristicsofthewill.Thismaybetrueforthe "normal"humanbeing,inwhomtheysufficeforhisselfactualizationandfor leadingarichandusefullife.Thisrepresentstheaim ofpersonalandinterpersonal

psychosynthesis.Butthereisanotherdimensioninman.Thoughmanyare unawareofitandmayevendenyitsexistence,thereisanotherkindofawareness, totherealityof whichthedirectexperienceofanumberofindividualshastestified throughouthistory.Thedimensionalongwhichthisawarenessfunctionscanbe termed"vertical."Inthepast,itwasgenerallyconsideredthedomainofreligious, or"spiritual,"experience,butitisnowgainingincreasingrecognitionasavalid fieldofscientificinvestigation. Thisisthespecificdomainoftranspersonalpsychology,whichdealswithwhat Maslow,apioneerinthefield,hascalledthe"higherneeds."Inthewordsof the "StatementofPurpose"oftheJournalofTranspersonalPsychologyitsconcernis with:"metaneeds,ultimatevalues,unitiveconsciousness,peakexperiences, ecstasy,mysticalexperience,B[eng]values,essence,bliss,awe,wonder,self actualization,ultimatemeaning,transcendenceoftheself,spirit,sacralizationof everydaylife,oneness,cosmicawareness,cosmicplay,individualandspecies widesynergy,maximalinterpersonalencounter,transcendentalphenomena, maximalsensoryawareness,responsivenessandexpressionandrelatedconcepts, experiences,andactivities." ThisistherealmordimensionoftheTranspersonal

TheExistentialExperienceoftheWill/ 17
Will,whichisthewilloftheTransfiersonalSelf. Itisalsothefieldofthe relationshipwithineachindividualbetweenthewillofthepersonalselfor/,and thewilloftheTranspersonalSelf.Thisrelationshipleadstoagrowinginterplay between,andultimatelytothefusionof,thepersonalandtranspersonalselvesand inturntotheirrelationshipwiththeultimatereality,theUniversalSelf,which embodiesanddemonstratestheUniversal,TranscendentWill. 18 / THENATUREOFTHEWILL

TheActofWill
ROBERTOASSAGIOLI,M.D.

3
THEQUALITIESOF THEWILL
Beforeweembarkonadetailedexaminationofthefourrmajoraspectsofthewill andhowtheycanbedevelopedbytraining,itwillbeusefultoreviewthequalities ofthewill.Ifwestudythephenomenologyofthewillinaction,thatis,the characteristicsdisplayedbywillers,wefindanumberof qualitieswhichare outstandinginthegreatwillers,andwhichexistalsoinsomemeasure,however small,ineachof usand,ifnecessary,canbearousedfromlatencyto manifestation.Thesequalitiesarelikelytobemorefamiliartomostreadersthan theaspects.Thequalitiesofthewillare: 1.EnergyDynamicPowerIntensity 2.MasteryControlDiscipline 3.ConcentrationOnePointednessAttentionFocus 4.DeterminationDecisivenessResolutenessPromptness 5.PersistenceEndurancePatience 6.InitiativeCourageDaring 7.OrganizationIntegrationSynthesis 19/THENATUREOPTHEWILL

Fromthestandpointoftrainingthewillitisnecessaryfirsttohavethe variousqualitiesclearlyinviewtoknowthemandunderstandthem thoroughly.Thentheycanbeevokedasnecessaryintherightproportions andinthepropermodeasthesituationdemands.Differentqualitiesare morecloselyassociatedwithspecificaspectsandstagesofthewill,*and weshalldiscusstheseconcurrencesasweproceed.Itshouldalsobe rememberedthatsomeofthequalitiesarecloselyrelatedtoeachother andoverlaptosomeextent.Suchisthecase,forexample,withthe qualitiesofMastery,Concentration,Decisiveness,andInitiative.Other qualities,instead,haveoppositecharacteristics.Thefullydevelopedwill

knowshowtousethesedifferingqualitiesalternately,asneeded,orto achieveabalancebetweenthembyfollowingawisemiddlepath. Sometimes,forexample,thebestcompletionofawilledactcallsforthe balancingofDecisivenessandDaringononehand,andDisciplineand Persistenceontheother.

1.EnergyDynamicPowerIntensity Thisqualityisthenaturallyoutstandingcharacteristicofthestrongwill.Itisthe onequalitywhichisgenerallyattributedtothewillandwithwhichthewillisoften identified.Butitisnottheonlyqualityofthewill,andifitisnotassociatedwith otherqualitiesandbalancedbytheactionofotherpsychologicalfunctions,itisapt todefeatitsownpurposes.Thisquality,takenbyitself,canhaveharmfulandeven disastrouseffectsonboththewilierhimselfandonthetargetsofhis"willful" actions. *Thestagesofthewilledact,asitunfoldsfromstarttofinish,are:Purpose, Deliberation,Decision,Affirmation,Planning,andtheDirectionoftheExecution. ThefulldiscussionofthesestagesisPartTwoofthisvolume.
20/THENATUREOPTHEWILL

Sucheffectsoccurwhenthewillisusedinadomineering,oppressive,forbidding wayithasbeencalledthe"Victorian"will,becauseitwaswidelyusedinthat period,particularlyinthefieldofeducation.Itissuchmisusethathasbroughtthe willintodisrepute,producingaviolentreactionagainstitwhichhasswungtothe otherextreme:atendencytorefuseanykindofcontrolanddisciplineofdrives, urges,wishes,whimsacultofunbridled"spontaneity." Thus,aproperunderstandingofthewillincludesaclearandbalancedviewofits dualnature:twodifferentbutnotcontradictorypoles.Ononehandthe"power element"needstoberecognized,appreciated,ifnecessarystrengthened,andthen wiselyapplied.Atthesametimeitmustberecognizedthattherearevolitionalacts whichdonotnecessarilyrequireeffort.Onthebasisofexperimentalresearch, Avelingandothershaveobservedthat"avolitionensuingevenindifficultaction maybeabsolutelyeffortless...." Itcanbesaidthatparticularlythestagesofintention,evaluation,andchoicecanbe effortless.Moreover,thereisanotherandhigherconditioninwhichthepersonal williseffortlessitoccurswhenthewilierissoidentifiedwiththeTranspersonal Will,or,atastillhigherandmoreinclusivelevel,withtheUniversalWill,thathis activitiesareaccomplishedwithfreespontaneity,astateinwhichhefeelshimself tobeawillingchannelintoandthroughwhichpowerfulenergiesflowandoperate. Thisiswuwei,orthe"taoisticstate,"mentionedbyMaslowin TheFarther ReachesofHumanNature. Understandingtheexistenceofthetwo"poles"ofthewill,onecandealwithout resistancesormisunderstandingswithits"power"element.Thisisadirect, existentialexperiencewhich,aspreviouslymentioned,isrealized

TheQualitiesoftheWill/21
whenthereisconflictoreffortduetoopposingconditionsorforcesthatonewills toovercome.Oneisthenclearlyawareof,hecanfeel,themeasureof intensityof thewillneededforovercomingopposingforces.Thisisanalogousto,andisfeltin thesamedirectwayas,thewayanathletefeelsthedegreeofmusculareffortthat hemustmakeinordertojumpaboveahighobstacle. 2.MasteryControlDiscipline Thisqualityofthewilliscloselyconnectedwiththefirst,bothbecausemastery andcontrolrequireenergyandeffortandbecauseoneofthechiefusesofthe energyofthewillistoexercisecontrolovertheotherpsychologicalfunctions. Controlanddisciplinearequalitieswhich,atpresent,oftenarousediffidenceand antagonism.Again,thisisduetoanextremereactionagainsttheirpreviously excessiveandmistakenenforcement.Controldoesnotmeanrepressionor suppression.Repressionimpliesunconsciouscondemnationorfear(orboth!)and theconsequentendeavortopreventtherepressedmaterialfromemergingfromthe unconscioustoconsciousness.Suppressionistheconsciousandforcefulelimina tionofunwantedmaterialfromourawareness,thuspreventingitsexpression. Rightcontrol,however,meanstheregulationofexpression,aimingataguided, constructiveutilizationofthebiologicalandpsychologicalenergies.Thusin practicewisecontrolisoften quitetheoppositeofrepressionandsuppression. Thesamecanbesaidof inhibition.Hereagain,theantagonismarousedbythis wordisduetoamisunderstandingofitsrealmeaningandfunction.Inhibitionis notsuppressionitisatemporarycheckof reflexactions.Thisisclearly recognizedinthefieldofneurophysiology.Immediateresponsetostimulationisa functionofthe 22/THENATUREOFTHEWILL

nervouscentersinthespine,whileoneofthechieffunctionsofthebrain isthatofinhibitingsuchreactionstemporarily.Thisenablesthestimulus topropagatetootherareasofthebrain,whereitcreatesassociations, oftenmanifoldandcomplex,whichinturnmakepossibleahigherkind ofresponseintelligent,welladapted,anduseful.Thisappliesnotonly tophysiologicalresponses,butalsotopsychologicalactions.Thepoint hasbeenwellstatedbyMaslow: Aneasymistakehereistothinkofspontaneityandexpressivenessas goodalways,andcontrolofanykindasbadandundesirable.Thisisnot so...thereareseveralmeaningsofselfcontrol,orofinhibition,and someofthemarequitedesirableandhealthy,evenapartfromwhatis necessaryfordealingwiththeoutsideworld.Controlneednotmean4 frustrationorrenunciationofbasicneedgratifications.WhatIwouldcall the"Apollonizingcontrols"donotcallthegratificationofneedsinto

questionatalltheymakethemmoreratherthanlessenjoyablebye.g. suitabledelay(asinsex),bygracefulness(asindancingorswimming), byestheticizing(aswithfoodanddrink),bystylizing(asinsonnets),by ceremonializing,sacralizing,dignifying,bydoingsomethingwellrather thanjustdoingit. Andthentoo,whathastoberepeatedagainandagainisthatthehealthy personisnotonlyexpressive.Hemustbeabletobeexpressivewhenhe wishestobe.Hemustbeabletolet.himselfgo.Hemustbeabletodrop controls,inhibitions,defenseswhenhedeemsthisdesirable.Butequally, hemusthavetheabilitytocontrolhimself,todelayhispleasures,tobe politetoavoidhurting,tokeephismouthshut,andtoreinhisimpulses. HemustbeabletobeeitherDionysianorApollonian,Stoicor Epicurean,expressiveorcoping,controlledoruncontrolled,self disclosingorselfconcealing,abletohavefunandabletogiveupfun, abletothinkofthefutureaswellasthepresent.Thehealthyorself actualizingpersonisessentially TheQualitiesoftheWill/ 23 versatilehehaslostfewerofthehumancapabilitiesthantheaverage manhas.Hehasalargerarroamentariumofresponsesandmoves towardfullhumannessasalimitthatis,hehasallthehumancapacities. Controlanddisciplineareneededinallkindsoftraining,bothinlearning necessaryskillsandtechniquesandinactualizingtheunlimitedamount ofhumanpotential.Thismeansfirstdevelopingweakpsychological functionstoanormallevel,andthenbringingnormalcapacitiestoa higherdegreeofeffectiveness.Thepointisobviousandismoreorless consciouslyacceptedandtakenforgrantedinallformsofsportandalso inthedevelopmentofthetechnicalskillsnecessaryforartistic expression.Therecognitionandacceptanceoftheneedfordisciplinehas beenexpressedbyagreatviolinistKubelik,Ibelieve:"IfIdon't practiceforaday,IamawareofthedifferenceifIdon'tpracticefortwo days,myfriendsnoticeitifIdon'tpracticeforthreedaysthepublic remarksonit."Theuseofcontrolanddisciplineisofcoursebasicalsoin thetrainingofthewillitself,aswillbeclearinlaterchapters. Theresultofallcontrol,discipline,andtrainingistheachievementof mastery,whichgivesusbothmaximumeffectivenessandthemost intenseandenduringsenseoassurance,satisfaction,andjoy.

3.ConcentrationOnePointednessAttentionFocus Thisisanessentialqualityofthewill.Thelackofitcanrenderevenastrongwill ineffectual,whileitsapplicationmaysuccessfullycompensateforarelative weaknessintheforceor"voltage"ofthewill.Itsactionisanalogoustothatofa lens,whichbyfocusingtheraysofthesunconcentratesandintensifiestheheat. 24/THENATUREOPTHEWILL

Concentrationisproducedbyattention,thefunctionofwhichintheactof thewillhasbeenwellemphasizedbyWilliamJames.Suchattentioncan be"involuntary,"inthesensethatitcanbeproducedbyaneedor prevailinginterest.Butwhentheobjectoftheattentionisnotattractiveor "interesting"initself,attentionrequiresonepointedconcentrationand sustainedeffort. AninterestinganecdoteillustratingthepointistoldbyRamacharakain hisbookRajaYoga.HespeaksofthefamousnaturalistAgassizandhis methodoftrainingpupils: Hispupilsbecamerenownedfortheirclosepowersofobservationand perception,andtheirconsequentabilityto"think"aboutthethingsthey hadseen.Manyofthemrosetoeminentpositions,andclaimedthatthis waslargelybyreason"oftheircarefultraining.
ThetalerunsthatanewstudentpresentedhimselftoAgassizoneday,askingtobe settowork.Thenaturalisttookafishfromajarinwhichithadbeenpreserved, andlayingit'beforetheyoungstudent,badehimobserveitcarefully,andbeready toreportuponwhathehadnoticedaboutthefish.Thestudentwasthenleftalone withthefish.Therewasnothingespeciallyinterestingaboutthatfishitwaslike manyother,fishesthathehadseenbefore.Henoticedthatithadfinsandscales, andamouthandeyes,yes,andatail.Inahalfhourhefeltcertainthathehad observedallaboutthefishthatthere'wastobeperceived.Butthenaturalist remainedaway. Thetimerolledon,andtheyouth,havingnothingelsetodo,'begantogrow restlessandweary.Hestartedouttohuntuptheteacher,buthefailedtofindhim, andsohadtoreturnandgazeagainatthatwearisomefish.Severalhourshad passed,andheknewbutlittlemoreaboutthefishthanhedidinthefirstplace. Hewentouttolunch,andwhenhereturneditwasstillacaseofwatchingthefish. Hefeltdisgustedanddiscouraged,

TheQualitiesoftheWill/ 25
andwishedhehadnevercometoAgassiz,who,itseemed,wasastupidoldman afterallonewaybehindthetimes.Then,inordertokilltime,hebegantocount thescales.Thiscompleted,hecountedthespinesofthefins.Thenhebeganto

drawapictureofthefish.Indrawingthepicturehenoticedthatthefishhadno eyelids.Hethusmadethediscoverythatashisiteacherhadexpresseditoften,in lectures,"apencilisthebestofeyes."Shortlyaftertheteacherreturned,andafter ascertainingwhattheyouthhadobserved,heleftratherdisappointed,tellingthe boytokeeponlookingandmaybehewouldseesomething. Thisputtheboyonhismettle,andhebegantoworkwithhispencil,puttingdown littledetailsthathadescapedhimbefore,butwhichnowseemedveryplaintohim. Hebegantocatchthesecretofobservation.Littlebylittlehebroughttolightnew objectsofinterestaboutthefish.Butthisdidnotsufficehisteacher,whokepthim atworkonthesamefishforthreewholedays.Attheendofthattimethestudent reallyknewsomethingaboutthefish,and,betterthanall,hadacquiredthe "knack"andhabitofcarefulobservationandperceptionindetail. Yearsafter,thestudent,thenattainedtoeminence,isreportedassaying:"That wasthebestzoologicallessonIeverhadalessonwhoseinfluencehasextended tothedetailsofeverysubsequentstudyalegacythattheprofessorlefttome,as helefttomanyothers,ofinestimablevalue,whichwecouldnotbuy,andwith whichwecannotpart."

Concentrationofattentioncanbeexercisedinthreefieldsorspheresof reality.Itcanbeoutwarddirected,asinobservingsomenaturalobject likeafish,instudyinganissue,orinperforminganaction.Itcanalsobe innerdirected,whenusedtobecomeawareofandtoanalyzesubjective psychologicalstates:one'sthoughtsfantasies,ordrives.Itcanalsobe upwarddirected,wheithecenterofconsciousness,the"I,"directsits innergaze

26/THENATUREOFTHEWILL towardhigher,superconsciousprocessesandtheTranspersonalSelf.Thislastkind ofconcentrationisneededforcarryingontheinneractivityofmeditationandfor maintainingastateofcontemplation. Whileconcentrationgenerally,andespeciallyatfirst, requiresadefiniteactof will,aftersometimeitcanpersistonitsownwithoutanyeffortortensionofthe willitself.Thisisthecasewhenoneisabsorbedinthecontemplationofthebeauty ofsomenaturalobjector scenery,orisinthestate calledbythemystics"passive contemplation"or"orisonofquiet." Animportantandpracticaluseincarryingoutwilledactsofconcentration combinedwithcontrolconsistsinmaintainingclearlyandsteadilytheimagesand ideasoftheactionsonewillstoperforminthefieldofconsciousness.This impliesthevoluntaryutilizationofthemotorpotentialinherentinimagesand ideasasexpressedinthepsychologicallaw"Imagesormentalpicturesandideas tendtoproducethephysicalconditionsandtheexternalactsthatcorrespondto them." Boththewaythislawworksandhowitcanbestbeusedaredealtwithinthe

chapterontheSkillfulWill.Concentration,likeallotherqualitiesandfunctions, canbedevelopedbyappropriateexercisesandkeptataneffectivelevelby constantuse.Manyexercisesfordevelopingconcentrationcouldbementioned, butIthinkthatitisnotnecessarybecausealltheexercisesdescribedinthechapter ontheStrongWillrequireconcentrationandservetotrainanddevelopthis quality. 4.DeterminationDecisivenessResolutenessPromptness Thisqualityofthewillisdemonstratedchieflyinthe TheQualitiesoftheWill/ 27 stage ofDeliberation.*Thelackofdecisivenessandresolutenessisoneofthe weaknessesofdemocraticsystems,wheredeliberationcanbecomeanendless process.Weknowhowdifficultitistoinducealargeassemblytoarrive,ifnotat unanimity,atleastatamajoritydecision.Therearewellknownhistoricalexam plesofthisineffectivenessofassembliesoneconcernedtheRomanSenate:itwas saidthat"DumRomaeconsulitur,Seguntumexpugnatur"("WhiletheRoman Senatorsindulgedinconsultations,theenemyconqueredthetownofSeguntum"). Anotherandamusingexampleisthatofthecardinalsgatheredfortheelectionofa popeinViterbo.Theydiscussedandfoughtformonthsuntilfinallythepeople becameimpatientandangryanduncoveredtheroofof thehallwherethecardinals wereassembled.Afterthis,thedecisionwasquicklymade. Butonemustbecarefulnottoconfusepromptnessandrapiditywith impulsiveness.Impulsivenessdoesn'tstoptodeliberateatallitjumpsover,soto speak,thestageofdeliberation,sometimeswithfatalconsequences.Therefore,it isimportanttohavedeliberation,butwithouttoomuchlingeringnottodecideis alsoadecision,andmayturnouttobetheworstone. Determination,decisiveness,andresolutenessarealsomuchneededatthestageof theExecutionofthewilledact.Ithasbeensaidthatoneofthereasonsforthe successofNapoleonwashisrapidityofdecision.TheItalianphilosopherNiccolo Tommaseosaysthatresolutenessisanessentialcomponentofthestrengthofwill. Resolutenessiscloselyrelatedtoanotherqualityofthewillwhichwearegoingto considerlater:initiative,courage,daring.

ThestageofDeliberationintheactofwillisdiscussedatlengthin Chapter13
*

28/THENATUREOFTHEWIL 5.PersistenceEndurancePatience Forcertaintasksofgreatlength,steadfastnessofpurposeandpersistenceare neededevenmorethanenergy.Infact,theymayaptlyreplaceenergyinpersons whohavelittlephysicalstrength.Inthiscase,onemayeffectivelyusethe

techniqueof"littleandoften."Thatis,ofaccomplishingone'sworkinsmall installments,withshortandfrequentreststakenattheonsetoffatigue.Insucha way,CharlesDarwincompletedhismonumental OriginofSpecies, thus compensatingforthefactthathisphysicalenergywassolowthatheusuallycould notworkmuchmorethananhouraday. Anotherkindofpersistenceisthatexercisedinspiteofrepeatedfailures.Thisis thesecretofmanysuccessfulinventorsandscientists.ItissaidthatEdisontried abouttwothousandsubstancesbeforefindingcarbonwireformakinghiselectric bulb.Letusthinkhowmuchweowehimforthisextraordinarypersistence.He wouldhavebeenwelljustifiedifhehadgivenup theattemptsatthethousandthor eventhefivehundredthtrial. Thiskindofpersistencecanbecalledtenacity.Otherinstancesoftenacityare thoseofauthorswhooffertheirmanuscriptstoseveralpublishersinspiteof repeatedrefusals.AnoutstandingandamusingexampleisthatofJulesVerne,the pioneerofsciencefiction.Whenhewastwentyfiveandhadjustcompletedhis firstnovel,hewentwiththemanuscriptunderhisarm,knockingatthedoorof fourteenpublishers,allofwhomlaughedinhisface.Finallythefifteenth,Hetzel, tookthemanuscriptinordertoreadit.Aftertendays,Hetzelnotonlypledged himselftopublishthenovelbutofferedVerneacontractfortwentyyearsfora bookeachyear.ThefortuneofVernewasmade,andalsothatofHetzel.

TheQualitiesoftheWilt/ 29
Persistence,tenacity,andrepetitioncanbeseenalsointhenaturalworld.Thereis aLatinsayingthat"thedropmakesaholeinthestonenotthroughitsforce,butby itsconstantfalling."Thisisaprinciplewellunderstoodbyadvertisersand dictators.Likemanyqualitiesofthewill,persistencecanbeputtobadorgood uses.Itissuccessfullyandwellusedinonetechniqueemployedby psychosynthesis:repetition. Anotherformofpersistenceisthatof endurance.Itisoutstandinglydemonstrated intheenduranceofphysicalhardships,insportingeneral,especiallyinmountain climbing,andrecentlywasadmirablyapparentintheastronauts.Itisasaving qualitywhenonefindsoneselfinprotractedpainfulandunavoidableconditions. OneoutstandingexampleofenduranceisthatofViktorFrankl'swilledsurvivalof Naziconcentrationcamps,vividlydescribedinhisbookFromDeathCampto Existentialism.Suchheroiccasescanhelpusovercomeany tendencytoward grumbling,selfpity,andgivingupwhenfacedwithmuchmuchlesserphysical hardshipsoradverseconditions.Fromtheexistentialviewpoint,theattitudeof endurancecanbecalled"willingnesstoacceptsuffering."Ithasbeenfoundthat therefusaltoacceptsufferingcanoftencreateneuroticconditions,whilegenerous acceptanceofunavoidablesufferingleadstoinsight,growth,andachievement. Anotherformofpersistenceispatience.Thisqualityisgenerallynotassociated withwillbecauseofalimitedunderstandingofwhatthewillentails,butpatience isjpartofthefullydevelopedwill.Manyauthorshavepatientlywrittenand rewrittenpartsoftheirworkuntiltheyweresatisfiedthatitwasasgoodasthey

couldmakeit.HermannKeyserling,whowasaprolificandeasywriter,and generallyrevisedverylittleornotatall,said 30/THENATUREOFTHEWILL thatwhenheworkedatwhathehimselfrightlyconsideredhismostimportant work, Meditationssudamericaines,herewrotesomeofthechapterssixorseven timeseach.AndHemingway,whoalsogenerallywrotefluentlywithoutrevising, rewroteoneofhisshortstoriesseveraldozentimes. 6.InitiativeCourageDaring Thisqualityhastworootsoneistherecognitionthatfullandlastingsecurityis fundamentallyanillusion,Thereisnocompletesecurityinourlife,physical, financial,orofotherkinds.Sothecravingforsecurityatanycostisselfdefeating. Itisabourgeoisattitude,againstwhich,atpresent,thereisahealthyreaction, particularlyamongtheyoung. Theotherincentivetowardcourageistheenhancementandstimulationgivenby danger,byrisk.Thisoftenbringsafeelingofintensealivenessandclarityandcan createatrueexpansionofconsciousnessandevenanecstaticstate.Such experienceshavebeendescribedbysomemountainclimbers,parachutists,deep seadivers,andastronauts.Ofcourse,risksshouldnotberecklessandthoughtless herealsothereisadangerofoverdoing,andoftakingneedlesschancesthathave nopurposeexcepttheemotionalexcitementtheygive.Courageousrisktakingis justifiedandappropriatewhenithasawellthoughtoutpurposeandvalue,butis notprimarilyanendinitself. 7.OrganizationIntegrationSynthesis Thisqualityofthewillis,inacertainsense,themostimportant,theonewhich enablesittofulfillitsuniqueandspecificfunction.Thisfunctionandthewayit operatesmaybeilluminatedbyananalogywithahealthy
TheQualitiesoftheWill/ 31

body.Inthebodythereisamarvelouscoordination of theactivitiesofeverycell, organ,andgroupsoforgans,thefunctionandpurposeofwhicharetokeepthe bodyaliveandactive.Thebodyshowsanintelligentcooperationofeachelement, fromthecellstothelargefunctionalsystemssuchasthecirculatorysystem,the digestive,andsoon.Thereisacomplexinteractionandmutualbalancingofthe activityoftheendocrineglands,regulatedbythenervoussysteminordertocreate aconditionofequilibriumandtomaintainitinspiteofalldisturningimpactsfrom theexternalworld.Thusthebodyisaunifiedorganism,afunctionalunitof countlessdiversepartsaperfectdemonstrationof unityindiversity. Whatistheunifyingprinciplethatmakesthispossible?Itsrealnatureescapesus wecanonlycallitlifebutsomethingcanbesaidofitsqualitiesandwaysof operating.Theyhavebeenvariouslycalledcoordination,interaction, or organic

synthesis.AccordingtothemathematicianLuigiFantappie,thisprincipleisoneof themanifestationsofthegenerallawof syntropy,or negativeentropy,ofwhichhe hasgivenaprecisemathematicalformulationverifiedbyobservations.Syntropyis beginningtoberecognizedasafundamentalprincipleofnature,onehavingfar reaching,universalimplications.BuckminsterFullerstates,"Mycontinuing philosophyispredicated,first,ontheassumptionthatincounterbalancetothe expandinguniverseofentropicallyincreasingrandomdisorderlinesstheremustbe auniversalpatternofomnicontracting,convergent,progressiveorderliness,and thatmanisthatantientropicreorderingfunction. TeilharddeChardingivesampleevidenceofthislaw,whichisatthebasisofall evolutionbiological,psychological,andspiritualandproduceswhathecalls 32/THENATUREOFTHEWILL "complexification"and"convergence."Hedescribesthevariousstagesofthis processofsynthesiswhichinhumanitybecomesconscioustowardand includingasuperindividual*andcosmiccenterwhichhecallstheomegapoint. Ifweconsiderthisprocess"fromwithin,"wefindthatwecanhaveaconscious existentialexperienceofit.Wecanexperienceitasan intelligentenergy,directed towardadefiniteaim,havingapurpose.Thesearealsothespecificcharacteristics ofthewillasanexpressionofthesynthesizingself.Weneednotdiscusshowthe unifying,synergeticforceoperatesatthebiologicallevels.Whatmattersisto realizethatwecanbeawareofitshighermanifestationsintheconscioushuman being,andalsoattranspersonallevels.Thisqualityofthewilloperatesinvarious ways.First,asaninnersynergy,coordinatingthevariouspsychologicalfunctions itistheunifyingforcewhichtendstoward,andenablesonetoachieve,personal psychosynthesis.Itisalsoactiveatthetranspersonallevelandworkstowardthe unificationofthepersonalcenterofconsciousness,the"I"orego,withthe Transpersonal Self,leadingtothecorrespondingharmoniouscooperationofthe personalwillwiththeTranspersonalWill(transpersonalorspiritual psychosynthesis). Thewilldemonstratessynergyalsointheouteractivitiesoftheindividual,inhis actsofwilling,bothincoordinatingandorganizingthoseactivitiesthrough PlanningandPrograming(thefifthstageofthewillinaction)andinDirectingand RegulatingthesuccessivephasesoftheirExecution(sixthstage).

*Hereasemanticclarificationisneededinordertoavoidconfusionand misunderstandings.WhilepsychologistssuchasJungusetheterm "individuality"todescribethehigheraspectsofthehumanbeing,tobe attainedthroughwhattheycallaprocessof"individuation,"Teilhardde Chardin,adoptingtheterminologygenerallyusedbyChristianwriters, usesthewords"personality"andtheprocessof"personalization"to describethehigheraimaboveandbeyondthe"individual." TheQualitiesoftheWill/ 33

Theoperationofthelawsofcooperation,organization,andsynthesisisevidentnot onlyintheintrapersonal.realmbutalsointhelargefieldofinterpersonalrelation ships,fromthecoupletoallsocialgroupsandfinallythewholeofhumanity.Its expressionshavebeenvariouslycalledempathy,identification,love,socialwill.It tendstotranscendtheoppositionbetweentheindividualandsociety,theselfish unselfishpolarity.Maslowcalledthetranscendenceofthisdichotomy"thecreation ofasuperordinateunity." Finally,thereistheplanetaryandcosmicsynergywhichbyanalogycanbe surmisedtobetheexpressionofthedeliberateactionofthewillofcorresponding transhumanprinciplesorentities,asTeilharddeChardinasserts.This,according tohim,isthelogical,necessarygoalofthewholeevolutionaryprocess.Ihad arrivedatthesameconclusionbeforeknowingTeilharddeChardin'swritings,and hadexpresseditinmypaper"PsychoanalysisandPsychosynthesis,"publishedin 1934in TheHibbertJournal,andlaterincludedinmybookPsychosynthesisunder thetitle"DynamicPsychologyandPsychosynthesis":

Fromastillwiderandmorecomprehensivepointofview,universallife itselfappearstousasastrugglebetweenmultiplicityandunityalabor andanaspirationtowardsunion.Weseemtosensethatwhetherwe conceiveitasadivinebeingorascosmicenergytheSpiritworking uponandwithinallcreationisshapingitintoorder,harmony,and beauty,unitingallbeings(somewillingbutthemajorityasyetblindand rebellious)witheachotherthroughlinksoflove,achievingslowlyand silently,butpowerfullyandirresistiblytheSupremeSynthesis.

34 / THENATUREOFTHEWILL

TheActofWill
ROBERTOASSAGIOLI,M.D.

4
THESTRONGWILL
Aswehaveseen,thestrongwillisinasensethemostbasicaswellasthemost familiaraspectofthewill.Inthestrengthofthewillliesitspower,itsimpetus,its energy.Indevelopingthestrengthofthewillwemakesurethatawilledactwill containenoughintensity,enough"fire,"tocarryoutitspurpose. Aswithotherfunctions,thestrengthofthewillcanbedevelopedandincreased throughpracticeandexercise.However,mayIemphasizeagainthatwhilestrength isanimportantaspectofthewillitisonlyoneofitsaspectstherefore,atthesame timethatwetrytoincreasethestrengthofthewill,letusworkaswellat developingall theotheraspects:theskillfulwill,thegoodwill,andthe TranspersonalWill. Sincethestrongwillisalreadyfamiliartomostofus,Iwillbegin,withoutfurther description,todiscusssomeof thepracticalmethodsandexerciseswhichcanbe usedfordevelopingit.Toensuresuccessintrainingthewillgenerally,aproper preparationisneededforarousing 35 theinitialurgeandimpetusthispreparationshouldproducealively,fervid,and intensedesiretodevelopthewill,leadingtothefirmdecisiontodoallthatis necessaryforattainingthatend.Thisinitselfrequiresacertainamountofwill but,fortunately,allofushaveatleastsomewill,andalthoughitmayonlyexistin anembryonicstate,stillitissufficientforabeginningtobemade.Thisfirm determinationcan,resultfromtheinitialurgeandimpetusofastrongdesireto developthewill. EXERCISESFORSTRENGTHENINGTHEWILL

I.RealizingtheValueoftheWill
Settleyourselfintoacomfortablepositionwithyourmusclesrelaxed.

A..Picturetoyourselfasvividlyaspossiblethelossofopportunity,the damage,thepaintoyourselfandotherswhichhasactuallyoccurred,and

whichmightagainoccur,asaresultofthepresentlackofstrengthof yourwill.Examinetheseoccasions,onebyone,formulatingthem clearlythenmakealistof\theminwriting.Allowthefeelingswhich these,recollectionsandforecastsarousetoaffectyouintensely.Thenlet themevokeinyouastrongurgetochangethiscondition. B.Picturetoyourselfasvividlyaspossiblealltheadvantagesthatan effectivewillcanbringtoyouallthebenefits,opportunities,and satisfactionswhich'willcomefromittoyourselfandothers.Examine themcarefully,onebyone.Formulatethemwithclarityandwritethem down.Allowthefeelings
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arousedbytheseanticipationstohavefullsway:thewofthegreat possibilitiesthatopenupbeforeyoutheintensedesiretorealizethem thestrongurgetobeginatonce.

C.Pictureyourselfvividlyasbeinginpossessionofastrongwillseeyourself walkingwithafirmanddeterminedstep,actingineverysituationwithdecision, focusedintention,andpersistenceseeyourselfsuccessfullyresistinganyattempt atintimidationandenticementvisualizeyourselfasyouwillbewhenyouhave attainedinnerandoutermastery.* II.EvokingFeelingsTowardtheWill Thisexerciseconsistsofusingreadingmaterialparticularlysuitedtothe cultivationandreinforcementofthefeelingsandthedeterminationarousedbythe previousone.Thematerialshouldbeencouraging,positive,anddynamicin character,andapttoarouseselfrelianceandtoincitetoaction.Verysuitablefor thispurposearebiographiesofoutstandingpersonalitieswhohavepossessedgreat will,andbooksandarticlesintendedtoawakentheinnerenergies.Butinorderto getfullbenefitfromsuchacourseofreadingitmustbeperformedinaspecial way.Readslowly,withundividedattention,markingthepassagesthatimpressyou andcopyingthosethataremoststrikingorwhichseemspeciallyadaptedtoyour case.ThefollowingquotationfromEmerson's"SelfReliance"hasbeenusefulto many: Thereisatimeineveryman'seducationwhenhearrivesattheconvictionthat envyisignorancethatimitationissuicide *Thisisthetechniqueofthe"IdealModel."Theexerciseasawholeisbasedon thetechniqueofvisualization,becauseofitsvalueandeffectivenessinany creativeprocess.SeethediscussionoftheIdealModelandVisualizationinmy Pyclwynthesis,pp.16677,and14551.

TheStrongMil/37 thathemusttakehimselfforbetter,forworse,ashisportionthatthough thewideuniverseisfullofgood,nokernelofnourishingcorncancome tohimbutthroughhistoil bestowedonthatplotofgroundwhichisgiven himtotill.Thepowerwhichresidesinhimisnewinnature,andnonebut heknowswhatthatiswhichhecando,nordoesheknowuntilhehas tried. Itisworthwhiletorereadthesepassagesseveraltimes,absorbingtheir fullmeaning. Theseexercisescreatetheinnercondition,producetheinnerfervor neededformakingthedecisiontodevotethetime,energy,andmeans necessaryforthedevelopmentofthewill. , Awordofwarning:donottalkaboutthismatterwithothers,noteven withthelaudableintentionofinducingthemtofollowyourexample. Talkingtendstodispersetheenergiesneededandaccumulatedforaction. Andifyourpurposeismadeknowntoothers,itmayprovokeskepticalor cynicalremarkswhichmayinjectdoubtanddiscouragement.Workin silence. Thispreparationlaysthegroundforthefollowingexercises,whichare aimedatthedirectstrengtheningofthewill.
TheGymnasticsoftheWill

III"Useless"Exercises

Thefoundationofthemethodissimple.Everyorganofourbodyand everyfunctioncanbedevelopedbyexercise.Musclesbecomestronger byaseriesofcontractions.Inordertostrengthenaspecificmuscleor groupoftmuscles,asinthecaseofaweakenedlimb,thereare!exercises arrangedinsuchawayastoputintomotionjonlythatweakpartofthe body.Inasimilarmanner,in|

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ordertostrengthenthewill,itisbesttoexerciseitindependentlyofevery otherpsychologicalfunction.Thiscanbeaccomplishedbyperforming deliberateactswhichhavenootherpurposethanthetrainingofthewill. Theapplicationofsuchseemingly"useless"exerciseshasbeenstrongly advocatedbyWilliamJamesintheseterms: Keepaliveinyourselfthefacultyofmakingeffortsbymeansoflittle uselessexerciseseveryday,thatistosay,besystematicallyheroicevery

dayinlittleunnecessarythingsdosomethingeveryotherdayforthesole andsimplereasonthatitisdifficultandyouwouldprefernottodoit,so thatwhenthecruelhourofdangerstrikes,youwillnotbeunnervedor unprepared.Aselfdisciplineofthiskindissimilartotheinsurancethat onepaysonone'shouseandonone'spossessions.Topaythepremiumis notpleasantandpossiblymayneverserveus,butshouldithappenthat ourhousewereburnt,thepaymentwillsaveusfromruin.Similarly,the manwhohasaccustomedhimselfsteadily,fordayafterday,to concentratehisattention,towillhisenergy,forinstance,nottospend moneyonunnecessarythings,willbewellrewardedbyhiseffort.When disastersoccur,hewillstandfirmasarockeventhoughfacedonallsides byruin,whilehiscompanionsindistresswillbesweptasideasthechaff fromthesieve. Later,BoydBarrettbasedamethodofwilltrainingonexercisesofthis sort.Itconsistsincarryingoutanumberofsimpleandeasylittletasks, withprecision,regularity,andpersistence.Theseexercisescanbeeasily performedbyanyone,nospecialconditionsbeingrequired.Itisenough tobealoneandundisturbedforfiveortenminuteseveryday.Eachtask orexercisehastobecarriedoutforseveraldays,usuallyaweek,andthen replacedbyanotherinordertoavoidmonotonyandtheformationofa habitleadingtoautomaticperformance.Hereisanexerciseofthiskind, quotedfromBoydBarrett'sbook StrengthofWillandHowtoDevelopIt: TheStrongWill/39
Resolution"Eachday,forthenextsevendays,Iwillstandonachairhereinmy room,fortenconsecutiveminutes,andIwilltrytodosocontentedly."Attheend ofthistenminutes'ta!writedownthesensationsandthementalstatesyouhave experiencedduringthattime.Dothesameoneachofthesevendays... . Thefollowingareexcerptsfromreportscontainedinthebook: 1stday:Exercisealittlestrange,unnatural.Hadtosmileorcrossmyarmsand standakimboinordertofeelcontented.Itwasarduoustometoholdmyselfinan attitudeofvoluntarysatisfactiondoingnothing.NaturallyIwasdistractedby variousthoughts,forinstance,"Whatwillthisexperienceleadto?",etc. 2ndday: Thetimeoftheexercisepassedeasilyandagreeably.Ihadasenseof satisfaction,ofpride,ofvirility.Ifeel"tonedup"mentallyandphysicallybythe merefactofexercisingmywill,andbyholdinginmyresolution. 3rdday:Havehadasenseofpowerinperformingthisexerciseimposedbymyself onmyself.Joyandenergyareexperiencedinwilling.Thisexercise"tonesmeup" morally,andawakensinmeasenseofnobility,andofvirility.Imaintainan

attitude,notofsubmissionandresignation,butofwillingactivelywhatramdoing, anditisthisthatgivesmesatisfaction. BoydBarrett proposesseveralotherexercisesofthesamekind:

1.Repeatquietlyandaloud:"Iwilldothis,"keepingtimewirhythmic movementsofastickor rulerforfiveminutes. 2.Walktoandfroinaroom,touchinginturn,say,aclockonthe mantelpieceandaparticular paneofglassforfiveminutes., 3.Listentothetickingofaclockorwatch,makingsomedefinite movementsateveryfifthtick. 4.Getupanddownfromachairthirtytimes.

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5.Replaceinabox,veryslowlyanddeliberately,onehundredmatchesor bitsofpaper(anexerciseparticularlyadaptedtocombatimpulsiveness).
Similartechniquescanbeinventedadlibitum.Theimportantthingisnotthedoing ofthisorthatexercise,butthemannerinwhichitisperformed.Itshouldbedone willingly,withinterest,withprecision,withstyle.Tryalwaystoimprovethe quality ofthework,theclearnessofintrospection,thefidelityofthewritten account,andabovealltodeveloptheawarenessandtheenergyofthewill.Itis goodtocompetewithoneselfinotherwords,toassumea"sportingattitude"in thebestsenseoftheword.

IV.PhysicalExercisesintheStrengtheningoftheWill
Theseconstituteaveryeffectivetechniquewhenusedwiththespecificintention andpurposeof developingthewill.AstheFrenchwriterGillethasexpressedit, "Gymnasticsaretheelementaryschoolofthewill...andserveasamodelforthat ofthemind."Inreality,everyphysicalmovementisanactofwill,acommand giventothebody,andthedeliberaterepetitionofsuchactswithattention,effort, andenduranceexerciseandinvigoratethewill.Organicsensationsarethus aroused:allproduceasenseofinnerstrength,ofdecision,ofmasterythatraises thetoneofthewillanddevelopsitsenergy.However,toextractfromsuch exercisesthefullestbenefit,itisnecessarythattheybeperformedwiththe exclusiveaim,oratleastwiththeprincipalobjective,oftrainingthewill. Suchexercisesmustbeperformedwithmeasuredprecisionandattention.They shouldnotbetooforceful ortoofatiguingbuteverysinglemovementorgroupof

TheStrongWill/41

movementsmustbeexecutedwithlivelinessanddecision.Exercisesorsportsbest fittedforthispurposearenottheonesofaviolentandexcitingnature,butrather thosethatcallforendurance,calmness,dexterity,andcouragepermitting interruptionandvarietyofmovement.Manyoutdoorsportssuchasgolf,tennis, skating,hiking,andclimbingareparticularlysuitableforthetrainingofthewill butwheretheyarenotpossible,physicalexercisescanalwaysbecarriedoutinthe privacyofone'sroom.Therearemanybooksormanualsdealingwiththe techniquesofbodymovement.

V.ExercisesoftheWillinDailyLife
Dailylife,withitsmanytasksandoccupationpresentscountlessopportunitiesfor developingthew.iMostofouractivitiescanbehelpfulinthisway,because throughourpurpose,ourinnerattitude,andthewayinwhichweaccomplishthem, theycanbecomedefiniteexercisesofthewill.Forinstance,themerefactofrising inthemorningatadefinitetimecanbeofvalue,ifforthatpurposewerisetenor fifteenminutesearlierthanusual.Also,gettingdressedinthemorningcanbesuch anopportunity,ifweaccomplishthevariousnecessasymovementswithattention andprecision,swiftlybutnothurriedly:"calmrapidity"isausefulwatchword.To| makehasteslowlyisnoteasy,butitispossibleanditleadstogreater effectiveness,enjoyment,andcreativenesswithouttensionandwithoutexhaustion. Itisnoteasybecauseitrequiresadualattitudeandawareness:thatof"theone whoacts"andsimultaneouslythatoftheonewholooksonastheobserver. Duringtherestofthedayonecandonumerousexercisesforthedevelopmentof thewillwhichatthesametimeenableonetounfoldotherusefulqualities. 42/THENATUREOFTHEWILL Forinstance,remainingsereneduringone'sdailywork,nomatterhowtediousthe taskmaybeorcontrollingactsofimpatiencewhenconfrontedwithminor difficultiesandannoyances,suchasdrivinginheavytraffic,orbeingkeptwaiting, ornoticingthemistakesorfaultsofasubordinate,orbeingunjustlytreatedbya superior. Again,whenwereturnhome,wehavetheopportunityforsimilarsimplevaluable exercises:controllingtheimpulsetogiveventtoourbadtempercausedbyvarious vexations,preoccupations,orbusinessworriesdealingserenelywithwhatever comesourwayandtryingtoadjustdisharmoniesinthehome.Atthedinnertable, anexercisenolessusefulforhealthasforthewillistocontrolthedesireor impulsetoeatquicklywhilethinkingofbusiness,etc.,trainingourselvesinsteadto chewwellandtoenjoyourmealwitharelaxedandcalmmind.Intheeveningwe haveotheroccasionsfortraining,suchaswhenwewanttoresisttheallurements ofpeopleorthingsthatwouldmakeuswastetimeandenergy. Whetherawayatbusinessorinthehome,wecanresolutelyceaseworkingwhen tired,controllingthehurrytogetajobfinished.Wecangiveourselveswiserest andrecreationashortresttakenintime,attheoutsetoffatigue,isofgreater benefitthanalongrestnecessitatedbyexhaustion.

Duringtheserestperiods,afewmuscularexercisesorrelaxationforafewminutes withclosedeyeswillsuffice.Formentalfatigue,physicalexercisesaregenerally themostbeneficial,andeachindividualcanfindoutbypracticewhatsuitshim best.Oneoftheadvantagesofsuchshortinterruptionsisthatonedoesnotlose interestin,ortheimpetusfor,theworkinhand,andatthesametimeone overcomesfatigueandnervoustension.An

TheStrongWill/ 43
orderedrhythminouractivitiesgeneratesharmonyinourbeing,andharmonyisa universallawoflife. Oneofthechiefdifficultiesindevelopingawillwhichisweakisthelackofwill withwhichtowork!Itishelpfulinthissituationtoengagetemporarilythe cooperation<someofthepersonaldrives,suchasprideorambitionwhichmay provideastrongerincentivethan thepurewill.Oneofthebestincentivesisthe instincttoplaythesportingattitudeofacontestwithoneselfcreatesadrive which,beinginterestingandamusing,doesnotarousetheresistanceorrebellion thatwouldresultfromforcefulimpositionofthewill. Awordofwarning:itisnotnecessary,orevendesirable,todoallofthese exercisesatonce.Itis,rather,advisabletobeginwithonlyafew,spreadoverthe day,beginningwiththeeasierones.Whensuccesshasbeenachievedwiththese, onecangraduallyincreasetheirnumber,varyingandalternatingthem,performing themcheerfullyandwithinterest,scoringsuccessesandfailures,settingoneself recordsandtryingtobeattheminacompetitive,sportingspirit.Thusthedangeris avoidedofmakinglifetoorigidandmechanical,renderinginsteadinterestingand colorfulwhatotherwisewouldbetiresomeduties.Allwithwhomweare associatedcanbecomeourcooperators(withouttheirknowingit').Forinstance,a domineeringsuperior oranexactingpartnerbecomes,asitwere,themental parallelbarsonwhichourwillthewilltorighthumanrelationscandevelop itsforceandproficiency.Delayinbeingservedwitha?mealgivesusthe opportunitytoexercisepatienceandserenity,aswellasthechancetoreadagood bookwhile waiting.Talkativefriendsortimewastersgiveusthechanceto controlspeechtheyteachustheartof 44/THENATUREOFTHEWILL courteousbutfirmrefusaltoengageinunnecessary conversations.Tobeableto say"no"isadifficultbutusefuldiscipline.SotheBuddhistsayinggoes:"An enemyisasusefulasaBuddha."

TheStrongWill/45

TheActofWill
ROBERTOASSAGIOLI,M.D.

5
THESKILLFULWILL: PSYCHOLOGICALLAWS
Modernpsychologyhasshownthatifthewillputsitsetindirectoppositiontothe otherpsychologicalforces,suchastheimagination,emotions,ordrives,itwill oftenbeoverpowered.YetthelimitedVictorianconceptionothewillasforce alonepromptsustouseourwillinjussuchadirectandoftenclumsy,oreven brutal,way.Orasareaction,wemayswingtotheoppositeextremeonotusingthe willatall. Inotherwords,aswehavesaid,therearetwogeneralmistakescausedbyextreme attitudesheldtowardthwillanditsrelationtotheotherpsychologicalfunctions Oneisthetraditionalattempttoforcethesefunctionintooperationbysheerpower anddirectimposition.Thothermistake,whichisprevalenttoday,istoabdicateth will:urges,drives,anddesiresareallowedto"happen,withoutanyregulationor consistentdirection.Insuchisituation,thefunctionthatisstrongestatthemoment willcaptureone'sattentionandexpressitself,andinidoingwillinhibitorrepress alltheotherlesspowerful
46

functions.Thisproducesinnerconflictandstress,reducedeffectivenessthrough dispersalofenergies,andpotentiallyharmfulreactionswithinoneselfandbetween oneselfandothers. Wecanavoidboththesemistakeswhenwerealizeandrememberthatthewillis capableofachievingitspurposeprovideditisnotonlystrongbutalsoskillful. Theessentialfunctionoftheskillfulwill,whichweneedtocultivate,istheability todevelopthatstrategywhichismosteffectiveandwhichentailsthegreatest economyofeffort,ratherthanthestrategythatismostdirectandobvious.For example,ifwewanttogetacargoingandwegetbehinditandpushwithallour strength,weuseawillwhichisonlystrong.Butifwesitinthedriver'sseat,turn ontheignition,anddrivethecar,weuseaskillfulwill.Inthefirstcasewehavea considerableprobabilityoffailing,andevenifsuccessful,wewillhaveneedlessly expendedaconsiderableamountofenergy.Wewillhavemadeaveryunpleasant effortwhichmayleaveustemporarilyexhausted,andwewillcertainlydoourbest

toavoidrepeatingsuchanexperienceinthefuture.Inthesecondcase,weare guaranteedsuccesswithabareminimumofeffortprovidedwehavepreviously acquiredanunderstandingofthecarandsufficientskillinhandlingit. Themosteffectiveandsatisfactoryroleofthewillisnotasasourceof direct powerorforce,butasthatfunctionwhich,beingatourcommand,canstimulate, regulate,anddirectalltheotherfunctionsandforcesofourbeingsothattheymay leadustoourpredeterminedgoal.But,justaswiththecar,forthisweneedto havesomeunderstandingofthepsychologicalworldinwhich,andonwhich,the willhastooperate.Withthisunderstanding,wecanchoosethemostpractical, efiec

TheSkillfulWill:PsychologicalLaws/47
tive,andeffortsavingmeansandstrategiestoproceedalongourway.Weneedto knowthebasicelementsofthispsychologicalworld,theforcesactiveinit,andthe lawsthatregulatethewilledact.Thisknowledgeleadstotheskillfuldirectionof theintendedactivityofthewill,andenablesustomakecountlesspractical applicationsofthosepsychologicallaws,underthedirectionofthewill. Intheremainderofthischapterwewilldealwiththesepsychologicalelements, forces,andlaws.Inthe nextchapterwewillpresentanumberofspecific techniquesandtheirrationale,fortheuseoftheskillful will.Thesetechniques, whichcanbeseenasexamples illustratingthegeneralprincipleswehave discussed,havebeenchosenbecauseoftheireffectivenessinabroad|rangeof everydaylifesituations.Therefore,besidesrepresentingtypicalutilizationsofthe basicconceptsandmethodsoftheskillfulwill,theywillofferthereaderpractical meanstodevelopandexercisehisownskillfullwill,andtoappreciateitsvalueout ofpersonalexperience.Asonegainsincreasedproficiencyandfamiliarity,onecan thenproceedtomodifythesetechniquesasdesiredforhisindividualneeds,andto developnewones. PsychologicalElements Thegeneralpsychologicalstructureofthehumanbeing,therelationshipbetween thepersonalIandtheTranspersonalSelf,andtherelationshipbetweentheareaof awarenessandthesurroundingunconscioushavebeenbrieflyindicatedinChapter 2(seediagram,page14).*Butitisalsonecessarytobeawareofthevarious psychologicalfunctionsandtheirrelationshiptooneanother.

*Itseemsunnecessarytorepeatherethefulldiscussionofthesepointsto foundinPychoynthesis,pp.l622.
48/THENATUREOFTHEWILL Manyclassificationsofthemhavebeenmade,butIconsiderthefollowingtobe themostinclusive:I.Sensation2.EmotionFeeling3.ImpulseDesire4. Imagination5.Thought6.Intuition7.Will.Theyarerepresentedonceagainin

thefollowingdiagram,inwhichthespecificandcentralpositionofthewillis indicated:

1Sensation 2.EmotionFeeling 3.ImpulseDesire 4. Imagination 5. Thought 6. Intuition 7.Will 8.Centralpoint:TheI,orpersonalself

Therelationshipsamongthesefunctionsarecomplex,buttherearetwokindsof interactions:first,thosethattakeplacespontaneously,onemightsay mechanicallysecond,thosethatcanbeinfluenced,governed,anddirectedbythe will. PsychologicalForces Thisleadstoaconsiderationofthedifferencebetweenwhatcanbecalledthe "plastic"unconsciousandthe"structured,"or"conditioned,"unconscious.In classical TheSkillfulWill:PsychologicalLaws/ 4.9 psychoanalysistheemphasisisonthelatter:detectingrepressions,complexes, conflicts,andattemptingtoeliminatethemarethechiefaims.Butthereisalarge portionoftheunconsciouswhichisnotthusconditionedit plastic,andits susceptibilitytobeinginfluencedmakesitlikeaninexhaustiblestoreofunexposed photographfilm.Theconditionedunconscious,ontheotherhandcanbecompared toanaccumulationofalreadyexposefilm.Inthisrespectwearelikemotion pictureearnerfunctioninguninterruptedly,sothatateverymomentnewsectionof thesensitivefilmisreceivingimpressionsoftheimageswhichhappentoappear beforetheleiButthenewimpressionsthusreceiveddonotremaininastatic condition.They actinustheyarelivingforthatstimulateandevokeotherforces, inaccordancewiththepsychologicallawswhichwillbeenumeratedinthenext section.Thismaybelookedatfromadifferentangle,byemployinganother analogy.Justasourbodyiscontinuallyabsorbingvitalelementsfromtheouter world,from theair,fromlight,water,andfromvariousfoods,andtheseelements exercisevariousinfluencesuponitaccordingtotheirnaturebetheybeneficialor harmful,wholesomeorunwholesomesointhesamewayourunconsciousis continuallyabsorbingelementsfromthepsychologicalenvironment.Itbreathes,as

itwere,andunceasinglyassimilatespsychologicalsubstanceswhosenature determineswhethertheireffectsuponusarebeneficialorharmful.Accordingto theHindus: Sarvamannam,everythingisfood.Wefeednotonlyonvegetarianornon

vegetarianfood,butonallsoundandvisual,vibrations,onallkindsof impressions:architecturalproportions,unionofformsandcolors, harmoniesandrhythmsof

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'musicandalltheideaswithwhichwecomeincontactAllthis,absorbed

mechanicallyandwithou realattention"throughouttheday,hasmadeupourbeingandcontinues todoso.

Butwecanalsolearntousetheseinfluencesskillfully,tobuildinourselveswhat wechoosetohave.Fortheir,dynamicsareregulatedbylawsasdefiniteasthose governingphysicalenergies. Thevariouspsychologicalfunctionscaninterpenetrateandinteract,butthewillis inapositiontodirect theirinterpenetrationandinteraction.Thecentralityofthe willallowsitsupremacythroughitsregulatingpower,butthispowerisinturn governedbypsychologicallaws.Ignoringtheselawsmeanstowaste,ortorisk misusing,theinherentpowerwhichthewill,becauseofitscentrality,has.So knowledgeoftheselaws,andtheuseoftechniquesbasedonthem,isof fundamentalimportance.Wewillenumerateherethosewhichhaveapractical bearingontheuseofthewill.Ibelievethatknowingtheselawsandsomeoftheir practicalapplications,whichwewilldiscussinthenextchapter,providesafirm basisforanyonewhowouldtrainhiswilltoactskillfully.Thereadermaywantto studythelawsonceandthenreturntothemlatertosolidifyhisunderstanding. LawIImagesormentalpicturesandideastendtoproducethephysical conditionsandtheexternalactsthatcorrespondtothem. Thislawhasbeenformulatedalsointhefollowingway:"Everyimagehasinitself amotorelement." Everyideaisanactataninitialstage.William Jameswasoneof thefirsttocallattentionto"ideomotor"action,inwhichacentralideareleases, triggers,andgiveslifetothewaitingmuscularsystem.

TheSkillfulWill:PsychologicalLaws/ 5I
Theexistenceofthislaw,orprocess,hasbeen abundantlyprovedbytheeffectsof hypnoticinfluence,andinthewakingstate,ofsuggestionandautosuggestion.To theobjectionthatoneisoftennotawarethatimagesandideastransform themselvesintoactions,thereplycanbemadethatthisisbecause,ordinarily, numerousmentalpicturescrowdinonusatthesametimeorinrapidsuccession,

conflictingwithandhinderingeachotherThislawisatthebaseofall psychosomaticinfluencebothpathologicalandtherapeutic,anditisoneofthe factswhichaccountformasssuggestion,socleverlyandsuccessfullyexploitedby advertisersandother"persuaders,"includingpoliticalleaders. Thecentrallylocatedwillcanmobilizetheenergiesofimaginationandofthought, andutilizetheseenergieswithintheindividualtocarryoutitsplan.Sothewillcan beusedpurposefullyandconsciouslybytheindividualtochoose,evoke,and concentrateontheimagesandideasthatwillhelptoproducetheactionshe desires.Forexample,imagesorideasof courageandhighpurpose,usedskillfully, tendtoevokecourageandproducecourageousacts.

LawIIAttitudes,movements,andactionstendtoevokecorresponding imagesandideasthese,inturn(accordingtothenextlaw)evokeor intensifycorrespondingemotionsandfeelings.

Thisisclearlyprovedbythefollowingexperiment:ifweshutthefistofasensitive hypnotizedsubject,hewillgraduallyshuttheotherfist,raisehisarm,closehislips tightly,andfrown,untilhisentireaspectwillsuggestagrowinginnerstateof anger.Weknowthatto"playarole"inlifetendstoarousethecorrespondingideas andfeelingsthus,speakingwithaharshvoiceandbehavingasifonewereangry tendstoawakenrealanger.One 52/THENATUREOFTHEWILL oftenseesthisinchildrenwhobegintofightforfun,butgraduallybecomeso involvedthattheyendbyfightinginearnest. Thislawprovidesthebasisofthemethodusedbysomepeopletopenetrateinto andunderstandthepsychologicalconditionsofothers.Theyartificiallyimitatethe bodypostureandfacialexpressionofsomeonetheyareobserving,andinsodoing arouseinthemselvesthecorrespondingpsychologicalconditions. Thus,thewillcanmovethebody,andbythismeansevokecorrespondingimages andideas,whichinturnwillintensifytheemotionsandfeelingsitwantsto strengthen.Inotherwords,throughconsciousandpurposefulmovements,onecan evokeandstrengthenpositiveanddesiredinnerstates.Theuseofappropriate dancemovementsandtheEasterntechniqueof"mudra"aretypicalapplicationsof thislaw.AskillfuluseofthebodyunderLawIIcanfurtherstrengthenthemotor power(LawI)ofimagesandideas. Forexample,theindividualwhoisworkingtodevelopandexpresscourageby utilizinghisimaginationandhisthoughtsaccordingtoLawIcanalsousehisbody purposefullybyassumingthecorrespondingphysicalattitude.Thushisbodywill intensifyandreinforcehisimaginationandthoughts,accordingtoLawII,andthis willinturnevokeandintensifytheexperienceofcourageitself,creatinga reinforcingflowofenergies,apositivefeedbackloop,whichwillleadhimtothe sustainedperformanceofcourageousaction.Thislawanditsapplicationwillbe

expandedfurtherwhenwediscussthetechniqueof"actingasif"inthenext chapter.

LawIIIIdeasandimagestendtoawakenemotionsandfeelingsthat correspondtothem. TheSkillfulMil:PsychologicalLaws/53

ThisrelatescloselytoLawI.IdeasandimagestendtoIproduceactsin accordancewiththefirstlaw,andemotionsinaccordancewiththislaw.Whether actsoremotionsarefirstawakenedbyaspecificideaorimagedependsonthe natureoftheideaorimageitself,andontheindividualpsychologicaltype.Again, withaskillfulapplicationofthislawthecentrallylocatedwillcanmobilizethe energyoftheemotionsandfeelingsthroughtheuseofappropriateideasand images.Thetechniqueof"evocativewords,"describedatlengthinthenext chapter,isasystematicapplicationofthislaw,butexamplesaboundfromclinical practice,history,andmanyotherspheresoflife. Ayoungmanwasaddictedtomorphinebutearnestlywantedtogetridofthis slavery.Hewasadvisedtowritetwentytimeseverydayaversefromacertain psalm.Hediditfaithfullyuntil,afterhavingwrittenitaboutseventhousandtimes, hefeltandremainedfreefromthecraving.Seventhousandmayseemaverylarge number|butitcorrespondstolessthanayear'stime.Anotherfamousstory concernsthedaughterofanEnglishadmiralwhoreadapamphletbyGandhiand becamesoenthusedwithhisideasthatsheleftforIndia,mucht<thedisgustofher father.ThereshebecameGandhi'!activecoworkerandforyearswashis secretary.On<maysaythattheideasofGandhiarouseddeepfeelingsandthese, inturn,accordingtoLawIXandLawwhichIdiscussbelow,ledtoaction. LawIVEmotionsandimpressionstendtoawakenandintensifyideasandimages thatcorrespondtoorareassociatedwiththem Theemotionsevokedthroughideasandimages(LavIII)caninturnawakenand intensifyassociatedideasHere,too,wehaveafeedbackprocesswhichcanoperat 54/THENATUREOFTHEWILL forgoodorforill.Itoftenworksnegativelyforexample,afearofbecomingill breedsaseriesofimagesofillnesswhichareharmful,bothbecausetheyare depressingandstillmorebecausethementalpicturesthusevokedtendtoproduce thecorrespondingphysicalconditions,i.e.,psychosomatictroubles(throughthe actionofLawI).Sowearecaughtinaviciouscirclewhereanemotioncreatesan imagewhichinturnaffectsthephysicalcondition,whichproducesmoreemotions. Wecanbreakthiscircleinoneofseveralplacesinaccordwiththelawsweare considering.Ifwewishtobeginbydealingwiththeemotions,thetechniquethatis mostusefulisthatofselfidentificationdescribedinAppendixOne(page211).

LawVNeeds,urges,drives,anddesirestendtoarousecorrespondingimages, ideas,andemotions. Imagesandideas,inturn(accordingtoLawI)promptthe correspondingactions. Oneofthemostwidelyoccurringexamplesofthislawiswhatistermedin psychoanalysis"rationalization."Whenastrongdesireorurgeexists,itinfluences themindtofindreasons,orratherpseudoreasons,foritsfulfillment.Thisprocess isalsoattherootofthegeneraltendencytowishfulthinking.Onceweareaware ofthislaw,wecanbeonthealertforthepossibilityofthementalandemotional illusionsproducedbyrationalization.Wecanlearntobecomemoreawareofour drives,urges,anddesiresandwhattheywantustodo.Insteadofbeingswept alongwiththemorfooledintobelievingtheyarejustifiedbyvalidreasons,wecan examinethesepseudoreasonsanddecideforourselves,fromthecentralvantage pointofourwills,whetherornotwewanttofollowthem. Forexample,ifasIamabouttogivealectureto

TheSkillfulWill:PsychologicalLaws/55
alargeaudienceIsuddenlythinkofavery"good"reasontoleavethestageandgo home,Icanrememberthislawandbecomeawareofthecompellinginnerurge workingonme.Imightthenchoosetouseoneoftheotherpsychologicallaws, imaginingmyselfdeliveringagoodlectureinaconfidentmanner,thuscalming myemotionalagitationandalsomobilizingmyselftoperformthewilledaction.If thewillisusedskillfullythereisnoneedtorepressnegativefeelingsortooverride themharshly.Suchproceduresareinefficientanddemandtoohighaprice.

LawVIAttention,interest,affirmations,andrepetitionsreinforcethe ideas,images,andpsychologicalformationsonwhichtheyarecentered.
Attention rendersimagesandideasclearerandmoreexact,andenablesnew elementsanddetailstobefound.Itmaybecomparedtoalensthroughwhichwe observeanobject.Theimageismadelarger,clearer,andsharper.Thatwhichisat thecenterofattentioniswelldefined,whereaswhatisatitscircumferenceremains dim.(Thelattercanbetermed"marginalconsciousness"itbelongstoa semiconscioussphere,anintermediatezone,betweentheconsciousandthe unconscious.) Interestincreasestheprominenceofideasandimages.Itmakesthemoccupya largerspaceinthefieldofourconsciousnessandremaininitforalongerspanof time.Itenhancesandreinforcesattention.Conversely,attentiontendstoincrease interest(thisisalsoafeedbackprocess). Affirmingimagesandideasgivesthemstrongerforceandeffectiveness. Repetitionactsliketheblowsofahammeronanailandbringsaboutthe penetrationandfixationofanideaor 56/THENATUREOFTHEWILL

image,untilitbecomesdominantandevenobsessive.Thisisatechniquemuchin usebyadvertisersthehugesumstheyspendwithprofitinputtingthesameadver tisementfrequentlybeforetheeyesofthepublicareconvincingproofofthe effectivenessofrepetition. Therecanbealsoanoppositeutilizationofthislaw.Wecandeliberatelywithdraw interestandattentionfromanunwantedimage,idea,orpsychologicalformation, andthusgraduallydeenergizeitandreduceitsactivity.Itwillthenceasetobea disturbingfactororaharmfulinfluence.Severalapplicationsofthisprinciple,in particularthetechniqueofsubstitution, willbefoundinthenextchapterinthe sectionon"PsychologicalBreathingandFeeding." LawVIIRepetitionofactionsintensifiestheurgetofurtherreiterationand renderstheirexecutioneasierandbetter,untiltheycometobeperformed unconsciously. Inthisway habitsareformed.Theycanbecomparedtostreetsandroads:itisso mucheasierandmoreconvenienttowalkalongastreetthantoforceone'sway throughtheundergrowthofuncultivatedland.Asrepeatedhabitualactionsare takenoverbytheunconscious,theconsciousisfreedforotherandhigher activities.Thisisanestablishedfactinthecaseofthebiologicalfunctions.And GustaveLeBon,inhisbook LaPsychologicdeI'education,goessofarastostate that"educationistheartofmakingtheconsciouspassintotheunconscious." Whilethisistrueoflearningandskills,itiscertainlynottheaimofalleducation. Onemightsayjustthecontraryinregardtoitshigheraspects.Theetymologyof "education"(edwere}expressesitstruepurposeandfunction:to"drawout"the latentpossibili

TheSkillfulWill:PsychologicalLaws/ 57
tiesfromtheunconscious,toactivatetheenergiesdormantinit,particularlyinits highersphere,thesuperconscious. Habitstendtolimitusandmakeusfollowonlybeateltracks.But,asWilliam Jameshasaptlysaid,"Willantintellectcanformhabitsofthoughtandwill.We areresponsibleforformingourhabitsandevenwhenactingaccordingtohabitswe areactingfreely." LawVIIIAllthevariousfunctions,andtheirmanifoldcombinationsincomplexes and subpersonalities,adoptmeansofachieving,theiraimswithoutourawareness,and independentlyof,andeve)against,ourconsciouswill. ThislawhasbeencalledbyBaudointhe"LawofSubconsciousFinalism,"andhe hasfullydescribeditsworkingsandexplainedthewaysofutilizingitintherapy andeducationin SuggestionandAutosuggestion. Itisalawoffundamental importance.Weshouldrealizethatweareseldomconsciousofthepsychological andpsychophysiologicalmechanismswhichproducephysicalchangesandouter

actions.Herewehavetherealmysteryofthe,relationshipandinteractionbetween psychologicalandphysicalfacts,which,despiteallattempts,hasnotyetbeen satisfactorilysolvedorexplained. Thesimplestandclearestevidenceisprovidedbyanymuscularmovement.A man,letussay,willstomove,orhastheideaofmoving,anarm.Hedoesiteasily, thoughhemaybecompletelyignorantofthecomplexandadmirablycoordinated mechanismwhichconvertstheideaintotheact.Theidea,ormentalpicture,ofthe armmovementproducesastimulationofthemotorcellsinthecortexofthe oppositehemisphereofthebrain.Fromthesemotorcellsanimpulse,whichseems tobeofanelectricalnature,startsandflowsthroughthefibersuntil 58/THENATUREOFTHEWILL itfinallyreachesthemusclesinvolvedinthemovement.Thatstimulationproduces thecontractionofthemusclefiberswhichactivatesthemovement.Amanwith strongmusclescanperformthemovementaseasilyas,andmoreeffectivelythan, alearnedanatomistorphysiologistwithaweakbody. Thesameholdstruenotonlyforallpsychophysicalreactionsbutforallthe activitiesgoingoninthepsycheitself.Complexandmoreextendedprocessesalso followthesamepatternthementalpictureoftheaimtobeattainedstartsan activity intheunconsciousdirectedtowardtheaccomplishmentoftheaim.Butwe remainignorantoftheiroperation.Creativity,whetherartistic,scientific,or technical,isacaseinpoint.Itoftenrequiresaperiodofelaboration,orincubation, duringwhichitisadvisabletolettheunconsciousworkwithoutfurther interferencefromtheconsciouswill.Paradoxically,payingconsciousattentionto, orbeingemotionallypreoccupiedwith,creativeprocessesdisturbsthem.What happensmaybecomparedwithanexecutivegivingaworkeracertainjobtodo. Oncetheworkerhasunderstoodwhathastobedone,heshouldbeallowedtodoit withoutfurtherinterferenceorprodding. Thisshowsthenatureofspontaneity.Fromacertainpointofview,theactivityin theunconsciouscanbesaidtogoonspontaneously,thatis,spontaneouslyfrom ourpointofview,andwithoutourconsciouscooperation.Manycreativeartists andinvestigatorshavehadpracticalexperienceoftheworkingofthislaw. Providingtheinitial impetus,theyallowthefurtherelaborationtooccurnaturally andspontaneously.Butthisisquiteadifferentmatterfromthe"cultof spontaneity"asexpressedinuncontrolledgivingwaytoanyemotion,impulse,or whim.

TheSkillfulWill:PsychologicalLaws/ 59
LawIXUrges,drives,desires,andemotionstendanddemandtobeexpressed. Drivesanddesiresconstitutetheactive,dynamic aspectofourpsychologicallife. Theyarethespringsbehindeveryhumanaction.Buttheirorigin,nature,value, andeffectsdifferwidelythesemustthereforeberecognizedandthenexamined withthesameobjectivitywithwhichonestudiesanaturalobject.Theprocedure

necessitatesdisidentificationfromthem,atleasttemporarity,andthisinturn meansacquiringawarenessoftheself,theconscious"I,"asdistinctfromthese psychologicalelementsandforcesandfromthatcentralpointobservingtheir flow.Anactofwilliscalledforhere,andthewill,aswehaveseen,isthemost immediateanddirectfunctionofthe"I." Observationhastobefollowedby valuation.Science,,particularlypsychological science,cannotavoidvaluation.A.H.Maslowhaspresentedthereasonsforthis ablyandconvincinglyinhisbooksThePsychologyofScienceandMotivationand Personality. Thepracticalproblem,theissuethatconfrontsusallthetime,isthis:howtogive adequateandconstructive,oratleastharmless,expressiontoeachoftheseurges, drives,emotions,etc.Togivesomeexpressiontothemisnecessary.Ifwefailto doso,iffear,condemnation,orothermotivesinduceustodenyorrepressthem, theyproducepsychologicalandnervousstress,and,byaffectingthebody,areapt tocreatepsychosomaticdisorders.Thisfacthasbeenstronglyemphasizedby psychoanalysisandonitisbasedthepresentclaimtoeliminateallinhibitionsand checkstothefreecourseoftheenergies.!lumpedtogetherunderthegeneralterm libido. Yetthisuncontrolledexpressionisoftennotdesirable 6O / THENATUREOFTHEWILL inviewoftheharmfulconsequencesitcanhavefor oneselfandotherpeople,and inmanycasesitisnotevenpossible.Butthereareanumberofmethodsbymeans ofwhichtheimpellingdrivesmaybegivenharmlessorconstructiveexpression. Theirvalue,multiplicity,anddiversitydemandthattheybethoroughlyknown, carefullyselected,andappropriatelyapplied,inaccordancewiththespecific existentialsituationsthatcontinually confrontusinlife.Thelawwhichfollows dealswiththesemethods.

LawXThepsychologicalenergiescanfindexpression:I.directly (dischargecatharsis)2.indirectly,throughsymbolicaction3.through aprocessoftransmutation.

l.Atfirstsightthedirectmodesofexpressiondonotappeartocallformuch comment.Theyaresimplythemeanswherebythenaturalandhealthygratification ofthefundamentalneedsandtendenciesisobtained.Butinrealitythingsarenot thatsimple.Conflictsoftendevelopbetweentheseneedsandtendencies,conflicts placingprioritiesandlimitsontheirgratification,orevennegatingitsfeasibility. Moreover,thesetendenciescannotallbeindulgedatthesametimetheir expressionneedstoberegulatedonthebasisofcriteriaofpossibilityand suitability.Andthis,inturn,necessitatesdeliberation,choicesanddecisions,in factactsofwill. Certainrestrictionsinevitablyimposethemselvesbecauseofindividualphysical andpsychologicalcircumstances,obstaclescreatedbyourrelationswithother

people,andsocialandenvironmentalconditionsingeneral.Buttheseproblemsof controlandregulationarenotinsoluble.When,andtotheextentthat, direct expressionmustbedelayed,modified,orevenentirely

TheSkillfulWill:PsychologicalLaws/ 6l
disallowed,waysandmeansof indirectexpressionareathandwhichcanoffer adequatesatisfactionandmayoftenbepreferable. 2.A symbolicactingoutisfrequentlyjustassatisfyingandliberatingasdirect expression.Forexample,ifangerprovokesustoattacksomebodywebelievehas treatedusbadly,itsdirectexpressionwouldinvolveusinaphysicalorverbal assault.Butthesamehostilitycanbedischargedbytrouncingsomeobjectthat symbolizesour opponent. Anotherwayofdischarginghostilityistowriteavituperativelettergivingfull venttoone'sbitternessandresentmentandthennottosendit!Themereaction ofexpressingangerandindignationonpaperisoftensufficienttodischargethe energy,orpsychologicalvoltage,itcarries. 3.Transformationandsublimation.Theseprocesseshaveaspecialimportancein thattheirrecognitionandutilizationofferthebestandmorelastingsolutionto manybasichumanproblems.Thiswarrantstheirthoroughinvestigationandwide application.ThebreadthoftheSubjectdoesnotpermitofitsbeingadequately dealtwithinthepresentcontext,butsomeoftheessentialpointsarepresented here. Thetransformationofenergiesisanaturalprocessgoingonatalltimes,both "horizontally,"withineachlevelphysical,biological,andpsychologicaland "vertically,"betweenalllevels,whereitcanbeseenas sublimationor degradation,accordingtowhetherenergyiscarriedtoahigherorlowerlevel. Thesetransformationsoftenoccurspontaneously,buttheycanbeinducedby deliberateactsofthewill.Atthephysicallevel,heatmaybeconvertedintomotion (thesteamengine)orelectricity(thethermoelectricgenerator).Electricityinits turncan 62/THENATUREOPTHEWILL beconvertedintoheat(theelectricstove)andmotion(themotor).Theknowledge andutilizationoftheseandmanyothertransformationsconstitutesthebasisof technology. Chemicalcombinationsofsubstancesproduceothersubstanceshavingdifferent propertiesfromthoseoftheircomponentsandinsomecasesbringabouta simultaneousreleaseofheatandenergy.Inthephysicalsciencesthereisa process,calledsublimation,throughwhichachemicalsubstancepassesfromthe solidstatedirectlytothegaseousstate,andaftercooling,tofinalcrystallization.It isinterestingtonotethatsublimationofchemicalelementsisparticularlyvaluable asameansofpurification. Atthebiologicallevelcountlesstransformationsareconstantlyoccurringorcanbe induced,allregulatedinthewonderfulwaysthatmakelifepossible.Atthe

psychologicallevel,too,transformationsarehappeningallthelime.Manyofthe phenomenagovernedbyabovementionedlawsareduetotheinteractionand transformationofpsychologicalenergies. Mostimportantthoughtheirmechanismisstillamysterytousarethe transformationsandinteractionsthattakeplacevertically,thatis,betweenthe energiesofthevariouslevels.Ofimmediateinterestarethebiologicalandphysical changesproducedbytheactionofmentalandpsychologicalenergies.Theirstudy andutilizationconstitutethelargefieldofpsychosomaticmedicine. Therearethenalltheexternalactionsdeterminedbypsychologicalfactors.An ideacombinedwithadesireor afeelingarousesanimpulsetosetinmotionthe correspondingphysicalactivities.Forinstance,thedesire,forwealthin conjunctionwithaplanforacquiringit

TheSkillfulWill:PsychologicalLaws/63
may promptonetomakeajourney,embarkuponsomeenterprise,orconstructa building.Loveforawoman.alliedwithanassessmentoftheconditionsfor marryingherhasbeenknowntotransformitselfintotheurgetopursuecertain studiesorthedeterminationtoobtainaparticularjob. Allthebasicinstinctsanddrivesundergosuchtransformations,whichare particularlyevidentinthecaseof: Selfassertionandaggressiveness. Sexualityandlove. Thetransformationofcombativeandaggressivedriveshasacentralimportance becauseitconstitutesoneofthemosteffective,perhapsthemosteffective,means ofeliminatinginterpersonalconflictsandpreventingwar.Astosexualityand love,thereiscertainlynoneedtoemphasizethefactthatthewaystodealwith thesetwopowerfuldrivesisanexistentialproblemconfrontingeveryhuman being.Thissubjecthasbeentreatedin Psychosynthesis(ChapterVIII),andinmy pamphletTheTransformationandSublimationofSexualEnergies. Thewaysandmeansofpsychologicaltransformationandsublimationcanbe summedupas: A.ElevationB.PurificationC.InteriorizationD.ExtensionE.Outerexpression. A.Bymeansof elevationthemerelyphysicalsexdrivecanbetransformedinto emotionallovepossessiveloveintooblativelovecravingforsensuouspleasure intoaspirationtoexperienceaesthetic,intellectual,andspiritualjoys. B.Purification isconcernedprincipallywiththenatureofmotivesandintentions. C.Interiomationcantransmutevanityandprideintoasenseofinnerdignity personalselfassertionintospinualaffirmationaggressivedrivesintoatoolfor dealing

64/THENATUREOFTHEWILL withinner"enemies."ThisusehasbeenaptlystatedbyFrancesWickes:"...one ofourgreattasksofourpresentday[is]tointrovertwar." D.Extensionbringsaboutthetransformationofegotisticloveinsuccessive,wider circlestoloveoffamily,offellowworkers,ofone'scountry,andofhumanity. Paternalandmaternallovewhichmayhavebeendeniedexpressionthroughlack ofchildrencanbebestoweduponthoseofothers,oruponallpeoplewhomay needloveandhelp. E.Outerexpressioncorrespondstothe"crystallization"ofsublimatedchemical substances.Thuscompassionisexpressedinhumanitarianactionsaggressive tendenciescanbeutilizedinthestruggleagainstsocialevils.Itisimportantto realize,however,thattherearepseudosublimations,whichshouldberecognized andguardedagainst.Theyareasubstitute,acounterfeitoftherealthingtheycan beadisguisecoveringoverimpulsesandactivitiesnotreallysublimated.In sublimationitissincereintentionthatcounts.Pseudosublimationispresentwhere thereishypocrisy,whetherevidentornot. Theprocessofartisticcreativitydeservesspecialmention.Itisconsideredaform ofsublimationitoftenis,butnotalways.Inhiscreativeactivitythewriter, painter,orcomposeroftengivesexpressiontohisdrives,urges,anddesiresaswell astohisaspirations.Forhimitisthenameansofcatharsis.Onthenatureand levelofthisexpressiondependsthequalityofthetransformationoftheenergies involved.

PracticalApplicationsoftheSkillfulWill / 65

TheActofWill
ROBERTOASSAGIOLI,M.D.

6
PRACTICALAPPLICATIONS OFTHESKILLFULWILL
Thenumberoftheseapplicationsispracticallyendless.Awiderangeofspecific psychologicaltechniquesbasedonthelawsgiveninthepreviouschapterhave beendevelopedandtestedinthefield,andareavailableforimplementation,* whilenewonesarebeingcontinually,developed.Itmightbesaidthattheyinclude thewholefieldofappliedpsychosynthesis.Whileanexpositionofthemisoutside thescopeofthisbook,Iwilldescribeafewinsomedetailastypicalexamples,and fortheiroutstandingusefulnessinavarietyofcommonsituations. I.RealizingtheValueoftheWill Thisexercise,discussedonpages3637asapreliminarytothe"Gymnasticsofthe Will,"isitselfbasedontheskillfuluseofthewill.Inperformingitweapplythe existingstrengthofourwill,nomatterhowsmall,toactonourimagination, and useitspowertorealizethegreatvalueofhavinganeffectivewill.Thisrealization, inturn,

*TheyaredescribedinPartIIofmybookPychoynthesis.
66

arousesurges,desires,andemotions,allalignedwithourinitialintention,thatis, withtheoriginaldirectionofourwillThisprocedureofvividlyimaginingthe limitationsanddrawbacksofanexistingconditionwewanttochange,andthe advantagesofchangingit,isveryvaluabletogeneratemomentumbeforeinitiating anykindofinnerorouteractivity.Itisapsychologicalanaloguetopowersteering, ortotheservobrakesofanautomobile,ortothemanyotherdevicesthat,by meansofmechanicaladvantage,allowmantoaugmenthisphysicalstrengthby practicallyanydesiredamount. II.TechniqueofSubstitution Mostofushavehadtheexperience,atsometimeorother,ofsomethought,tune, verse,orsentencewhichcapturesourattentionandisabletoholditforalong

periodoftime,occasionallyforhours,despiteourattemptstogetridofit.In extremeforms,thisconditioncanevenbecomepathological.Andif,intryingnot tothinkaboutsomething,weconcentratedirectlyon"notthinkingaboutit,"itwill tend,perversely,tobecomemorecentralandvividinourawareness.Yetifwe chooseany othersubjectorimageanddirectourattentiontoit,wefindthatthe unwantedthoughtwillgraduallybecomemoreperipheralandtenuous,and eventuallyfadeawayalltogether. Thisisasimpleapplicationofthetechniqueofsubstitution.ItisbasedonLawVI, page56,accordingtowhich attentioncenteredonanobjectgivesitenergy, makingitmoreimportanttoourawareness.Continuedattentiontendstoincrease interestandinterestinturnreinforcestheattention,thuscreatingapositive feedbackloop.Whentheunwantedthoughtorimagedrawsourawareness,it becomeslikeamagnetthatcapturesourattentionand

PracticalApplicationsoftheSkillfulWill/ 67
continuestodrawincreasingenergyfromit.Soifwepitthestrengthofourwill directlyagainstit,wearelikelytofail.Butifweuseamoreskillful,lessdirectand "aggressive"approach,bydeliberatelybuildinganothersuchcenterofattraction, wecaneasilyuseittoliberateourcaptiveattention. Itmightbearguedthatallwearedoingistodisplaceourattentionfromoneimage toanother.Thisiscertainly thecase,butthepointisthatthesecondimageisthe oneofourchoice,andwecanchoosethatitbeofgreaterusefulnessthanthefirst one.Sothistechniquehaspracticalapplicationindealingwithallkindsofan noying,disturbing,andnegativerecurrentthoughtsorimages,aswellaswith undesiredorharmfulinfluences. Ofcourse,awordofcautionshouldbegivenhere.Aswithanytechnique, substitutionmaybemisused,appliedwithoutaclearperceptionofanindividual's existentialsituation,orwithoutagoodsenseofappropriatetiming.Certain recurrentimagesandthoughtswhicharenegativeanddisturbingarecluesthatan emotionalblockmayexist,andinthesecases,ifsubstitutionisusedbeforethe difficultyhasbeensufficientlyexplored,understood,anddealtwith,itmaytendto suppressthematerialwhichistryingtoemergeintoconsciousness.Ontheother hand,evenwhentheproblemhasbeenbroughttothesurface,workedon,and largelyresolved,theseimagesoftenlingeron atarelativelylowlevelofenergy, likeanoldtune,oranoldhabit.Inthiscasesubstitutionisespeciallyappropriate andeffective,foritcanhelptoidearawaythedebrisandmakefreeandclearspace inconsciousnessMuchoftheinnerclutterin whichwetrysohardtoliveand workcanbedealtwithbythistechniqueofsubstitution. Itcanalsobeusefulinregulatingandcounterbalancing 68/THENATUREOFTHEWILL excessively onesidedtendencieswithinourselves.Thisisamoresubtle applicationoftheskillfulwill.Thetechniqueofsubstitutionisutilizedalsointhe moregeneralmethodofpsychologicalbreathingandfeeding,describednext.

III.PsychologicalBreathingandFeeding Morethanaspecifictechnique,thisconstitutesageneralapproachtooureveryday life,whichcanimplementedmosteffectivelythroughtheapplication oftheskillful will. Inmanywaysourpsychologicalneedsresembleourphysiologicalneeds.We knowthatourphysicalhealthdependsonanumberofbasicfactors,suchasa balanceddiet,theregulatedingestionandassimilationoffood,andthebreathing of clean,pureair.Wehavegainedconsiderableskillinthebasicprinciplesof personalhygiene,andinrecognizingandavoidingorprotectingourselves fromthoseenvironmentalsituationsthatcanproduceinfection,communicate contagiousdiseases,orotherwisecausephysicalharm.Manyoftherecent,most] promisingactivitiesinthefieldofecologycanbeseenafanextensionofthis attitudeandofapersonalsenseofresponsibilityaswelltoincludeallof humanityandourwholeplanet. Inthepsychologicalfield,ontheotherhand,ourawarenessislaggingfarbehind. Ageneralrecognitionofthepowerfulpsychologicalinfluenceofourenvironment, towhichweareallsubject,isstilllacking,eventhoughthemajorproblemsof today,suchaswar,theincreasinglyharmfulcompetitiveattitude,andthewidely prevalentconditionsoffearanddepression,eitherbelongto,orhavetheircauses in,thepsychologicaldomain. Yetatleastabeginninginthisdirectionisbeingmade,

PracticalApplicationsoftheSkillfulMil/ 69
andasmallbutrapidlygrowingminorityofpeoplearedevelopingwhatmightbe calledapsychoecologica|conscience.Aninterestingindicationofthisemerging awarenessistheuseoftheword"vibration"bymanyyoungpeople.Theterms "goodvibrations"and"badvibrations"areincreasinglyusedtodescribewhat consideredasafavorableorunfavorablepsychologicenvironmentorcondition. Itseemsverytimely,therefore,toindicatesomeofthemorecommon harmful factorswhich polluteourpsychologicalenvironment,andtosuggestskillfulwill methodsbywhichwecanmosteffectivelydealwiththem.The principalnegative factorsareaggressivenessandviolence feardepressionanddespondencygreedandallformsofselfishdesire.Theyare true"psychologicalpoisons"whichpermeatethepsychicatmosphere,andcareful examinationwillfindthemattherootofaverylargenumberofdifficulties,both withintheindividualandwithinsociety Inordertodealwiththemeffectively,weneedtorememberthatthese psychologicalpoisonsexistnotonlyinexternalsurroundingsbutalso,toagreater orlessedegree,inallofus.Weneedthereforetoeliminatetheimalsowithin ourselves,orreducethemtoaminimum.Thisisaspecifictaskofindividual psychosynthesis,anditcallfordifferenttechniquesfromthosesuitableforgaining protectionfrom externalpoisons. Tobemosteffective,thetwooperationsshouldbeperformedsidebyside.Thisis becauseononehand,it:practicallyimpossibletoreachsuchadegreeoffreedom frominternalpoisonsastobecompletelyimmunetotheinfluenceofthosecoming

fromtheoutsideworld.Ontheotherhand,externalpoisonstendtofeedand intensifythecorrespondingonesinus.Thusaviciouscirclecomesintobeing:the poisonswithinusopenthedoortothe 70/THENATUREOFTHEWILL influenceofexternalones,whilethelatterintensifytheformer.Amosteffective waytobreaktheviciouscircleistowithdraw attentiondeliberatelyfromthese psychicpoisons.Thiswillliberatetheenergyoftheattentionandallowittobe focusedelsewhere,inadirectionwhereitwilldothemostgood.Theactofthis withdrawalofattentionisadefiniteactoftheskillfulwillandin turncontributes tostrengtheningthewillitself. 1.AggressionandViolence Thewidespreadaggressionandviolencenowun<leashedthroughouthumanity aretooevidenttoneedpointingout.Thefirstremedialstepistostopintensifying themby unnecessarilyfocusingattentionandinterestonthem.Yetnewspapers, magazines,televisionprograms,andfilmsviewitheachotherinpresentingvivid anddramaticaccountsofeventsandscenesofaggressionandviolence.Allthis emphasiscanonlyservetointensifyaggressionthroughtheagencyofwhathas beencalledthe"feedingpowerofattention."Itwouldthusbeameasureof elementarypsychologicalhygiene,ofprotectionofourmentalhealth,toavoidor atleastgreatlylimitexposuretosensationalaccountsandillustrationsofthiskind. Thisdoesnotmeanclosingoureyestoaggressionandviolence,orignoringtheir existence.Itisonethingtodealwithobjectiveinformationaboutsuchconditions forausefulpurpose,andquiteanothertosubmitourselves,needlesslyand indiscriminately,toafloodofsensationaldescriptionsandpictures. 2.Fear This,too,isawidelydiffusedpoison.Besidespersonalfearsandanxieties,waves ofcollectivefearandpanic

PracticalApplicationsoftheSkillfulMil/ 7I
invadethepsychicatmosphere.Oneofthesewavesiarousedbytheperilofglobal warfareandtheconsequentdestructionofhumanlifeonavastscale.Also widespreadisapprehensivenessabouteconomiccrisesandunemployment, epidemics,criminality,civilviolence,andsoonHereagainthefirstandpressing thingtodoistoavoicexacerbatingandfeedingthesefearswithunfounded propheciesofcatastropheandtoturnourattentionpurposefullyandfirmlytoareas thatarepositiveandconstructive. Itisonlyaswefreeourselvesfromtheoverwhelmingsweepofcollectivepanic aboutallofthesevitalissuethatwearetrulyabletodosomethingaboutthem.So paradoxically,apersonwhoissincerelyanddeeplyconcernedwithbettering economicconditions,endingwar,orthelike,willbemosteffectiveifhedoesnot opeihimselfcompletely,eveninthenameofcompassion,toalltheseinfluences,

butratherisabletomaintainacenteredandcalmfocusonspecificissuessohecan clearlyseewhatneedstobedone. 3.DepressionandDespondency Thesearereactionstomuchthatisnegative,"dark,"unjust,andunsatisfying withincollectivehumanlifeWhiletheseconditionshavealwaysexisted,the presentperiodiswitnessingtheirsignificantincrease,towhicithemass communicationsmediaaregivinganexaggeratedandonesidedemphasis.Some respondtotheseevilswithaggressionandtheurgetodestroytheoldsystemby violentaction.Thereactionofmanyothers,ontheotherhand,isoneof depression,evendespair,producedby ifeelingoffrustrationanduselessness. 4.Greed Afourthkindofpsychologicalpoisoncanbeentere<underthegeneralheadingof greed.Greedisanexpression 72/THENATUREOFTHEWILL of selfishdesirewhich,accordingtoBuddha'steachingisattherootofall sufferingandunhappiness.Suchsufferingoccursnotonlybecausemanydesires areunrealistic,andthuscanneverbegratified,butevenmorebecauseofthevery natureofgreed,whichissuchthatnosatisfactionlastsforlongitalwaysdemands somethingmore. Therearemanykindsofdesire.One,thedrivetoward excessiveandunbridled selfassertion,isoneofthemajorcausesofaggressionandviolence.Anotheris excessivesensuality,inthebroadestsenseaninordinatecravingfor'physical pleasuresofallkinds.Ofthis,gluttonytoemployanoldfashionedbut expressivetermisatypicalexpression.Theintakeoffoodanddrinkgreatlyin excessofbodilyneedsorunsuitedtoindividualconstitutionsistoofrequently responsibleforillhealthandprematurelossoflife.Theanalogybetweenfood intakeandsexualactivityhasbeenpointedoutbyMaslowinthefollowingterms: Anexcellentparallelmaybemadebetweenthisandtheattitudeofthese(self actualizing)peopletowardfood.Foodissimultaneouslyenjoyedandyetregarded asrelativelyunimportantinthetotalschemeoflifebyselfactualizingpeople. Whentheydoenjoyit,theycanenjoyitwholeheartedlyandwithouttheslightest taintingwithbadattitudestowardanimalityandthelike.Andyetordinarily feedingoneselftakes!arelativelyunimportantplaceinthetotalpicture.These peopledonotneedsensualitytheysimplyenjoyitwhenitoccurs. Letusbeclearthatneithereatingnorsexualactivityare"poisons"inthemselves. Theyarenaturalfunctionsandareinherentlynecessaryforthepreservationofthe individualandhumanity'svery life.Thepleasurederived

PracticalApplicationsoftheSkillfulWill/73
fromtheirhealthygratificationisgood,anditcanenjoyedwholeheartedly,without anysenseofguilt.

WhenIspeakofpoison,Imeantheattachmentthatleadstoexcesses,andabove alltheexploitationpromotedtocommercialpurposeswhichleadstosuch excesses.Wearecontinuallybombardedfromalldirectionsbyintensive suggestiontomakeuspurchasefoodanddrink,andbyanemphasisonsexuality, whichisaparamouringredientofmodernbooks,illustrations,films,televisionand pseudoart.Thusanexaggeratedandartificial stimulationofthesexdriveis created,onewhichiscomplete!differentfromthehealthy,spontaneousnatural instinct.Thisisadistinctionthatmustbeclearlyrecognized. Anotherfactorconnectedwithsexualityisitscurrentdissociationfromtherestof thehumanpersonality,particularlyfromitsaffectiveaspect.Sexualdissociation manifeststhegenerallycommittederroroffailingtorecognizeandtakeinto practicalaccountthevita!connectionslinkingthevariousaspectsandlevelsofthe humanbeing.Inthiswayphysical,emotional,andmentalactivitiesbecome alienatedfromoneanotherandcometofunctionseparately,causingconflictand innerdiscord. Itiswelltobequiteclearonthepointthatnodriveemotion,ordesireneedstobe repressedorshouldbecondemnedonitsownaccountitistheskillfulregulation ofitsuseandmanifestationsthatisneeded.Andmedicinecanbecomeapoisonif usedunsuitablyandinexcessivedoses,whereassomestrongpoisonsgivenin minimaldosesarecurativeinappropriatecases.Itispreciselytheregulatory functionoftheskillfulwillthatfindshereoneofitsmostusefulfieldsofaction. Asoundpsychologicalhygienedemandstheavoidanceofthesepoisons,asmuch aspossible,throughtheuse 74/THENATUREOPTHEWILL theskillfulwill,andthencollectiveactiontoeliminatethem.Acampaignagainst thesourcesof psychologicalsmogandpollution,paralleltothepresentecological campaign,urgentlyneedstobestarted.Itmightbeobjectedthat,whileonelivesin theworld,onecannotwithdrawcompletelyoutofrangeoftheseinfluencesthisis true,butitcanbedonewithincertainlimits.Inmanycasesonecandenythem attentionandinterest.Moreover,exposuretothemmaybecounteractedby"disin fectant"measures,duringandafter.Doctorsandnursesworkingindepartmentsof infectiousdiseasesarenotafraidof infection,buttakeprecautionarymeasures (gloves,masks,useofdisinfectants,etc.).Similarly,wecanhaverecourseto disinfectantsandprecautionsagainstpsychologicalpoisons. Whatmethodsaretobeusedbytheskillfulwilltoachievepsychologicalhygiene? Thefundamentaloneconsists,asIhavesaid,inwithholdingattentionandinterest. Mostpeoplecandothistoaconsiderableextent,oncetheyunderstandthe advantageofit.Soitcanbeofgreathelptoforeseeincleartermstheharmful consequencesofabsorbingsuchpoisons.Anevenmorepowerfulapproachisthe alreadymentionedmethodof substitution: thecultivationofother,betterinterests, thesystematicfocusingoftheattentiononconstructivethings.Thistendstogive immunity tothenegative,harmful,orpoisonousinfluences.Amosteffective method,explainedbyPatanjaliinhisYogaSutras,isneutralization,whichentails theactivecultivationofqualitiesthataretneantithesisoftheharmfulones:

harmlessnessandnonviolenceinthefaceofviolencecourageinplaceoffearjoy inhealthypleasuresinsteadofdepressionanddespondencymoderationasa substituteforgreed.Asforoveremphasisonsexuality,themosteffectiveantidote istruelove.Itisthus

PracticalApplicationsoftheSkillfulMil/ 75 notaquestionofnotloving,oroflovingless,butofloving better.

IV.TheTechniqueofEvocativeWords Thatcertainwords,suchasserenity,courage,joy,compassion,havetheireffects onourmoodsandideasdoesnotrequiredemonstration.Allwordsaresymbols thatnotonlyindicateorpointoutobjectsorpsychologicalfactbutalsopossessthe powerofstimulatingandarousingactivityassociatedwiththem.They"evoke"and matoperativethemeaningsandideesforcesthattheysignifyThisprocessfollows principallythreeofthelawsreferredtointhelastchapter.(LawsI,VI,andVIII, pages5156,and58).Accordingtotheselaws,everyideaorimagetendsto producethestateofmind,thephysicalstate,an<|theactsthatcorrespondtoit attentionandrepetitionreinforcetheeffectivenessoftheideaorimagetheeffect oftheideaorimage,i.e.,theactivationofthatwhichsignifies,areproduced withoutourbeingawareofthenByusingthetechniqueofevocativewordswecan applytheselawsunderthedirectionoftheskillfulwill. Thefirststepinusingevocativewordsistochoosetheonethatexpressesthe qualitywewanttoevokeanddevelop.Wecanthenputacardwiththatword printedonitinaplacewhereitwillbeeasilynoticedandwhereitwillreadily catchtheeye:atthebedside,onadesk,onatable,oronawall.Evenifwedonot consciouslypayattentiontoit,thevisualimageproducesanimpressiononour psyche,ormorepreciselyonourplastic,receptiv|unconscious,andgradually worksonit.Astrongercumulativeeffectcanbeobtainedbyplacingseverscards withthesamewordindifferentplacesandrooms. Thismightbecalleda "beneficentobsession"! Bringingconsciousattentiontobear ontheword 76/THENATUREOFTHEWILL providesanevenmoreeffectivemethod.Thiscanbedoneinvariousways: ' 1.Assumeastateofrelaxationandthenobservethewordattentivelyforaperiod ofoneortwominutes.Ifideasandimagesassociatedwiththewordemergefrom theunconscious,letthemcomeandrecordthem. 2.Reflectonthemeaningoftheword,andthenrecordtheresults. 3.Tryto"feel"thepsychologicalqualitythatthewordembodies,lettingit permeateyourself,ifpossibleeventothepointofidentificationwithit. 4.Whileobservingtheword,sayitaloud,ormurmurit.

5.Writethewordmanytimes.Thesemethodscombinevisual,auditory,andmotor imagesandtherebyincreasetheeffectivenessoftheexercise. Thechoiceofwhichwordtousecanbemadeinoneoftwoways:eitherby deliberatelychoosingawordthatcorrespondstothequalitythatonedesiresto arouseanddevelop,orbychoosingawordatrandomfromagroupofsuchwords andadoptingitasthe"password"fortheday,orfortheperioddecidedupon.The rhythmtobeadoptedmaybeeithercontinuoususeofthesamewordforacertain timeaweek,amonth,ormorefollowedbyitsrepetitionafteraninterval,or rapidrotation,i.e.,theuseofadifferentwordintheserieseveryday. Thepreferencetobegiventooneortheotherofthesedifferentmethodsdepends notonlyonanindividual'sobjective,butalsoonhispsychologicaltype.Soitis advisabletoexperimentwithanumberofthem,andthenadopttheonethatismost attunedtoone'sownconstitution,orthatseemsmostrewarding.

PracticalApplicationsoftheSkillfulWill/ 77
Thefollowinglistincludessomeofthemostoftenusedevocativewords.Others canbeaddedtosuitindividualneeds.

admirationappreciation'attentionbeautybliss' brotherhood calmcompassioncomprehensioncooperationcouragecreativity daringdecisivenessdetachmentdeterminationdiscernment discipline enduranceenergyenthusiasmeternity'faith'freedom 'friendship'generosity'.goodnessgoodwillgratitude'harmony' humorinclusivenessinfinityinitiativeintegration'joyliberation light'love*orderpatience'peacepersistencepositiveness powerpromptnessquietrealityrenewalresolutenessserenity servicesilencesimplicitysynthesistenacitytruthunderstanding universalityvitalitywholenesswillwisdomwonder*
Suchauseofwordsrepresentsthesimplestandmostelementaryapplicationofa generalmethodwherebypsychologicalenergiesareemployedtomodifyanddirect statesofmindandhumanbehavior.Someofthetechniqueswhichcanbeusedfor thispurposearedisplaysofpostersoflargesizesuggestivephrasesan<slogans "persuasive"andstrikingpicturesmusicalthemesorexcerptsthatareassociated withrelatedwordorphrasesandrhythmicmovements,gestures,amdancesthat symbolicallyexpressamessage. Thisisthemethodofsuggestion,or,asitisatpresentmoreeuphemisticallycalled, of"persuasion,"sowide!andeffectivelyusedforcommercialends,andbymeans

ofwhichwearecontinually,andoftenunknowingly,ledtoactinwaysthatbring gaintoothers,althoughthe

Someevocativephrasescanbefoundattheendofthechapteron affirmationpage177.Cardsofsometwentycommonlyusedwords, printedindifferentcolorsandaccompaniedbyapamphletwithdetailed instructionsfortheiruse,a.available,aspackages,fromthe PsychosynthesisResearchFoundation,40EastFortyninthStreet,New York,NewYork.

78/THENATUREOFTHEWILL maycauseharmtoourselves.Itisaneffectiveexampleoftheapplicationofthe skillfulwill,whichisnotnecessarilyaccompaniedbythegoodwill.Butsuch techniquescanwellbejustaseffectivelyandsystematicallyemployedforhigher andmoreconstructivepurposes.Theycanbeusedbyanyindividualforhisown growth,bya,psychotherapistorteachertohelpthoseheisguiding,andcan eventuallyleadtotheorganizationandexecutionofwidespreadandintensive eupsychianpublicitycampaignsdirectedtowardindividualandcollective improvementandtheupliftingofhumanity. Awordofcautionisneededhere.Sometimesthewordsareapttoarousenegative reactions.Somepeoplewillresentthesimpleappearanceofacardwithapleasant wordlikeJOY, CONFIDENCE,SERENITY, orCOURAGE. Theyfeelasifthewordsare preferringchargesagainstthem,asifthewordsaremakingthempainfullyaware oftheirlackofthesequalities,andthisirritatesthem.Sometimesbothapositive andnegativereactionisaroused(ambivalence).Consciouslytheremaybejusta negativereaction,whiletheunconsciousisfavorablyimpressedor,viceversa,the wordcanbeappreciatedbytheconsciousegobutarouseresistanceorantagonism fromunconsciousfactors.Itiswell tobecomeawareofsuchambivalentreactions andtodealskillfullywiththeminappropriateways.

V.The"ActingAsIf"Technique Thistechniqueconsistsinactingasifoneactuallypossessedthedesired innerstate.*Itisbasedonthefactthat,whilethewillcanexerciseonlya limiteddirectrcontroloveremotionsandfeelings,andoftennocontrols

*Iwillfurtherdiscusstheappropriatenessofusingthistechniqueonpages?14244

PracticalApplicationsoftheSkillfulWilt/7 9
atall,itcanactmuchmoredirectlyandfullyonphysicalattitudesandexternal actions.If,forexample,wearesadordepressed,itisdifficult,ifnotimpossible,to becomecheerfulorserenethroughadirectactofwill.Ontheotherhand,itis withinourpowertosmoothourforehead,liftourhead,smile,andspeakwordsof harmony,optimism,confidence,andjoy.Thatistosay,weareabletobehave"as

if"wewerecheerfulandconfident.Doingsogivesfirstofallafeelingoffreedom, andconfirmsthatwearenottheslavesofoureverchangingemotions,ofour physiologicalandpsychologicalconditions,whichreacttosomanyexternal causesenvironmentalcircumstances,otherpeople'sinfluence,orthedifficulties oruncertaintiesinagiven situation. Thuswecan,toalargeextent,act,behave,andreally beinpracticeaswewould beifwepossessedthequalitiesandenjoyedthepositivementalstateswhichwe wouldliketohave.Butthisisnotall.Moreimportant,theuseofthistechnique willactuallychangeouremotionalstate.Littlebylittle,andsometimesrapidly, theemotionalstatewillfollow,adaptitselfto,andmatchtheattitudeandexternal behavior.TommasoCampanellausedtoimitatethefacialexpressionsandgestures ofpeoplewhenhewantedtoknowwhattheywerefeeling.This,hehadfound, wasawayofarousingcorrespondingfeelingsinhimself.Theoperativelawhereis thesecond(seepage52):"Attitudes,movements,andactionstendtoevoke correspondingimagesandideasthese,inturn(accordingtothenextlaw)evoke orintensifycorrespondingemotionsand feelings." Thepsychophysiologicalmechanismofthisphenomenoncanbeexplainedinthis way:everyexternalactrequiresthatitbefirstimaginedorvisualized,evenif unconsciously.Butthenduringitsperformancetheselfobservationthat accompaniesitcreatesanimage 80 /THENATUREOFTHEWILL that,initsturn,producesareinforcingeffect,apositivefeedbackprocess.Itcould besaidthatthe"asif"techniquemakesuseofthesamedynamicpowerofimages asinsuggestion,onlyinareversedirection.Insuggestiontheimagesarousethe feelingsandemotionsandthenthecorrespondingactions.Acting"asif,"instead, oneproceedsfromtheexternalact,whichhasbeendeterminedbythedirectaction ofthewill,totheimageoftheactitself,andfromtheimagetothecorresponding emotionalstates. Oneoftenemploysthistechniquespontaneously.Itiscommonknowledgethat whistlinghelpstokeepupone'scourageinalonelyplaceatnight.Singing,or gettingotherstosing,isawellknownspurtoaction.MachiavelliandBuffonboth usedtodongaladresswhenabouttowrite,havingfoundthattheirstylesreflected theattitudeandmentalstatecreatedbytheircostumes. Thereareexamplesoftheuseofthistechniquebeingimplementedbydetermined actsofwill,withsuccessfulandsometimessurprisingresults.TheFrenchgeneral Turenneprovidesahistoricalone.Hiscustomofmarchingresolutelyinfrontof histroopsgoingintobattleearnedhimareputationforgreatcourage.(Theymade warlikethatinthosedays.)Someoneoncecomplimentedhimonhiscourageand Turennereplied,"OfcourseIconduct myselflikeabraveman,butallthetimeI'm feelingafraid.Naturally,Idon'tgiveintothefear,butsaytomybody,'Tremble, oldcarcass,butwalk!'Andmybodywalks." Turenne'sbehaviordemonstratedthatthehigherformofcouragedoesnotconsist inhavingnofeelingoffear,butinacting"asif"onehadnone.Astillmorestriking

exampleoftheeffectivenessofthetechniqueisgivenbyGoethe,anddeservesto berelatedinhisownwords:

PracticalApplicationsoftheSkillfulWill/ 81
IfoundmyselfinastateofhealthwhichfurtheredmesufficientlyinallthatI wouldandshouldundertakeonlytherewasacertainirritabilityleftbehind, whichdidnotalwaysletmebeinequilibrium.Aloudsoundwasdisagreeableto me,diseasedobjectsawakenedinmeloathingandhorror.ButIwasparticularly troubledbyagiddinesswhichcameoverme"everytimethatIlookeddownfroma height.AlltheseinfirmitiesItriedtoremedy,andindeed,asIwishedtoloseno time,inasomewhatviolentway.Intheevening,whenthey beatthetattoo,Iwent nearthemultitudeofdrums,thepowerfulrollingandbeatingofwhichmighthave madeone'sheartburstinone'sbosom.AllaloneIascendedthehighestpinnacleof theMinsterspire,andsatinwhatiscalledtheneck,undertherooforcrown,fora quarterofanhour,beforeIwouldventuretostepoutagainintotheopenair, where,standinguponaplatformscarceanellsquare,withoutanyparticular holding,oneseestheboundlessprospectbefore,whilethenearestobjectsand ornamentsconcealthechurch,andeverythinguponandabovewhichonestands. Thisisexactlyasifonesawoneselfcarriedupintotheairinaballoon.Such troublesomeandpainfulsensationsIrepeateduntiltheimpressionbecamequite indifferenttome,andIhavesincethenderivedgreatadvantagefromthistraining, inmountaintravelsandgeological studies,andongreatbuildings,whereIhave viedwiththecarpentersinrunningoverthebarebeamsandtocornicesofthe edifice,andeveninRome,whereonemustrunsimilarriskstoobtainanearer viewofimportantworksofart.Anatomy,also,wasofdoublevaluetome,asit taughtmetotoleratethemostrepulsivesights,whileIsatisfiedmythirstfor knowledge.AndthusIattendedalso,theclinical courseoftheelderDoctor Ehrmann,aswellasthelecturesof hissononobstetrics,withthedoubleviewof becomingacquaintedwithallconditions,andoffreeingmyselffromall apprehensionastorepulsivethings.AndIhaveactuallysucceededsofar,that nothingofthiskindcouldeverputmeoutofmyselfpossession.ButIsoughtto steelmyselfnotonly 82/THENATUREOFTHEWILL

againsttheseimpressionsofthesenses,butalsoagainsttheinfectionsof theimagination.Theawfulandshudderingimpressionsofthedarknessin churchyards,solitaryplaces,churchesandchapelsbynight,and whatevermaybeconnectedwiththem,Icontrivedtorenderlikewise indifferentandinthis,also,Iwentsofarthatdayandnight,andevery locality,werequitethesametomesothatevenwhen,inlatertimes,a desirecameovermeoncemoretofeelinsuchscenesthepleasing shudderofyouth,Icouldscarcelyforcethis,inanydegree,bythe

strongestandmostfearfulimageswhichIcalledup. ThisdrasticmethodofGoethe's,however,isnotwithinthecapacityof everyone,foritpresupposesthepossession,orthepreviousdevelopment, ofastronganddeterminedwill.Butthe"asif"techniquecanbeapplied. graduallyandfacilitatedbythehelpofothertechniques.,Thisisacourse stronglyadvocatedandfrequentlyappliedinpsychosynthesis.Whena particulartechnique,byitselffailstoobtainadesiredresult,variousones incombinationcansucceed.Infact,theartofharnessingaselected "team"oftechniquesinthesameundertakingmaybesaidtobeaspecific taskoftheskillful,wisewill. Whenitisnecessaryordesiredtoovercomestrongadversetendenciesor emotions,fearforinstance,itisfrequentlyhelpfultoprecedethe"acting asif"techniquewiththatofthe"idealmodel."Thisentailsvisualizing ourselvesaswewouldwanttobecome,"seeing"ourselvesinimagination actinginthemannerinwhichwewouldliketoactinactualpractice.This methodofselftrainingissimilartoanactor'srehearsals,aloneorwith others,ofthepartheistoplaylaterinpublic. Butwhentheperformanceofsomeactioninrealityisfraughtwith acuteorlargelyrepressedfear,itcanoftenhappenthatthis imaginativeevocationhasthe PracticalApplicationsoftheSkillfulWfS,,/ 83
resultofmagnifyingsuchfeartothepointofinducingasevereanxietycrisis.In suchcasesthepreliminaryuseofanothertechnique,thatof"imaginativetraining," or "desensitization,"willhelptochangethesituation.* Anothertechnique,whichcanbeusedindependentlyof,orinsuccessionto,thatof imaginativetraining,isexternaltraining.Ifonegraduallyaccustomsoneselfto doingsomethingwhichatfirstarousesaversion,theunwillingnessdiminisheslittle bylittle,andfinallydisappears.Thisfacthasanimportantandextensive applicationintheeducationalfield.Parentsshouldcarefullyavoid,ifatall possible,forcingachildtodosomethingwhichfrightensit.Theycaninsteadteach itbydegreestogetridoftheinhibitingaversion:forexample,goingintotheseato bathe,or,inthecaseofaverysmallchild,walking,andsoon.Itisimportantto getasmallchildgraduallyaccustomedtoandfamiliarwithwhatarousesfear, afterwhichhecanbepersuadedtoperformany appropriateactionwithoutthe dangerofrepression.Thisistheproperapproachalsoforadultswhohavesome intenseundesirableemotion,whentherearemeansandtimeforapplyingit.Butin casesofnecessityinwhichsuddenandunforeseensituationscropupandthereis

nottimeforthis,onecan"command"thebodyto"actasif"itdidnotfeelthe emotion.Letuscallit"theTurennemethod." *Itisdescribedin Pychosynthests,page226. 84/THENATUREOFTHEWILL

TheActofWill
ROBERTOASSAGIOLI,M.D.

7
THEGOODWILL
Intheprecedingconsiderationofthedevelopmentofthewill,theindividualhas beenregardedasanisolatedunit,withhiswillasaninstrumentofpersonal achievement.Butin realitytheisolatedmandoesnotexist:heisinconstant interactionwithhisfamily,hisworkingassociates,andsocietyingeneral.His relationshipsaremanyanddiverse. Howeverstrongandablehemaybe,anindividualwhofailstotakethese relationshipsintoconsiderationinevitablyarousesreactionsandconflictsthatoften defeathisaims.Thisseemsobvious,yetmodernlifepresentsthespectacleofa generalclashofwillsonthepartofthosewhocompetefordominanceinallfields. Classisinconflictwithclass,partywithparty,andnationwithnation,while withinthefamilyunitthereisfrequentstrifebetweenhusbandandwife,between parentsandchildren,andbetweenrelatives.Incalculableistheenormouswastage ofphysicalandpsychologicalenergies,oftime,money,andvolitionalenergy,and 85 incalculableisthesumofhumansufferingbredfromthesestruggles.Truly,our civilizationhasadoptedwaysoflifethatnotonlyaremostimprovident,butalso runcountertotherealgoodofeachandall. Thisisamatterofgraveconcerntohumanitarians,andtoallthosewhoare "practical"inthedeepest,widestsense.Thusmanyattemptsarebeingmadeto replacecompetitionwithcooperation,conflictwitharbitrationandagreement, basedonanunderstandingofrightrelationsbetweengroups,classes,andnations. Allthisisbasicallyaquestionofwilling.Thesuccessoftheseattemptsdependson thegradualharmonizationofthewillsofallconcerned.Suchharmonizationis difficultindeed,butitispossiblethedifferingindividualaimscanbemadetofit intothecircleofawiderhumansolidarity. Thismoreinclusiveapproachintroducesanewaspectinthetrainingofthewill. Wehaveseenhowtheindividualwillhasthepower tostrengthenitselfand skillfullydirecttheactivityoftheotherpsychologicalfunctions.Nowthe individualwillfacesanotherandhighertask,thatofdiscipliningitselfand choosingsuchaimsasareconsistentwiththewelfareofothersandthecommon

goodofhumanity. Therearetwomethodsofaccomplishingthistask:

Theeliminationofobstacles. Theactivedevelopmentandexpressionofagoodwill.
l.Selfishnessconstitutesthefundamentalobstacl Selfishnessspringsfromthe desiretopossessandtodominate,whichisanexpressionofthebasicurgesofself preservationandselfassertion.Inevitablyitcomesintocollisionwithobstructions thatblockitssatisfactionaggressivenessandviolencearetherebyaroused,andthe willusedtodestroywhateverisinterferingwiththe 86/THENATUREOFTHEWILL attainmentofthedesiredobjects.Selfishnessisinherentinmanandhasalways existedbutinourpresentdayitassumesmoreaccentuatedanddangerousforms becausemodernlifeprovidesstrongerstimuli,fewerrestraints,andmorepowerful instrumentsofdestruction.Thecontrolofselfishnessisthereforenotonlyan ethicalexigencyitisanecessityfortheverysafetyofmankind. Askillfuluseofthewillcangreatlyassistthiscurbingofselfishness.Techniques aboundanumberaredescribedinChapterVIIIofmy Psychosynthesisandcanbe appliedtothecurbingandtothetransformationofaggressivedrives.Theproblem withsuchafundamentaldifficultyastheeliminationofselfishnessisnotthelack oftechniques,anumberofwhichareavailableorcanbedevelopedbythe thoughtfulperson.Theproblem,rather,ismobilizingthewilltogoodsoasto devotetherequiredenergytothisnecessaryaim. 2.Selfcenteredness.Whilelessobviousandcrudethanselfishness,itisalsoa greathindrancebecauseofitstendencytorefereverythingtothepersonalself,to considereverythingfromtheangleofone'sownpersonality,toconcentratesolely onone'sownideasandemotionalreactions.Itcanbewellhidden,sinceitcan coexistwithwholeheartedattachmenttoothersandwithactsofsacrifice.Theself centeredindividualmaynotbeandoftenisnotatall selfish.Hemaybealtruistic andsincerelywanttodogood.Buthewantstodoitinhisownway.Thereforehe islikelytobeoverbearingandfanatical.Heattemptstoconverteverybodytohis convictions,toimposehismethods,andseessalvationonlyintheremedieshe offers.Suchanattitudeisafundamentalerrorofperspective,areal"Ptolemaic" ratherthan"Copernican"outlook.Thus,withthebestofintentions,hecando actualharm,likethekindly

TheGoodWill/87
monkeyinthestory,who,seeingafishinthewater,rushestorescueitfrom drowningbycarryingitupintothebranchesofatree.

3.Lackofunderstandingofothers.Wearepronetomisunderstandthosewhoare ofadifferentrace,nationality,orsocialclasswhobelongtoadifferentreligion, politicalparty,etc.Butweoftenlackunderstandingnolessinourattitudetoward thosenearesttous,towardthosewelove.Unfortunatelypersonallovedoesnotin itself,asmanyareapttobelieve,createmutualunderstanding.Wecanoften observethesadspectacleofpeoplewholoveeachotherdearly,butdonotunder standorappreciateoneanother'svitalneedsandthuscauseeachothergreat suffering. Theeliminationofselfcenterednessandlackofunderstandingtheyaregenerally associatedcallsforacomplexandskillfulapproach.Itrequiresprimarilythe willtounderstand.This,inturn,requirestheintention tounderstandandalsothe relinquishingoftheselfcenterednessthatpreventsunderstandingofothers.The meansofarrivingatsuchunderstandingarebeingfurnishedincreasingly,though notyetadequately,by humanisticpsychology.Theyinclude: I.Aknowledgeofthegeneralconstitutionofthehumanbeing.(Thishasbeen outlinedinChapter2.) II.Aknowledgeofdifferentialpsychology ortheinvestigationofthepsychological differencesexistingbetweenindividualsandbetweengroupsof.individuals.A discussionofthissubjectcanbefoundinAppendixFive(page248). III. Empathy.Regardlessofone'sintellectual understanding,genuineexistential understandingisnotpossiblewithoutempathy,i.e.,theprojectionofone's consciousnessintothatofanotherbeing.Itsdevelopmentanduse 88/THENATUREOFTHEWILL demandanattitudeofimpersonality andselfforgetfulnessitcanbeachievedby activelyarousing,orlettingoneselfbepervadedby,anabsorbinghumaninterestin thepersononewillstounderstand.Itmeansapproachinghimorherwith sympathy,withrespect,evenwithwonder,asa"Thou"andthusestablishinga deeperinnerrelationship. Thisapproachcandeepenuntilitbecomesfirstalivingcontact,andthena momentaryortemporaryidentification.Onecanimagineoneselfashavingbe comeasbeingthatperson.Onecantrytorealizehisthoughts,hisfeelings pictureoneselfinvariousconditionsandsituationsandevokehismentaland emotionalreactionstothem.Suchempathyismadepossiblebythefactofthe essentialunityofhumannatureexistingbeneath,andinspiteof,allindividualand groupdiversities.Ineachofusthereare,potentially,alltheelementsandqualities ofthehumanbeing,thegermsofallvirtuesandofallvices.Ineachofusthereare thepotentialcriminalandthepotentialsaintorhero.Itisaquestionofdifferent development,valuation,choice,control,andexpression. Traininginempathynotonlyhelpsoneacquireatrueunderstandingofothers,but alsobestowsawiderhumanness.Itgivesaninsightintothewonderandmystery ofhumannature,inwhichsomanyandsuchcontrastingelementsarefoundside

bysidethecoreofgoodnessandthepossibilitiesforchangeexistinginthe criminal,aswellasthefoibles,imperfections,andprimitivedrivestobefoundin everygreatman.Webecomeawareoftheconflictsgoingonwithinboththese extremehumantypesandinallintermediateones,andoftheconsequentsuffering involvedandwerecognizethemtobesimilartoourown.Thusweareinducedto droptheordinary

TheGoodWill/89
attitudeofpassingjudgmentonothers.Insteadasenseofwidecompassion, fellowship,andsolidaritypervadesus. Fromwhathasbeensaiditisevidentthatthefullestpossibleunderstandingof othersisaninvaluableelementintheexerciseofthegoodwill.With understandingcomestheabandonmentoftheinclinationtocriticize,tojudge,to condemn.Withunderstandingisborntherecognitionthatanindividual"isashe is,"andinacertainsensehastherighttobewhatheis.Forheistheproductofan enormousnumberofcollectiveandindividualelementsrootedinthepastandthe present,andofallkindsofconditioningoverwhichhedidnothavecontrol. Ontheotherhand,theindividualisnotfixedandimmutablebutisinacontinual stateof becoming.Everyonecandirectandregulatehisown"becoming"process toacertainextentthuscomesintoplaytheresponsibilityhebearsforthe beneficentorharmfulinfluencehehasonotherpeople.Weareconstantly influencingothers,whetherweareconsciousofdoingsoornot,whetherwedesire todosoornot.Andthemoreweareawareofthis,themorewecanseetoitthat ourinfluenceisbeneficentandconstructive.Itallhingesonourintention. "Intentionality," asRolloMayhasemphasized,isacharacteristicofthewill.The goodwillisawilltodogooditisawillthatchoosesandwantsthegood. Itmaybesaidtobeanexpressionoflove,andthisraisesthegreatproblemofthe relationshipbetweenloveandwill. 90 / THENATUREOFTHEWILL

TheActofWill ROBERTOASSAGIOLI,M.D. 8
LOVEANDWILL.
TheUnionofLoveandWill Thedangerofuntemperedwillisthatitlacksheart.Wesee,andusedtosee especiallyinVictoriantimes,theoperationofacold,stern,andevencruelwill.On theotherhand,lovewithoutwillcanmakeanindividualweak,sentimental, overemotional,andineffectual. Oneof theprincipalcausesoftoday'sdisordersisthelackofloveonthepartof thosewhohavewillandthelackofwillinthosewhoaregoodandloving.This pointsunmistakablytotheurgentneedfortheintegration,theunification,oflove withwill. To treatthesubjectofloveasfullyaswehavediscussedthewillwouldrequire anotherbook.Butabriefconsiderationofsomeofthemostimportantmeaningsof thewordisnecessaryifwearetounderstandtherelationshipbetweenloveand will. Typesof Love Thefirstloveisloveforoneself.Mentionofthismayoccasionsomesurprise,as lovedirectedtowardoneselfis 91 generallyconsideredtobesynonymouswithegotismornarcissism.Thiskindof selflovedoesofcourseexist,butitisnottheonlykindhere,asalways,thegreat complexityandmultiplicityofthehumanbeingmustbetakenintoaccount.Inthe caseofselflove,alldependsonwhatweloveinourselvesandhow weloveit.Itis trulyegotismifwelovetheegocentricandseparativeaspectsinus,thecravingof pleasure,possessions,anddomination.Butifwelovewhatishigherandbestin ourselves,whatweareessentially,ifweloveourpotentialitiesforgrowth, development,creativeability,andcommunionwithothers,thenthislove,devoid ofegotism,urgesustolivealifeofhigherquality.Thisloveisthennotonlynot anobstacletolovingothersinthesamewaybut,rather,apowerfulmeansfor doingso.Aswithallthetypesoflove,selflovecanbehelpedtoregulateand directitselfbythewill. Loveforotherhumanbeingsisqualifiedbyitsobject.Maternallove*maybe

consideredthefirstandfundamentalhumanrelationship.Initsinitialform,ithas an ablativequality,manifestingthemother'swillingdevotiontotheprotectionand careofherinfant,adevotioninwhichtheselfdenialentailedisacceptedjoyously. However,thegrowthofthechildisaccompaniedbythedevelopmentofahealthy independence,whichputsthepurelymaternalaspectofherlovetoaseveretest. Herverydevotionandsacrificeintheearlydaysoftherelationshipnowcanturn intoattachmentandpossessiveness.Thesonordaughterrealizesthis,evenif unconsciously,andresentsit.Themorepossessiveandexactingtheloveofthe mother,themorevigorousthe

*Theterms"maternal"and"paternal"areusedheretoindicatespecific typesoflove.Inmostcases,bothtypeswillcomefromeachparent, althoughindifferentproportions.

92/THENATUREOFTHEWILL rebellionofthechild.Conversely,themoreoblativethelove,themoredurableand deepisthelovingrelationship.Again,thewiseuseofwillcanmakeallthe difference. Paternallovepresentsaparallelprocess,althoughwithcertaindifferences.Here, too,thefather'sbasicloveforhischildrenhasanoblativequality.Butthisinitial eagernesstoprovidethemwithmaterialandotherhelpoftengivesplacelatertoan urgetoasserthisauthorityanddemandtheirobedience.Orelsehemayidentify himselfwithachildtotheextentoftryingtomoldhiminhisownimage,animage whichfrequentlyisnotparticularlycommendable!Inothercaseshemaybring heavypressuretobearuponhischildtoachievewhathehimselfhasfailedto accomplish,anunfairandusuallyunrealizabledemand.Theresultinmost instancesisrebellionwheninsteadthechildsubmits,hedoessounwillingly,and hisfeelingoffrustrationcannotonlyhinderhisdevelopmentbutmaydamageor evenkillthepreviouslovingrelationship. Lovebetweenmanandwomanisanotherareainwhichmuchsemanticconfusion prevails.Itisthecauseoffrequent,Iwouldsayincessant,misunderstandingand subsequentconflict.Somewriterscallloveforapersonoftheoppositesex"erotic love,"butthedifferentmeaningsattributedtotheworderoticrenderitambiguous. Incommonparlance,aswellasinmuchliteratureonthesubject,eroticismis understoodinapurelysexualsense,sometimesbeingemployedvirtuallyasa synonymforpornography.Ontheotherhand,somephilosophersand psychologists,harkingbacktotheErosmythandthemeaningsgiventoitbythe Greeks,regardErosastheattractionofonesexfortheother,generatedbyadesire

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touniteandmergewiththeotherpersonalalllevels,particularlytheemotional one. Inreality,lovebetweenmenandwomencomprisesamixtureofphysical, emotional,mental,andspiritualattractionsinproportionsthatdiffersubstantially foreveryrelationshipandalsochangeintheprocessoftime.Thisexplainsthe

greatdifficultytwohumanbeingsexperienceinunderstandingoneanother,andin harmoniouslyunitingandintegrating.Hence,thesufferingandconflictsthat ensue. Themostfamiliarandgeneralaspectsofthislovearepassionatelove,sentimental love,andidealisticlove.Nolessimportant,thoughgenerallygivenscant considerationinthechoiceofapartner,isthelovefoundedon intellectual understandingandthatbornof spiritualcommunion. Letusnowturntotheclassofloverelationshipsotherthanthosebetweenpeople ofoppositesex.Herewehavefraternal,altruistic, andhumanitarianlove.While theycanbearousedandintensifiedbyafeelingofcompassionforhumanpain, theyderivefundamentallyfromasenseofessentialidentitywithone'sbrothersin humanity.Insomecases,suchas"Franciscanlove,"itembracesallliving creatures.AfulltreatmentoftheseloverelationshipsiscontainedinP.A. Sorokin'sbookTheWaysandPowerofLove, andinMartinLutherKing'sThe StrengthtoLove. Thereisalsoan impersonallove,aloveforideasorforideals.Inthis,too,various componentsandaspectsarepresent.Fascinationwithanideal,orthebeautyofan idea,oftengivesbirthtoadedicationandselfsacrificeofahighorder.Butitcan alsoleadtofanaticismandtheideefixe: amanmaybecomeobsessedbyanidea oranidealtothepointofbeingblindtoallelse,incapableof 94/THENATUREOFTHEWILL understandingandcrueltothosewhodonotshareitorwhoopposeit. Thenthereisalovesodistortedthatitmightbecalledacaricatureoflove.Itisthe idolatrouslovethattakestheformofblind,fanaticaladmirationoftheidolsofthe day,thestarsofstageandscreen,championsofsport,dictatorsandotherleaders. Finally,thereisloveofGod, orwhateverdesignationmaybepreferredtorepresent UniversalBeingorBeingness:TheSupremeValue,CosmicMind,Supreme Reality,both transcendentandimmanent.Asenseofawe,wonder,admiration,and worship,accompaniedbytheurgetounitewiththatReality,isinnateinman. Presentineveryageandeverycountry,ithasgivenbirthtothemanyvarietiesof religiousandspiritualtraditionsandformsofworship,accordingtoprevailing culturalandpsychologicalconditions.Itreachesitsfloweringinthemysticswho attainthelivedexperienceofunionthroughlove. RelationshipsofLoveandWill Allthesekindsoflovehavespecificrelationshipswiththewillanditsdifferent aspects.Theworkingoutofthesevariousrelationshipsintheparticular circumstancesthateachindividualfindshimselfinis,obviously,oneofthebasic tasksofeachofus.Muchremainstobediscoveredingeneralandalsoineach individualcase.HereIwillmakesomeobservationsonlyaboutthegeneralnature ofthemostimportantrelationshipsbetweenloveandwill. Loveandwillaregenerallypresentinindividualsininverseproportion.Thatisto say,thoseinwhomloveispredominanttendtopossesslesswillandarelittle inclinedtousewhattheyhave,whilethoseendowedwith

LoveandWill/95
astrongwilloftenlackloveorevenexhibititscontrary.Butthispersonal imbalancebetweenloveandwillcanbefurtheraccentuatedbytheessential differencesinthequality,nature,anddirectionofthetwoaspectsthemselves. Love,beingattractive,magnetic,andoutgoing,tendstolinkandunite.Will,onthe otherhand,being"dynamic,"tendsbyitselftobeaffirmative,separative,and domineeringittendstoestablisharelationshipofdependence.Andclearly,these differencescanleadtoarealopposition. Loveisnormallyconsideredtobesomethingspontaneousandindependentofwill, somethingindeedthat"happens"inamannerthatmayruncountertoourHowever truethismaybeatthebeginningofanaffectiverelationship,tocultivatehuman lovethatissatisfying,enduring,andcreativeistrulyanart. Humanloveisnotsimplyamatteroffeeling,an affectiveconditionordisposition. Tolovewellcallsforallthatisdemandedbythepracticeofanyart,indeedof any humanactivity,namely,anadequatemeasureofdiscipline,patience,and persistence.Allthesewehaveseentobequalitiesofthewill.If,asiscommonly recognized,theyareindispensableinmasteringanart,beitplayinganinstrument, forexample,orsinging,orpainting,orperforminganyothercreativeactivity, whoeveraspirestoperfecthimselfinhischosenfieldwillnaturallybewillingto devotetotherequiredpracticeallthetimeandenergydemanded.Asyet,the necessityforthesamedegreeofapplicationinthesphereofloveislargely ignored,or,ifnotdenied,recognizedonlywith reluctance. Thewidespreadincidenceofmisunderstandingandconflictsbetweenthosewho enterintoaffectiverelationshipsprovidesampleevidencethat"fallinginlove"and 96/TH'ENATUREOFTHEWILL merelysexualandemotionalattractionareinsufficientforachievingsuccessful loving.Theestablishmentofasuccessfulloverelationshipentailsthepossession, oracquisition,ofanadequateamountofphysical,psychological,andspiritual knowledgeparalleling,andinlargemeasurethesameas,thatrequiredforgood willing.Thusgoodwillandgoodlovearecloselyrelated.Aswithgoodwilling,the knowledgerelevanttogoodlovingconcernsthestructureofthehumanbeing,his variousfunctionsandthelawsgoverningthemandgeneraldifferential psychologyinallitsaspects(seeAppendixFive,page
248).

Aftersuchapreparation,thespecifictasksleadingtotheharmonizationand unificationofloveandwillcanbeundertakeneffectively.Therearethreemethods suitableforthispurpose: Thefirstconsistsindevelopingtheweakerofthetwo,makingbothlovingand willingequallyavailable. Thesecondaimsatawakening,andthenmanifesting,thehigheraspectsofboth. Thethirdisbringingthemintooperationtogetherinalternation,insuchaway thateacharousesandreinforcestheother.

l.Thefirsttaskistobalancethelovewillcombinationbyincreasingthe proportionoftheweakerfunctionwithrespecttothestrongerone.Emotional types,inwhomlovepredominates,mustseetotheprogressivedevelopmentofthe willanditsincreasinglyactiveemployment.Conversely,volitionaltypes,thosefor whomtheexerciseofthewillrepresentsthelineofleastresistance,havetotake particularcarethatthequalityoflovetempersandcounterbalancesits employment,renderingitharmlessandconstructive. Inthecaseofthewill,theaimofthetrainingisthe

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cultivationofaspectsinwhichitmaybedeficient. Thiscultivationrequiresthe eliminationoftheunwillingnesstoengageinactivetraining.Thisunwillingness hasitschiefsourceinabasicinertiaexistinginallofusbutanantagonistic attitudetowardthewillcanalsobecausedbytheexcessivereactionagainstits harshandimmoderateimpositioninthepast.Theeliminationofsuchantagonism canbeaccomplished,asIhavepreviouslymentioned,byrecognizingand appreciatingthevalueof,andtheneedfor,anappropriateuseofthewill.The samecanbesaidoflove.Manypeoplefearlove,fearopeningthemselvesto anotherhumanbeing,agroup,oranideal.Sincereandhonestselfexamination andselfanalysis,orananalysisconductedwiththehelpofothers,arethemeans ofdiscoveringandunmasking,andthengettingridof,theseresistancesandfears. 2.Thesecondmethod,thatofawakeningandthenmanifestingthehigheraspects ofbothloveandwill,raisesanimportantpointofageneralnature.Manyofthe limitationsanderrorsofmodernscientificpsychologyowetheirorigintoafailure (onemightsayunwillingness)torecognizethatinbothloveandwillthereexist qualitativedifferencesoflevel,degree,andvalue.Yetscientificpsychology,while claimingtoeliminateevaluations,hasfrequently(andindeedalmostinevitably) formulatedevaluationswithoutbeingawareofit.AsMaslowhassaid,"Scienceis basedonhumanvaluesandisitselfavaluesystem." Theexistenceofdifferentlevelsofbeinghavingdifferentvaluesisanevidentand undeniablemanifestationofthegreatlawofevolution,asitprogressesfrom simpleandcrudestagestomorerefinedandhighlyorganizedones.Applyingthis tothesphereofloveanddisregardingherethequestionoftherelationshipbetween sexuality 98/THENATUREOFTHEWILL andlove,itisevidentthatalovethatisoverpowering,possessive,jealous,and blindisatalowerlevelthanonethatistenderandconcernedwiththepersonof thelovedone,thatseekshiswellbeinganddesirestheunionofthebestaspectsof bothpersonalities.Atstillanotherlevelwefindaltruisticlove,withitsbroad humanitarianperspective,animatedbycompassionandtheurgetomitigatethe sufferingsandillsthatbesethumanitythelovecalledcaritasor agape. How, then,canthedifferencesin,evolution,level,andvalueofthevariouskindsoflove

beignored? Thesameisequallytrueandevidentinregardtothewill,which,aswehaveseen, canatitslowestlevelbehard,egotistical,benttowardpoweranddomination, ruthlessandcruel.Athigherlevels,ontheotherhand,thewillisdirectedtoward objectivesandpurposesdevoidofegotismandegocentriccontent.Animatedby thiskindofwill,anindividualtendstoestablishcloserelationshipswithother humanbeings,andwillbereadytoallyhiswillwiththatofothersforconstructive ends.Asthebasichumanneedsarebeingtakencareof,thepullofwhat.Maslow hastermedthehigherneedsgraduallyemergeandassertsitself,anddrawsus towardevergreateifexpansionsofconsciousnessandrealization.Thisoccursnot onlyinthespheresofloveandwillbutalsointhecaseofsuchfunctionsasdesire, imagination,andmentalactivity.Wecandeliberatelychoosetostimulateand fosterthisnaturalprocessofdevelopmentandgrowthbymeansofskillful applicationofvarioustechniquesusedinpsychosynthesis,suchasvisualization, creativeimagination,meditation,the"idealmodel,"transmutationandsublimation. 3.Thethirdmethodaimsatagradualfusionofloveandwillandtheirresultant synergy.Itformsanessential

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partofpsychosynthesis,theprocesswherebythemultiplicityoftendencies,the autonomous,oftenconflictingelements,enterintoanincreasinglyharmonious interactionculminatingintheirfinalfusionintheintegratedhumanbeing. Allthis,intentionallystatedinsimpletermsasitis,seemselementaryandobvious: yetanyonewhosetshimselftopracticeitsoonrealizeshowdifficultitis.In dealingwiththissubject,therefore,aswithothersinthecourseofthisstudy,the useofexpressionsthataresimple,easilyunderstood,andasnontechnicalas possibleshouldnotinducethereadertothinkthatIconsiderthesematterstobe simpleandeasytoputintooperation! Thegradualfusionofloveandwillisoftencharacterizedbyperiodsofvarying durationinwhichexternalcircumstancesorinnerurgesmayoccasionatemporary predominanceofthenormallyweakerorlessdevelopedfunction.Asimplecasein pointisthatofa"volitionaltype"ofmanfallinginloveanotherillustrationisthe mannerinwhichadisaster,suchasfloodorearthquake,canarousehumanitarian feelingsandasenseofhumansolidarityinanordinarilyselfcenteredand unfeelingindividual.Inalovetype,theurgetofulfillhislovearouseshiswillto theextentthathetemporarilyfocuseshisenergiesonthemeansleadinghimto reachthedesiredobjective. ThePrincipleandTechniqueofSynthesis Ifthevariousstages,qualities,andlevelsofthewill,thecorrespondingonesof love,andthecomplexinteractionsbetweenallofthemaretakenintoaccount,asis indeednecessary,itwillbeapparentthatthesuccessfulendeavortoachievea synthesisbetweenloveandwilldemandsmuchskillinaction.Itcallsfor persistent

100/THENATUREOFTHEWILL vigilance,forconstantawarenessfrommomenttomoment.Variouscurrent spiritualmovementsandapproachesrightlyemphasizeitandithasbeenwidely practicedintheEast. Butthisawareness,thisattitudeofmaintainingaconsciousinner"presence,"does notstopwiththeobservationofwhat"happens"withinoneselfandintheexternal world.Itmakespossibletheactiveinterventionandcommitment onthepartofthe self,whoisnotonlyanobserver,butalsoawiller,adirectingagent oftheplayof thevariousfunctionsandenergies.Thiscanbedonebyutilizingtheprincipleof selfidentification(seetheexerciseofidentificationinAppendixOne,page213). Fromthevantagepointoftheself,itisnotacompromisebetweenloveandwill whichisbeingattempted,buta synthesis.Thetwoelementsareabsorbedintoa higherunityendowedwithqualitieswhichtranscendthoseofeither.The differencebetweensuchsynthesisandamerecompromiseisfundamental.Itis indicatedforanumberofdifferentsituationsinthetriangulardiagramsonpages 102103. Thesynthesisbetweenthestages,qualities,andlevelsofloveandwillneedstobe effectedinsuchways.FutureresearchoutlinedintheWillProject(seePartIII) shouldaimatascertaining,throughexperiments,howtheseparticularsyntheses canbebestbroughtabout.Activewatchfulnessanddirectionofthiskinddemand theapplicationof wisdom. Likethewill,wisdomislittleinfashiontoday.Mostpeople'sideaofasageis static,picturingsomeonealoofandfarremovedfromsocalled"reality"andlife. Oneofpsychology'stasksshouldbetherehabilitationofwisdom,byputting forwardatruerconceptionofitsvital,dynamic,andcreativenature.Thisimageof wisdomhas

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101/THENATUREOFTHEWILL

been arrestinglypresentedbyHermannKeyserlingin TheRecoveryofTruth: TheChinese,whoknowmoreofwisdomthananyotherrace,designatethewiseby thecombinationoftheideographsforwindandlightningwise,withthem,isnot thesereneoldmanbereftofallillusions,buthewho,likethewind,rushesheading andirresistiblyonhiswayandcannotbestoppednorlaidholdofatanystationof hiscareerwhopurifiestheairinthemanneroflightning,andstrikeswhenthere isneedforit. Paradoxicalasitmaysound,theselfmustusethewisewilltosynthesizethe variousstagesofloveandwill.Thisprocesscanbecarriedoutbecausean essentialattribute

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ofwisdomisthepowerto"playwithopposites,"toregulatetheinteractionof antipodalforcesandfunctions,therebyestablishingadynamicequalibriumand synthesis,withoutresortingtocompromise,butratherbyregulation fromahigher level.Thisgeneralprocessisdescribedinmyarticle"TheBalancingandSynthesis oftheOpposites."Hereafewexamplescanservetodemonstratetheoperationof thewisewillinvarioussituationsandhelppointtowardtheunionofloveandwill. Thepolaritybetween"mind"and"heart,"betweenreasonandfeeling(Logosand Eros),isregulated,first,bytherecognitionoftheirrespectivefunctionsandofthe legitimatefieldofactionbelongingtoeachofthetwofunctions,sothatneither dominatestheother.Thiscanbefollowedbyamutualandincreasingcooperation andinterpenetrationbetweenthetwo,finallyarrivingatthesynthesissowell

expressedbyDanteinthewords"intellectuallightfulloflove." Thepolaritybetweensensitivityandreceptivity(Pathos),anddynamismor affirmativeness(Ethos),which,inawidersense,correspondstothepsychosexual polarityfortheformerroleisthe"feminine"andthelatterthe"masculine" modalitycanalsoatfirstbecontrolledbyabalancedadjustment,tobe supersededbyacreativesynthesis, Thefundamentalpolaritybetweenthehumanpersonalityasawholeandthe TranspersonalSelfcanalsoberesolvedintoaunity.Thisistheaimofalong processoftransmutation,involvingaprotractedseriesofconflicts,approaches, andcontacts,eachproducingapartialormoreexpandedfusion:inshort,aprocess oftranspersonalpsychosynthesis.Thisconstitutesthehigheffort,the 104/THENATUREOFTHEWILL centraldramaofman,who,eitherconsciouslyorunconsciously,aspirestothis goal,orispushedtowarditbyhisinabilitytofindlastingsatisfactionoratrue peaceuntilhehasattainedit.Thephasesandmethodsofsuchafusionand synthesishavebeendescribed,inapreliminaryway,inPsychosynthesis. Thesevariousequilibrations,adjustments,andintegrationscanbeproducedin differentways.Inanumberofcasestheyareprecededbyintensecrisesand conflicts.Atothertimestheyarereachedinamoreharmoniouswaybymeansofa gradualdecreaseintheoscillationsofthe"pendulum"whichswingsbetweenthe twoextremes.Aclearunderstandingofthisprocessofpsychosynthesisenables onetoactivelycooperatewithit,andachieveitmoreeasilyandrapidly.The essentialrequirement,aspreviouslymentioned,istoavoididentifyingoneselfwith eitherofthetwooppositepoles,andtocontrol,transmute,anddirecttheirenergies fromahigherunifyingcenterofawarenessandpower.

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TheActofWill
ROBERTOASSAGIOLI,M.D.

9
THETRANSPERSONAL WILL
Therecentdevelopmentofthefieldoftranspersonalpsychologyprovidesagood foundationandaconvenientframeworkfordealingwiththesubjectofthe TranspersonalWill. Maslowhasclearlydescribedthe"hierarchyofneeds"in Motivationand Personality.Hespeaksfirstofthebasicpsychologicalneedsthenofthepersonal needssuchasbelongingandlove,esteem,andselfactualizationandalsoofa thirdgroup:TranspersonalorMetaneeds,Achievingthesatisfactionofthefirst twogroupsofneedsoftenengenders,paradoxically,asenseofboredom,ennui, emptiness,andmeaninglessness.Itleadstoamoreorlessblindsearchfor "somethingother,"somethingmore.Thisisseeninmanywho,havinghadgreat satisfactionsandsuccessesintheordinaryworld,becomeincreasinglyrestless, rebellious,ordepressed.ViktorFranklhasdealtextensivelywiththiscondition, whichhehasaptlytermed"theexistentialvacuum": 106 Evermorepatientscomplainofwhattheycallan"innervoid,"andthatisthe reasonwhyIhavetermedthis"existentialvacuum." IncontradistinctionofthepeakexperiencesoaptlydescribedbyMaslow,one couldconceiveoftheexistentialvacuuminthroesofan"abyssexperience." Butthisconditionneednotnecessarilybeconsideredpathological.Franklgoesso farastosay,"Theexistentialvacuumisnoneurosisor,ifitisaneurosisatall,it isasociogenicneurosis,orevenaiatrogenicneurosisthatistosay,aneurosis whichiscausedbythedoctorwhopretendstocureit." A strikingexampleofintenseexistentialvacuum(coexistingwithperfectphysical andmentalhealth)isfoundintheConfessionsofLeoTolstoi.Itisworthwhileto quotehiminfull. SoIlivedbutfiveyearsagosomethingverystrangebegantohappentome.At firstIexperiencedmomentsofperplexityandarrestoflife,asthoughIdidnot

knowwhattodoorhowtolive,andIfeltlostandbecamedejected.Butthis passed,andIwentonlivingasbefore.Thenthesemomentsofperplexitybeganto recur oftenerandoftener,andalwaysinthesameform.Theywerealways expressedbythequestions:Whatisitfor?Whatdoesitleadto? Atfirstitseemedtomethatthesewereaimlessandirrelevantquestions.Ithought thatitwasallwellknown,andthatifIshouldeverwishtodealwiththesolutionit wouldnotcostmemucheffort:justatpresentIhadnottimeforit,butwhenI wantedtoIshouldbeabletofindtheanswer.Thequestionshoweverbeganto repeatthemselvesfrequently,andtodemandrepliesmoreandmoreinsistently andlikedropsofinkalwaysfallingononeplacetheyrantogetherintooneblack blot. Thenoccurredwhathappenstoeveryonesickeningwithamortalinternaldisease. Atfirsttrivialsignsofindisposition

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appeartowhichthesickmanpaysnoattentionthenthese signsreappearmoreandmoreoftenandmergeintooneuninterruptedperiodof suffering.Thesufferingincreasesand,beforethesickmancanlookround,what hetook foramereindispositionhasalreadybecomemoreimportanttohimthan anythingelseintheworlditisdeath! Thatwaswhathappenedtome.Iunderstoodthatitwasnocasualindispositionbut somethingveryimportant,andthatifthesequestionsconstantlyrepeated themselvestheywould.havetobeanswered.AndItriedtoanswerthem.The questionsseemedsuchstupid,simplechildishonesbutassoonasItouchedthem andtriedtosolvethemIatoncebecameconvinced,first,thattheyarenotchildish andstupidbutthemostimportantandprofoundoflife'squestionsandsecondly that,tryasIwould,Icouldnotsolvethem.Beforeoccupyingmyselfwithmy Samaraestate,theeducationofmyson,orthe'writingofabook,Ihadtoknow whyIwasdoingit.AslongasIdidnotknowwhy,Icoulddonothingandcould notlive.Amidthethoughtsofestatemanagementwhichgreatlyoccupiedmeat thattime,thequestionwouldsuddenlyoccur: "Well,youwillhave6,000desytinasoflandinSamaraGovernmentand300 horses,andwhatthen?"...AndIwasquitedisconcertedanddidnotknowwhatto think.Orwhenconsideringplansfortheeducationofmychildren,Iwouldsayto myself:"Whatfor?"Orwhenconsideringhowthepeasantsmightbecome prosperous,Iwouldsuddenlysaytomyself: "Butwhatdoesitmattertome?"Orwhenthinkingofthefamemyworkswould bringme,Iwouldsaytomyself,"VerywellyouwillbemorefamousthanGogol orPushkinorShakespeareorMoliere,orthanallthewritersintheworldand whatofit?"AndIcouldfindnoreplyatall.Thequestionswouldnotwait,they hadtobeansweredatonce,andifIdidnotanswerthemitwasimpossibletolive. Buttherewasnoanswer. IfeltthatwhatIhadbeenstandingonhadcollapsedandthatIhadnothingleft undermyfeet.WhatIhadlivedonnolongerexisted,andtherewasnothingleft.

108/THENATUREOFTHEWILL Mylifecametoastandstill.Icouldbreathe,eat,drink,andsleep,andIcouldnot helpdoingthesethingsbuttherewasnolife,fortherewerenowishesthe fulfilmentofwhichIcouldconsiderreasonable.IfIdesiredanything,Iknewin advancethatwhetherIsatisfiedmydesireornot,nothingwouldcomeofit.Hada fairycomeandofferedtofulfilmy desiresIshouldnothaveknownwhattoask.If inmomentsofintoxicationIfeltsomethingwhich,thoughnotawish,wasahabit leftbyformerwishes,insobermomentsIknewthistobeadelusionandthatthere wasreallynothingtowishfor. Ithadcometothis,thatI,ahealthy,fortunateman,feltIcouldnotlongerlive: someirresistiblepowerimpelledmetoridmyselfonewayorotheroflife.Icannot sayIwishedtokillmyself.Thepowerwhichdrewmeawayfromlifewas stronger,fuller,andmorewidespreadthananymerewish.Itwasaforcesimilarto theformerstrivingtolive,onlyinacontrarydirection.Allmystrengthdrewme awayfromlife.Thethoughtofselfdestructionnowcametomeasnaturallyas thoughtsofhowtoimprovemylifehadcomeformerly. AndallthisbefellmeatatimewhenallaroundmeIhadwhatisconsidered completegoodfortune.IwasnotyetfiftyIhadagoodwifewholovedmeand whomIloved,goodchildren,andalargeestatewhichwithoutmucheffortonmy partimprovedandincreased.Iwasrespectedbymyrelationsandacquaintances morethanatanyprevioustime.Iwaspraisedbyothersandwithoutmuchself deceptioncouldconsiderthatmynamewasfamous.Andfarfrombeinginsaneor mentallydiseased,IenjoyedonthecontraryastrengthofmindandbodysuchasI haveseldommetwithamongmenofmykindphysicallyIcouldkeepupwiththe peasantsatmowing,andmentallyIcouldworkforeightandtenhoursatastretch withoutexperiencinganyillresultsfromsuchexertion. Tolstoi'sStatementissignificantbecauseitshowsthefundamentalimportanceof theneedforunderstandingthe

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meaningoflife.Franklinhisbook Man'sSearchforMeaninggivesample testimonyofthis.WhileaprisonerinNaziconcentrationcamps,henoticedthat thosewhosawmeaninginlife,orwhogaveitmeaning,demonstratedasurprising degreeofstrengthandresistance.Findingthismeaningprovedtobeofdecisive survivalvalue,asmanyof thosewholackedsuchincentivegaveupanddied. Thereisalsoasomewhatdifferenttypeofcrisis,thesenseofpersonalfutility. Heretheindividualfeelsthatheisuseless,thathis lifecanhavenopoint,orvalue, andcanleadnowhere.Thisinmyopinionisadelusion,becauseeveryformof existencehasitsplaceinthewhole.Theoldstoryofthethreestonecutters illustratesthevalueofthisrealization.Whenamedievalcathedralwasbeingbuilt andthreestonecutterswereaskedinturn,"Whatareyoudoing?"thefirstreplied inanangrytone,"Asyousee,Iamcuttingstones."Thesecondanswered,"Iam earningalifeformyselfandmyfamily."Butthethirdsaidjoyously,"Iam buildingagreatcathedral."Allweredoingexactlythesamething,butwhilethe

firsthadasenseoffutilitybecauseofthedullandhumblenatureofhiswork,and thesecondfoundasmallpersonalpurposeinit,thethirdsawtherealpurposeof thestonecutting.Herealizedthatwithoutitthecathedralcouldnotbebuilt,and hewasinfusedwith thejoyofhispartnershipinameaningfulgoal. Tohelpunderstandthedissatisfactionwith"normal"life,wecanlookagainatthe diagramofthepsychologicalconstitutionofman,foundonpage14.Thebasicand normalpersonalneedsconcernthelevelsofthelowerandmiddlepsychological life,bothconsciousandunconscious.However,thereisalsoathirdandhigher leveltheareaofthesuperconscious,whichculminatesintheTranspersonalSelf. 110/THE NATUREOFTHEWILL Itisboththedramaandgloryofmanthatthishigherlevel,mostoftenlatent, soonerorlaterdemandssatisfactionitdemandstobetakenintoaccountandlived. ThereisastrikingstatementbyJungonthisfact: Tobe"normal"isasplendididealfortheunsuccessful,forallthosewhohavenot yetfoundanadaptation.Butforpeoplewhohavefarmoreabilitythanthe average,forwhomitwasneverhardtogainsuccessesandtoaccomplishtheir shareoftheworld'sworkforthemrestrictiontothenormalsignifiesthebedof Procrustes,unbearableboredom,infernalsterilityandhopelessness.Asa consequencetherearemanypeoplewhobecomeneuroticbecausetheyareonly normal,astherearepeoplewhoareneuroticbecausetheycannotbecomenormal. Allneedsevokecorrespondingdrivestowardtheirsatisfaction.Thedrives concerningthebasicelementaryneedsaremoreorlessblind,instinctive,and unconscious.Butforthemorepersonalneedsthedrivesgraduallyleadto consciousvolitionalacts,aimingattheirsatisfaction.Thereforeeveryneed arouses,soonerorlater,acorrespondingwill. Onemightsaythehighestandfullestexampleofthewilltomeaningisfoundin thelifeofGautamaBuddha.Whenherealizedwhatsufferingtherewasinhuman life,hecouldhavenopeacehestartedanintensivesearchforthecausesofthe sufferingandthewaystoeliminateit.Formanyyearshetrieddifferentmethods, includingstrictascetism,butwithnosuccess.Finally,throughpersistencein meditation,onenightunderthefamousBodhitreeheachievedillumination.He "saw"inaflashoflightallthemechanisms,thechainofcauses,whichproducethe sufferingandbondageofhumanitywhathecalledthe"wheelofcausation."And thenhesawalsotheway tobreakthischainandachievefreedom.Hefound

TheTranspersonalWill/ 111
meaningandthesolutionoflife'sproblemsthroughillumination.Heblazedatrail andshowedawayforotherstofollow. Butthisilluminationwastheresultandtherewardofhiswilledendeavor.AsD.T. Suzukidescribesit: ThemostimportantfactthatliesbehindtheexperienceofEnlightenment, therefore,isthattheBuddhamadethemoststrenuousattempttosolvetheproblem ofignoranceandhisutmostwillpowerwasbroughtforthtobearupona

successfulissueofthestruggle.. . .Enlightenmentthereforemustinvolvethewill aswellastheintellect.Itisanactofintuitionbornofthewill.. . .TheBuddha attainedthisendwhenanewinsightcameuponhimattheendofhisever circulatoryreasoningfromdecayanddeath.. . .Buthehadanindomitablewill hewanted,withtheutmosteffortsofhiswill,togetintotheverytruthofthe matterheknockedandknockeduntilthedoorsofIgnorancegavewayandthey burstopentoanewvistaneverbeforepresentedtohisintellectualvision. Thebasicneedformeaninghasbeenstatedinaconciseandforcefulwayby AlbertEinstein:"Themanwhoregardshislifeasmeaninglessisnotmerely unhappybuthardlyfittolive." Asaresultofdissatisfactionwithwhatisexperiencedasthemeaninglessnessof thepresentwayoflivingbothpersonalandsocialmanyfeelastrongurgeto evadeit.Inobeyingthisurge,theymaytrytoreachbeyondthelimitationsof ordinaryconsciousnessandattainmoreexpandedandintensestatesofawareness. Unfortunatelymany,oftenwiththebestintentions,trytoattainthesestates throughharmful,evendestructivemeans.Therefore,itisnecessarytorealize clearlythattherearetwodifferent,andinasenseopposite,waysfordealingwith theexistentialanxiety.Oneistheattempttoescapeitby 112/THENATUREOFTHEWILL returningtoaprimitivestateofconsciousness,tobereabsorbedintothe"mother," intoaprenatalstate,toloseoneselfinthecollectivelife.Thisisthewayof regression.Theotheristheabovementionedwayof transcendence,of"rising above"ordinaryconsciousness,Maslowhascalledthesetwoconditionsthe"low nirvana"andthe"highnirvana."Thefirst,whileitmaygiveatemporarysenseof release,andmayshowthattherearestatesofexpandedconsciousness,cannot bringpermanentsatisfactionanddoesnotofferarealandlastingsolution.Itonly postponesthecrisis,whichwilleventuallyreappearinexacerbatedform.Sowe needtofacecourageouslyandwillinglytherequirementsfortranscendingthe limitations ofpersonalconsciousness,withoutlosingthecenterofindividual awareness.Thisispossiblebecauseindividualityanduniversalityarenotmutually exclusivetheycanbeunitedinablissfulsyntheticrealization.Atthispointit mightbeobjectedthattherehavebeenmanyinstancesof spontaneous,sudden, unexpectedillumination,withoutanypreviousconsciousstrivingorexertion.In thesecasestheinitiativeistakenbytheTranspersonalSelf,whichexertsa"pull" fromabove.Thisfactcanbeunderstoodbyconsideringthepsychological constitutionofhumanbeings.Wehaveseenthatthewillisthefunctioninclosest relationtotheself,themostdirectexpressionoftheself.Thisistruebothforthe personalselfandfortheTranspersonalSelf.Justasthereisapersonalwillthe onewehavebeenconsideringuptonowsothereisaTranspersonalWill,which isanexpressionoftheTranspersonalSelfandoperatesfromthesuperconscious levelsofthepsyche.Itisitsactionwhichisfeltbythepersonalself,or"I,"asa "pull"or"call." Theexistenceandthe"presence"ofthistranscendent

TheTranspersonalWill/ 113
RealityorSelfhasbeeninterestinglyassertedbyJungintheinscriptionoverthe doorofhishouseatKussnacht: "Vocatus,sivenonvocatus,Deusaderit"("Godwillbepresentwhethercalledin ornot").Andthisexperiencehasbeenreportedbymany,ofteninterpretedasacall fromGodorsomehigherbeing.Ishallnotdiscusstheinterpretationhere,butthe realityandthenatureofthisprocessshouldberecognized. Experiencesofspontaneousilluminationhavebeenreportedbymany,andmany oftheseexperiencesaredetailedinR.M.Bucke'sCosmicConsciousness,andWil liamJames'sTheVarietiesofReligiousExperience.Boththesepioneeringbooks containmuchvaluablematerial,andtheinterpretationsgivenbybothauthorsare stillpertinenttoaconsiderableextent.Acollectionoffirsthandreportsof spontaneousilluminationsoccurringto"ordinary"peopleiscontainedinWinslow Hall'sObservedIlluminates. Accountsofreligiousexperiencesoftenspeakofa"call"fromGod,ora"pull" fromsomeHigherPower thissometimesstartsa"dialogue"betweenthemanandthis"HigherSource,"in whicheachalternatelyinvokesandevokestheother.Inothercasesthepullfrom "above"takestheformofanimperativedemand,whichmayevenbefelt temporarilyasapersecution.ThishasbeenvividlyexpressedbyFrancis Thompsoninhispoem"TheHoundofHeaven."Thesearetheopeningstanzas:

IfledHim,downthenightsanddownthedays IfledHim,downthearchesoftheyears IfledHim,downthelabyrinthineways Ofmyownmind,andinthemistoftearsIhidfromHim,andunder runninglaughter, UpvistaedhopesIsped

114/THENATUREOFTHEWILL

Andshot,precipitated,AdownTitanicgloomsofchasmedfears,From thosestrongFeetthatfollowed,followedafter, Butwithunhurryingchase, Andunpenurbedpace,Deliberatespeed,majesticinstancy, TheybeatandaVoicebeat MoreinstantthantheFeet"Allthingsbetraythee,whobetrayestme."

Agooddescriptionofthe"call"ofaHigherPrinciplehasbeengiven,onceagain, byJung:

What,inthelastanalysis,inducesamantochoosehisownwayandso climboutofunconsciousidentitywiththemassasoutofafogbank.... Itiswhatiscalled"vocation." ...Whohasvocationhearsthevoiceof

theinnermanheiscalled...ahistoriccaseisthe"daimon"of Socrates....Tohavevocationmeansintheoriginalsensetobe addressedbyavoice.Wefindtheclearestexamplesofthisinthe ConfessionsoftheOldTestamentProphets.Noristhismerelyanancient mannerofspeech,asisshownbytheconfessionsofhistoricpersonalities suchasGoetheandNapoleon,tomentiontwofamiliarexamples,who madenosecretoftheirfeelingofvocation.Now,vocation,orthefeeling ofvocation,isnotperchancetheprerogativeofgreatpersonalities,but alsobelongstothesmallones. Itshouldbenoted,however,thatwhentheTranspersonalWillbecomes active,manydiverseeffectscanresultfromtheinterplaybetweenitand theoftenrebelliouswillofthepersonalself.Ihavediscussedthestages ofthecrisisproducedandwaystodealwiththeminthesecondchapterof Psychosynthesis. Theaspirationandwillofthepersonalselfandthepullfromthe TranspersonalSelftotranscendthe TheTranspersonalWill/115
limitationsof"normal"consciousnessandlifedonotmanifestthemselvesonlyas asearchandwilltomeaning,toenlightenment.Thereareothertypesof transcendencewhichareexperiencedbythecorrespondingtypesofhumanbeings. Someofthechiefonesare: 1..Transcendencethroughtranspersonal love. 2.Transcendencethroughtranspersonal action. 3.Transcendencethrough beauty. 4.TranscendencethroughSELF'realization. Thesewaysoftranscendencecanalsobeexpressedintermsof will, the fundamental willtotranscendpersonalitylimitationsthroughunionwithsomeone orsomethinggreaterandhigher.Moreexactly,inallofthemwefindtheunionof willandlove. I.TranscendencethroughTranspersonalLove Infullhumanlove thereisatranspersonalaspect.Itcanbedefinedasthe relationshipbetweenthesuperconsciouslevelsinbothpersonsajointrealization ofTranspersonalReality.Itcanbecombinedwithloveatallpersonalitylevels thustherecanbeattimesacombinationofsexual,emotional,andtranspersonal love.Theperfectlovecouldbeconsideredastheunionatalllevels.The correspondingwillcanbecalledthewilltounionthroughlove.Oneofthefullest depictionsofthislovehasbeengivenbyRichardWagnerin TristanandIsolde. Thetwopersonalitiesareincludedandtranscended,andthereisunificationwith thetranscendentRealitythroughtheunionbetweenthetwo. Asecondkindoftranscendencethroughloveisthrough altruisticlove. Thereisa

differenceherebetweenpersonalgoodwill,whichIhavementionedearlier,and theTranspersonalWillofwhichaltruisticloveisanexpression.Ithasbeencalled caritasandagapeitshighestandpurestexpressioniscompassion. 116/THENATUREOFTHEWILL Altruisticloveisnotlimitedtothemembersofthehumanfamily.Itcanalso embracealllivingthingsintheanimalandvegetablekingdomsofnature.This inclusivenessisexpressedintheBuddhistloveforalllivingcreatures,andby SaintFrancisinhis"SongoftheCreatures."Onemightsaythatanincreasingly conscioussenseofthisuniversalbrotherhoodisbehindthegrowingtrendtoward thecultivationofharmoniousrelationswiththeenvironment.Thisisthehigher andbroaderaspectofecology. Athirdkindoftranscendencethroughloveistheaspirationtounitywiththe SupremeBeing,generallycalledGodorUniversalReality.Itisthewayof mysticallove.Theutterancesofthegreatmysticsoftencontainpassionate referencestothisurgeforunionwithGod.Andthegreatestmysticshave demonstratedastrongandwelldevelopedwill. II.TranscendencethroughTranspersonalAction Thehighestformsofhumanitarianandsocialactionhaveatranspersonal character.TheyaremotivatedbytheTranspersonalWill,whichisindependentof, andattimesevenagainst,thepersonalwill,againsttheinstinctforself preservationandthedrivetopersonalselfassertion.Theseactionsmayinvolve courage,hardships,sacrifices,risks.Theymaybepromptedbyselflessdevotion andactiveconsecrationtoanidealoracause,andcanreachthepeaksoftrue heroism. III.TranscendencethroughBeauty TranspersonalrealizationthroughbeautycanbecalledtheaestheticWay.Beauty isfeltasaneedbymanypeople,andthecorrespondingdrivetobeautyarouses thereforethewilltobeauty. Therearetwoaspectsofthis

TheTranspersonalWill/117
willthereisthecontemplation ofbeautyandthecreationbeautifulthings. Itisinthecreationofbeauty,however,thatthewillisImoremanifest.Itisoften realizedthattheartistisdrivenbytheurgetocreate,thathispersonalityis impelledbythisurgewhichissometimeseasyandjoyous,butmoreoftenis difficultandevenpainful.Oftenthepersonality^rebelsortriestoevadethehigher urge.Yettheartistisobligedtocreatehe'sgivennopeaceuntilhehasobeyedthe urgetocreatethatwhichhasbeenpreparedinthesuperconsciousrealm.Goethe seemstobespeakingofhimselfandhisowninnerneedtocreatewhen,in Tasso, hewrites,"I'vestruggleddayandnightagainstthisneed.I'mwornouttryingto shutupmybreast.'Tisuseless!SingImust:Elselife'snotlife." Thus,thereisadirectconnection betweenwillandbeauty.Thisisafactnotoften

realizedbecauseinmanycases,atthepersonalitylevel,artistsmayhavelittle developedwill,andmorehighlydevelopedfeelings,emotions,andimagination.It isoftentheirTranspersonalSelfwhichexercisesitsWillandcompelsthe personalitytoexpressbeauty.Yettherehavebeenandthereareartistswhohave clearlydemonstratedpersonalwillaswell.Anoutstandingexampleofstrong consciouswilltocreate,persistingthrougholdage,isMichelangelo.The hardshipstowhichhesubmittedhimselfinpaintingtheSistineChapeloffer abundantproof.Amoremoderninstanceofareallyheroicwilltocreateisgiven bytheFrenchpainterRenoir.Inthelastyearsofhislifehishandswerecrippled witharthritis.Neverthelesshehadthebrushtiedtohishandandwithdifficulty andgreatpainsucceededincontinuingtopaintuntiltheendofhislife.His personalwillwasintunewithhishigherWill.Beethovenwasdeafinhislast years,yethefollowed 118/THENATUREOFTHEWILL theurgetogooncomposingandwrotesomeofhisfinestcompositionswhenhe couldnothearthem.Therearemanysuchexamplesofartistswhoaredisabledand yetsucceedatcreatingbyvirtueoftheirindomitablewills. IV.TranscendencethroughSELFRealization Followingthiswaytotranscendencecanbesaidtobetheoutcomeoftheurgeand thedeliberatewilltorealizeallhumanpotentialities,especiallythetranscendent ones.Thismeansgivingparticularvaluetothoseemergingpotentialitieswhich belongtothesphereofthesuperconscious,andhavetheirorigininthe TranspersonalSelf. Itisthereforenecessarytohaveaclearconceptionofthedifferencebetween SELFrealizationandselfactualization.Maslowhaspointedoutthisdistinctionin hispaper"TheoryZ."Hesaysthatbesidesthe"merelyhealthyselfactualizers" therearealsothe"transcendingselfactualizers"transcendingselfactualizersare moreselfactualizingthannormalselfactualizersbecausetheyaremorefully involvedwithBeingvalueswithSELFrealization.Thisisnottheactualization ofthepotentialitieslatentinthe"normal"humanpersonality,buttheprogressive manifestation,of transcendent, transpersonalpotentialities,culminatingwiththe directexperientialawarenessoftheTranspersonalSELF. Thewellrounded,integrated,selfactualizingpersonalitycanbequiteselfishorat leastselfcentered.Selfactualizationdoesnotimplyanyhighermotivationitcan bemotivatedbythedrivetosuccessandtodisplayingone'sownindividual powers.Notonlycanaselfactualizedpersonbesatisfiedwithhimself,buthecan evenbeantagonistictoanyfurthergrowth.Thishas

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been welldealtwithbyFrankHaronianinhispaper"RepressionoftheSublime." Haronianasks,"Whydoweevade...thechallengeofpersonalgrowth?Wefear growthbecauseitmeansabandoningthefamiliarfortheunknown,andthatalways

involvesrisks."HaronianquotesAngyalandthenMaslowonthesamesubject. Maslowspeaksofthe"JonahComplex": InmyownnotesIhadatfirstlabelledthisdefense"thefearofone'sown greatness"or"theevasionofone'sdestiny"or"therunningawayfromone'sown besttalent."...Itiscertainlypossibleformostofustobegreaterthanwearein actuality.Weallhaveunusedpotentialitiesornotfullydevelopedones.Itis certainlytruethatmanyofusevadeourconstitutionallysuggestedvocations....So oftenwerunawayfromtheresponsibilitiesdictated(orrathersuggested)by nature,byfate,evensometimesbyaccident,justasJonahtriedinvaintorunaway fromhisfate. Maslowhaspresentedanilluminatingprogressionoffivestagesofevolutionary development.ThetypesbelongingtothefirsttwostagesareunderTheoryX.They areprimarilydeterminedbydeficiencyneeds.Thethirdandfourthtypescome underTheoryY.Theyareprimarilydeterminedbydrivestoselfactualization.The fifthtypeisunderwhathecallsTheoryZ.Thisisthepersonwhoalignshislife withtranscendingvalues.Whileemphasizingthevalueofthereachesof transpersonalselfrealization,Maslowhaswiselywarnedagainstmakingit somethingsupernaturalandseparatefrom theotherlevelsofactualization: Transcendencealsomeanstobecomedivineorgodlike,togobeyondthemerely human.Butonemustbecarefulherenottomakeanythingextrahumanor supernaturaloutofthiskindofstatement.Ianathinkingofusingtheword "metahuman"or 120/THENATUREOFTHEWILL "Bhuman"inordertostressthatthisispartofhumannatureeventhoughitisnot oftenseeninfact.Itisstillapotentialityofhumannature. Itshouldbemadeclearthat"distinction"doesnotmean"separation."Allthese levelsofdevelopmentaredistincthowever,whilethereareindividualsinwhom thetranspersonalaspect,althoughpresent,issocompletelylatentastobe practicallynonexistent,inmany othersthedifferentlevelsofpersonaland transpersonalrealizationcanbeactiveinvariousproportions,andalsoinvarious degreesatdifferenttimes.Thus,onecanhaveachievedacertainmeasureof genuinetranspersonalSELFrealizationwhilenothavingcompleteselfactuali zation.ThisisinaccordwithwhatMaslowsaysinthesecondparagraphof "TheoryZ":"ItseemstomethatIhavefoundsomedegreeoftranscendencein manypeopleotherthanselfactualizingones."Intheterminologyof psychosynthesis,selfactualizationcorrespondstopersonalpsychosynthesis.This includesthedevelopmentandharmonizingofallhumanfunctionsandpotentiali tiesatalllevelsofthelowerandmiddleareainthediagramoftheconstitutionof man.Instead,SELFrealizationconcernsthethirdhigherlevel,thatofthe superconscious,andpertainstoTranspersonalorspiritualpsychosynthesis. SELFrealizationitselfhasthreedifferentstages.Thefirstistheactivationand expressionofthepotentialitiesresidinginthesuperconscious:itincludesthe varioustypesoftranscendencepreviouslymentioned.LeonardodaVincior Goethewouldbegoodexamplesofthis.ThesecondstageofSELFrealizationis

thedirectawarenessoftheSELF, whichculminatesintheunificationofthe consciousnessofthepersonalself,or"I,"withthatofthe

TheTranspersonalWill/121
TranspersonalSelf.Hereonemightmentionthosewhohavedoneselfsacrificing workforabeneficentcauseinanyfield.Activehumanitarianswhohavegiven themselvestoacausearegoodexamples:Gandhi,FlorenceNightingale,Martin LutherKing,Schweitzer.Schweitzeristypicalbecausehegaveupevensomeof hishigherinterestsmusicandcultureinordertodohumanitarianwork.In termsofwill,itistheunificationofthepersonalwillwiththeTranspersonalWill. ThethirdstageofSELFrealizationisthecommunionoftheTranspersonalSelf withtheUniversalSelf,andcorrespondinglyoftheindividualwillwiththe UniversalWill.Herewefindthehighestmysticsofalltimesandplaces. 122 / THENATUREOFTHEWILL

TheActofWill
ROBERTOASSAGIOLI,M.D.

10
THEUNIVERSALWILL
ThequestionoftheexistenceofaUniversalWillanditsrelationtoindividual willsisfundamentalbecauseitiscloselyconnectedwiththelargerproblemofthe relationbetweenmanandtheultimateUniversalReality. Adifficultyindealingwiththissubjectisthefactthatupuntilrecentlythis relationshiphasbeen conceivedandexpressedchieflyinreligiousterms.At presentsuchanapproachhaslittleappealtomanypeople,andisevenflatly denied.Onemightsay,inratherirreverentterms,thatpresentlyGodhasabad press.Somehaveassertedinasensational waythat"Godisdead"butapartfrom that,formanypeopleGodisonlyanabstraction,aconcept,asymbol,amatterof faithinthesenseofmoreorlessblindbelief,orattheutmost,ofhopebutnota livingReality.Itdoesnotaffecttheirfeelingsandtheiractions.Inpractice,they liveasifGoddidnotexist. Thisattitudecanbeunderstoodlargelyasareactionagainstboththe anthropomorphicimagesofGodandthe 123 theologieswhichhaveattemptedto givetheoreticalconceptiontoaReality which transcendsanysuchformulations.Manhadcreatedagodinhisownimage, attributingtohimhisownhumanqualitiesandoften,moreorlessexplicitly,his ownlimitationsandimperfections.Itistheseimagesandthevarioustheological modelsof Godwhicharebeingrefused,whichare"dying." ThereareotherapproachestoultimateReality,however,whicharemore satisfactoryandfruitful.Oneistheintuitionalapproach.Theintuitionhasbeen recognizedbymany,bothintheEastandintheWest,asatrueandhighermeans ofcognition.IthasbeenconsideredbyJungandothersasapsychologicalfunction initsownright,asrealandlegitimateasanyoftheothers.Thedifferencecanbe saidtoconsistbetweentheattemptsto"prove"theexistenceofGodthrough intellectualandrationalmeansashasbeenattemptedbycertainschoolsof theologyandtheintuitive,directexperienceofcommunionwiththeultimate Reality. Butthereisanotherdistinctionwhichitwouldbewelltomakeclear:theword "reason"hasbeenusedintwowaysbyphilosophers.Oneemploys"reason"to

meanthemental,analyticalconceptofreason.ThismightbecalledAristotelean. Anditistheoneadopted,moreorlessconsciously,bymodernscienceandby "rationalistic"philosophers.Theotherconceptionofreasoncorrespondstothe LogosofPlatoandtheTranscendentalReasonofKantandothers. Asecondapproachtorealityisthroughtheperceptionofanalogies.*Theapproach ofanalogyisbasedonthe

*Theexistenceofanalogiesthroughoutnatureiswellknownto science.Ithasledtoseveralimportanttechnologicaldevelopments, amongwhichistheanalogcomputer.

124/THENATUREOFTHEWILL essentialunityofalltheaspectsofReality,fromthesmallesttothelargest.Thus thereisaclosecorrespondencebetweenthemicrocosmandthemacrocosmin general,andspecificallybetweenmanandtheuniverse.Butthisbasicidentityof naturedoesnotmeanthatmaninhisnormalstateofconsciousnesscan mentally understand,"comprehend,"theimmensescopeandmeaningoftheultimate Reality.Thefollowinganalogyoftherelationbetweenadropofwaterandallthe watersexistinginourplanetmayhelptoclarifythepoint:ifadrophad intelligence,itcouldassertthatithadthesamenatureasallthewatersofthe planetthatis,thesamechemicalcomposition,twoatomsofhydrogenandoneof oxygenconnectedaccordingtoacertainpattern.Allthewatersontheplanethave thissamechemicalcomposition.Butthereareamongthemnumerousdifferences: differencesof location(oceans,lakes,rivers),of conditions(liquid,solid,gas),of functions (watercanbepartofavegetable,animal,orhumanorganism),andof relationshipswithothersubstances(solutions).Atinydrop,ifithadintelligence, couldnotconceiveorevenimagineallthesethings.Butitwouldbeawareatleast thatithadthesamechemicalcompositionastherest. Letusapplythisanalogytomanandtheuniverse.Mancanhavetheintuitive realizationofhisessentialidentitywiththesupremeReality.IntheEastithasbeen expressedastheidentitybetweentheAtmanandtheBrahman.IntheWestsome mysticshaveboldlyproclaimedtheidentitybetweenmanandGod.Othershave emphasizedthatLifeisOne,thatthereisonlyOneLife.Butthisdoesnotmean thatman'smindcangraspthewonderandmysteriesofthecosmicmanifestation. Onlythroughaseriesofexpansionsofconsciousness,onlyby

TheUniversalWill/ 125
reachingeverhigherstatesofawareness,mayhegraduallyexperiencesomeof thosewondrousmysteries. Ofsuchtranspersonalpossibilitiesthemostenlightenedmenandwomenofall ageshavegiventestimony,expressingtheminbasicallythesameway,abovethe differencesandcoloringsdueto individualandculturalconditionings Toreversetheanthropomorphicposition,itcanbesaidthatallhumanqualities andfunctionsarepartial'"reflections"intheetymologicalsense(asimagesina

'mirrororlightthroughaprism)ofqualitiesandaspectsofthetranscendent Reality. Aswehaveseen,man'sbasicexistentialexperience,whendisidentifiedfromall thevariouspsychologicalelements,istheconscious"Being"isbeingaliving self. ThisisanaspectoftheUniversalSELForBeing,Theexperientialrealization ofthisrelationshiphassuccessivedegreeswhichhavebeenpicturedonpage127. Indiagramone,theradiationofthe"star"symbolizingtheTranspersonalSelfis directedalmostcompletelywithintheperipheryorareaoftheindividualpsyche, indicatingthattheattentionoftheSELFisdirectedchieflytowardthepersonalself, or"I,"anditsactivityisbentoninfluencingthewholemanbyradiationfromand throughthesuperconsciouslevel. IntheseconddiagramtheattentionandactivityoftheSELFareshownasevenly distributedbetweenthedownwarddirectiontowardthepersonality,andthe upwarddirectiontowardthetranscendentReality.Inthiscondition,achievedin andthroughmanystagesofexpandedawareness,thesubjecthassomerealization ofhisparticipationinauniversalstateofBeing,whilepreservingatthesametime avivid,evensharpened, 126/THENATUREOFTHEWILL

127/THENATUREOFTHEWILL senseofindividualidentity,ofbeingfully"himself." Theradiationofthestarinthethirddiagramindicatesthehigheststatesof transcendence,inwhichthesenseofindividualidentityisdimmedandmayeven seemtemporarilylost.Thesearethestatesvariouslycalledsanadhi,prajna,salon, ecstasies,cosmicconsciousness,etc. Buteveninthesestatesthesenseofindividualityisnotwhollylost.Thishasbeen clearlyformulatedbyLamaAnagarikaGovindainthefollowingway: Individualityisnotonlythenecessaryandcomplementaryoppositeofuniversality, butthefocalpointthroughwhichaloneuniversalitycanbeexperienced.The suppressionofsiindividuality,thephilosophicalorreligiousdenialofitsvalueor

importance,canonlyleadtoastateofcompleteindifference,anddissolution, whichmaybealiberationfromsufferingbuta,.purelynegativeone,asit deprivesusofthehighestexperience"towardswhichtheprocessofindividuation seemstoaim:theexperienceofperfectenlightenment,ofBuddhahood,inwhich theuniversalityofourtruebeingisrealized. Merelyto"mergeintothewhole"likethe"dropintothesea,"withouthaving realizedthatwholeness,isonlyapoeticalwayofacceptingannihilationand evadingtheproblemthat2thefactofourindividualityposes.Whyshouldthe universe:evolveindividualizedformsoflifeandconsciousnessifthiswere1not consistentwithorinherentintheveryspiritornatureof theuniverse? andbyRadhakrishnan: Thepeculiarprivilegeofthehumanselfisthathecanconsciouslyjoinandwork forthewholeandembodyinhisown(lifethepurposeofthewhole....Thetwo elementsof..selfhood:uniqueness(eachness),anduniversality(allness),grow togetheruntilatlastthemostuniquebecomesthemostuniversal. Maslowdescribesthisexperience,inhisarticle"Vari 128/THENATUREOFTHEWILL ousMeaningsofTranscendence,"asfollows: AlsousefulwouldbeBucke'suseofcosmicconsciousness.Thisisaspecial phenomenologicalstateinwhichthepersonsomehowperceivesthewholecosmos oratleasttheunityandintegrationofitandofeverythinginit,includinghisSelf. Hethenfeelsasifhebelongsbyrightinthecosmos.Hebecomesoneofthefamily ratherthananorphan.Hecomesinsideratherthanbeingoutsidelookingin.He feelssimultaneouslysmallbecauseofthevastnessoftheuniverse,butalsoan importantbeingbecauseheisthereinitbyabsoluteright.Heisapartofthe universeratherthanastrangertoitoranintruderinit. Theexistenceofauniversalmind,ofaninherentrationalityoftheUniverse,has beenaffirmedbymanyinvariousways,bothphilosophicalandscientific.A discussionofthevalidityoftheseconceptionscannotbemadehereitwouldlead toofar.Butinageneralwayasimilaranalogycanbemadeforallhuman functions.Allnuman love,eveninitshighesttranspersonalaspect,canbe consideredasthepartialexpressionofauniversalprincipleof LOVE.Themystics ofalltimesandplaceshavetestifiedtohavingexperiencedtherealityofsuchlove. Thephysicalmanifestationofloveoffersanevidentanalogywith,andcanbe consideredasareflectionof,theuniversalpolarity,theinterplaybetweenwhathas beenvariouslycalledspiritmatterYangYinShiva*Shakti,etc.* Thesamerelationshipofanalogyexistsbetweenthe *AllthathasbeensaidconcernsonlyRealityinmanifestation,orintheprocessof manifesting,wheretherearedegreesoftranscendence.Oftheunmanifest,or transcendentRealityinanabsolutesensenothingcanbesaid.Itcanbeindicated orhintedatonlythroughnegations:notthis, notthat,nothing,the"Void."This aspectofRealityhasbeenemphasizedbysomeschoolsofNorthernBuddhismand

intheWestbyMeisterEckhart.Anextensivediscussionofthissubjectfrom differentanglesbyvariousauthorsiscontainedinthejournalHermes,6,"Le Vide,"editedbyJ. Matsui,Minard,Paris,1969.

TheUniversalWill/129
individualwillandtheUniversalWill.Itisbasedontheintimaterelationwhich,as wehaveseen,existsbetweentheselfandthewillatalllevels.Thisrelationship hasbeenaffirmedtobeanexistentialrealitybythosewhohaveexperiencedit. HereagainletusrecognizethatiftherewasnotaUniversalWill,manwould possesssomethingnotexistingintheuniverse,andthereforethemicrocosmwould besuperiortothemacrocosmindeedaridiculousconceit! Theharmonization,communion,unification,andfusionofthetwowillshas beenandisthedeepaspirationand,onemightsay,thehighest,evenifoften unrealized,needofhumanity.Ithasbeenfeltandexpressedinvariousways accordingtothevariousconceptsofRealityheldbythedifferenttypesofhuman beings.Essentially,itmeanstuninginandwillinglyparticipatingintherhythmsof UniversalLife.InIndianphilosophy,thisiscalledsaliva, theguna ofrhythmand ofharmoniousresponsetodivineurge.TheChinesecallthisattitudewuwei,or identificationwiththetoo.FortheStoicsandSpinozaithasbeenthewilling acceptanceofone's"destiny."Forthosehavingadevotionalnatureorareligious conceptionoffaith,itistherelationshipandeventualunificationofman'swillwith God'swill. Manydescriptionsandtestimoniesofthisrelationship,andofthevicissitudesofits interplay,oftheconflictsandtheculminatingofthetwowills,canbefoundinthe writingsofthegreatestmystics,ofboththeEastandtheWest.HereIshallquote onlythepoeticexpressiongiventoitbyDanteintheclosingversesoftheDivine Comedy: But,rollinglikeawheelthatneverjars, Mywillandwishwerenowbyloveimpelled, Thelovethatmovesthesunandalltheotherstars. 130/THENATUREOFTHEWILL Themostdirectandhigheststatementofthewilltounificationhasbeenmadeby Christ:"Notmywill,butthinebedone,"anditsachievementisinHistriumphant affirmation,"IandtheFatherareone."

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TheActofWill
ROBERTOASSAGIOLI,M.D.

PartTwo TheStagesofWilling 11
FROMINTENTIONTO REALIZATION
Thehighestlevelofthewill,itsfusionwiththeUniversalWillItself,isthevery apexofourjourney:wehaveglimpsedtheculminationandperfectionofthewill. Buttobestbegintheeffectivetrainingofthewillforitsprogressiveascentthrough theattainmentofstrength,skill,goodness,anduniversality,wemustnowproceed toanexaminationoftheactofthewillitself. Theactofwillconsistsofsixsequentialphasesorstages.Theyare: 1.ThePurpose,Aim,wGoal,basedonEvaluation,Motivation,andIntention. 2.Deliberation. 3.ChoiceandDecision. 4.Affirmation:theCommand,or"Fiat,"oftheWill. 5.PlanningandWorkingOutaProgram. 6.DirectionoftheExecution. 135 Thesesixstagesarelikethelinksinachainthereforethechainitselfthatis,the actofwillingisonlyasstrongasitsweakestlink.Sotheperformanceofanact ofwillisgoingtobemoreorlesssuccessfulandeffectiveaccordingtohow

successfullyandeffectivelyeachofthestagesiscarriedout.Letmenote, however,thatwearedealingherewiththeactofwillinitsidealandcomplete state:notasafacsimileofeverywilledactbutratherasaguidetocomplete, purposiveaction.Whileimportantactsofwillwarrantacarefulconsiderationand thestepbystepexecutionofeachstage,inmanypracticalcasessometimesone, sometimesanotherstagewillbecentral,willcallforthegreatesttimeandeffort. Otherstagesmightbecompletelysatisfactorywithaminimumofeffortand attention. Forexample,theheadofafoundationwithgrantmoneytogivetogoodcauses mayspendconsiderabletimeandefforttoclarifyinhismindwhathisgoalsare. Hewouldthenlaboriously deliberateonthemanypossibilities,weighingthe advantagesanddisadvantagesofproposalsthatcometohim.Eventuallyhewill chooseoneandwithlittlefurthereffortdecide tofundit.Then,ashehasdone manytimesbefore,hewill plantoaskhissecretarytonotifytherecipient,andwill directthatacheckbemadetohim.Herethefirsttwostagesarequiteprominent decisionlesssoaffirmationmaybehardtoperceive,whiletheplanningconsisted simplyinrelyingontheservicesofhissecretaryandthedirectionoftheexecution waslimitedtohavinghissecretarynotifyandpaytherecipient. Atnoon,thesamemanmayshifthisaimtohavinglunch.Hewillquickly deliberateonthevariouspossibilities,chooseoneamongseveralnearby restaurants,anddecide togothere.Perhapshemaymeetafriendonthe 136/THESTAGESOFWILLING wayandchatwithhim.Afterawhile,iftheacquaintanceleaves,hemay rememberthatbeforegettingsidetrackedhehaddecidedtogototherestaurant.So heaffirmstohimselfthathewillnowproceedwithoutallowinghimselftobe furtherinterrupted.Herapidly planstheroadtofollow,andgetsonhisway. Thateveninghemayhavesomefriendsfordinner,and(let'ssayheisagourmet cook)maywanttocookamealforthem.Hequickly deliberatesanddecideswhat mealtoprepare,affirms tohimselfthathewillproducethebestofwhichheis capable,thenspendsconsiderabletimeplanninghowtopreparetheingredients andhowtocookthevariousdishes.Laterheproceedstotheactualexecution, drawingtoalargeextentonhabitpatternsandmemoriesfromhisprevious experience,butremainingwatchfulthathisalmostautomaticactivitycarefully followshisplansasfarassequence,accuracyoftherecipes,etc. Sowhilenoteverystageofthewillmaybeimportantinanyonewilledact,we needtobeproficientin all thestagesinordertoacteffectivelyindifferentcircum stances.Ithasbeenmyobservationandoneeasytoconfirmthattheprincipal causeoffailureincompletinganactofwillisthatpeopleoftenhavedifficulty carryingoutoneoranotherspecificstage:inotherwords,theygetstuckata particularpointinthesequence.!Therefore,understandingthevariousstagesand theirfunctionsismostvaluableinuncoveringthespecificweak' point,orpoints,in whichoneneedstobecomemoreproficientinselectingthemostsuitable approachesandtechniquestodosoand,evenmoreimportant,inrealizingthefar

reachingoverallbenefitsthatcanbe*derivedfromsuchwork.Justasinpersonal psychosynthesistheharmonizingofthepersonalityfunctionsrequires
'PromIntentiontoRealization/

137

thestrengtheningoftheoneswhichareunderdeveloped,sotoacquireafully effectivewillweneedtoknowhowtowill completely,howtocarrytheactof volitionsuccessfullyfromitsinceptionthroughitsculmination,withoutgetting lostsomewherealongtheway. Inordertogiveageneralviewofthesubject,hereisabriefdescriptionofeachof thesixfunctionalstagesofthewillinaction. 1.Theaim,orgoal: Thechiefcharacteristicofthevolitionalactistheexistenceof apurposetobeachievedtheclearvisionofanaim,orgoal,tobereached.But whilethisisindeedanindispensablecharacteristic,itisinitselfnotsufficient.In fact,solongasthisvisionofthegoalremainsintherealmoftheimagination,or contemplation,itisnotasyetwill inaction.First,theaimmustbevaluatedand assessedthenitmustarousemotiveswhichgeneratetheurgeandtheintention to achieveit.Theword"motive"itselfindicatessomethingactive,dynamic.Motives arearousedbythevaluesthatweattachtothegoalsweseektoattain. 2.Butthisaloneisnotenough.Manypossiblegoalsexist.Wecertainlycannot attainthemallsingly,andmuchlesssoallatthesametime.Therefore,a choice hastobemade.Inordertomakesuchachoicewemustdeterminewhich,among themanypossiblegoals,ispreferable.Determiningthisisthefunction of deliberation,inwhichthevariousgoals,ourpossibilitiesforrealizingthem,the desirabilityandtheconsequencesofdoingso,andallotherrelevantfactorsmust bekeptinmindandexamined. 3.Deliberationmustbefollowedby choiceandaconsequentdecision. Thismeans thechoiceof agivenaimandthesettingasideordiscardingofothers. 4.Thechoiceanddecisionmustbeconfirmedbyan 138/THESTAGESOFWILLING affirmation.Thisactivatesandfostersthedynamicandcreativeenergiesneededto ensuretheachievementof thegoal. 5.Afterthat,acarefulelaborationofaplanandprogramisneeded.Theseare basedontheconsiderationandselectionofthevariousmeansandphasesofthe executionoftheplanthroughtimeandaccordingtocircumstances,conditions,and existingpossibilities. 6.Finallycomesthedirectionoftheexecution. Thisisaspecifictaskofthewill, theproperfunctionofwhichisnottocarryouttheexecution directly,asis

commonlysupposed.Thewillcanandshouldmakeskillfuluseoftheother psychologicalandbodilyfunctionsandenergiesexistinginthepersonality: thinkingandimagination,perceptionsandintuition,feelingsandimpulses,aswell asthephysicalorgansofaction.Toemployananalogyfromthetheater,thewillis thedirectoroftheentireproductionbutnormallyheisnothimselfoneofthe actors. Thisdirectionmustalsoincludeconstantsupervision oftheexecution.Thewillat firstcallsup,ormusters,thevariousfunctionsneededforitspurposeandgives themdefiniteinstructions,directions,commands.Butthewillmustalsosupervise theiractivities,watchthedevelopmentoftheprogram,seetoitthatitfollowsthe rightcourse.Thisentails,asweshallsee,afirm subordinationofthevarious meanstotheunderlyingpurposeandaconstantadaptation oftheirusetochanging conditionsandcircumstances. FromIntentiontoRealization / 139

TheActofWill
ROBERTOASSAGIOLI,M.D.

12
PURPOSE,EVALUATION, MOTIVATION,INTENTION
Intheheadingofthisstage,fourelementshavebeengroupedbecausetheyare interrelatedinsuchawaythattheyshouldnotbetreatedasdifferentstages.In fact,apurposeisthewilltoreachagoal,anobjectivebutagoal isnotsuchifitis notregardedasvaluable. Similarly,amotiveisnotamotiveifitdoesnot"move," ifitdoesnotimpeltowardagoal.Andthedirectionofthemotiveisgivenby intention. Moreover,theseaspectsdonotalwayssucceedeachOtherinafixedorder. Sometimesamotiveoran intentionappearsfirsttotheconsciousness,forexample, apromptingtowardsomeidealnotyetclearordefined.Oronebecomesawareof amoral,social,aesthetic,orreligiousvalue,whichonlylaterbecomesconnected toanaim,aspecificgoaltobeachieved.Atothertimesthevisioncomesfirst,the intuitiveflash,theilluminationthatrevealsagoal oratasktowhichavalueisthen attributedandthisarousesthemotiveswhichurgetowardactualizationandthe intention toachieveit.Thusthere 140 canbeavarietyofdynamicrelationshipsamongpurpose,evaluation,motive,and intention. Anotherwayofindicatingtheserelationshipsisasfollows:motivesandintentions arebasedonevaluationsevaluationsarebasedonthemeaningattributedtolife. Butthismeaning,initsturn,isgivenbytheaimorpurposeoflifeitself,andbyits achievement.Thereforeitisveryhelpfulforputtingthewillintooperationtohave apositiveconceptionofthemeaningandpurposeoflifetoadmit,firstofall,that lifehasapurposewhichismeaningfulsecond,thatthispurposeispositive,con structive,valuableinoneword,thatitisgood. Ofthiswecanbecomeawarethroughselfobservation,orintrospection.Butwhen wecometoacloserstudyof motivation, thingsbecomemuchmorecomplicated. Psychoanalysishaslaidgreatemphasisuponthefactthatunconsciousmotivations exist,andthatoftenweactinthebeliefthatwedosofromagivenconscious

motivewheninrealitywearealso,orprincipally,impelledbydrivesofwhichwe arenotaware.Theseovercomethecensorshipoftheegobymeansof rationalization.Butevenbeforepsychoanalysis,attentionhadbeencalledtothe humantendencytofindapparentlygoodjustificationsforactionsthatarenot goodjustificationstoourselvesandjustificationstoothers.Thistendencycould becomparedtothepleadingofaninnerattorneywhodefendsthecauseofthe moreintenseurgesoperatingintheunconscious. Inthisconnection,wecanseeoneofthosereactionsorextremeoscillationsthat appearfrequentlyinlife.Classicalpsychologytookaccountonlyofconscious motivations.Then,bycontrast,psychoanalysisconcerneditselfonly,oralmost only,withunconsciousmotivationsand

Purpose,Evaluation,Motivation,Intention/ 141
urges,thusarriving,forallpracticalpurposes,atthenegationofthewill. Itmaybesaidthat,asinmanyothercases,thetruthliesinthemiddle.Thereare consciousmotivationsandunconsciousmotivationsorratheronemightsaymore iaccuratelythatthereisalmostalwaysacombinationofthetwo,inveryvariable proportions.Thusanaccurateanalysisisrequiredforusingthewillfunctionwith true awareness:eitheraselfanalysisorananalysisbya therapistoraneducator, accordingtothecase. Thisoccasiondoesnotpermitmydwellingonthetechniquesofthisanalysis.I willsimplypointoutanerrorintowhichweveryoftenfallwhenwebecome awareofthemotiveswithinus.InChapter6,"Practical.Applicationsofthe SkillfulWill,"Ihaverecommendedthetechniqueof"actingasif"thatis,of actingasifapsychologicalattitudeexistedinus,insteadofthecontraryone.Some areshockedattheuseofthismethodbecausetheyconsiderithypocriticalthey sayineffect:i"IfIamangryandharborresentmentagainstsomeone,forwhatever reason,goodorbad,andifItreathimwithkindnessandsmiles,Iamnotbeing authentictruetomyself."Butinrealityitisnotaquestionofhypocrisy.Thisis duetothepsychologicalmultiplicitythatexistsineachofus."Actingasif"would behypocritical ifwedidsowiththepurposeofdeceivingothersforselfishends,or ifwe^deceivedourselvesintobelievingthatourlowermotivesdonotexist.Butif, whenanimpulseormotiveofhostilityandresentmentagainstsomeonearisesin us,we,ourtrue,ourgenuineself,donotapproveofitandrefusetoidentifywithit, thenourrealwillistochoosethebettermotiveandtoactbenevolently inspiteof theimpulsethatUrgesustotreatthepersonbadly.Wecan choosethemotiveto whichwegivefreecourse.. 142/THESTAGESOFWILLING Generally,oppositemotivesor urges,inustendtoneutralizeoneanother,andour taskconsistsinintensifyingthe"potential"oftheenergiesofgoodwilland understandingsothattheynotonlyneutralizethehostiledrives,butarestronger thanthey.Here,however,areservationshouldbemade,lestwefallintotheVicto riantrapofbeingrepressiveandthussufferfromthereactionsofsuppressedor

repressedenergies.Should,forexample,thehostiletendenciesbeveryintense, "actingasif"isnotsufficientand,ifusedprematurely,canprovokeundesirable results.Inthesecases,themethodsofharmless"discharge"(catharsis)andof transmutationandsublimationshouldfirstbeemployed.InsayingthisIamnot recommendingthatoneneverbeaggressiveorthatoneneverfightImeanthat onehasthefreedom ofchoiceaboutwhether,andtowhatextent, togivedirect expressiontotheimpulseormotive,evenifitbeoneofdeeplyfeltangerorhurt. Furthermore,inmakingthischoice,thisdecision,wecanmakeuseofthe resourcesofclearunderstandingaswellasoftheguidanceoftheTranspersonal Self,Thepointisthatchoicesanddecisionsarepossible.Theactofwilland intentiontheninvolvesadecisiontoacceptornotacceptanimpulse.Authenticity doesnotconsistingivingintoabadmotivesimplybecauseitexists. Consideredinthislight,tobehaveinabenevolentmannereventhoughonefeels animpulseofangercanbethehighestformofsincerity,foritcorrespondstowhat wewouldwishtobecompletely,andalreadyarepartially.Sucharecognition eliminatesthemisunderstandingaboutauthenticity.Many,infact,behavebadly andexcusethemselvesonthescoreofbeingauthentic.Butthisisoftenthe authenticityofthecaveman.Themethodof"actingasif"wepossessedthe desiredfeelingsisneither

Purpose,Evaluation,Motivation,Intention/143
shamnorhypocrisy.Itisaneffectivewayofbecomingmoreandmorewhatwe wishwecouldbecontinuously.Weare,essentiallyandgenuinely,whatwewillto be,evenifweoftenfailtomanifestit. Inconsideringmotivations,then,oneishelpedbydistinguishingbetweentwo classeswhichwemaydesignaterespectivelyasdrivesandurges,andreasons. Drivesandurgescanbeconsciousorunconsciousandcanbegenericallyregarded asspontaneoustendencieswhich"move"usortendtodoso. Reasons, ontheother hand,tobereallysuch,mustbeconsciousandhaveacognitive,mentalaspect. Theypresupposeaclearvisionofthegoal,arecognitionofitsvalue,andthe intentiontoreachit.: Onecantakeadriveorurge,testitsrationality,andtransformitintoareason. Ifwelookmorecloselyattheevaluationofmotivations,weseethatfrequently theycannotbelabeledsimply"good"or"bad."Honestobservation,firstofallof ourselvesandthenofothers,frequentlyrevealsthatthemotivesandreasonsthat determineactionsaremultipleandofvariouskindsamixtureofselfishand altruisticmotivesisfrequent.Thosewhoseapproachisexclusively psychoanalyticalmaintainthatthe"real"motivesaretheinstinctualandlower ones,andthattheothersaresimplyacloak,orrationalization,ofthem.Atthe otherextreme,therigidanduncompromisingidealistsdemandforthemselvesand forothersanabsolutepurityofintentionandcondemneverymotivethatdoesnot meetthiscriterion.Buttheexistenceoflowermotives(letusdesignatethemthus merelyforsimplicityoflanguage)doesnotexcludethecoexistenceand genuinenessofhighermotives.Thefundamentalmultiplicityofthehuman

144/THESTAGESOFWILLING being,andofhisbeingaware,andthereforeacting,onandfromdifferentlevels guaranteesamultiplicityofmotives,allofwhichareequally"real,"genuine,and authentic.Thenatureofpsychologicalconflictscanbeexplainedintheseterms manyofthemcouldbesaidtobeconflictsbetweenvariouslevelsofintentionsand motives. Butthereisanotherinterestingfact:thereasonsandmotivesofdifferentlevelsare notalwaysinconflict.Oftennotonlydotheycoexistpeacefullybuttheyalso convergetowardthesamegoal,andparticipatein,andthuscooperatein,executing thesamevolitionalact.AninterpretationoftheparadoxicalTalmudicsaying "ServeGodbothwithyourbadimpulsesandwithyourgoodimpulses"becomes possible.Inmodernpsychologicallanguage,wemightsaythatsuchserviceis equivalenttodirectingallthebiopsychologicaltendenciestohigherpurposesand creativeactivities. Todosopresentsanumberofadvantages.Thefirstistheavoidanceofthe condemnationandrepressionintotheunconsciousofthe"lower"drives,orthe forestallingofadepressingguiltfeelingandtheharmfulconsequencesarising fromit.Theknowledgeoftheexistenceofthese"lower"elementsinourselves needneithersurprisenordepressustheyexistinallhumanbeings!Everyoneisa littleworld,amicrocosminwhichallthekingdomsofnaturearerepresented:the mineral,inbones,etcthevegetativelifetheanimalinstinctsthenthe"human conditions,"fromprimitivemantothehighesthumanpossibilities.Atthepresent timewerepresentthesumofalltheevolutionofthepastfromthemineral kingdomonbutevolutiondoesnotstopwithsocalledHomosapiens:evolutionis continuous,andour

Purpose,Evaluation,Motivation,Intention/ 145
taskistocarryforwardandfosterthisgreatevolutionaryimpulse,without, however,repudiatingtheprecedingstages! Acceptingthemultiplicityofourmotivationsnotonlyhelpsustoavoidrepression butalsoleadstotheutilization,inindividuallyandsociallyproductiveways,of potentenergiesthatotherwisemayeruptinharmfulanddestructivedirections.Itis analogoustothechannelingoftorrentialwaterstoserveapowerstation.And whenthetendencyisexcessive,itcanberegulatedbymobilizinganother,opposite tendencyagainstit,asoccasiondemandsandthegoalindicates:pittingambition andthedesireforpossessions,forexample,againstlazinessor,inversely, balancingatendencytoexcessiveactivismbycultivatingadesireforthequietlife. Thisisoneofthemoresubtleandeffectiveartsofvolitionalactionnottooppose directlyorlaunchfrontalattacks,buttomaneuverskillfully.Anditis accomplishedprimarilythrough"thefeedingpowerofattention,"aswasdiscussed inthechaptersontheSkillfulWill. Thethirdadvantageofdirectingallpsychologicaltendenciestowardcreative purposesaccruesfromthemannerinwhichthesetendencies,theveryenergies themselves,becometransmutedandsublimatedthroughbeingredirectedtohigher

ends.Thisprocessoftransmutationofthepsychologicalenergieshasgreat importanceandbroadapplication.Itdeservestobemuchbetterknownandmore widelypracticed,sinceitconstitutesthemosteffectiveandconstructivemethod of dealingwithtwomajorandpotentsourcesofenergysexandaggressiveness.It hasbeendiscussedinsomedetailinChapter6(pages6265). Concerningthecombining,orconverging,ofmotivesindeterminingdecisionsand theactivitiesthatresult 146/THESTAGESOFWILLING fromthem,wecanoftenobservethat,sidebysidewithhumanitarianreasons, othermotivesarepresent,suchasambition,vanity,thedesireforrecognition,the approvalofothers,selfassertion,etc.Thereforeitisnotappropriatetopass judgmentsof"good"and"bad,""higher"or"lower,"inanyabsolutesense.Allis relativetotheindividual,tohisevolutionarystage,tohisenvironmental circumstances,andtomanyotherfactors.Tostateitinanoversimplifiedway, whatmaybe"good"inoneis"bad"inanother.ThegreatRenaissancephilosopher TomassoCampanellaobserved,"InGodweshallseewhodidandsaidthebetter thing."ThusitisthecourseofwisdomtofollowChrist'sinjunction,"Judgenot." Theobjectionmightbemadethateveryvolitionalactinvolvesavaluation,an assessmentthatis,a"valuejudgment."Whilethisistrue,weshouldnotconfuse twodifferentmeaningsoftheword"judgment"andtwodifferentwaysofusingit. Inspeakingofjudgment,oneusuallymeansmoraljudgment:commendation, approval,ormoreoftencensure,condemnation,whichincidentallygivetheiruser asenseofsuperiority.Instead,thejudgmentsnecessaryinthefirststageofthe volitionalact,andalsointhesecond,deliberativeoneare(asweshallsee) objective,rationalevaluations,arrivedatonthebasisofmanyanddiverse elements.Themoreprecisewordinthiscaseisclear"discrimination." Inourexaminationofmotives,then,weshouldrecognizethatthe"lower"ones constituteasubjective, ethicalimperfection,butnotan objectiveobstacletheycan indeedpromotetheaccomplishmentofthemoreloftyactivities.Inthefieldofthe arts,forexample,asidefromhigherinspirationandspontaneouscreativeimpulse, creativitycanbestimulatedandintensifiedbythespurofpracticalnecessity.Two outstandingexamplesof

Purpose,Evaluation,Motivation,Intention/147
thishavebeenBalzacandDostoevski.Bothweregoadedbyeconomicneed, Dostoevskibecauseofhispassionforgambling,Balzaconaccountofdebts contractedbyhisluxuriousstyleoflivingandhisimprovidenthabitofrewriting hisnovelsmanytimeswhentheyhadreachedtheproofstage.Asitturnedout,this spurcausedthemboth toproduceagreaternumberofworksthantheyotherwise wouldhavedone.Yettheurgeoffinancialstringencydoesnotseemtohave influencedthequality oftheliteraryproduct.ThisisevidentinthecaseofBalzac fromthefactthatoneofhisheaviestexpenseswasdirectlyattributabletohis artisticscruples,whichinducedhimtorewritethesameworkseveraltimes.The

composerRossiniprovidesacontrastingexamplewhichconstitutesaconfirmation ofanegativekind.Whenhehadbecomerichandfamous,courtedandadoredby "allParis,"helackedsufficientincentivetoovercomehisnaturallazinessand epicureanismandceasedtowriteoperasofquality.Hadhebeenmoreambitiousor intentonearningmoreandmoremoney,probablywewouldhavehadsomemore masterpieces. Thereforethelesselevatedmotivescannotonlybeprofitablyutilizedbutalsoat timesdeliberatelyaroused:forinstance,makingpublicpledgesinordertoavoid theshameofnotkeepingthem,orpromisingourselvesrewardsof variouskinds (the"carrotmethod"!). Recoursetothesemeanscouldbeconsideredanactofhumility,sinceitimplies recognitionoftheexistenceinusoftheselower,orsimplypersonal,elements. Whatisimportantistomakesurethatthelowermotivesarealignedwiththe highermotives,andthatitisthesethatareincontrolanddeterminetheaction.I havespecifiedclearcutsupremacy,butperhapsonemightevenbecontentwith justamodicumofsupremacy.Whena 148/THESTAGESOFWILLING grouppossessesfiftyonepercentofthesharesofacompany,itdeterminesits policy.Analogously,involitionalactionevenaslightsupremacyofhighermotives sufficestoensurethatthelowerones,evenifstrong,havenotthesayindecisions andactions,andthattheyremainharmlessorevenuseful,asaretheminority shareholderswhobringcapital. Ontheotherhand,itiswelltobeawarethatallthiscanbeaccompaniedby drawbacksanddangers.Thewillmustbekeptvigilantsothatthelowermotives maynotbecomestrengthenedandprevail,leadingtoillusion,compromise,and deviationfromtheinitialaim,orpredeterminedpurpose.Moreover,allthis concernstheachievementofexternalaims.When,instead,innerdevelopment, transpersonalrealizationisthegoal,the(comparatively)lowerdrivesandenergies havetobetransformedandsublimatedthroughtheactionofthehighermotives andtheattractivepullofthehighergoals. Letmesummarizethischapterbyapplyingtheseobservationstothepersonintent oncarryingthroughthefirststageoftheactofwillsothathemaybeginhiswilled actwiththemaximumpossibilityofsuccess.Thatpersonmustgethisgoalsor purposesclearlyinview.Thenhemustevaluatehisgoals.Intheprocessof evaluationhewillexaminehismotives,tryingtobecomeawareoftheunconscious ones.Itisatestingoftheworthwhilenessofwhathasbeenseenasagoal.My mainpointinthischapterhasconcernedthenatureofmotives,however.After beingexamined,motivesmustbearousedandused.Otherwisethesettingofgoals andtheanalysisofselfremainonlyacademic.Psychologicalenergiesmustbeset intomotionandusedwithclearintentintheserviceofahighergoodmustbe musteredandcombinedsothatthewillcaneffectivelyproceedtoactionthatwill leadfrom

Purpose,Evaluation,Motivation,Intention/149

goalstoaccomplishment.Withthisinitial zest,apersoncanproceedtothe deliberateexaminationofthewaysinwhichhecanactuallyachieveagivenaim. Withoutthedynamismofhismotives,nomatterhowclearhisaimsorworthwhile theymaybe,apersoncanlackthedrivetogoonandremainonly adreamer insteadofthedoerofwilledaction. 150/THESTAGESOFWILLING

TheActofWill
ROBERTOASSAGIOLI,M.D.

13
DELIBERATION,CHOICE,AND DECISION
Thereareusuallyanumberofgoalswhichwefeelanurgetopursue.Butitisnot possibleorpracticaltopursueallofthem.Certainlynotallatonce.Thereforewe mustchooseamongthemanypossibilitiestheonethatismostworthwhile,the onewepreferanddecidetopursueit,renouncingorpostponingtheothers.This iswheredeliberationcomesintoplay. Theobjectiveofeverydeliberation,ofeveryconsiderationofoneormore possibilities,istoleadtothebestpossibledecision.Adecisionreachedwithout deliberation,withoutexaminingandevaluatingallaspectsofthequestionor choicethatconfrontsus,canleadtoimpulsive,unconsidered,andilladvised action.Thismayofteninvolveusinblunderswhichcandamageourselvesand others.Thesignificanceofthetwowords"unconsidered"and"illadvised"is worthnotingThefirstmeanstobelackingindueconsiderationthesecond,in soundcounsel. Theimmensenumberofactionsthatareimpulsively 151 performedbyhumanbeingswithnoconsiderationoftheconsequencesis appalling.Thisisbecause,inreality,fewreally"think."Thinkingisuncomfortable andtiringitdemandsconcentration,andthisrequiresapersistentuseofthewill. Moreover,theoutcomeofsuchthinkingmayunpleasantlyconflictwithsomeof ourinclinationsanddrives.Hence,thefundamentalimportance,indeedthe necessity,of learningtothinkproperly,toreflectandtomeditate (seeAppendix Two,page218). Thetechniquesforthecontrolandthemosteffectiveutilizationofone'sownmind areamongthemostvaluableinpsychosynthesis.Theyconstituteabasic preparationfordeliberationfortheworkofconsiderationandreflectionthat mustprecedeasounddecision. Buttohavethespaceneededtothink,meditate,andthendecide,wemustkeepin abeyancethetendenciesanddrivesthatimpelustowardimmediateaction.This

meanstakingtime,thetimeneededtoexaminethesituationfromallanglesand reflectuponit.Thustheprerequisiteofthinkinganddeliberationisanactof restraint,of inhibition. InhibitingFunctionoftheWill ProfessorCalohascorrectlypointedoutanapparentlyparadoxicalaspectofthe will: Thevolitionalactis,from oneveryimportantpointofview,substantially inhibition.Itisnot,however,anautomaticinhibition,likethatwhichatendencyor theenergyinherentinanideacanexerciseagainstanothertendencyoridea.But itiswilled,firstagainstallofthem,inorderthatdeliberationitselfmaybe possible,theninthedecisionagainstthosedriveswhicharestillincompetition withthechosenaim.Thisaspectofinhibitioncanbemoreorlessstriking.Insome casestheentireeffortofwillingappearstoconsistonly(butneverdoesso 152/THESTAGESOFWILLING

consist)intheeffortofinhibitingcertaintendencies,andtobereducedto anonwillingwhileinothercasesthedecisionismadesorapidlyand easilythatitseemstobedonewithouttheinterventionofthewill. Tomodernears,theword"inhibition"carriesaratherunpleasantsound itbringstomindrepressionanditsunfortunateconsequences.Itcanbe saidthattodaythereisaveritablephobiaregardingrepression.Therefore, itisworthwhileclarifyingthegreatdifferencethatexistsbetween "repression"andconsciouscontrol. Torepressanimpulseistocondemnit,totrytoobliterateitorto"bottle itup"intheunconsciousandpretendthatitdoesn'texist.Butwhateveris repressedreturnslater,andoftenindisguise,toclaimitsdue.Inhibition, ontheotherhand,consistsinresolutelyholdingbackanimpulseor tendencywhiledeliberatingonhowbesttodealwithit.Therefore repressionisnotinorder,butrightlyused,inhibitioncanbethemarkof wisdom.Wemayinhibittheexpressionofastupidorharmfulimpulse without"repressingit."Werecognizetheimpulse,examineandanalyze it,andthendirectortransmuteit,orevenactitout,atamoreappropriate time.Ifwerepress,webecomevictimsofwhatwedeny,butifweuse inhibitionwiselywegainfreedomandmastery. InregardtowhatProfessorCalosays,itshouldbepointedoutthat inhibitionperseisnotastageofthewill.Itisaqualitythatisneedednot onlyinpreparingforvolitional actionbutalsoasanecessaryconditionin allstagesofthewill.

Deliberation Ithasalreadybeenstatedintheprecedingchapter Deliberation,Choice,andDecision153

thatoneofthechiefrequirementsforatrulyvolitionalactisthebringingtolight andexaminationofunconsciousmotives.Whenthisisdone,wecanthenseetoit thatourconsciousmotivesaregoodandthattheyimplyactsthatareconstructive bothforourselvesandforothers.Butthisisnotsufficient.Itiswelltobeexplicit onthispoint,becausemanybelievethatgoodintentionsareenough. Thewellknownsaying"Theroadtohellispavedwithgoodintentions"canbe takenintwosenses.Thefirstandmoreobviousonereferstotheinertiaand weaknessofsomanygoodpeople.Theirgoodintentionsarenotfollowedby decisions,affirmations,andacts,andsotheyremainineffective.Theother meaningreferstothebadconsequencesthatcanfollowactsthatarecommitted withthebestofintentionsbutwithlittlewisdom.Theseactsareindeedsometimes completelylackingincommonsense. Examplesofthiskindofmistakenactionaredecisionstakenbysomeparentsand imposedontheirchildreninthesincerebeliefthattheyare"forthechildren's good."Suchparentsmaypushthem,forinstance,againsttheirwishes,inthe directionofsomeremunerativeorprestigiouscareerorperhapstheyprotectthem excessively,andtherebypreventthemfromgainingnecessaryexperienceontheir ownaccount(evenifitinvolvessomehardshipandareasonableamountofrisk). Sothefirstfewstepsintheprocessofdeliberationconsistin seeingclearly,in posingtheproblemplainly,informulatingthealternativeswithwhichweare faced,andinconsideringthepathandtheoutcomethatwillfolloweach alternative.Thisapproachappliestodeliberatingaboutdifferentgoalsorabouta singlegoal.Inthelattercase,thealternativescanpertaintodifferent 154/THESTAGESOFWILLING possibilitiesforrealizingthatgoal,orsimplytowhethertopursueitornot.This clearposingofalternativesseemsobvious,butveryoftenitisnotdone. Nextcomestherecognition,fromarealisticstandpoint,ofthepossibilityof achievingone'spurposeorpurposes,andoftheappropriatetimeforaction.Atthis stage,oneestablishesanaturalsequenceforthevariousstepsandfortheirtiming inpassingfromtheinitialproject,throughtheprogram,totheactualizationof one'sgoal.Ithasbeensaidthat"politicsistheart ofthepossible,"butitcouldbe addedthatalargepartofwisdom,atleastofpracticalwisdom,consistsinascer tainingwhatispossibleandwhenitisso.Itisherethatsomanyidealistserr,nobly butwithunfortunateresults.Theykeeptheireyessofixedonthesparkling mountaintopthattheydonotwatchwheretheyareputtingtheirfeetandrisk stumblingandfalling.Ortheyattemptto"climbupthesteepslopesofthe mountainbyadirectbutimpracticablerouteinsteadoffollowingawindingbut manageablepath. Itisnecessarytoconsidertheconsequencesoftheaction!thatweareproposingto

take.Thisisan exerciseml foresight.Itdemandscarefulreflectionand psychological^discrimination,particularlywhentheinvolvementandcooperation ofothersareconcerned.Ifwefailtodothis,ourwordsandactsmaywellproduce effectsverydifferentfromthoseweexpectanddesire.Oneofthesimplest examplesistobeseenwhenourinsistenceandeagernessarousenegativereactions inothers.Inthesecases,merelymentalconsiderationsdonotsufficewhatis neededisempathy,thatis,thecapacitytoenter,soto,speak,intotheskinof others,andbymeansofintuitiveimagination,becomeawareoftheeffectsour wordsandactsmay produce.

Deliberation,Choice,andDecision/ 155
InspirationandIntuition Letusnowexamineanotherwayofmakingdecisionsespeciallythosethatare determinedbymotivesoriginatinginorarrivingviathehigherunconscious (superconscious)intheformofilluminations,inspirations,andurgestoaction, bothinnerandouter.Broadlyspeaking,suchmotivescanbeconsidered transpersonalincharacter:artisticcreativity,altruisticandhumanitarianimpulses, thesearchfortruth,etc.Theiroriginoftencannotbeidentifiedwithcertaintythey maybeactivitiesofthesuperconscious,theymaycomefromtheHigheror TranspersonalSelf,ortheymayhaveothersources.Butitisnotnecessaryto ascertainwheretheyoriginate.Whatisimportantistorecognizetheseincentives, theseinspirations,toopenoneselftothem,andtowelcomethem.Ihavesaid welcomethembecausewearenotalwayswillingtodoso.Sometimesthey bewilderusandevenarousenegativereactions,eitheronthepartoftheConscious selforfromelementsofthelowerunconscious.Infact,theseinspirationsand urgesoftenmaketheindividualuncomfortablebecausetheygoadhimtoassume undertakingsandtakeactionsthatcallforaspiritofselfsacrifice,surrender,or risk. Ontheotherhand,these"inspirations"andinnerurgesarenottobeacceptedand followedwithoutbeingsubjecttocarefulscrutiny.Firstofall,itisnecessaryto determinewhethertheyaregenuineintuitionsorinspirations.Inotherwords,do thesepromptingstoactreallycomefromtheexaltedlevelofthesuperconscious? Wemustdistinguishthemfromthoseimpulsesthatcomefromotherlevelsofthe unconsciousorfromexternalinfluences.Thedifferenceissometimesevident,but oftenitisnot,anditsrecognitioncanbeverydifficult.Welive 156/THESTAGESOFWILLING immersedinapsychicocean,envelopedinapsychicatmosphereweare continuallysubjecttoinfluencesofeverykindandsource.Thereforeacautious attitudeof continuousdiscriminationisnecessary,particularlyinthecaseof individualswithgreatpsychicsensitivity. Furthermore,evenwhenaninspirationemanatesfromatrulyelevatedsourceand theintuitionisgenuine,seriouserrorscanstillbemadeinitsinterpretationand consequentlyinitsexecution.Sucherrorsoftendooccur.Adequatemental

developmentisneededtounderstand theseinspirationsandpromptingscorrectly. Also,firmselfcontrolisneededtoavoidexcessiveemotionalreactions (sometimesmountingtoexaltation)and/orimpulsiveandfanaticalbehavior. Thus,whathasbeensaidaboutothermotivesisalsoapplicableinthiscase:donot letyourselfbedrawn immediatelyintoaction,butbyanactofwillexercisethe inhibition thatwillgivetimeforathoroughexaminationoftheinspirationandfor determiningwhetheritisgenuineanditsadoptionadvisable. However,althoughcarefuldiscriminationmustbeused,weshouldalsobewaryof an excessivelycriticalattitudethatmightstifletheinspiration.Somepeoplehavea tendencytoquestionexcessively,producingdoubtsandconfusion,although experiencehasshownthatinmanycasestheiroriginalintuitiveflash,thefirst incentive,wasright.Sohereagainbalance,orinotherwordstheuseofwisdom,is needed, Thesedifficultiesshouldnotdeteruseitherfromusingtheapproachofarrivingat correctchoices,orfromfollowingourhigherpromptings.Onthecontrary,those whodonothavespontaneousinspirationsorintuitionscanmakeuseofthe availablemethodsforactivatingthesuperconsciousandforlinkingitwiththe conscious

Deliberation,Choice,andDecision/157
personality.Themostreliableonesarethevariousproceduresof receptiveand reflectivemeditation. These,aswellasothertechniques,aredescribedinAppendixTwo(seepage218). Inallcasesofdeliberationtheaimistousewelltestedpracticestoenlistthe highestmentalpowersintheprocessofdeliberationandchoice.Thesecanrange fromtrulyconcentratedthinkingtoopeningoneselftoinspirationwhileinastate ofinnersilence.Thereaderwillwanttoexperimentwiththeseandother meditativetechniques,suchasthosementionedin Psychosynthesis,butonewhich hasdirectapplicationto thestageofdeliberationisthatof"consultingtheHigher Self."Naturally,ittakessomepractice,anditcanbegraduallyrefined,butit consistsessentiallyinasking,whetheraloud,silently,orinwriting,theadviceof theHigherSelfonaparticularmatter.Itissurprisingtofindhowoftentheanswer toadifficultproblemcomes,soonerorlater,fromasourcethatiswithinus,from thehighestpartofus. ConsultingwithOthers Thisisanothermethodofarrivingatdecisions,onethatis,incidentally,usefulfor checkingonthevalidityofanyinnerpromptings.Itcanbeofgreathelp,but,like anyothersingletechnique,itisoftenthesourceofdrawbacksanderrors.Its successdependsasmuchontheattitudeadoptedandthemethodusedbythe seekerofadviceasonthoseofthegiver.However,manysituationscangreatly benefitfromitsuse,particularlywhenthedecisionsinvolveothers.Itismost advisable,ofcourse,whenwearenotcertainofourabilitytojudgecorrectly, eitherforwantofinformationorbecausewelackcompetenceintheparticular subjectmatter. Themanyadvantagesofthismethodarenotalways

158/THESTAGESOFWILLING recognized.Inthefirstplace,theveryprocessoftellingourproblemtoanother personhelpsusto formulateitclearly, to"objectify"it,sotospeak,andthusto understanditbetter.Sometimes,simplytheactofstatingaprobleminclearterms bringsoutthesolutionandletsusseethewaytogo,evenbeforetheotherperson responds.Apartfromthis,thequestionsofthepersonweareconsulting,hisway ofconsideringthematter,oftenputitinadifferentlightandmakeusawareof otherpossiblepointsofview.Moreover,ourverbalexpressioncanserveto dischargetheemotionsarousedbythesituationandthustoreduceoreliminatethis greatsourceofconfusionandmistakes.Theactofpreciseformulationalsohelps ustocurbtheoftenrestlessoveractivityofthemindandcompelsittothinkinan orderlyway. Finally,thereisalsothesubtleandindefinablebutgenuineeffectofthemere presenceofawillingandunderstandinglistener.Thiscanbesaidtobe"catalytic" becauseitisanalogoustotheroleperformedinachemicalreactionbyasubstance thatdoesnotitselfformpartofacompoundbutwhosepresencemakespossibleor acceleratesthereaction.Thischemicalactionhasnotyetbeenfullyexplainedbut itisveryeffective.Hereagain,justaswedonothavetounderstandtheexact natureofcatalysisinordertomakeuseofit,wecantakeadvantageofthevery substantialeffectofasympatheticlistenertohelpusmakedecisionswithoutbeing ableclearlytodefinetheprocess. Thedifficultiesinconsultingothersarisewhenthemotiveoftheenquireristo evadehisownresponsibilitiesandindulgeinthetendencypresentinmanypeople toleanonothers,togivethemindiscriminatecredence,andtobeblindedorat leaststronglyinfluencedbytheirprestigeorbytheirpresumedauthority.Much recent

Deliberation,Choice,andDecision/159
worshipoftherapists,politicalleaders,gurus,andothersstemsfromthistendency toescapefromresponsibilityandfreedom.Thiscanbeconsideredasa manifestationofthegeneraltendencytorelyonexternalauthorities,something whichhashappenedoverandoveragainagainstthewillofgenuineteachersand sages.OnethinksofthelaterfollowersofPythagoraswhousedasafinalanswer: Ipsedixit("Hesaidit!").Anotherinstanceisthatoftheauthorityaccordedto Aristotle,whichhadahamperinginfluenceonthoughtthroughouttheMiddle Agesandaroused,intheRenaissance,bitterattacksagainstthosewhodaredto questionit. Anotherdisadvantagecanoccurwhenweturntoanumberofpeopleforadvice theirfrequentlycontrastingopinionsmayincreaseouruncertainty.Inaddition,a personseekingadvicelayshimselfopentoafurtherpitfall.Hemayindeedbethe recipientofwelldefined!andpertinentadvice,butthisdepriveshimofthe opportunityofarrivingatadecisionbyhimself,gainingusefulexperience,and therebydevelopingthisaspectofthewill.Excessiveinterferenceonthepartof thosewhoseadvicehasnotbeenaskedmayaccountforthereactionexpressedin

thewellknownreply,"Don'ttellmewhat]todoIcanmakemyownmistakes!" Counseling Nevertheless,thereisacorrectcounselingtechniquewhichisworthlearning.A carefulchoiceofthetermstobeusedisofvalueindeterminingtheattitudetobe takenandthemodeofproceduretobeadoptedbybothparties.Insteadoftalking intermsof"askingadvice,"itisbettertosay"consulting."Thepersontowhom weaddressourselves,insteadofpontificatingasan"adviser,"assumestheroleofa "consultant"whoprovidesinformation I60/THESTAGESOFWILLING andanopinion.Thereareseveralwaysinwhichaconsultantcanhelp: 1.Byassistingonetoformulateclearlytheproblemtobedeliberateduponthe questiontobesolvedbyassemblingandworkingoutalltherelevantanduseful dataandinformation,andthenbycoordinatingtheminsuchawayastoposethe matterinitsclearestpossibleterms. 2.Whentheproblemconcernsrelationswithotherindividuals(forinstance,one's children,spouse,parents,employer,orsubordinates),byhelpingonetoseethat dueconsiderationisgiventotheirpointsofview.Evenintelligentandsensitive peoplemaysufferfromspecificblindspotsthatallowthemtomakeunfairand excessivedemandsonothers.Theyarehonestlysurprisedwhentheirexpectations provokehostileandevenviolentreactions. 3.Bydirectingattentiontotheinevitableconsequencesofthevariouspossible choicesandbyillustratinghowcertainlythelawofcauseandeffectislikelyto respondtoone'sactions.Aconsultantcanpresentnotonlytheconsequencesofa particularouteractionbutalsotheequallyrealconsequencesofaparticularinner, psychological,action.Weeasilyforgetthatpsychologicaldecisionshavedefinite psychologicaleffects. 4.Byassistingtheenquirerinfindingthecorrectinterpretationsoftheimpressions andindicationsthathehasreceivedfromunconsciousandespecially superconsciousurgesandintuitions. Themethodofconsultationcanbeemployedverysimply,intheformof dialogue. ThedialoguemethodisnotnewthemostfamousexemplarofitwasSocrates,as recordedbyPlato.OneisstruckbySocrates'sskillfuland,shrewdprocedure,and bythesubtleartwithwhichhe

Deliberation,Choice,andDecision/I6I
leadshisinterlocutortothepersonaldiscoveryofthetruthandtotheadoptionofa clearwayofthinking.Themethodofthedialoguehasrecentlybeenaccorded renewedvalidation,particularlybyMartinBuberandIraProgoff,andisfinding increasingapplicationinpsychotherapy.Variousformsofdialoguehavebeen givenseriousconsiderationbyPaulTournierandhisassociatesinthemovement called"MedicineofthePersonality."Ameetingofthisgroupin Zurichin1967 wasdevotedtovariousaspectsofthedialogue:thedialogueforthegeneral practitionerthemaritaldialogueparapsychologyanddialoguethedialoguefor

thepsychiatristthedialoguewithGodthedialogueinmeditation. Meditatingwithothersisalsoveryhelpfulandtheexperiencedindividualcan teachitstechniqueanddirectagroupeffectively.Moreover,tostaysilenttogether promotesacatalyticactionandfacilitatesthe"descent"ofintuitionsand inspirations. CollectiveDeliberation Thismethodofdeliberatinghasalwaysbeeninuse(forgoodorill).Themodern worldisemployingitincreasingly,assistedbytherapidityofcommunication.It hasitsspecificadvantages,butisnotdevoidofshortcomings.Itsmostobvious advantageistheopportunitythatitprovidesforrevealinganddefiningthe differentfacetsoftheproblemsituationthatistoberesolved,byallowingittobe consideredfromthevariouspointsofviewcontributedbythediverseskillsofeach memberofthegroup.Becausethisprocedurepoolsandbalanceseachone's qualities,thereisanenhancedprobabilitythatunanimousormajoritydecisions thusarrivedatwillturnouttobebothfairandappropriate. I62/THESTAGESOFWILLING Thisisthedemocraticmethodinthebestsenseofthewordbutgoodresults dependonwhetherallwhoshareinthedeliberationadoptanobjectiveand dispassionateapproachandareanimatedbyasincereintentiontoarriveatthebest possiblesolution.Itwouldbenaivetoexpectthistohappenalways.Inmany cases,preconceptions,individualandgroupprejudices,and,notleast,the obstinacyandpiquearousedbypridewillinducesomeparticipantstoattemptto imposetheirpersonalopinionswithouttrulylisteningtotheideasofothers. Moreover,notinfrequentlytheprosandconswhichhaveemergedfromthe variousaspectsofthediscussionseemtobalanceeachotheroutandtoblocka clearcutdecision.Thisbegetsuncertaintiesandleadstothedecision topostpone thedecision. Examplesofthisareplentiful,andthegreaterthenumberofconsultants,themore likelyitistohappen.AsthehumoristP.Lafitteremarked,"Oneadministrator administersthreeadministratorsstudythebestway ofadministeringfive administratorsdiscussconflictingprogramssevenadministratorschatter." Andyet,inspiteoftheseriousdefectsofthisconsultativemethod,thedictatorial, orauthoritarian,systemwithitspowerofdecisionresidinginthehandsofasingle individualismoreperilousandopensthedoortorealdisaster.CamilleCavour,the ItalianPrimeMinisterofthekingdomofPiedmont,hadthistosay:"Ipreferthe worstChamberofDeputiestothebestroyalAntechamber."Moreover,inmany casescollectivedeliberationanddecisionareunavoidable. Letussee,then,howitcanberegulated,soasboth tolimititsdefectsandto utilizewhatadvantagesitoffers.Thefirstruleistoreducetoaminimum the numberofthosewhoaretohaveahandin thedecisions.Thisdoesnot

Deliberation,Choice,andDecision/ 163

excludetheparticipationofexpertsintheexaminationofthequestion,butitlimits themtoaconsultativerole.anotherruleistoputtimelimitsonbothdiscussionand decision.Athird,andimportant,ruledemandsthatthosewhomakethedecisions assumeallresponsibilityforthem,asagroupnolessthanasindividuals. Inadditiontothesegeneralrulesforthemethodofcollectivedeliberation,there areotherstobeappliedaccordingtothedifferentsituationsthatcallfordecision.I cannotdealwiththemhereexcepttoadvocatethatthedecisionseachofusfinds himselfhavingtomakewithothersbeconductedasmuchaspossibleonabasisof equality.Theproperattitudetotakecanbesummedupinthissimple,practical formula:"Letusnotargue,butlookforthebestsolutiontogether."Thisdemands ofeachthepreparationalreadyrecommendedforindividual deliberation,thatisto say,theexaminationofpersonalitymotivesandreasons. IndividualDifferences Atthispoint,itseemsappropriatetodiscussthefactorof"characterological differences."Sofar,thesubjectofdeliberationanddecisionhasbeendealtwithin ageneralway.Buthere,too,asineverypsychologicalissue,thereareoften markedpersonaldifferencesthatshouldbetakenintofullaccount.Methods shouldbeadaptedtoeachpsychologicaltype.Applyingthistothesubjectunder examination,wemustfirstofalldistinguishtwooppositehumantypes:the "impulsive"andthe"indecisive."WhatIhavesaidsofarappliesinparticularto theimpulsives.Impulsivepeopleneedtopractice,often,allthetechniquesofcalm deliberation,inhibition,andmeditation. Theindecisives,whorepresentaminority,callfora 164/THESTAGESOFWILLING differentapproach.Theymustbefacedwiththenecessityformakingdecisions. Theymustlearntodosobyseizingopportunities"onthefly,"attherightmoment. ThereisanOrientalmaximthathassignificanceforbothtypes: "Onecannotmountacamelthathasnotyetarrived,oronethathasalready departed." Wecandistinguishtwodifferentcauses,orgroupsofcauses,ofindecision.One, whichmaybeconsidered"constitutional,"occursinintrovertedtypeswhoindulge inexcessiveandsterileselfanalysis.Theyoftenhaveanintensesenseof inferiority.Here,animportantdistinctionshouldbemadebetweenafeeling of inferiorityorsuperiorityandaninferiorityorsuperiority complex.Thisword "complex"isusedinaratherloosefashion,whereasitshouldbereservedfor serious,evenpathological,cases.Everyonehasasenseofsuperiorityorinferiority. Thisrepresentsno"complex"butissimplyaninnerattitudethatisusuallywell withintheboundsofnormality.Weareallsuperiorinsomethingsandinferiorin others.Buttheintrovert'sgeneralfeelingofinferiority,orevenhisinferiority complex,isusuallynotjustified,becauseheisfrequentlyintelligentandgifted withaestheticandmoralsensitivity. Othercausesofindecisionareconflictsbetweenunconsciousandconscious motives,fear ofmakingamistake,andunwillingnesstoassumeresponsibility. (Thislastissometimesduetoregretsformistakescommittedinthepast.)

Psyehotherapeuticassistanceorselfpsychotherapycanhelptorevealthesecauses andtoeliminatethem. Indecisivesmustclearlyrecognizethattodecideisinevitable.Ashasalreadybeen mentioned,nottodecideisinitselfadecision,andmaywellbetheworstone! Theyhavetodevelopthecouragetomakemistakes.Theymustrecognizethat errorsarerarelyirremediable,andoften

Deliberation,Choice,andDecision/ 165
proveproductiveassourcesofexperience.Scienceandtechnologycontinually employthetrialanderrormethod.Indecisivesaresometimesreducedtoastateof ditheringuncertaintybysmallchoicesofnoimportance.Atsuchtimes,atossup decisionisinorder. Twootherpsychologicaltypesshouldbekeptdistinctfromthosejustmentioned. Theyaretheobstinateandthechangeable.Anindecisive,oncehehaslaboriously arrivedatadecision,mayclingtoittenaciously,whileanimpulsivecanbeeasily swayed,uncriticallyandwithoutselfcontrol,byalternatingimpulsestoact.On theotherhand,obstinacycanbetheeffectofpride,orofamentalrigiditywhich restrictsthefieldofviewtoonly oneaspectofamanysidedandchangingreality. Thesepeoplecanbehelpedtoseeclearlythedifferencebetweenobstinacyand will,whichcanbeconfusedatasuperficiallevelofobservation.Manybelieveand maintaintheyhaveastrongwillwhentheyaremerelystubborn! Asforchangeableness,itcanoriginateinatooopenandplasticmindwhichsees somevalidityineveryalternativeandrecognizesthecontinualrenewaloflifein constantlychangingforms.Changeablepeopleneedtorealizethatthereare unchanginglawsgoverningtheevolutionoflife,andthatourdecisionscanbe takenandupheldinharmonywiththem. Allpsychologicaltypescanundertaketheadjustmentoftheircharacterexcesses andlimitationsbybringingthewillintoplayindifferentandsometimesopposite ways,butalwayswithclearvision,decision,andwisdom.Theactsofdeliberation anddecisionrequirementalalertness,adequatepreparation,vigilance,andself controlinshort,aresoluteandcontinualapplicationofthewill.

Choice Afundamentalfactofwhichweshouldbeclearlyawareisthatto "decide"veryoftenmeanstochoosethat

l66/THESTAGESOFWILLING isaselectionmustbemadefromamongvariouspossibilities.Buttochoose impliestoprefer andtoprefersomeonething,oneaction,oneway,necessarily demandsthediscardingoreliminatingofothers,i.e.,theirrelinquishment.Thisis obvious,orshouldbe,andthuseasilyaccepted.Yetinpracticeitarousesstrong resistanceandreluctance,oftenindeedviolentrebellion.Theverywords "renunciation"and"sacrifice"*exciteintenseaversion.Variouscausesareatthe rootofthesereactions:

1.Hedonism,i.e.,thefundamentaldesireforpleasureandfortheavoidanceof suffering,whichisinnateinhumannature. 2.Theexaggeratedemphasisplacedinthepastondutyandsacrifice,andthe excessiveinsistenceonthevalueofsuffering,oftenforwrongorneedlessreasons. 3.Anerroneousconceptionofliberty,whichhasbeeninterpretedastherightto followeveryimpulseandsatisfyeverydesirewithoutconcernforthe consequencestoourselvesortoothers,withcompletelackofrestraintorsenseof responsibility. Fromallthisspringsamoreorlessconscious"refusaltochoose"whenachoiceis clearlyneeded.Itrepresentsanattemptto"haveone'scakeandeatittoo."(And thusleadstofrustration,doublebinds,innerconflict,lossofopportunity,and exactlythatunnecessarysufferingwhichitwastheoriginaldesiretoavoid!) Aswaspreviouslypointedout,animportantcriterioninchoosingistoforeseein theclearestpossiblemannerwhateffects thechoicewillhave:notonlythe immediatebutalsothelongtermones,sincethelattercanturnout

*Itisinterestingandilluminatingtorealizethatratherthanmeaninga painfulselfinflictedasceticism,theword"sacrifice"means"tomake holy,""tomakesacred"(sacrumfacers). Deliberation,Choice,andDecision/167

tobedifferentfrom,andindeedoppositeto,theformer.Somethingthatis immediatelysatisfactorycanhaveharmfuleffectslater. Theabilitytoselectfromalternativesandthewisdomtochoosewellcan,likeall otherfunctions,bedevelopedbymeansofmethodicaltrainingincorporating appropriateexercises.Thistrainingcanbestbebegunwiththemakingofdecisions andchoicesaboutmattersoflittleor noimportanceinthemselves.Byeliminating, forthemoment,everyelementofpersonalinterestorselfishigratification,the pureinneractbywhichadecisionis madecanbeisolated.Itmaybeexercised throughthechoiceoftakingonestreetinpreferencetoanother,or,similarly,when inarestaurantbychoosingonedishinsteadoftheothers.Everyonecanmakeup numerousexercisesofthesort. Thesecanthenbefollowedbychoicesbetweenalternativesofgrowing importance,keepingalwaysinmindthatachoiceisa.preferencewhichtherefore impliestheeliminationandgivingupofalternatives.Itisalso importanttorealize that,ifonewantstoaccomplishan aim towhichavalueisattributed,onemust alsowillthe meansofpursuingit,howeverunpleasantandpainful theymaybe. Asimpleandeffectivehelpinachieving thisistocalloftentomindandrepeatthe affirmation, "Itisworththeeffort."Thus,thechoiceanditsassociated renunciationscanbemadewithgoodgrace,evencheerfully. Inthematterofmakingchoices,itisessentialtorecognizethatthereusuallyarea fewbasicchoicesthatenterintothemanyspecificchoices.Aspecificfundamental

oneisthechoicebetweenthepastandthefuture. Weareinaperiodofdrastic changeandrapidrenewalmanyoldformsdonotworkanymore.Theoldwaysof life I68/THESTAGESOFWILLING proveincreasinglyinadequatetomeetpresentneeds.Thereforeitisvaintoremain attachedtothemandtodeludeourselvesbythinkingthatwecanpreservethem intact.Ontheotherhand,thenewisnottobechoseninahurryandwithout discernment.Atpresentwearewitnessingviolent,excessive,andillconsidered attemptstochangeeverythingatonce.Therenewalcanandshouldberegulatedby appropriatechoices,wisedecisions,andafirmwill.Weshouldnotabandonestab lishedwayswithouthavingfoundnewandbetterones.Butoncewehavefound newways,wemusthavethecourageandthewilltothrowourselvesboldlyand joyfullyintotheadventurewhichthefutureholds.

Deliberation,Choice,andDecision / 169

TheActofWill
ROBERTOASSAGIOLI,M.D.

14
AFFIRMATION
Fromwhathasbeensaidthusfaritwouldappearthattheactofwillisacomplex andtimeconsumingprocess.Itis,butonlyifwemeanthecompleteandself consciousact.Certainly,whenapersoniscontemplatingimportantchangesinhis lifeheshouldendeavortoworkthroughallthesixstages.Butsuchoccasionsare rareandoneneednotdelveintomotives,engageconsultants,orworkout elaboratechartsofcausesandprobableeffectsinordertocrackthemorningegg. Still,itisimportanttorealizethatmanyofusfailinnumerousactionsof intermediateimportancebecauseofdifficultiesinsomespecificstageofthewill. Perhapswedonotexaminemotivesorweareindecisiveorwehavenotlearned todeliberatethoroughly.Fromastudyandunderstandingofthesixstageswecan learn how touseourwill,wherewetypicallyfail,andwhatexercisestouseto overcomeourdeficiencies.Wecanthenmovetocorrectdeficienciesinthegeneral pattern,andthiswillautomaticallyimproveeachsmalldailyactofwill.Andwe willlivemorefreely,
170

moreinharmonywithlifeandourowntruepurposes, Affirmationisapivotalstageintheactofwilling.Oncethestagesof deliberation, choice,anddecisionhavebeencarriedthrough,therecomesthephaseof achievement,sothatwhatiswilledshallbe,happen, or manifestitself, Thefirst steporactofthisphaseconsistsin affirmationWithoutit,thedecisionremains latent,lackingadynamicimpellingpower.Affirmationisthereforean.essential "moment,"orstage,ofthewill.Thisisthe,meaningofSpinoza'sstatement,"The Willisthepowerofaffirmingordenying."Theword"power"shouldbewell noteditmeanstwothings:powerinthesenseof capacity,andpoweraspotency, orenergy. Letusrealizewhatisimpliedandrequiredbyvolitionalaffirmation,orthe affirmativewill.Fundamentally,itisasense,orstateofmind,of certainty.This hastwoaspects,orbetter,isthesynthesisoftwoinnerattitudes:faith and conviction.Truefaithisbynatureintuitiveitperceivestherealityofwhatisnot evident,notmanifested,andacceptsit.AccordingtoSaintPaul'sdefinition,itis the"substanceofthingshopedfor,theevidenceofthingsnotseen."Faithleading toasenseofcertaintyrequiresprimarily faithinoneself, thatis,intherealSelf,in whatweareessentially.Keyserlingsaysitveryeffectively:"Onlythatinward

affirmationwhichiscalledfaithcreatesthedecisionwhich'makesreal'theSelfin phenomenalexistence....Thislivingspirit,"saysKeyserling,"themetaphysical kernelofman'sbeing,isneitherunderstandingnorreason,noranyparticular functionwhatsoever:itissubstance....Itisinthetruesenseofthewordwhatis mostsubstantiveinman.Thatiswhyithasqualities,butisnotoneinitself." Convictionisbynaturementalitisreachedeitherbywayofreasonorthrough intellectualadherencetoan

Affirmation/171
intuitionrecognizedasbeinginharmonywithtruth.Inlivingexperience,faithand convictioncoexistandareblendedinvaryingproportion.Theircombination resultsin certainty. Tobeeffective,affirmationmustbevigorousitmustpossessastrongdynamic potential,orintensity.Toemployananalogytakenfromelectricity,thismightbe calledahighpsychological"voltage."Affirmationmaybeconsideredacommand, acommandgivenwith authority.Authoritymayproceedfromapositionof responsibilityorsomefunctionintheexternalworld,butitisespeciallyand essentiallyaninnerquality,aninnerreality,psychologicalorspiritual.Whoever exercisesitfeels,indeedknows,thathepossessesit,andthosetowhomitis directedperceiveitdirectly.Thisauthoritycan,andindeedshould,beexercised particularlyonthepsychologicalenergiesandfunctionswithinusthatweneedto usetoachieveourpurpose. TheTechniquesofAffirmation Affirmationismadeeffectivethroughtheuseofprecisetechniques. l.Theuseof"wordsofpower."Averbalaffirmation,tobeeffective,mustbe expressedinaclear,exactway.Sometimesasinglewordsuffices,butoftenitis betterexpressedthroughashortphraseorformula.Thewordsorphrasescanbe saidonlyinwardly,butaremoreeffectiveifpronouncedaloudthatis,withthe addedpowerofsoundor,ifputinwritingorprinted,observedintently.Men havecollectivelyacknowledgedthepowerofwordsandphrasesbyremembering them,evenwhenthecontextthatproducedthemhasbeenforgotten.Itisjustthis seeminglymagicpowerwhichonecanmobilizeinusingthistechnique.Thewords orphrasestobeused 172/THESTAGESOFWILLING naturallydifferandmustbechoseninaccordancewiththeobjectiveweareaiming at,withwhatwewanttoevokeanddevelopinourselves.Alistofsomehaving generalapplicationisgivenattheendofthechapter. 2.Theuseofimages. Imagesconstituteanothermeansthroughwhichaffirmations canbefocused theirdynamicpotencyiswellknown.Onecanusetheimage,or vision,ofwhatiswantedasifitwerealreadyaccomplished(the"idealmodel"of

thepersonalityandthetechniqueof"actingasif"usedinpsychosynthesisare examplesofthis).Oronecan useanimagethatisthesymbolofwhatwewillto realize.Toaffirmhisdecisiontomakethewillskillful,forexample,onemight visualizeanorchestraanditsconductor.Inthiscase,onemustalsokeepinmind theoriginalpurposeofwhichtheimageisasymbol.Imagescaneitherbe visualizedmentally,orsomeexternalimage,adrawing,apicture,etc.,canbe selectedandobservedclosely.Placingsuchimagesnearwherewework,for example,cankeepanaffirmationaliveandvividduringallourworkinghours. 3.Assumingphysicalattitudes. Thatis,makinggestures,performingacts,which eitherdirectlyorsymbolicallyexpresswhatistobeachieved.Theancientuseof mudraisanexampleoftheaffirmativeuseofgesture. 4.Repetition. Thisalsoisanimportantandindeedoftenneededtechnique.What onewillstoaccomplishmayneedtobereaffirmedasacommandagreatmany times.Thesameappliestotheuseofimagesandexternalacts.Therequired numberofrepetitionsdependsontheimportanceoftheaim,thedifficultyofits attainment,andthetimeneededfortheprocessofmanifestation.Whenthisis protracted,therepetitionsmustbetheexpressionofapersistent,inneraffirmative attitude.

Affirmation/173
Thetechniqueof repetitioncan beemployedinavarietyofways: a.Repetition atdefinitetimes ofthesamewordsorphrases,orrepeateduseofthe sameimagesforinstance,atcertainmomentsoftheday(onwaking,beforegoing tosleep,etc.). b.Seriesofrepetitionsatmoreorlesslongintervals. c.Repetitionwith variationsofform. Thismethodavoidsthedrawbackofthe repetitionsbecomingroutineandmechanical.Variationsreviveinterestand stimulateimagination. Differentcriteriaaccordingtothespecificsituationandaimmustdeterminethe choiceamongthesevariousways,butitischieflythroughexperimentingthatwe canascertainwhichwayorcombinationofwaysismosteffective.Muchcanbe learnedaboutrepetitionfromthreegroupsofpeoplewhodiffergreatlyfromone another:composers,dictators,andadvertisers.Composerswillmakerepeateduse ofamusicalmotiveorvariationsofitinthecourseofasonataorsymphony.This hasbeenadoptedtocreateaspecificmusicalform,ofwhichBeethoven'sthirty twovariationsonathemeisanoutstandingexample.Aninstanceofinsistent, unvariedrepetitionofathemeisRavel's"Bolero." Dictatorsemploythetechniqueofrepetitiontoanextremedegree.Itistheprocess of"hammeringhome"anidea,andwhatiscalledtodaybrainwashing.Theydoit

consciouslyHitlercandidlystatedin MemKampfthathedidit.Ithinkitwashe whosaidthatonecanmakepeoplebelieveanyfalsehoodifonlyitisrepeated oftenenough!Thisisthemethoddeliberatelyusedinsystematicpropaganda. Advertisersareprobablythecleverestintheuseofrepetitionand,ingeneral,in influencingpeopleby 174/THESTAGESOFWILLING meansofaffirmation.Theyusethesameadvertisementforaconsiderabletimeand thenmodifyitorchangeitaltogether.Recentlyabigoilfirmaskedthepublicif theyshouldcontinuetouseacertainsloganassociatedwithanimageorchangeit. Havingarousedrenewedinterestinthisway,theycontinuedtouseit.Their formulasandimagesarechosen,oftenonexpertpsychologicaladvice,inorderto appealtobasichumanmotivations.Studyoftheirmethodscansuggestmore valuablewaysofemployingthemforhigherpurposesthanthemerchandisingof chewinggum. Theuseofaffirmationsdemandsspecialcaution.Oneshouldmakesure,atthis stage,tohavecheckedthathispredominantmotiveisright,good,andharmless. Anotherpointtobecarefulaboutinmakingaffirmationsistoavoidsofaras possiblearousingcontraryreactionsonthepartofothers.Affirmationscanbe moreeffectiveifmadeinacalm,quiet,nonaggressivemanner.Inthisconnection, however,areservationisinorderthereactionoftheconsciousmindandthatof theunconsciouscanfrequentlybedifferentandevenopposite.Wesometimes reactnegativelytocertainrepeated,insistentrepetitions,butthisdoesnotprevent ourunconsciousfrombeing"impressed"andinducingustoactinaccordancewith thesuggestionoraffirmation.Televisionpublicityisanexampleofthis.Atthe consciouslevel,itcanarousereactionsofboredomandantagonism,butthenone oftenfindsoneselfbuyingtheproductsoinsistentlyadvertised.Ithappensthrough mentallazinesswhileshopping,orasanautomaticreaction whilethinkingabout somethingelse.Thisprovidesconfirmationofthecoexistenceinusofdifferent tendencies,evensubpersonalities,sometimesopposedtoeachother.

Affirmation/175
Intheuseofthetechniqueofaffirmation,allhurryandimpatiencetoseeresults aretobeavoided.Affirmationsoftennotonlydonotgiveimmediateandevident results,theycanproduceatfirstcontraryeffectsbybringingtolighthidden opposingforces.Thisisnoreasonfordiscouragementitmayindeedperform a usefulfunction.Itiswellthatsuchoppositionrevealsitself,forthismakesus awareofitsexistenceandpermitsustoconfrontitopenlyandmasterit.Asiswell known,theprincipaltechniqueofpsychoanalysisistobringtolightthe "resistances"ofthepatientandeliminatethem. Animportantpointinusinginneraffirmations,thatis,inaddressingcommandsto thevariouspsychologicalfunctions(thought,imagination,etc.)istodosofroma certain"innerdistance,"from"above,"sotospeak,withoutidentifyingoneself withthem.Instead,giventhecloserelationshipbetweenthe"I,"thecenterofself

awarenessandthewill(asindicatedinthediagramofthepsychologicalfunctions, page13),onecanwellidentifyhimselfwithhiswill.Beforeandbesidesusing variousaffirmationsforthedifferentvolitionalactions,itismosteffectivetouse whatcouldbecalledthebasic,theessentialaffirmation:

IAMAWILLIAMACONSCIOUS,POTENT,DYNAMICWILL
IAlsothecloseconnectionbetweenthewill,theself,andlovecanbeemphasized throughaffirming:

IAMALIVING,LOVING,WILLINGSELF
Itshouldbeapparentthatmuchofwhatissaidinthisbookfacestwowaysat once:onetowardtheuseofthewilltoaccomplishavarietyofpurposes,theother towardusingthewilltotrainthewillitself,asapriororconcurrentactivity. Happilytheretendstobeaconstantinteractioneveryactofthewilltrainsthe willandeach 176/THESTAGESOFWILL ING bitoftrainingallowsforfurtheractsofwill.Ifwekeepthisfactinmind,thewill willbepresentinourconsciousnessasweact.Thisisinitselfagoodtechniquefor developingthewill. WordsandPhrasesofPower Thereisanunlimitedvarietyofwordsandphrasesfromwhicheachreadercan choosethosehefeelsaresuitedtohisneeds.Alistof"evocativewords,"which canbeusedquiteeffectivelyas"wordsofpower,"canbefoundonpage78.HereI shallsuggestafewphrases,takenfromtheinscriptionsonthecoatsofarmsof variousnoblefamilies: AdsideravultusFacetowardthestars PensaaljineThinkofthegoal BienfaireetlaisserdireActwell andletpeopletalk SempervigilansEverwatchful IntuttoarmoniaIneverything,harmony

Affirmation/177

TheActofWill
ROBERTOASSAGIOLI,M.D.

15
PLANNINGAND PROGRAMING
Ifweobservecontemporarylife,acuriouscontradictionpresentsitself.Planning andprogramingareoftentalkedabouttoday,andmucheconomic,social,and technicalplanningisbeingdone.Ontheotherhand,separateindividualsoftenlive withnowelldefinedpersonalplanandwithouthavingaclearandconsciouslife program. Yetafundamentalconditionforsuccessfulplanningofallkindsistheplanning andprogramingofthepersonallifeprimarilyinapsychologicalsense,i.e.,inthe senseofcarryingoutone'sindividualpsychosynthesisandthevarious interpersonalandsocialpsychosyntheses.Thispersonalplanningmustbedonein accordancewiththegeneralrulesandtechniquesappropriatetoplanningofany otherkind.Thereforeletusbrieflyexaminetheserulesandtechniques. Themostimportantruleisto formulate,clearlyandprecisely,thegoaltobe reached,andthentoretainit

178
unswervinglyinmind throughoutallthestagesoftheexecution,whichareoften longandcomplex.Thisisnoeasything!Indeed,onemaysaythatitpresentsgreat difficulty,sinceinmanthereisaconstanttendencytopayexcessiveattentionto themeanshemustemploytogainhisend,eventothepointofmakinghimlose sightofit.Themeansevertendtobecomeendsinthemselves,andwhenthis happens,manbecomesenslavedbythemeanshehaschosentoemploy. Nowherecanthisbeseenmoreclearlythaninthecurrentmuchdebatedproblem oftheinteractionbetweenmanandmachine.Initsessentialterms,thisproblem,or better,thisrelationship,canbeformulatedthus:mancreatesandconstructs machinesinorderthattheymayincreasehispowerandcapacityintheactions designedtoachievehisends.Thustheintendedfunctionandvalueofthemachine arepurely instrumentalandrelativetothepurposeforwhichithasbeen constructed.Butmanveryoftenletshimselfbebewitchedbyhismachines, overvaluingthem andinsteadofpossessingthem,heendsbybeingpossessedby

them. Thecaraffordsstrikingevidenceofthis.Thetrueandproperfunctionofthecaris toprovideafasterandmorecomfortablemeansofarrivingataplacewedesireto goforagivenpurpose.Yetlittlebylittlemanhasunwittinglymadeofthecaran objectofprestige,astatussymbol,ameansofselfassertion,anoutletforthe repressedtendenciesofhislife.Theresultshavereachedthegrotesque.Rather thanusingthepowerofour technologytoincreasethesafetyofthecarandreduce itspollution,wehaveneedlesslyincreaseditsbulk,power,andthereforefuel consumption.Thishasgivennorealbenefit,butonthecontraryhashelpedto createsuchageneraltrafficandparkingcongestion,andtomakeof
PlanningandPrograming/179

thecarsuchanenvironmentalmenace,thatitsoriginalvalueasafastand comfortablemeansoftransportationisrapidlyreachingthevanishingpoint. Clearlyourtechnologyisnotatfault,assomepeopletendtofeel.Thefaultis ratherintheuseswemadeofthattechnologywhenwefailedtokeepinmindthe originalgoalorpurpose. Thephenomenonissimilartowhatoccursinconnectionwiththatother"means," money,whichalsotendseasilytobecomeanendinitselfthroughtheattachmentit arouses.Andsowefindthetendencytoamassmoneywithoutemployingit usefully,asmisershavedoneinallages.Therefore,I,'epeat,avigilantand energeticwillisindispensableformaintainingthemeans"intheirplace,"for alwaysbeingmasterofthem,whileusingonlythosethattrulyservetheintended purpose,andtotheextentthattheyserveit.Thisisafundamentalruleofaright program. Anotherbasicconsiderationconcernsthepossibilityofagivenprogrambeing realizedinotherwords,itsfeasibility.Afrequenterroristoconceiveplansand programswhosemagnitudewoulddemandcapacities,circumstances,and resourcesweareveryfarfromhavingatourdisposal.Themakingofgrandiose plansissomethingpleasant,evenfascinating,andthisIthinkweallexperience. Theworldteemswithidealistsanddreamerswhoconceiveor,moreaccurately, aredominatedby,beautifulbutimpracticalprograms.Ifonecomestorealizethat hisprogramistooambitious,heshouldbewillingtoacknowledgethefact,evenif hehasalreadystartedontheprogram.Todootherwisewouldendonlyin frustrationandotherilleffects.Ourorganismrebelsattheimpossible,andmany peoplehavebeenvictimsofthecompulsiveVictorianwill.Onemustbeprepared afteradequateconsiderationandtestingtoadjusthisaspirationsand 180/THESTAGESOFWILLING programsrationallyandcheerfullytorealisticpossibilities. Thisbringsustoanotherruleinplanning: theestablishmentwheneverpossibleof rightcooperation.Afrequentreasonforthefailureofsomanyplansliesinthe factthatpeoplewanttocarryouttheirprogramsthemselves theythemselveswant tobeatthecenteroftheplannedorganization.Thustheyareoftenguiltyof duplicationthroughtryingtodowhatothersarealreadydoing,sometimeswith

muchgreaterresourcesandpossibilities.Whatareneededarethewisdomand humilitytoacknowledgewhathasalreadybeendone,orisinpreparation,inthe samedirectionasourprojects,andthentocooperate,orperhapsassociate ourselveswiththosewhoaredoingorproposetodothesamething. Inthiscontext,Imayrecallanoccurrencethathasvariouspsychologically interestingaspects.Thesecondhalfofthenineteenthcenturysawthebeginningof theconstructionofrailwaysleepingcarsinAmerica.Thereweretworivalfirmsin thefield,CarnegieandWestinghouse.Thecompetitionbetweenthemcaused Carnegietorecognizethatitwouldbefarmoreprofitabletocombinewithrather thanfighthiscompetitor.AtfirstWestinghousewassomewhatstiffandsuspicious whenCarnegieaskedhimtomeethimanddiscussthematterbutlittlebylittlehe warmedtotheideaofamalgamatingthetwofirms.Allofasudden,however,he stoppedandasked,"Butwhatisthenewfirmtobecalled?""Westinghouse, naturally"whereuponWestinghousesaid,"Done!"Littlecommentisneeded,I think.Carnegiemadelightofanyquestionof amourpropreornamein considerationoftheoutcome'susefulnessandcommoninterest.Theother's ambitionwasgratified,andsotheycametoanagreement.Iftheruleof cooperation canbe

PlanningandPrograming/ 181
successfullyusedbybusinessmenformaterialaims,weshouldbewillingtouseit forotheraims,especiallyhigherones! Thepossibilityofcooperationanditsbenefitsarefrequentlyignoredbythose havinghighmotives:thosewithazealtoservetheworldaretoooftenalso possessedbythedesiretoseethemselvesservingtheworld.Thusonefrequently observesneedlesscompetitionoversecondarymattersamongschoolsofthoughtin education,psychology,andmanyotherusefulfields.Agreaterwillingnessfor cooperativeserviceandpracticalsynthesis,implementedbyconcentratingonthe similarities,andnoton thedifferences,wouldbemuchmoreproductive. Afourthruleofplanningpertainstorecognizing, distinguishing,andgiving propersequencetothevariousphasesofplanning.Theyareformulation programingstructuringprojectmakingmodel,orpilot,project. Agoodillustrationofthesestagesisthecaseofastudentofminewhowantedto develophisabilitytooperatefrommotivesotherthanmaterialisticones(safety, security,eminence,riches),whichweredrivinghim,inacompulsiveway,into depression.Hisaimwastoembracehighervaluesinhisactions,buthefearedthat insodoinghewouldlosematerialcomforts.Afterideliberating,wedecidedto planastrategytogethimintouchwithhishighervaluesandgraduallyallowhim toIembracethem.Thisgeneral formulationwasthefirststageofplanning.The nextstagewasprograming. Theprogramcalledforbeginningslowly,ina nonthreateningmanner, by graduallyreducingthetimespentonmaterialthings. Thiswasdoneinanumberofsteps:first,thestudentwas askedtobecomefully awareofhowhismaterialistic drivesinfluencedhim.Thenhewasaskedto choosewhichoneshewouldliketoreduce.Effectiveplanning

182/THESTAGESOFWILLING requiredthisgradualapproach,andgoodstructuringdictatedthatawarenessbe followedbychoice,ratherthanhavingchoiceearlyintheprocess.Theproject calledfor,amongotherthings,waysofexpandingawarenessofthematerialistic drives.Wesettledonan experimentalpilotprojectwhichconsistedofanevening review,tobemadebythestudentbeforeretiring,oftheswaythatmaterialistic thoughts, feelings,oractionshadhaduponhimduringtheday.Oncehe recognizedtheextentoftheirharmfulinfluence,thisawarenessbecameamore thansufficientmotive toimplementtheintention toreducethem. Thushegraduallywasabletocreatesomespaceinhislife,andwewerereadyto dealwiththemaingoalhehadalwayshadinmindthatofgettingintouchwith thepartofhimselfthattrulydidholdhighervalues.Theprojectwasthenexpanded toincludewayshecouldusetobringthesevaluesmoreandmoreactivelyintohis life.Itwasatthispointthathehadtherealizationthatactingfromthishigherplace withinhiminnowaymeantthathehadtorenounceallmaterialcomforts. Thuswecanseethatformulationstandsfortheinitialstageinageneralsense,for theconceptionoftheplaninitsbroadlines.Programingrepresentsagreater precisionandmoreconcretedevelopmentoftheplan,particularlyintheearly phasesofitsexecution.Thedifferencemaybesaidtocorrespondtothatbetween strategicandtacticalplans.Havingformulatedawelldefinedandstructured program,onecanpassontotheworkingoutofadefiniteprojectwithallthe practicaldatathatrelatetoit.Anadequatelydevelopedprojectcanthenbe followedbyanexperimental pilotproject.Itscentralaimistotest theproject,and assuchitcanbeveryinstructive,sincepracticalexperienceoftengivesdifferent resultsfromthoseexpected.

PlanningandPrograming/ 183
Whilethesestagesimplyagradualstepbystepprocess,theymustallbekeptin mindtogether.Mountainclimbingisagoodexampleofthis.Thepeaktobe climbedhasfirsttobeselected,thenthebestroutetothesummit,whichmayhave tobecircuitoustoavoidobstaclesandlast,oncetheclimbbegins,thechoiceof, footholds,whichcandeterminethedifferencebetweensafetyandfalling. Itmaybesaidthata"trifocalvision"isrequiredthatis,theperceptionand retentioninmindofthedistantgoalandpurposethesurveyoftheintermediate stageswhichextendfromthepointofdeparturetothearrivalandtheawareness ofthenextsteptobetaken. Thisviewofthewhole,graduatedatthesametimeinitsdifferentstages,canbe appliedtoeverykindoftaskandconsidereda"spatial"conceptioninbothan objectiveandasymbolicsense.Butasimportant,ifnotmoreso,isthe"temporal" factor,thatis,theconsiderationofthetiminganddurationeachstageshouldhave. Asweknow,timeandspaceareintimatelyrelatedastwoaspectsofthesame continuum.Thereforeitisamatterofimplementingeachstageattherighttime andforthenecessaryperiod.Everyphasehasitsmostfavorable,evenitsonly possible,momentforexecution,whichmay :

Deexpressedintheparadoxicalphrase"Theimpossibleoftodayistomorrow's possibletoday'spossibleistheimpossibleoftomorrow." Anotherrequirementtobeconsideredistheflexibility oftheplan,thatis,its susceptibilitytomodificationasnew1developmentsoccur.Lifeisfullofthe unexpected,andhoweverprescientonetriestobe,somethingunforeseenvery oftencropsup.Sowemustbereadytomodifyand'adapt ourplans.Flexibility canbeseeninitssimplestandmostaccessibleforminchess,inwhichaplayer plans 184/THESTAGESOFWILLING aseriesofmovestocheckmatehisopponentbutmustbeonthealerttochangehis planinresponsetotheoffensivemovesofhisopponent,whoalsohasasimilar plan. Toachieveallthisdemandsreflection,afinesenseofproportion,andgood judgment,allofwhichcanbesummedupinonesimpleword:wisdom.But unflaggingattention,vigilance,patience,andpersistence,whicharequalitiesofthe will,arealsoneededwhichshowsthatplanningplaysanintegratingpartinthe processof willing,ineffectivevolition. Alltheserulescanandshouldbeappliedinpsychosynthesis.Individual psychosynthesiscanbesaidtoConsistessentiallyintheactualizationofone'sown idealmodel. Theroleofplanninginboththediscoveryandtheactualizationof the idealmodelisfullydiscussedinPsychosynthesis(pages16677).Carefulplanning andpatientexecutionofalifeplanandsubplansarenecessaryifoneistofulfill hispersonalexistenceandbecomeallthathecan.Needlesstosay,planningalso belongsinthetranspersonalorspiritualphaseofpsychosynthesis.Incarryingout apsychosyntheticprogram,weshouldapplythegeneralrulesofplanning,butwe shouldalsobecarefultoincludeintheprocessthephasesofelaborationand gestation,allowingthemthetimetheyneed,withoutinterference. Moreover,theindividuallifeplanmustbecoordinated,integrated,andharmonized withplansthatincludeotherpeople.Individualpsychosynthesisisnot,andcannot be,anendinitself,sinceeach oneofusiscloselylinkedinlifewithotherpersons andgroups.Wecanbeginthisprocessbyformulatingandcarryingoutplansand programsenablingustoplayourvariousrolesinhumanrelationsandtofulfillthe variousfunctionstheydemand.Thelifeofafamilyregardedasa

PlanningandPrograming/ 185
psychologicalentity,forexample,canbeconsciouslyplannedandorganized. Naturally,affectionandgoodwillconstituteitsbasis,butthesearenotsufficient. Thentherearetherolesassociatedwithwork,whichfrequentlyinvolverelations withsuperiors,colleagues,andsubordinates.Therearethecommunityroles arisingoutofmembershipinsocialgroups,andparticipationintheirspecific activities,political,economic,cultural,andhumanitarian. Someofthetechniquesofindividualpsychosynthesiscanbeusefullyappliedin planningandcarryingoutinterpersonalandgrouppsychosynthesis.Amongthose

ofmoregeneraluse,Imaymentionthetechniquesforthetransformationof energies,thetechniquesofthemethodicaluseofimages,andthatofimaginative training.Conversely,interpersonalandgrouprelationsandexternalactivitiescan beutilizedasoccasionsandinstrumentsforinnerdevelopmentandactualization.

ANOTEONSOCIALPSYCHOSYNTHESIS
Socialpsychosynthesisraisestheproblem,muchdiscussedatthepresenttime,of therelationsbetweentheindividualandsociety.Mostofthewriterswhohave dealtwiththissubjecthavedonesoinacontroversialway,contrastingthetwoand regardingthemasalmostnecessarilyinconflict.Yetinthiscase,asinmanyother instances,itismoreoftenamatterofdealingwithapolarity.Theprinciples expoundedinmypamphletBalancingandSynthesisofOpposites(NewYork, 1972)canfindhereausefulapplication.ThereIhaveusedadiagramtoshowthe relationshipbetweeneachpairofoppositepolesandthewaysoftheirbalancing. Inreferencetotheproblemoftheindividualversussociety,wehavethefollowing triangularrelationships: l86/THESTAGESOFWILLING

Attheextremitiesofthebaseofthetrianglearethetwooppositepoles,conformity andrebellion themiddlepointofthebasemaybetakentorepresentapositionof compromise,allowingtoadegreeofmaneuvering,butlimitingandunsatisfactory asalastingsolution.Yetthereexistsapointabove,equidistantfrombothpoles andatahigherlevel,fromwhichonecanbeanintegralandeffectivememberof societywhilemaintaininghisindependencefully.Thispositionstandsforactionin andonsociety,inordertotransformit. Thesyntheticformulaforresolvingthisproblem hasbeengivenintheBible: "RenderuntoCaesarthethingsthatareCaesar's,anduntoGodthethingsthatare God's."Awayofexpressingthisinmodernpsychologicaltermsmightbe, "Concedetosocietywhatisnecessaryandappropriate,andalsoactinsocietyasa constructiveforceforimprovingit."Thiscanbedonebyfirstreservingone'sown integrityandindependence,"cultivatingtheinnergarden."Itisthusnotaquestion of passivelysubmittingtosocialconditioning,butfirstof protectingoneselffrom it,withoutresortingeithertoviolentrebellionortowithdrawal,andthenactively seekingtomodifyandimprovepresentsociallifein every possibleway. Itisimportantnotonlyforsociety'sgoodbutalsofortheindividual'ssatisfaction thatheexperiencethisinnerindependence.Thelibertytowhichtheindividual reallyaspires,moreorlessconsciously,ischieflyapsychological

PlanningandPrograming/ 187
andspiritualfreedombutitsachievementdependsinlargemeasureonhimself. Groupsandsocietycanobstructitinavarietyofwayswiththeirpressures,but cannotreallypreventit.Onecanbeinwardlyfreeevenwhileassentingtothe performanceofhisfunctionsandtoplayinghispartsinthefamilyandsociety,in accordancewiththesituationinwhichhefindshimself.Herealsothetechniques ofpsychosynthesiscanbeofgreatassistance,especiallythoseof"identification" and"actingasif."Usingsuchtechniquesonecanalwayshave"innerspace,"that is,makingroomin consciousness,and"temporalspace,"orsomefreetime,in whichanindependentindividuallifecanbelived.Andthisdoesnotdemandlong periodsoftimeandspecialconditions.Itisamatterofutilizingthe"dimensionof intensity":ahalfhourlivedatahighlevelintenselycangivevalue,meaning,and justificationtoawholeday. Finally,thereisahigherandbroaderkindofplanning,whichisinrealitythemost importantitisthatofintegratingtheindividualplanintheUniversalPlan,to whichIreferredearlier.Whileweareunabletobeawareofthecompletescopeof thatPlaninitsgreatmystery,wecanatleastknowsomethingofitandglimpseits broadlinesandespeciallyitsevolutionarydirection,andthusrecognizeitisthe directionofthegreatestgood. Thisiswhatcounts!Ourfirstgoalisnottodiscern thepointofarrival,buttoplaceourselvesintherightcurrent,ontherightroad. Herealso,andaboveallhere,wisdomisnecessaryforharmoniouslyinterweaving theindividualplanintheUniversalPlanandwillisneededforretainingafirm controloftherudderandproceedingonastraightcourse. 188 / THESTAGESOFWILLING

TheActofWill
ROBERTOASSAGIOLI,M.D.

16
THEDIRECTIONOFTHEEXECUTION
Anexaminationofthisfinalstageofvolitionalactionwillrevealthefundamental errorgenerallycommittedintheuseofthewill,anerrorbaseduponamistaken conceptionofitsnatureandwayoffunctioning.Thiserrorconsistsinattempting toactby imposingthepowerofthewillontheorgansofaction.Instead,thetrue andnaturalfunctionofthewillatthisstageistodirecttheexecution,toputinto operationthenecessaryandappropriatemeansforreachingtheproposedobjective. Itdoessobytakingcommandofanddirectingthevariouspsychophysical functions. Thiswillappearmoreclearlyifweexamineindetailtheanalogybetweenthe activityofwillingandthatofdrivingacar.Thedirecteffortofwillresemblesthat madebyadrivertryingtopropelhiscarforwardbypushingitfrombehindwith musclepower.Suchbehaviorismanifestlyabsurdandyetequallymisguidedis theeffort 189 tousethewillfordirectactionratherthanforactionthroughtheother psychologicalfunctions. Letusexaminewhatthedriverofacaractuallydoes.Hebeginsbydoingwhat correspondstothepreviouslydescribedstages.Hefirstchooseswherehewishes togo thenhedecidestogothereandwhentostart.Thisleadstoastudyofthe routeandtheplanning ofthejourney. Nowcomesthestageofthedirectionoftheexecution.Itisdividedintotwoparts. Thefirstistheservicingofthecar,whichmeansfillingitwithgasandwater, checkingoilandtirepressure,andsoforth.Allthiscorrespondstothepreparatory workofpsychosynthesis,thedevelopmentsandcultivationofthevarious psychologicalfunctionsandthewillfunctionoftheself Thecarisnowreadytostart.Thedriversettleshimself comfortablyinhisseat, startstheengine,andoperatestheappropriatecontrolsforputtingthecarinmotion inthechosendirection.Duringthetrip,thedriversteerssoastoavoidobstacles, judgeswhenitispossibleandsafeto: passothervehicles,anddecideswhichroadtotakeatintersections.Whenhewas learningtodrive,theseoperationsdemandedmuchconsciousattentionandeffort onhispart,butashebecamemoreproficientatthem,heperformedthemechanics

ofdrivingwithlessandlessconsciousintervention.Thissubconsciouscontrolis usuallydescribedasanautomaticprocess.Butthisismisleadingiftheterm "automatic"istakentomeansomethingfixedandrigidonthecontrary,inthis casewehaveintelligentactioncontinuouslybeingmodifiedin,accordancewith informationreceivedbysight,hearing,andkinestheticdata.Andfullyconscious actioncanberesumedatanymoment,atwill,ifneeded. Theaboveseriesofactionscorrespondstosettingthevariouspsychological functionsinmotionanddirecting 190/THESTAGESOPWILLING theiroperation.Herealsothereoccursagradualshiftingfromaconsciousfocusing ofthefullattentiononthetasktoanincreasingdelegationofresponsibilitytothe unconscious,withoutthedirectinterventionoftheconscious"I."Thisprocessis apparentintheworkofacquiringsomesuchtechnicalaccomplishmentaslearning toplayamusicalinstrument.Atfirst,fullattentionandconsciousdirectionofthe executionaredemanded.Then,littlebylittle,therecomestheformationofwhat mightbecalledthemechanismsofaction,i.e.,newneuromuscularpatterns.The pianist,forexample,nowreachesthepointatwhichhenolongerneedstopay consciousattentiontothemechanicsofexecution,thatis,todirectinghisfingersto thedesiredplaces.Hecannowgivehiswholeconsciousattentiontothequality of theexecution,totheexpressionoftheemotionalandaestheticcontentofthemusic thatheisperforming. Letusbrieflyexaminehowthroughthewillwecanusethevariouspsychological functionstoreachthegoalswehavechosen.Themethodsofdoingsovarygreatly foreachfunctionaccordingtoitsspecificcharacteristics.Letusconsiderfirstof alltheuseofsensations,ofsensoryperceptions.Apartfromthefactthatthe limitationsinherentinthephysicalorgansofsensepermittheperceptionofonlya smallpartoftheimpressionsandvibrationscomingfromtheexternalworld,our useoftheseorgansishabituallyveryimperfectandpartial:ifasensoryperception istobecometrulyconscious,i.e.,"apperceived,"itmustremainin thefieldof consciousnesslongenoughtobeassimilatedbytheconscious"I"butthisfieldis oftenclutteredwithotherpsychologicalcontents(sensationsofotherkinds, emotions,thoughts,etc.).Moreover,thesensoryperceptionsimmediatelyinduce emotionalreactions,eitherpositiveornegative,

TheDirectionoftheExecution/ 191
whichoftenimpedeaccurateperceptionandsometimesevenmisrepresentthe objectofperception. Thepsychologyofevidencegivesampleproofofthisfact.Itfrequentlyhappens thatthedepositionsofwitnessesconcerningagiveneventareeitherincompleteor faulty,orboth.Thisoccursevenwhenthedepositionismadeingoodfaithand withnoconsciousattempttofalsify.Itisaseriousmatterwhichcanhavegrave consequences,suchastheconvictionofinnocentpeople.Whenthereforean accurateandobjectiveexaminationbasedonpreciseobservationisrequired,the

willmustinterveneinordertodirect,regulate,andusethesensoryfunctionsto bestadvantage. Todothis,itmustkeepconsciousnessconcentratedonthe taskofreceiving, assimilating,andintegratingthemessagesbroughtinbythesenses.Moreover,it mustrefusetoacknowledge,foraslongasmaybenecessary,theothersensory impressions,emotions,andmentalactivitiesthattendtointerferewiththeongoing chosentask.Thisdemandsthetrainingofthepowerofobservationbymeansof observationexercisessuchasthosedescribedinPsychosynthesis.Aswehaveseen inthestoryofAgassizandthefish,majorscientists,andespeciallythenaturalists amongthem,havepossessedandfurtherdevelopedbypracticethispowerof observationaspromotedandsustainedbythewill. Thewaysinwhichthewillcanmakeuseofemotionsandfeelingsasmeansof realizingitspurposesaremorecomplex.Firstof all,attentionandconcentration, whicharespecificfunctionsofthewill,mustbeexercisedandstrengthened.The natureandintensityofspecificemotionalenergiessuggestthebestmethodsof utilizingthem.Fundamentally,itisamatterofconnectingandrelatingthese energiestotheobjectivetobereached,thatisto 192/THESTAGESOFWILLING say,oforientingorchannelingtheflowoftheemotionsandfeelingstowardthe predeterminedgoal.Thisoftenrequiresatransmutationorsublimationofthese energies,whichinturninvolvesthewill'scapacitytoengageanddirectthese energiestowardfutureactivities,towardconstructiveandhigherobjectives. Ihavealreadydiscussedthesubjectoftransmutationandsublimationofthesexual andcombativeenergies.HereImayaddthatthisprocessisbasedontheclose reciprocalactionbetweenemotionsandfeelingsononesideanddesiresanddrives ontheother.Everypainfulemotionandfeelingarousesthedesireandurgeto eliminateitscause.Conversely,pleasantandhappyemotionspromptthe perpetuationofwhathasproducedthem.Thewillcantakeadvantageofthisfactto orient,direct,andtransmutedesiresanddrives. Allthisisvalid,however,onlyforcasesinwhichtheemotions,drives,anddesires arenotexcessivelyintenseandrespondmoreorlessrapidlyandeasilytothe actionofthewill.Butattimestheirintensityissuchastoarouseresistance,or evenastateofviolentrebellionagainstthedirectionthatthewilltriestoimpartto them.Herethewillmustemployothermethods,forifitsetsitselfindirect oppositiontothoseenergies,itfrequentlyfails.Andevenifitdoessucceedin controllingthembyanactofimposition,itarousesconflictsthatarewastefulof energyandcanhaveharmfulconsequences.Inthesecases,thewill'sfirsttaskisto dischargetheintenseandexcessivetensionsoftheemotionalandpropulsive energies.Thiscanbedonebymeansofthevariousventilating techniques (catharsis),symbolicsatisfaction,and,ifappropriate,ameasureofactual gratification.Inthiswaythewillcansucceedineliminatingopposition,orin reducingittoalowerlevelofintensity,sothattheenergiescannowbe

TheDirectionoftheExecution/193

usedinthemannerfirstmentioned.Naturally,noinstrument,no"psychic voltmeter,"existsformeasuringthepotentialofemotionalandimpulsivecharges, butintrospectionandobservationofspontaneousmanifestationscangivean approximateideaof theirintensity. The"energycharge"ofthewillitselfmustalsobereckonedwith.Aweakwillhas difficultyindirectingemotionseveniftheyareoflowormediumintensity, whereasastrongwillcandoitsuccessfully.Theenergyrelationshipbetween the willandtheresistanceofferedbythepsychologicalmaterialwhichthewillwants tocontrol,direct,andtransformmustbegivenproperconsideration.Here, experimentationisuseful.Thestrengthofthewillcanbeascertainedbydefinite exercisesandexperimentsintheuseofthetechniquesofdirection,transmutation, andsublimation. Thereisanotherpsychologicalfunctionwhichhascloseconnectionswiththese alreadymentioneditistheimagination. Herealsotherearerelationshipsof reciprocalactionandreaction.Emotionsanddesiresevokeimageswhich correspondtothem.Intheirturn,theactivitiesoftheimaginationarouseemotions, desires,andurges.Greatisthepowerofimages,andtheycanbesaidtoconstitute anecessaryintermediarybetweenthewillandtheotherpsychologicalfunctions. Thedynamicrelationsbetweenallthesefunctionshavebeenformulatedinsome ofthelawsdescribedinthechapterontheskillfulwill. Thewillcanlearntodirecttheimaginationtoaconsiderableextenttoachieve this,systematicexercisesandtrainingareveryhelpful.Firstareexercisesin reproductiveimagination,usingvisualization,theevocationofsounds,and memoriesofsensoryimpressionsintheothersensemodalities.Onethenproceeds toexercisesinselfdirectedcreativeimaginationbystartingwitha 194/THESTAGESOFWILLING symbolorwithanappropriatelyselectedsituation.Intheseexercises,itisthe subject'swillthatsubstitutesforthetherapist,whonormallywouldconductthese exercisesinthefashionofDesoille'sguideddaydreamandLeuner'sguided affectiveimagery. Thisisnoteasy,butitcanbedone.Thetechniquesoftheideal modelandoftrainingtheimagination,describedin Psychosynthesis,areusefulnot onlyfortheirownspecificpurposes,butalsoforputtingtheimaginationatthe behestofandunderthedirectionofthewill. Letusnowseehowthewillcanutilizethemindindirectingtheexecution.Inthe precedingstages,thewillhasalreadyusedthemindasanorganofthought, reflection,foresight,andappropriateprograming.Inthisstage,thedirectionofthe execution,itcanandmustalsousethemindinotherways.Whenthereisa problemtobesolved,forwhichthewillhasresolvedtoreachasolution,itfocuses themind'sattentionontheproblem,examinesit,reflectsuponit,andformulates hypothesesaboutpossiblesolutions.Thesehypothesesmaysubsequentlybeputto thetestofexperiment.Thiscanbecalled"deepthinking"or"reflective meditation"(seeAppendixTwo,"ThinkingandMeditation,"page218). Anotherofthemind'sfunctionswhichcanandmustbedirectedbythewillisthe intuition. Thisleadstotheexaminationoftherelationsbetweenwillandintuition.

Itseemsevidentthatthewillpossessesnodirectpowerovertheintuitivefunction itcanevenhamperitsfunctioning.Butherealsothewillcanperformamost helpful indirectactionitcancreateandkeepclearthechannelofcommunication alongwhichtheintuitiveimpressionsdescend.Itdoesthisbyimposinga temporarycheckonthedistractingactivitiesoftheotherpsychologicalfunctions.

TheDirectionoftheExecution/195
Thewillcanencourage(encourage,notcoerce,Irepeat)theintuitiveoperation byformulatingquestionstobeaddressedtothesuperconscioussphere,theseatof theintuition.Thesequestionsmustbegivenaclearandpreciseform.Thereplies maycomepromptly,butmoreoftentheyappearafteralapseoftimeandwhen leastexpected(seeAppendixTwo,page218). 196/ THESTAGESOFWILLING

TheActofWill
ROBERTOASSAGIOLI,M.D.

PartThree
Epilogue

17
THEJOYOUSWILL
Theassociationofwillwithjoymayseemsurprisingbecausethewillhas generallybeenconsideredsomethingstern,exacting,forbidding,denying, particularlysincetheVictorianperiod. Yetthe"actofwilling"canbeandoftenisintrinsicallyjoyous.Inordertorealize this,itisnecessarytohaveaclearconceptionofthenatureandthevariousaspects andmanifestationsofjoy.Butthereisnotyetacoherentpsychologyofjoy, becauseascientificpsychologyofwhatMaslowaptlycalls"thefartherreachesof humannature"ofBeingvalues,orevenoftruehealth,isonlynowintheprocess ofemerging. The"pursuitofhappiness"isconsideredandisproclaimedintheAmerican Constitutionasaright,butrarelyisacleardefinitiongivenastowhat"happiness" means.Itisunderstoodinvariousanddivergentwaysbydifferentindividualsand groups. Itwouldbewellworthwhiletodevelopascienceandtechniqueof"enjoyment." Maslowhintedatthiswhen, 199 speakingoftheBeingvalues,hesaid,"Why notatechnologyofjoy,of happiness?"Elsewhere,helistsamongtheBeingvaluesfun,joy,gaiety,and humor. Whileitisnotpossibleonthisoccasiontogivethe"psychologyofjoy"itsdue,a preliminaryclarificationcanbeofferedforthebetterunderstandingof"thejoyof willing." Onecansaythat"enjoyment"istheconcomitantandtheresultofthesatisfaction ofaneedofanyneed. ThusforeachofthelevelsofneedsdescribedbyMaslow, thereisacorrespondingkindofenjoyment.Theresultofthesatisfactionofthe

basicneedscanbecalledpleasure.Thegeneralsubjectivestateofapersonwhose "normal"needsanddesiresareatleasttemporarilysatisfiedcanbecalled happiness. Theresultofthefulfillmentofthehigherneedsisjoy.Thegoodwillisjoyous!It createsaharmonious,joyful atmosphere,andactsofgoodwillhaverichand sometimesamazingresults.Altruistic,humanitarianactivitiesgivedeep satisfactionandasenseoffulfillingone'struepurposeinlife.AsanEasternsage hassaid,"Worldtasksarelikefiresofjoy."Finally,thefullTranspersonalSelf Realizationandevenmorethecommunionoridentificationwithuniversal transcendentRealityhasbeencalledbliss. Atthispoint,itisimportanttorecognizethatthereisnofundamental incompatibilitybetweenthesatisfactionofalltheseneedsandtheconsequent "enjoyment."Enjoymentofthehigherneedsdoesnotexcludeenjoymentatall otherlevels. Theremightbeandthereoftenareconflicts,crisesofadjustmentandgrowth.But theyaretemporarystagesintheprocessofgrowth,ofselfactualizationandSelf Realization. 200/EPILOGUE Becauseofthemultiplicityofhumannature,oftheexistenceinusofvariousand oftenconflictingsubpersonalities,joyatsomelevelcancoexistwithsufferingat otherlevels.Forinstance,therecanbethejoyofmasteringanunruly subpersonality,althoughthesubpersonalityitselfmayexperiencethisaspainful. Alsoavividanticipationofafuturewilledachievementorsatisfactioncangivejoy evenwhileonefeelspain.SaintFrancissaid,"SogreatistheGoodthatIam expectingthateverypaintomeisjoyous."Atalessexaltedlevel,thisistrueof athletesandparticularlyofmountainclimbers,towhomthejoyousprospectofthe "intended"willedachievementoutweighsthephysicalhardshipsandsuffering involved. Sincetheoutcomeofsuccessfulwillingisthesatisfactionofone'sneeds,wecan seethattheactofwillisessentiallyjoyous.Andtherealizationoftheself,ormore' exactly ofbeinga self(whosemostintrinsicfunction,aswehaveseen,isthatof willing),givesasenseoffreedom,ofpower,ofmasterywhichisprofoundly joyous. ThisistrueatthelevelofthepersonalselfbuttherealizationoftheTranspersonal Will,theexpressionoftheTranspersonalSelf,issointenselyjoyousthatitcanbe calledblissful.Herewehavethejoyoftheharmoniousunionbetweenthepersonal andtheTranspersonalWillthejoyoftheharmonybetweenone'sTranspersonal Willandthoseofothersand,highestandforemost,theblissof theidentification withtheUniversalWill. Themysticsofalltimesandplaceshaverealizedandexpressedthejoyandbliss whichareinherentintheunionoftheindividualwillwiththeUniversalWill. Underbillsays: Theenhancedwill,madeoverto theinterestsoftheTranscendent,receivesnew worldstoconquer,newstrengthsto

TheJoyousWill/201
matchitsexalteddestiny.Butthehearttoohereentersonaneworder,beginsto liveuponhighlevelsofjoy:thatis,theseaofdelight,thestreamofdivine influences. ThisconsummationisvividlyexpressedintheSanskritsayingSatChitAnanda: "TheblissfulawarenessofReality."Andfinallyinthetriumphantaffirmation: AhamevamparamBrahman: "IindeedamtheSupremeBrahman." 202 / EPILOGUE

THEWILL PROJECT
INTRODUCTIONTOTHEWILLPROJECT
AsInotedinthePreface,thisvolumeshouldbeconsideredasabeginning,andnot asanend.Theresourcesofthehumanwillareimmenseandthepurpose ofthis projectistohelpinactualizingthem. Averyimportantandurgentapplicationoftheuseofthewillisthatconcerning thegreatissueofpeaceandwar.Inmyview,noamountofpoliticalagreements andtreatiesorofexternalmanipulationcan byitselfensurealastingpeace.Many suchpoliticalagreementsandtreatieshaveprovedfutile.Asitisstatedsoaptlyin thePreambletotheconstitutionofUNESCO, "Sincewarsbegininthemindsof men,itisinthemindsofmenthatthedefensesof peacemustbeconstructed." Theeffectivemeanstochangemen'sinnerattitude,bothindividualandcollective, istheconstantapplicationofgoodwill.Itwouldhavetheeffectofamagicwand. Expressedandapplied,goodwillautomaticallyexcludesviolentconflictsand wars.Itwouldbewelltorealizethisstrategicpointandtomakeacampaignfor 203 goodwill,inschoolsandeverywhere,amajorconcern. Ofcourse,therearehigherusesofthewill.TheTranspersonalWillandthe unificationwiththeUniversalWillcanaddastillgreaterincentiveandmeansfor theachievingoftruepeace. Thefollowingprogramisintendedasapreliminarymapforfurtherexplorationof thewill.Itcanbeexpandedandmodified.Itisabasisforfutureworkwhich can yieldenormousrewards. Aninternationalgroupisgraduallybeingformedtoactasafocalpointandtopool theresponsesandexperiencesofallwhowishtotakeanactivepartintheWill Project.Thisinformationwillsubsequentlybeusedinanotherbookplannedto dealwiththepracticalapplicationsofthewillinmanydifferentareasofactivity,

especiallypsychology,psychotherapy,andeducation. Whilethisgroupisbeingorganized,answerstothequestionnaire(seeAppendix Three,pages23334)andreportsofworkandexperiencesfromallEnglishlan guagecountriescanbeaddressedto: PsychosynthesisInstitute, 150DohertyWay, RedwoodCity,California94062,U.S.A. ForItalian,French,andGermanspeakingareas,correspondencecanbe addressedto: IstitutodiPsicosintesi, ViaSanDomenico,16, 50133,Firenze,Italy.
204/TheWillProject

WILLPROJECT
ProgramofResearchontheWillandItsApplications

Outline
I HistoryoftheTheories,Beliefs,andDoctrinesontheWill II TheWillinModemPsychology III NatureandAspectsoftheWilltheWill 1 StrongWill 2 SkillfulWill 3 GoodWill 4 TranspersonalWill 5 IndividualWillidentifiedwiththeUniversalWill IV QualitiesoftheWill 1 EnergyDynamicPowerIntensity 2 MasteryControlDiscipline 3 ConcentrationAttentionOnePointednessFocus 4 DeterminationDecisivenessResolutenessPromptness 5 PersistenceEndurancePatience 6 InitiativeCourageDaring

7 OrganizationIntegrationSynthesis V StagesoftheVolitionalAct 1 PurposeAimGoalValuationMotivationIntention 2 Deliberation 3 ChoiceDecision 4 AffirmationCommand 5 PlanningandPrograming 6 DirectionoftheExecution VI RelationshipsoftheWillwiththeOtherPsychologicalFunctions SensoryMotorImpulsesDrivesandDesireEmotionsandFeelings ImaginationThoughtIntuition VII MethodsfortheDevelopmentandTrainingoftheWill 1 PhysicalActivities:ManuallaborGymnasticsRhythmicmovementsSport 2 "Useless"exercises 3 TrainingtheWillindailylife 4 UseofExternalAids:WordsandphrasesImagesMusic 5 ConcentrationMeditationInvocation 6 AffirmationCommand 7 Creativeactivities VIII FieldsofApplicationoftheWill 1 Individual: a.Psychotherapy b.Education c.Selfactualization(Personalpsychosynthesis) d.SelfrealizationandSpiritualpsychosynthesis 2 InterpersonalandSocialrelationships a.Betweentwoindividuals b.Familygroup
c.Communitiesandsocialgroupsof variouskinds

d.Racialgroups e.Religiousgroups f.Nationalgroups g.Internationalrelationships Planetaryrelationships(ecology)betweenthefourkingdomsofnature: 3 MineralVegetableAnimalHuman

4 RelationshipbetweenthehumanwillandtheUniversalWill IX Experimentation Byindividualsandgroupsreportsofresult X CollectionsofExamplesoftheUseoftheWillandItsResults 1 Historicalfigures 2 Individuals a.Selfactualizing b.Selfrealizing c.Clients d.Pupils XI BibliographyontheWill Invariouslanguages XII SpecificProjects 1 Byindividuals 2 Bygroups OrganizationandExecutionoftheProgramThrough: I FoundationsInstitutesCentersGroups 1 Forthewholeprogram Forspecializedresearch,experimentation,andapplication.Locationandfieldsof 2 work:localnationalaccordingtolanguageareas II CommunicationandDiffusion Through:LecturesPublications(articlespamphletsbooksinternational journals)ConferencesSymposiaAssociations III CoordinationandUtilization
208 /TheWillProject

TheActofWill
ROBERTOASSAGIOLI,M.D.

APPENDIXONE SELFIDENTIFICATIONEXERCISE
DISIDENTIFICATIONANDSELFIDENTIFICATION

Wearedominatedbyeverythingwithwhichourselfbecomesidentified.We candominate,direct,andutilizeeverythingfromwhichwedisidentify ourselves. Thecentral,fundamentalexperienceofselfconsciousness,thediscoveryofthe "I,"isimplicitin ourhumanconsciousness.*Itisthatwhichdistinguishesour consciousnessfromthatoftheanimals,whichareconsciousbutnotself conscious.Butgenerallythisselfconsciousnessisindeed"implicit"ratherthan explicit.Itisexperiencedinanebulousanddistortedwaybecauseitisusually mixedwithandveiledbythecontentsofconsciousness. Thisconstantinputofinfluencesveilstheclarityofconsciousnessandproduces, spuriousidentificationsoftheselfwiththecontentofconsciousness,ratherthan withconsciousness

*"Selfconsciousness"isusedhereinthepurelypsychologicalsenseof beingawareofoneselfasadistinctindividualandnotinthecustomary senseofegocentricandevenneurotic"selfcenteredness."

211

itself. Ifweare tomakeselfconsciousnessexplicit,clear,andvivid,wemustfirst disidentifyourselvesfromthecontentsofourconsciousness. Morespecifically,thehabitualstateformostofusistobeidentifiedwiththat whichseems,atanyonetime,togiveusthegreatestsenseofaliveness,which seemstoustobemostreal,ormostintense. Thisidentificationwithapartofourselvesisusuallyrelatedtothepredominant functionorfocusofourawareness,tothepredominantroleweplayinlife.Itcan takemanyforms.Somepeopleareidentifiedwiththeirbodies.Theyexperience themselves,andoftentalkaboutthemselves,mainlyintermsofsensationinother wordstheyfunctionasifthey weretheirbodies.Othersareidentifiedwiththeir feelingstheyexperienceanddescribetheirstateofbeinginaffectiveterms,and believetheirfeelingstobethecentralandmostintimatepartofthemselves,while thoughtsandsensationsareperceivedasmoredistant,perhapssomewhatseparate.

Thosewhoareidentifiedwiththeirmindsarelikelytodescribethemselveswith intellectualconstructs,evenwhenaskedhowthey feel. Theyoftenconsider feelingsandsensationsasperipheral,orarelargelyunawareofthem.Manyare identifiedwitharole,andlive,function,andexperiencethemselvesintermsof thatrole,suchas"mother,""husband,""wife,""student,""businessman," "teacher,"etc. Thisidentificationwithonly apartofourpersonalitymaybetemporarily satisfactory,butithasseriousdrawbacks.Itpreventsusfromrealizingthe experienceofthe"I,"thedeepsenseofselfidentification,ofknowingwhoweare. Itexcludes,orgreatlydecreases,theabilitytoidentifywithalltheotherpartsof ourpersonality,toenjoythemandutilizethemtotheirfullextent.Thusour "normal"expressionintheworldislimitedatanyonetimetoonlyafractionof whatitcanbe.Theconsciousorevenunconsciousrealizationthatwe somehowdonothaveaccesstomuchthatisinuscancausefrustrationandpainful feelingsofinadequacyandfailure.
212/APPENDIXONE

Finally,acontinuingidentificationwitheitheraroleorapredominantfunction leadsoften,andalmostinevitably,toaprecariouslifesituation resultingsooneror laterinasenseofloss,evendespair,suchasinthecaseofanathletewhogrows oldandloseshisphysicalstrengthanactresswhosephysicalbeautyisfadinga motherwhosechildrenhavegrownupandleftherorastudentwhohastoleave schoolandfaceanewsetofresponsibilities.Suchsituationscanproduceserious andoftenverypainfulcrises.Theycanbeconsideredasmoreorlesspartial psychological"deaths."Nofranticclingingtothewaningold"identity"canavail. Thetruesolutioncanbeonlya"rebirth,"thatis,enteringintoanewandbroader identification.Thissometimesinvolvesthewholepersonalityandrequiresand leadstoanawakeningor"birth"intoanewandhigherstateof being.Theprocess ofdeath andrebirthwassymbolicallyenactedinvariousmysteryritesandhas beenlivedanddescribedinreligioustermsbymanymystics.Atpresentitisbeing rediscoveredintermsoftranspersonalexperiencesandrealizations. Thisprocessoftenoccurswithoutaclearunderstandingofitsmeaningandoften againstthewishandwilloftheindividualinvolvedinit.Butaconscious, purposeful,willingcooperationcangreatlyfacilitate,foster,andhastenit. Itcanbebestdonebyadeliberateexerciseof disidentification andself identification. Throughitwegain thefreedomandthepowerofchoice tobe identifiedwith,ordisidentifiedfrom,anyaspectofourpersonality,accordingto whatseemstousmostappropriateineachsituation.Thuswecanlearn tomaster, direct,andutilizealltheelementsandaspectsofourpersonality,inaninclusive andhannonioussynthesis.Thereforethisexerciseisconsideredasbasicin psychosynthesis. IDENTIFICATIONEXERCISE

ThisexerciseisintendedasatoolforachievingtheConsciousnessoftheself,and theabilitytofocusourattentionsequentiallyoneachofourmainpersonality aspects,roles,etc.

SelfIdentificationExercise/213
Wethenbecomeclearlyawareofandcanexaminetheirqualitieswhile maintainingthepointofviewoftheobserverandrecognizingthattheobserveris notthatwhichheobserves. Intheformwhichfollows,thefirstphaseoftheexercisethedisidentification consistsofthreepartsdealingwiththephysical,emotional,andmentalaspectsof awareness.Thisleadstotheselfidentificationphase.Oncesomeexperienceis gainedwithit,theexercisecanbeexpandedormodifiedaccordingtoneed,aswill beindicatedfurtheron. Procedure Putyourbodyinacomfortableandrelaxedposition,andslowlytakeafewdeep breaths(preliminaryexercisesofrelaxationcanbeuseful).Thenmakethe followingaffirmation,slowlyandthoughtfully: "IhaveabodybutIamnotmybody.Mybodymayfinditselfindifferent conditionsofhealthorsickness,itmayberestedortired,butthathasnothing todowithmyself,myreal'I.'Ivaluemybodyasmypreciousinstrumentof experienceandofactionintheouterworld,butitisonlyaninstrument.I treatitwell,Iseektokeepitingoodhealth,butitisnotmyself.Ihaveabody, butIamnotmybody." Nowcloseyoureyes,recallbrieflyinyourconsciousnessthegeneralsubstanceof thisaffirmation,andthen graduallyfocusyourattentiononthecentralconcept:"I haveabodybutIamnotmybody."Attempt,asmuchasyoucan,torealizethisas an experiencedfactinyourconsciousness.Thenopenyoureyesandproceedthe samewaywiththenexttwostages: "Ihaveemotions,butIamnotmyemotions.Myemotionsarediversified, changing,sometimescontradictory.Theymayswingfromlovetohatred, fromcalmtoanger,fromjoytosorrow,andyetmyessencemytrue naturedoesnotchange.'I'remain.Thougha waveofangermay temporarilysubmergeme,Iknowthatitwill
214/APPENDIXONE

passintimethereforeIamnotthisanger.SinceIcanobserveand understandmyemotions,andthengraduallylearntodirect,utilize,and integratethemharmoniously,itisclearthattheyarenotmyself.Ihave emotions,butIamnotmyemotions.

"IhaveamindbutIamnotmymind.Mymindisavaluabletoolofdiscovery andexpression,butitisnottheessenceofmybeing.Itscontentsare constantlychangingasitembracesnewideas,knowledge,andexperience. Oftenitrefusestoobeyme!Therefore,itcannotbememyself.Itisanorgan ofknowledgeinregardtoboththeouterandtheinnerworlds,butitisnotmy self.Ihaveamind,butIamnotmymind." Nextcomesthephaseof identification.Affirmslowly andthoughtfully: "Afterthedisidentificationofmyself,the'I,'fromthecontentsof consciousness,suchassensations,emotions,thoughts,Irecognizeandaffirm, thatIamacenterofpureselfconsciousness.Iamacenterofwill,capableof observing,directing,andusingallmypsychologicalprocessesandmy physicalbody." Focusyourattentiononthecentralrealization:"Iamacenterofpureself consciousnessandofwill." Attempt,asmuch asyoucan,torealizethisasan experiencedfactinyourawareness. Asthepurposeoftheexerciseistoachieveaspecificstate ofconsciousness,once thatpurposeisgraspedmuchoftheproceduraldetailcanbedispensedwith.Thus, afterhaving"practiceditforsometimeandsomemightdothisfromthevery beginningonecanmodifytheexercisebygoingswiftlyanddynamicallythrough eachofthestagesofdisidentification,usingonlythecentralaffirmationofeach stageandconcentratingonitsexperientialrealization. Ihaveabody,butIamnotmybody.

SelfIdentificationExercise/ 215
Ihaveemotions,butIamnotmy emotions. Ihaveamind,butIamnotmy mind. Atthispointitisvaluabletomakeadeeperconsiderationofthestageof self identificationalongthefollowinglines: "WhatamIthen?Whatremainsafterhavingdisidentifiedmyselffrommy body,mysensations,myfeelingsmydesires,mymind,myactions?Itisthe essenceofmyselfacenterofpureselfconsciousness.Itisthepermanent factorintheevervaryingflowofmypersonallife.Itisthatwhichgivesmea senseofbeing,ofpermanence,ofinnerbalance.Iaffirmmyidentitywiththis centerandrealizeitspermanencyanditsenergy,(pause) "Irecognizeandaffirmmyselfasacenterofpureselfawarenessandof creative,dynamicenergy.IrealizethatfromthiscenteroftrueidentityIcan learntoobserve,direct,andharmonizeallthepsychologicalprocessesandthe

physicalbody.Iwilltoachieveaconstantawarenessofthisfactinthemidst ofmyeverydaylife,andtouseittohelpmeandgiveincreasingmeaningand directiontomylife." Astheattentionisshiftedincreasinglytothestateofconsciousness,the identificationstagealsocanbeabridged.Thegoalistogainenoughfacilitywith theexercisesothatonecangothrougheachstageofdisidentificationswiftlyand dynamicallyinashorttime,andthenremaininthe"I"consciousnessforaslongas desired.Onecanthenatwill,andatanymomentdisidentifyfromany overpoweringemotion,annoyingthought,inappropriaterole,etc.,andfromthe vantagepointofthedetachedobservergainaclearerunderstandingofthesitua tion,itsmeaning,itscauses,andtheroosteffectivewaytodealwithit. Thisexercisehasbeenfoundmosteffectiveifpracticeddaily,preferablyduring thefirsthoursoftheday.Whenever
216/APPENDIXONE

possible,itistobedoneshortlyafterwakingupandconsideredasasymbolic secondawakening.Itisalsoofgreatvaluetorepeatitinitsbriefformseveral timesduringtheday,returningtothestateofdisidentified"I"consciousness. Theexercisemaybemodifiedappropriately,accordingtoone'sownpurposeand existentialneeds,byaddingstagesofdisidentificationtoincludeotherfunctions besidesthethreefundamentalones(physical,emotional,mental),aswellas subpersonalities,roles,etc.Itcanalsobeginwithdisidentificationfrommaterial possessions.Someexamplesfollow: "Ihavedesires,butIamnotmydesires.Desiresarearousedbydrives, physicalandemotional,andbyotherinfluences.Theyareoftenchangeable andcontradictory,withalternationsofattractionandrepulsiontherefore theyarenotmyself.Ihavedesires,butIamnotmydesires."(Thisisbest placedbetweentheemotionalandmentalstage.) "Iengageinvariousactivitiesandplaymanyrolesinlife.Imustplaythese rolesandIwillinglyplaythemaswellaspossible,beittheroleofsonor father,wifeor husband,teacherorstudent,artistorexecutive.ButIammore thantheson,thefather,theartist.Theseareroles,specificbutpartialroles, whichI,myself,amplaying,agreetoplay,canwatchandobservemyself playing.ThereforeIamnotanyofthem.Iamselfidentified,andIamnot onlytheactor,butthedirectoroftheacting." Thisexercisecanbeandisbeingperformedveryeffectivelyingroups.Thegroup leadervoicestheaffirmationsandthememberslistenwitheyesclosed,lettingthe significanceofthewordspenetratedeeply.

SelfIdentificationExercise / 217

TheActofWill
ROBERTOASSAGIOLI,M.D.

APPENDIXTWO

THINKINGAND MEDITATION
Asinthecaseofmanyotherwordsusedinpsychology(forexample,"mind," "personality,""soul"),differentmeaningsareascribedtotheword"meditation."In itsmorerestrictedsense,itcanberegardedassynonymouswithdisciplined thoughtorreflectiononanidea.Morebroadly,itembracesotherkindsofinner action,forwhichdisciplinedthoughtisaprerequisite.Inpsychosynthesis meditationisconsideredandpracticedinthiswiderconnotation.Weshallthus indicatewithappropriateterminology,astheneedarises,thetypesofmeditation wewishtodiscuss. Thethreeprincipaltypesare:reflectivemeditation, receptivemeditation creative meditation. Meditation,tobeeffective,needsadequatepreparation.Itisamatterofpassing fromnormallifewithitsoutwardorientation,inwhichinterestandattentionare monopolizedbyourconcerns,plans,andactivities,tothe"inneraction"of meditation.Thispreparationistriple:physical,emotional,andmental. 1.Physicalrelaxationthemostthorougheliminationpossibleoffallmuscular andnervoustension. 2.Emotionalcomposuretheendeavortoassumeastateoftranquillity. 2l8 3.Mentalrecollectionthedirectionofthemind'sinterestandattentioninward. I.ReflectiveMeditation Itssimplestdefinitionistothinkanaccuratebutlimiteddefinition,sinceclear ideasonthefunctionofthinkingarenotcommonproperty.Ithasbeenstatedthat "themindthinksinus,"ratherthanitbeingwewhoformulatethoughts.Indeed, theworkingofourmindsnormallyproceedsspontaneouslyundertheactionof stimuliandinterestsofvariouskinds,andinadisorganizedway.Themind operatesindependentlyofthewill,andofteninoppositiontoit.Thislackof

masteryoverthemindhasbeenwelldescribedbySwamiVivekananda: Howharditistocontrolthemind.Wellhasitbeencomparedtothemaddened monkey.Therewasamonkey,restlessbyhisownnature,asallmonkeysare.Asif thatwerenotenough,someonemadehimdrinkfreelyofwine,sothathebecame stillmorerestless.Thenascorpionstunghim.Whenamanisstungbyascorpion hejumpsaboutforthewholedaysothepoormonkeyfoundhisconditionworse thanever.Tocompletehismisery,ademonenteredintohim.Whatlanguagecan describetheuncontrollablerestlessnessofthatmonkeyThehumanmindislike thatmonkeyincessantlyactivebyitsownnaturethenitbecomesdrunkwiththe wineofdesire,thusincreasingitsturbulence.Afterdesiretakes,possessioncomes thestingofthescorpionofjealousyofthesuccessofothers,andlastofallthe demonofprideentersthemind,makingitthinkitselfofallimportance.Howhard tocontrolsuchamind! Thefirstlesson,then,istositforsometimeandletthemindrunon.Themindis bubblingupallthetime.Itislikethatmonkeyjumpingabout.Letthemonkey jumpasmuchashecanyousimplywaitandwatch.Knowledge ispower,says theproverb,andthatistrue.Untilyou

ThinkingandMeditation/219
knowwhatthemindisdoingyoucannotcontrolit.Giveitthereinmanyhideous thoughtsmaycomeintoityoumaybeastonishedthatitwaspossibleforyouto thinksuchthoughts.Butyouwillfindthateachdaythemind'svagariesare becominglessandlessviolent,thateachdayitisbecomingcalmer.Inthefirstfew monthsyouwillfind,thatthemindwillhaveagreatmanythoughts,lateryouwill findthattheyhavesomewhatdecreased,andinafewmoremonthstheywillbe fewerandfewer,untilatlastthemindwillbeunderperfectcontrol,butwemust patientlypractiseeveryday. Muchofourordinarymentalactivity,then,doesnotmerittheterm"thought."Itis onlywhenadominatinginterestbackedbyafirmanddecidedwillisabletohold themindconcentratedonanideaortaskthatitreally"thinks"andwecansaythat itreflects,itmeditates.Thustherearethosewhomeditatewithoutcallingtheir mental activitythatforexample,thescientistseekingthesolutiontoaproblem thebusinessmanworkingoutaprogramfortheconductofhisaffairs.Thisisa regulatedandorganizeduseofthethinkingfunction.Inthisconnectionweshould recognizeasomewhathumiliatingtruth:thesepeoplefrequentlythinkand meditatemuchmoreefficientlythanthosewhotrytodosoforpsychologicalor spiritualpurposes. Ifwewanttolearntomeditate,wemustrealizethatthemindisinrealityan "instrument,"aninnertoolfromwhichwemustdisidentifyourselvesifweareto makeuseofitatwill.Whilewearewhollyidentifiedwiththemind,wecannot controlit.Acertain"psychologicaldistance,"acertaindetachmentfromit,is needed. Thepracticeof concentrationisthefirststepthenextistodirecttheactivityof themindalongalinewehavedetermined,sothatitaccomplishesthetaskwehave

assignedtoit.Inthissenseto"think"meanstoreflectonanddeeplyexplorea subject,examiningallitsimplications,ramifications,and 220/APPENDIXTWO meanings.Anattemptonourparttodothiswillquicklyrevealhowsuperficialand inadequateisournormalwayof"thinking."Weareaccustomedtoreachhurried conclusionsandarbitrarygeneralizations,toconsideronly oneaspectofthe subject,andtoseeoraccentuateonlywhatcorrespondstoour,preconceptionsor preferences. Thefirstrequisitefordevelopingtheartofthinkingistowatchcarefullythe processofthinkingitselfandbeinstantlyawarewhenadeviationstarts.The secondinvolvespersistence,tenacityinprobingdeeplyintothesubject.Herea curiousphenomenonoccursafewminutesofreflectionseemtohaveexhausted thepossibilitiesofthesubjectnothingfurtherremainstobesaidaboutit.But persistenceinreflectionatthispointwillleadtothediscoveryofother, unsuspectedaspects,revealingawealthofdevelopmenttowhichwecanascribe nolimits. Anexamplewillservetomakethisclear.Letustakeasa themeformeditationthe sentence"Iseektolove,nothate."Atfirstsightthisappearssimpleandevident, indeedbanal,andmakesonethink,"Naturally,beingagoodperson,withgood intentions,Itrytoloveandnothateit'ssoobviousthatIcan'tfindanythingelseto add."Butifweaskourselvesandattempttoanswerthefollowingquestions, weshallrealizethatthematterisnotsosimple."Whatdoeslovereallymean? Whatislove? Howmanyandwhatkindsoflovearethere? Inwhatways am Icapableofloving? HowdoItrytolove?WhomdoIloveandwhomdoI succeedinloving? HaveIalwayssucceededinlovingasIwouldhavewished? Ifnot,why? WhathavebeenandaretheobstaclesandhowcanIeliminate them? Whatportionofmylovedependsonthepeopletowhomitisdirected andwhatonmyownnature?" Thenwecanexaminetheword"hate,"andcomeupwithsuchquestionsas: "Behindwhatcamouflagecanithide? AmIfreefromeverytypeofhate?DoIfeelhatetowardthosewhoinjureme? Towardthosehostiletome? Are

ThinkingandMeditation/121
suchfeelingsfair? Ifnot,howcanthey becorrected? Whatattitudeshouldbeadoptedtowardevilingeneral? Whatisthemeaningofthesaying'AnenemyisasusefulasaBuddha?'"* Itisobviousthatwecannotexamineallthesequeriesinonemeditation.Theyoffer possibilitiesforreflectionforanextendedseriesofmeditations.Thuswediscover

whatawealthofpossibleelaboration,howmuchmeaning,isconcealedinsuch a seeminglysimplestatement. Whataretheaimsofmeditation?Wemustbeclearaboutthem,fortheydetermine thethemetobechosenandtheproceduretobeadopted.Oneoftheobjectsof reflectivemeditationisconceptual,thatis,tohaveaclearideaaboutthegiven subjectorproblem.Clarityofconceptismuchrarerthanissupposed,andthefirst stepherealsoistobecomeawarethatourideasarenotclear.Anotherobject,more importantstill,istoacquireknowledgeaboutourselves(wewillspeakofthis later). Somesubjectsformeditationare: 1.Thevariouspsychologicalandspiritualqualitieswedesiretoawakenor strengtheninourselves:courage,faith,serenity,joy,will,etc. 2.Symbols.(Seetheextensivediscussionofsymbolsandtheirusesin Psychosynthesis.) 3.Asentenceexpressingathoughtthishasbeentermeda"seedthought"of whichtherearetwoprincipalcategories:

*Awordofwarningisinorderconcerningmeditationonnegative subjects.Afundamentalaspectofmeditationconsistsinintensely focusingourattentiononthesubjectchosenformeditation.This energizesandmagnifiesit,becauseofthe"feedingpowerofattention" (seePracticalApplicationsoftheSkillfulWill: PsychologicalBreathingandFeeding,page69).Sodirectmeditationona negativesubjectmustdefinitelybeavoided.However,meditationona negativeaspectcanbesafeandusefulprovideditisdoneinapositive way,thatisforthepurposeof,andwithourinterestresolutelyfocused on,improvingthecondition,orreducingorneutralizingthatwhichis negative.Theapproachto"hate,"describedabove,isanexampleofthis positiveapproach. Butsuchmeditationisarelativelyadvancedundertaking.Itisbestto attemptitafterhavingdevelopedconsiderableproficiencyandcontrol, andonlywhenadefiniteandspecificneedarises.
222/APPENDIXTWO

a.Thosethatseemsimpleandobvious,liketheonewehavecommented on("Iseektolove...").bThosethat,onthecontrary,areformulatedin suchaparadoxicalwayastobeperplexingatfirst.Theirformisbuilton apparentcontradictions,whichcanbereconciledonlybyfindinga synthesisatahigherandmorecomprehensivelevel.ThekoansofZen Buddhismareextremetypesoftheseparadoxicalseedthoughts.Hereare someinstancesofsomeparadoxes,whichcouldbecalledpsychospiritual

quizzes:"Toactwithinterestanddisinterest""Tosufferwithjoy" (whichdoesnotmeantoenjoysuffering)"Tomakehasteslowly""To liveintheeternalandthemoment""Toseeactionininactionand inactioninaction"(thethemeofoneofthebooksoftheBhagavadGita).

4.Themostimportant,indeed,theindispensable,subjectformeditationin achievingpersonalpsychosynthesisisreflectivemeditationonone'sself.By meansofitoneisabletodistinguishbetweenpureselfconsciousnessor awarenessoftheSELFandthepsychologicalelementsorpartsofone'spersonality atvariouslevels.Thisdistinctionhasalreadybeenspokenof,butyourattentionis recalledtoitbecauseitisafundamentalrequisiteforacquiringconsciousnessof theSELF. Thisawareness,thispossibilityofobservingone'sownpersonality"fromabove" and"fromadistanceinteriorly,"shouldnotbeconfusedwithegocentricityand preoccupationwithself.Theseinrealityreflectjusttheopposite,being identification withthepersonalityelementsandconcernwithpersonaldefectsand theopinionsandjudgmentsofothersabout ourselves,whichoftenarouseanacute senseofdistress. Finally,reflectivemeditationonourselvesisnottobeconsideredsimplyapassive processofobservation,likemakinganinventoryoffacts.Itaimsatunderstanding, interpretation,andevaluationofwhatwediscoverinourselves.

*Anotherwordofcautionisneededhere.Meditationonourselvescanat timescausetheemergenceinconsciousnessofdisturbingpersonality elements,ortheincreasingpresenceofnegativeemotions.Ifthisoccurs, itisbecausethemeditationwasdoneincorrectly,thatis,notfroma sufficientlyobjective,disidentifiedpoint.Butmaintainingsuchapoised pointinconsciousnessisparticularlyhardwhenmeditatingonourselves, andatfirstmaybetoodifficultorevenimpossibleforsomeofus,suchas themoreintrospectiveorimaginativetypes.Whenthisisthecaseitis advisabletopostponemeditatingonourselves,andforatimetochoose moreimpersonaltopicswhilealsoputtingmuchemphasisonthepractice ofdisidentification. ThinkingandMeditation/223
II.ReceptiveMeditation

Aclearunderstandingofthedifferencebetweenreflectiveandreceptive meditationcanbemoreeasilygainedbyregardingthemindasan"inner eye."Inreflectivemeditationthemind'seyeisdirected,sotospeak, horizontally.Itobservestheobject,thethemeofthemeditation,theseed thought,orthevariousaspectsofthepersonality.Inreceptivemeditation

ontheotherhand,themind'seyeisturnedupwards,seekingtodiscover whatistobediscernedatahigherlevelthanthatoftheordinary consciousnessandoftheminditself. Thefirststageissilence.Thereceptionfromthesuperconsciousofan intuition,aninspiration,amessage,orastimulustoactionrequiresthe eliminationofwhatmightimpedeitsdescentintothesphereof consciousness.Thisiswhysilenceisnecessary.Inthisconnection,a personaccustomedtomeditatinghasreportedthefollowingexperience: IwasimmersedinaprofoundmeditationandknewthatIhadreacheda limpid,radiantstate,whenthisthoughtcrossedmymind"IknowIamat thislevel,andyetIamdeafandblindandcanhearandseenothing."A momentpassedandthenthishumorousreplycame:"Ifyouweresilentas well,youwouldbeabletoseeandhear." Tokeepandmaintaininnersilenceentailscontinuouseffortthemindis notaccustomedtothisdisciplineitkicksagainstthepricksandtriesto escape. Therearevariouswaysofobtainingmasteryoverthemind.Thefirst, indicatedbyVivekananda,consistsinmaintaining
*Anotherwordofcautionisneededhere.Meditationonourselvescanattimes causetheemergenceinconsciousnessofdisturbingpersonalityelements,or theincreasingpresenceofnegativeemotions.Ifthisoccurs,itisbecausethe meditationwasdoneincorrectly,thatis,notfromasufficientlyobjective, disidentifiedpoint.Butmaintainingsuchapoisedpointinconsciousnessis particularlyhardwhenmeditatingonourselves,andatfirstmaybetoodifficultor evenimpossibleforsomeofus,suchasthemoreintrospectiveorimaginative types.Whenthisisthecaseitisadvisabletopostponemeditatingonourselves, andforatimetochoosemoreimpersonaltopicswhilealsoputtingmuchemphasis onthepracticeofdisidentification. 224/APPENDIXTWO thesteady,patientattitudeoftheobserverforacertaintime,untilthemindtiresof itsrestlessactivity.Thiscanbepracticed,patiently,forashortperiodeachday. Anothermethodconsistsinpersistentlyrepeatingawordorphrase,murmuringthe wordsaloud.Athirdwayistoevokeamentalpicture.Themosteffectivewords andpicturesarethosethatinduceastateofcalm,peace,andsilence.An appropriatephraseisonetakenfromahymnoftheGreekMysteries:"Belsilent,0 strings,thatanewmelodymayflowinme."Effecf'vepicturesincludeatranquil lakewhichmirrorstheblueoftheskyamajesticmountaintopandespecially,the starryskyinthesilenceofthenight.

Inothercasestheoppositedifficultyarises:asenseofheavinessorsomnolence comeson.Thisistobestrenuouslyresisted,sinceitmayleadtoastateofpassivity inwhichelementseruptfromtheunconscious,particularlyfromthe lowerand collectiveunconscious,orfromextraneouspsychic'energies.Assoonasoneis awareofthishappening,theconditionmustbeinterruptedandthemeditation suspended,atleastforawhile.Ingeneral,receptivemeditationpresents'greater difficultiesthanreflectivemeditation,anditspractice'mustbevigilantly conductedifdamagingeffectsaretobeavoided. Howandinwhatformdothe"messages"come,thatis,thematerialwe"receive"? Themostcommonwayisby visionor illumination.As hasbeensaid,themindis symbolicallyan"innereye,"andthereforeitcan"see"inthesenseof understand. Itcanbecomeawareofthemeaningoffactsandevents,"see"thesolutionofa problemandhavea"luminous"idea. Intuitionisahigherformofvision.Etymologically,itisrelatedtovisionand meansto"seewithin"(intueri).Atitshighestitcanbeequatedwithadirect suprarationalcomprehensionofthenatureofreality,ofitsessenceItthusdiffers

ThinkingandMeditation/225
fromwhatiscommonlycalled"intuition"(hunches,psychicimpressions, presentimentsconcerningpeopleandevents). Theinneractionofonewhoisendeavouringtoperceiveinnerrealityiscalled "contemplation"orthe"contemplativestate."Thehighestformofinnervisionis illumination, whichcanbedefinedasrevelationofthedivinityinherentinall things,innatureandinlivingbeings, Asecondeffectofreceptivemeditationmaybe"innerhearing"butherealsoitis necessarytodiscriminatecarefullybetweenthepsychicperceptionofvoicesand soundsandtruetranspersonalhearing.Theinformationcomingfromthehigher levelsisforthemostpartimpersonalincharacterthemessagesarebrief,but pregnantwithmeaning.Theyoftenhaveasymbolicquality,evenwhenthey appeartocarryaconcretemeaning.Awellknownexampleisthemessage receivedbySaintFrancis:"GoandrestoremyChurch."Initiallyheinterpretedthis asaninjunctiontorebuildalittleruinedchurch.Laterheunderstoodthathehad beenasked'somethingverydifferent,torestoretheChurchitself,whichwasin declineinhistime.Manyartistic,literary,andmusicalimpressionsbelonginthis categoryofinnerhearing. Sometimesaveritabledialogueoccursbetweenthepersonal"I"andtheSelf.The mind,recollectedinmeditation,refersquestionsandreceivesinnerreplies,rapid andclear.Whenattemptingsuchadialogue,however,muchprudenceand discriminationmustbeexercised.Notinfrequently"voices"areexperiencedand "messages"arereceivedwhichcomefromoraretransmittedbythepersonalor collectiveunconscious,andwhosecontentsdonottallywithtruth.Theycan deceiveandareapttodominateandobsess. Athirdformofreceptivitymaybetermed"contact,"sinceithasacertain resemblancetothesenseoftouchor"feelingbycontact."Itconveysameaning

similartothecontentofthephrases"toestablishcontactwithsomebody,""tobe enrapport.withsomeone,"Itisaninnercontact,onewiththeSelf.It 226/APPENDIXTWO indicatesarelationship,liaison,oralignmentwiththeSelfwhichrendersus receptivetoitsquality,enablingustoidentifyorunifyourselvesconsciously,even ifonlyforamoment,withthatspiritualreality.Thisinnernearness,this"touch"of theSelf,harmonizes,vivifies,andrechargesuswithenergy. ThefourthwayofreceivinganimpressionfromthehigherSelftakestheformofa stimulustoaction ourawarenessofitarousesinustheurgetodoagiventhing, embarkuponaparticularactivity,orassumecertaindutiesandtasks. Thereceptionisfollowedbythestageof registration thatis,aphaseinwhicha clearawarenessofwhathasbeenreceivedisreachedandthatawarenessis maintained.Itisadvisabletorecordimmediatelyinwritingwhathasbeen perceived.Impressionsofhighoriginareoftenvividandclearatthemoment,but areapttovanishrapidlyfromthefieldofconsciousnessandifnotcaughtand recordedimmediately,areoftenlost.Moreover,themerefactoffixingthemin writtentermscontributestoabetterunderstandingofthemevenmore,the impressionsometimesdevelopswhilewewrite,sothat,inacertainsense,we continueto"receive." Anotherinterestingkindofreceptivityisdelayedreception.Itfrequentlyhappens thatduringreceptivemeditationnothingseemstooccurandweremaininastateof "darkness."Nothingnewappearsonthesurfaceofconsciousnessexceptageneral senseofcalmandrepose.Butthisdoesnotnecessarilymeanthatthemeditation hasbeenfruitless.Often,duringthedayorthefollowingdays,animpressionor inspirationpresentsitselfunexpectedly.Itcancomeatanymomentwhileoneis engagedinsomecompletelydifferentactivity,orinmomentsofrepose,oron awakinginthemorning.Sometimesonecantracetherelationshipbetweenthe apparentlyunsuccessfulmeditationandthesubsequentinspiration.Thereforeafter thecloseofameditationweshouldmaintainaninnerattitudeofwatchfulwaiting, definableas"themeditativeattitude,"

ThinkingandMeditation/227
Which,whendevelopedbyexercise,canbepersistedinmoreolessthroughoutthe day.Wecanthustrainourselvestoholdastateofdoubleawarenessthisimplies theabilitytoconcentratenormallyonourouteractivitiesandkeepapartofthe attentiondirectedtowardtheinnerworld. Iwouldoffer,also,thesetechnicalsuggestionsonmeditation: Ceasemeditatingforalimewheneveroverstimulationoritssymptomsoccur: nervoustension,emotionalexcitement,feverishactivity.Thelengthoftimetobe spentonmeditationvaries,buttobeginwith,itshouldnotexceedtenorfifteen minutesthatisquitelongenough.Theperiodduringwhichonesubjectshouldbe usedasthethemealsovaries,butitshouldnotbelessthanaweek,andaftersome practiceoneoftenfindsamonthtooshort.Somesubjectsappeartobevirtually

inexhaustible!Agoodmethodistomeditateonaseriesofthemesinrotation,one themetobeusedeachweekuntiltheseriesisgonethroughagain.Finally,thereis onewayofpracticingreceptivemeditationthatoffersmanyadvantages.Group meditationhelpsconcentration(withfewexceptions),confersamutualintegration andprotection,and,moreover,makespossibleareciprocalverificationandsharing ofeachmember'sresults. III.CreativeMeditation Meditationcanbecreativebecauseitis"inneraction."Acontrastissometimes madebetweenmeditationandaction,butthisiserroneous.Themasteryand applicationofpsychologicalandspiritualenergiesareactions,fortheyrequire will,training,andtheemploymentofappropriatetechniquesandaboveall becausetheyareeffectivetheyproduceresults. Therearevariouspurposesforwhichwecanusecreativemeditation.Thefirstand mostimportantisselfcreation.Bymeansofmeditationwecanmodify,transform, andregenerateourpersonality.Oneeffectivewayofdoingthisisthe"ideal model"exercise(seePsychosynthesis).Itmayberegardedasa"model"ofcreative meditation. 228/APPENDIXTWO Weareusingthecreativepowerofthoughtandallotherpsychologicalforces continuously,spontaneously,and,Iwouldsayinevitably.Butusuallywedoso withoutbeingawareofit,haphazardly,andthuswithlittleconstructiveeffectorat worstwithdefiniteinjurytoourselvesandothers. Abeneficialapplicationdemandsaboveallthatweascertainthemotivesthat animateus,andthatweaccordpassageonlytothegoodones,thatis,thosewhich aretheexpressionofthe"willtogood."Itisthennecessarytodetermineour objectivesprecisely.Inthepresentperiodofreconstructionnew"forms"arebeing builtineverysphereoflife,andwecancooperatebyassistinginthecreationand manifestationoftheideasthatinform,animate,andmoldthesenewforms. Thevariousstagesofcreativemeditationare: 1.Clearconceptionandpreciseformulationofthfeidea 2.Useoftheimagination,i.e.,"clothing"oftheideainpicturesand"suggestive" symbols 3.Vivifyingtheideawithwarmthoffeelingandthepropulsiveforceofdesire. Anextensiveoutlineofameditationonthewillisgivenbelow.Thesamepattern, withsuitablemodifications,canbeusedforothersubjects.Itcanalsobeadapted accordingtothespecificaimaswellasthepsychologicaltypeofthemeditator. OUTLINEOFMEDITATIONONTHEWILL

I.Preparation l.PsychicalRelaxation,EmotionalComposure,MentalRecollection 2.Concentration Realizationofthepointofpureselfawareness 3.Elevation Directingtheaspirationoftheheartandtheattentionofmindtoward theSelf 4.Identification ThinkingandMeditation/229

ImaginativeandaffirmativeidentificationwiththeSELF II. ReflectiveMeditation SuggestedThemes 1.OneoftheStagesoftheVolitionalAct PurposeAimGoalValuationMotivationIntention Deliberation ChoiceDecision AffirmationCommand PlanningandPrograming DirectionoftheExecution 2.OneoftheQualitiesoftheWill EnergyDynamicPowerIntensity MasteryControlDiscipline ConcentrationAttentionOnePointednessFocus DeterminationDecisivenessResolutenessPromptness PersistenceEndurancePatienceInitiativeCourageDaringOrganization IntegrationSynthesis III.UseofSymbols 1.Visualization VisualizevividlyandsteadilyaSymboloftheWilt.Suggestedimages: a)Anamingtorch b)Fire c)Alance d)Ascepter e)Acrown f)Atower g)Amountaintopilluminatedbytherisingsun h)Acharioteerholdingthereinsofthreehorses (KrishnaintheBhagavadGita) i)Aroanatthehelmofaboat

j)Anorchestraconductorconducting 2.AuditorySymbols 230/APPENDIXTWO

Suggestedsound:Siegfried'sMotive(byWagner) IV.ReceptiveMeditation 1.Appeal "LettheWilloftheselfguideanddirectmylife." 2.Reception SilentrealizationofthedownflowoftheWillenergyintothepersonality, atalllevels(mentalemotional physical) V.Affirmation. "IproclaimandcelebratetheWillinthoughtandwordanddeed." VI.Expression 1.Sayaloud:"TheWilltoGoodoftheselfexpressesitselfinmeas goodwill." 2.ChooseandformulatesomedefiniteuseoftheWilltobedemonstrated indailylife. ThinkingandMeditation/231

TheActofWill
ROBERTOASSAGIOLI,M.D.

APPENDIXTHREE

QUESTIONNAIREON THEWILL
Ageneralquestionnaireforselfassessmentandselfknowledgeiscontainedinthe chapteronGeneralAssessmentin Psychosynthesis,pages7884.Whilewritten primarilyfortherapeuticpurposes,itcanbeusedwithlittlemodificationforself actualizationandforeducationalpsychosynthesis. ThefollowingQuestionnaireontheWillisintendedprimarilyasaselfsurveyto bemadeafterreadingthisbook,andcanalsobeofdefinitevalueinpsychotherapy andeducationalsettings.Itconstitutesanimportantpartofthegeneralassessment, whichisanecessarypreliminarystagetoindividualpsychosynthesis.Ithas specificvalueandmeetsarealneedtoascertainthestrengths,weaknesses,and complexitiesofthewillfunction.Itcanserveasasolidbasisforestablishingan effectiveandbalancedprogramfortrainingthewill.Trainingthewillisalifetime taskandrequirespersistence,patience,steadyintention,andpurposiveness. Resultscomefromaconscientiouslyappliedprogram,wellrepayingtheeffortand makingfurtherworkincreasinglyeasy.Writtenanswerstothequestionnaireare usefulinvariouswaysandcanbeprofitablyrenewedatdeterminedintervals,asa checkonprogressandaspurtoaction.
232

QUESTIONNAIREONTHEWILL
I. AspectsoftheWill (Strong,Skillful,Good,Transpersonal) Whicharemoredevelopedandactiveinyou? Whicharelittledevelopedorundeveloped? II. QualitiesoftheWill(EnergyDynamicPowerIntensity MasteryControlDisciplineConcentrationAttentionOnePointcdness FocusDeterminationDecisivenessResolutenessPromptnessPersistence EndurancePatienceInitiativeCourageDaringOrganizationIntegration Synthesis)Whicharedevelopedandactive 1.slightly? 2.inafairlybalancedway?

3.relativelytoomuch(incomparisonwiththeothers)? III.StagesoftheWill (PurposeAimGoalValuationMotivationIntention DeliberationDecisionChoiceAffirmationCommandPlanningandPro gramingDirectionoftheExecution) 1.Whichstagesofthewillaremoredevelopedandfunctioningbetterinyou? 2Whichareundeveloped? 3.Whicharerelativelyoverdeveloped(incomparisonwiththeothers)? IV.TrainingandActiveDevelopmentoftheWill 1.Haveyoudoneexercisesfortrainingthewill?Which?Withwhatresults? 2.Whichexercisesareyoudoingatpresent?Whichdoyouintendtodointhe future? V.Whatinfluences(externalandinner)havehelpedyouindevelopingandusing thewill? Whatinfluences(externalandinner)havehinderedyouindevelopingandusing thewill? VI.Haveyouanysuggestions,facts,orobservationstocommunicateaboutthe will?Canyouquoteexamplesor

QuestionnaireontheWill/233
experiences(historicorprivate)oftheuseanddevelop.mentofthewill?*,VII. Haveyouanyotheircommentstomakeorquestionsto askaboutthewill? SeeIntroductiontotheWillProject,page203. 234/APPENDIXTHREE

TheActofWill
ROBERTOASSAGIOLI,M.D.

APPENDIXFOUR

HISTORICALSURVEY
Whenweapproach thesubjectofthewill,wearefacedwithapeculiar,evena paradoxical,situation.Wefindthatinthepast,andapproximatelyuptothe beginningofthiscentury,thewillhasbeentheobjectofwidespreadinterest amongphilosophers,theologians,educators,andsomepsychologistswitha philosophicalturnofmind. Ahistoricalaccountanddiscussionofthemany,oftencontrasting,conceptsofthe willlieoutsidethescopeofthissurvey.Theseconceptsconstituteoneofthe objectivesoftheresearch advocatedintheWillProjectoutlinedabove. Yetitseemsappropriate,intheinterestsofprovidingaperspectiveanda framework,toindicatebrieflysomeofthemoresignificantviewsofthosewho havedealtwiththesubjectofthewill.InIndia,theRajaYogamethodof psychologicalandspiritualdevelopmentstressestheneedofusingthewill.In Patanjali'sYogaSutras,weread: Thecontrolofthesemodificationsofthemindistobebroughtaboutthrough tirelessendeavor,andthroughnonattachment. Whentheobjecttobegainedissufficientlyvalued,andtheeffortstowardsits attainmentarepersistentlyfollowedwithoutintermission,thenthesteadinessof themindissecured. 235 Theattainmentofthisstage(spiritualconsciousness)israpidforthosewhosewill isintenselyalive. Thosewhoemploythewilllikewisediffer,foritsusemaybeintense,moderateor gentle. AccordingtoPatanjali,"oneofthesiddhis,orpsychicpowers,theYoginhasto developisirresistiblewill(prakamya)." ThegreatimportanceattributedbyZenBuddhismtothewillisreflectedinthe followingstatementsbyD.T.Suzuki ..themostimportantfactthatliesbehindtheexperienceofenlightenment, therefore,isthattheBuddhamadethemoststrenuousattempttosolvetheproblem ofIgnoranceandhisutmostwillpowerwasbroughttobearuponasuccessful issueofthestruggle....Enlightenmentthereforemustinvolvethewillaswellas

theintellect.... TheWillisthemanhimselfandZenappealstoit. Europehashaditsvoluntaristicschoolsofthought,whichassignedtothewilla centralpositioninman.AugustinestatedthatmanandGodarenothingelsethan will (Nihilaliudquamvoluntatessunt). DunsScotus,theoutstanding representativeofthevoluntaristictheologicalschool,assertedthat"thenatureof thesouliswill."Leibnizcanberegardedasoneofthepioneersinupholdinga dynamicconceptionofthepsychologicallife.Heemphasizedpurposeasthebasic characteristicofthewillandmaintainedthatpurposeandactivityarebasicin mentallife(Quodnonagitnonexislil). Latervoluntaristicconceptionswereheldandexpoundedbysuchphilosophersas Fichte,Schelling,VonHartmann,andNietzsche.Buttheverybroadconceptions ofthe"will"theyputforwardembracedallkindsof"conations,"aswellasan "unconsciouswill,"andthereforedidnotrecognizethespecificcharacteristicof humanwill,thatis,consciouschoice. InFrance,severalphilosophershavediscussedthewill.Outstandingamongthem wasMainedeBiran,accordingtowhomthewillmanifestsasan effort tosurmount resistances 236/APPENDIXFOUR principally createdbythebodyandthedesires,andisthedirectexpressionoftheI (moi).OtherswhorecognizedtheprimacyofthewillwereSecretant,Ravaisson, andparticularlyBlondel,whostressedthedynamicaspect{action). TwoPolishphilosophershaveemphaticallysupportedvoluntaristicconception. One,Cieskowski,opposedDescartes's"Ithink,thereforeIam" withhis"Iwill, thereforeIthinkandam."Theother,W.Lutoslawski,wastheauthorofabookin German,Seelenmacht,andoneinEnglish,TheWorldofSouls. TheRussianOuspenskyinhisbook TheFourthWayunderlinestheimportanceof thewillandgivesinstructionforitstraining.Anotherimportantcontributionwas madebySarenKierkegaard.AlongasimilarexistentiallineisHeidegger'sconcept ofthewill,whichhasbeenablydescribedbyJ.Macquarrieinhiscontributionin ConceptsofWilling, "WillandExistence." Insharpcontrasttothesevariousvoluntaristicconceptions,notonlyhasmodern scientificpsychologyingeneralabstainedfromdealingwiththewill,butanumber ofpsychologistshaveevendenieditsexistence!Thissurprisingfactcanbe attributedtovariouscauses.Oneistheprevalenceofanarrowconceptionofthe scientificmethod,whichhasbeenidentifiedwithobjectivequantitativetechniques (measurements,statistics,etc.)asusedinthenaturalsciences.Thishasresultedin thewillnotbeingconsideredasubjectamenabletoscientificinvestigation.This positionhascontributedtothewidespreadacceptanceof thestrictlydeterministic viewassumedbybehaviorismandFreudianpsychoanalysis.Anothercausefor denyingtheexistenceofthewillisthereactiontothepurelytheoreticalandoften metaphysicalconceptionsofthewillheldbyphilosophersandtheologians,andto theconsequentendlessdiscussionsabout"freewill."Anotheristhereaction

againstthemistakenconceptionofthewillonthepartofeighteenthcentury moralistsandeducators,whosawitasarepressiveandcoercivefunction systematicallyopposedandinimicaltothe

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naturalhumandrives.Andthenthereisthefactofthecloseconnectionexisting betweenthewillandtheself,orego.Untilrecently,scientificpsychologyhas bestowedonlylimitedattentiononthestudyoftheself.Thewillhasthusbeen correspondinglyneglected. Thefactthat"academic"psychologistshavefoundthesubjectofthewillboth intriguingandembarrassinghasbeenexpressedwithunconscioushumorinthe followingstatementintheDictionaryofPsychologicalandPsychoanalyticTerms, byH.B.andA.C.English,aworkcompiledwithpraiseworthyprecisionand objectivity. ...popularpsychologyhasaprettycompletedoctrineof willandvoluntary activity.Scientificpsychologyhasscarcelyreachedthepointwhereitispossibleto definehowthetermsaretobeused.Itisprobablethatanumber ofquitedistinct setsoffactshavebeenbroughttogetherundertheoneterm.However,itdoesnot seempossibletodispensewiththeconceptofaclassofbehaviors,tobecalled voluntary,thatdifferfromotherbehaviorsinanumberofilldefinedways. Thoughitisnoteasytosayhow,voluntarymovementdoesseemtobeempirically differentfrominvoluntarymovement. S.Hiltnerhasremarkedinamoredrasticstatement,"Thoughfordifferentreasons bothpsychologyandtheologyhavebeenoccupiedwithmatterswhichmadethe conceptofthewillunnecessary,orevenapositiveaffront...thetimehascome forareconsiderationofwhether,asMarkTwainisreportedtohavesaidabout reportsofhisowndeath,the'demiseofthewillhasbeenexaggerated.' " Theexistingconfusionanddiversityofopinionconcerningthewillmaybe ascribedtoseveralfactors.Manyhaveattributedtoittoobroadandgenerala meaning,includingevenan"unconsciouswill,"althoughaclearawarenessanda deliberatechoiceofanaim,orpurpose,tobeattainedisanessentialcharacteristic ofthehumanwill.Thenagain,several 238/APPENDIXFOUR writershavedealtwiththesubjectinalooseandpopularway,emphasizingonly the"power"ofthewill,andmakingexaggeratedclaimsaboutitswonders.In addition,otherwritershaveusedtheword"will"whenactuallyreferringtoother psychologicalfunctions.Twoexampleswillillustratethis:P.E.Levy,inhisbook L'Educationrationnelledelavolonte, limitshimselfalmostentirelytospeaking aboutthetechniqueofsuggestion.DuchatelandWarcollieremphasizeonlythe poweroftheimaginationin LesMiraclesdelavolonte.Dr.W.H.Sheldon's PsychologyandthePrometheanWillconsistsforthemostpartofanable expositionofthenatureandmeaningof conflict, buthegivesthewillonlya

cursoryandincidentalmention.Ontheotherhand,somewritershavedealtwith thewillwithoutactuallyusingtheword,acaseinpointbeingMathurin'sexcellent SelfKnowledgeandSelfDiscipline. Whileitcannotbesaidthatthewillhasbeentotallyignoredbymodernacademic psychologists,itmustbepointedoutthatmostofthosewhohavedealtwithithave affordeditonlypartialconsiderationandhavefailedtorecognizeitscentral importanceandpositioninhumanpsychiclife.Forexample,Wundtisconsidered a"voluntarist,"buthisconceptionofthewillisonesidedandlimited.Hereduces ittoaseriesofemotionalprocesses.Foreseeingoftheendtobeattainedisomitted asunessential. Atdifferentperiodsofhisscientificactivity,WilliamJamesmadevaluable contributionstothepsychologyofthewill,fullyrecognizingtherealityand importanceofthewillingfunction.HisPrinciplesofPsychologycontainsan analysisofthevarioustypesofdecisionmaking,whichemphasizesthemotorele ment,orimpulse,ofrepresentations,ormentalimages.Healsoreferredtothe "powerofvoluntaryattention"andpointedouttheimportanceofthestageof affirmation,the"fiat,"butheformulatednocoherentandinclusiveconceptofthe will.Freedomofthewill,heconcluded,wasamystery,butthe"deterministicview canneverreceiveobjectiveproof"and,heasserted,"ImyselfholdwiththeTree willists.'"Healso

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declared,"Iwillgoastepfurtherwithmywill,notonlyactwithit,butbelieveas wellbelieveinmyindividualrealityandcreativepower." TheSwisspsychologistEdouardClaparederecognizedthatanact,inordertobe voluntary,mustbeintentionalandimplyachoiceandpreparationforthefuture. Butheassertedthat"everyvoluntaryactistheexpressionofaconflictanda struggle...andthefunctionofthewillispreciselytoresolvetheconflict."This laststatement,however,isnotconsistentwiththefactthatsomevoluntaryactsare effortlessforinstance,thoseinwhichtheselfwillingly givesassenttoanurge,or drive,whichitconsiderstobejustifiedorgood.Moreover,thedirectionofthe execution,whichisthelaststageofthewilledaction,doesnotusuallyrequire conflict,beingfundamentallythesupervisionoftheactivitiesexecutedbyother psychologicalfunctions. AnotherSwisspsychologist,JeanPiaget,alsomaintainedthatwillingalways presumesaconflictoftendencies,buthisanalysisoftheprocessofwillingdoes notincludearecognitionofitsspecificnature,whichhereducestoaninteraction betweencognitionandaffect. Thevariousproponentsofdepthpsychologyholddiverseanddivergentviews aboutthewillfunctions.Freudand"orthodox"psychoanalysisignoreorevendeny theexistenceofthewillonthebasisoftheirdeterministicphilosophy.(Deter minismshouldbeconsideredaphilosophybecauseitlacksscientificproof,as WilliamJamesstatedandasdevelopmentsinmodernscienceareincreasingly demonstrating.)Jung,attheendof PsychologicalTypes,writes,"Iregardaswill thesumofpsychicenergywhichisdisposabletoconsciousness.Accordingtothis

conception,theprocessofthewillwouldbeanenergeticprocessthatisreleased byconsciousmotivation.Apsychicprocess,therefore,whichisconditionedby unconsciousmotivationIwouldnotincludeundertheconceptofthewill." However,whileherecognizedandevenemphasizedtherealityandthedynamic functionofgoals,aims,andpurposes,hedid 240/APPENDIXFOUR dotmakeaninvestigationofthevariousaspectsandstagesofthewill,nordidhe includetheuseofthewillinhistherapeuticprocedures. AlfredAdierregardedthewillchieflyasanunconsciousstrivingtoovercome physicalandpsychologicalinferiorities,ashavinga"compensatoryfunction."A Frenchpsychologist,EdearForti,anindependentfollowerofAdier's"individual psychology,"madeadetailedstudyoftheconnectionbetweenAdier'sdoctrineand practiceandthe"willpsychology,"aswellasbetweenAdier'sviewsand "characterology,"conceivedastheinvestigationandclassificationofdifferent tendenciesandbehavior. CharlesBaudoin,whofoundedanddirectedformanyyearstheInstitut InternationaldePsychagogieetdePsychotherapieinGeneva,madeapenetrating analysisofthewillingfunction,accordingchiefimportancetothestageof decision.Itimplies,hesays,sacrificeandrelinquishing,andhepointsoutthatthe word"decision"isderivedfromtheLatinverb caedere,whichmeans"tocut." Beyondthis,however,hedidnotextendhissubtleandvaluableinvestigationson thefunctioningofpsychologicalenergytothedevelopmentoftheconceptofthe willnordidhemakeuseofthetechniquesofwillinginhispsychotherapeutic work. Amongdepthpsychologists,OttoRankaccordsspecialprominencetothewill functionandhasworkedoutatheoreticalsystembasedonit.Thecomplicated natureofhistheoryprecludesabriefdescriptionofithere,andmoreoverRank changedhisviewstotheextentofadoptingcontrarystandpointsatdifferenttimes inthecourseofitselaboration.AsIraProgoffsaysinhisableexpositionofRank's ideas,"Hewasinterestedmainlyinstressingthedegreeoffreedomthatthe individualpossessesincontrasttothebiologicaldeterminismimpliedinFreud's theoryoftheinstincts.""Thehumanbeing,"Ranksays,"experienceshis individualityintermsofhiswill,andthismeansthathispersonalexistenceis identicalwithhiscapacitytoexpresshiswillintheworld."ButRank,

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whohadbeenstronglyinfluencedbyNietzsche,madenodistinctionbetween instinct,wish,andwill,orbetweentheselfassertive,selfishwilloftheegoandthe will"asapritnaryinstrumentofcreativeandreligiousexperience"the"willin immortality."Moreover,hemadeasharpdifferentiationbetweenhistheorieson thewillandhisuseoftheconsciouswillasatherapeuticagent,maintainingthat thetwohavetobekeptseparate. Sidebysidewiththesedevelopments,andmostlyantedatingthem,acertain

amountofexperimentalinvestigationofthewaysinwhichthewillfunction operateshasbeencarriedoutbyvariousresearchers.NarcissAchandAlbert Michottemayberegardedaspioneersinthisfield,followedbyAveline,Bartlett, andsomeothers.ThesearementionedbyAvelinein PersonalityandWill,in whichhesummarizesandablydiscussestheirmethodsandresults.Theapproach wasexperimental,basedonmeasurementsofreactiontime,of anumberof electricalparametersoftheorganism,andofotherphysiologicalvariables.Many interestingresultswereobserved,amongthemtheimportanceofattention(thus confirmingtheintuitionofWilliamJames)andthedistinctionbetweenwill, conation,andstriving."Betweentruewillingandstriving,orcarryingoutthe operationwilled,therewasadifferenceinthekindofmentalprocesses....A volitionensuingevenindifficultactionmaybeabsolutelyeffortless.Willisnot itselfeffort, thoughitmayinitiateeffortofanextraordinarykind." Alongwiththeexperiments,bothAchandAvelingmadefineintrospective analysesofthevariousphasesofthewillact.Theirdescriptionsaretoolongtobe reportedhereIshallmentiononlythatoneofthemostimportantphasesdescribed istheexperienceofan"actual,"or"lived,"elementexpressedas"Itrulywill." AccordingtoAch,"thisexperienceisessentialtoallvoluntarydecision...whenit isnotexperienced..theconsciousprocessisnotavoluntaryone."Otherexperi mentalinvestigationscarriedoutbyWebbandLankesdemonstratethedifference betweenperseveration,perseverance,andwill. 242/APPENDIXPOUR

Butthispromisinglineofearlyexperimentalresearchhasotbeen activelypursued.*Onlyinthelastfewyearshastheibjectofwilling attractedtheattentionof,andbeendiscussedhvsomepsychologists, psychoanalysis,andotherwriters. L.H.Farberhaspublishedathoughtprovokingandcontroversialbook, TheWaysoftheWill.Inithepostulates"tworealmsofthewill":thefirst isnotamatterofexperienceandisthereforeunconsciousthesecondis experiencedaspresentandconsciouslygoaldirected.Whiletoregardas "will"theunconscious"movinginacertaindirection"(firstrealm)does notseemwarranted,Farber'sclearandexplicitconceptionof"willas responsiblemover"isvaluable.Withoutit,heremarks,"wetendto smugglewillintoourpsychologicalsystemsunderothernames." Animportantcontributiononthecentralpositionofthewillinthehuman constitutionandinpsychotherapyhasbeenmadebyWolfgang Kretschmer.Followingtheleadofthe'psychiatristErnstKretschmer, who,inhisinvestigationsofman'svariousbiological constitutionsand brainphysiology,%advocatedoccupationaltherapyformentalpatients, heassertsthatthewillisthebasis,the"ground,"ofknowledge,because it,likeeverythingelseinman,presupposesandrequiresenergy {dynamis)andmovement.Heregards"archetypes"asbasicformsofthe

willinoperationanddrawsattentiontotherelationshipbetween knowledgeandwill.Heconsidersthe.centraltaskofpsychotherapytobe thereestablishingoftheunionbetweenthem,thuscreatingthesynthesis ofthepersonality. *Recentlyanimportantseriesofresearcheshasbeencarriedonwhich demonstrateexperimentallytheactionofthewillinproducingspecific electricwavesinthebrainaswellasphysiologicalandpsychological effects. TheseresearcheshavebeenconductedchieflyintheUnitedStatesand Japan.ParticularmentionshouldbemadeoftheworkdonebyElmerE. Green,DirectorofthePsychophysiologicalLaboratoryoftheMenninger Foundation,andhiswife,AlyceM.Green.Theyhavesummeduptheir findingsinanarticle,"VoluntaryControlofInternalStates: PsychologicalandPhysiological,"intheJournalofTranspersonal Psychology,1970,no.I. HistoricalSurvey/243
Inrecentyearstwodevelopmentshaveopenedthewayfordealingwiththesubject ofthewillinamoreunderstandingandfruitfulmanner.Onehasbeentherapid growthoftheexistential,humanistic,andtranspersonalpsychologies.Theotheris theemergenceofabroaderandatthesametimemorerefinedconceptionofthe scientificmethod.Thisnewconceptionhasbeenbroughttolightthroughtheideas ofgeneralsemantics,and,moredirectly,throughtheopenmindedandoriginal analysisofthescientificmethodbyA.H.Maslow. Inthiscontext,Frankl'sconceptandpracticeoflogotherapydeservesmentionand appreciation.Heemphasizedthe"will.tomeaning"asafundamentalurgeand need. Recently,animportantandvaluablebookonthewillhasappeared,RolloMay's LoveandWill. Theauthorclearlyrecognizesandcommentsforcefullyuponboth humanity'spresentlackofcapacityforwillingandtheurgentnecessityforthe rediscoveryanduseofthewill.Hesays,"Theinheritedbasisofourcapacityfor willanddecisionhasbeenirrevocablydestroyed.Andironically,ifnottragically, itisexactlyinthisportentousage,whenpowerhasgrownsotremendouslyand decisionssonecessaryandfateful,thatwefindourselveslackinganynewbasisfor will."Inthisanalysisofthewillingfunction,Mayablypointsouttheconnections betweenwishandwill,fromwhichemergesomeoftheessentialcharacteristicsof thewill.Butaccordingtohim,thebasis,therootofthewill,iswhathecallsand describesas"intentionality.""Intentionalityinhumanexperienceunderlieswill anddecision.Itisnotonlypriortowillanddecisionbutmakesthempossible." ThissamerecognitionhasbeenformulatedinChapter12ofthepresentbook. Intentionalityisanessentialpartofthefirststageofthewillingaction.Itmust precede,andmakespossible,allthesubsequentstages.Itisinherentinthegoal,

purpose,andmotivation,andinvolvesevaluationandmeaning,which,aswehave seen,areallaspectsofthefirststageof"willing." AnimportantrecognitionwhichRolloMaymakesisthe 244/APPENDIXFOUR closeconnectionbetweenintentionalityandidentity."Itisinintentionalityand willthatthehumanbeingexperienceshisidentity.'I'isthe'I'of'Ican.'...What happensinhumanexperienceis'IconceiveIcanIwillIam.'The'Ican'and 'Iwill'aretheessentialexperienceofidentity."Thisisinfullagreementwiththe previouslymentionedstatementsofCieskowskyandAveling.Anothervaluable contributionofRolloMayishischapteron"TheRelationBetweenLoveand Will.""Man'stask,"hesays,"istouniteloveandwill.Theyarenotunitedby biologicalgrowthbutmustbepartofourconsciousdevelopment...therelating ofloveandwill...pointstowardsmaturity,integration,wholeness."Healso associateswillwith"commitment"and"care."Butonthispointareservationis calledforbecauseoftheexistenceofa"selfishwill."Thismightbeconsideredthe oppositeof"care"andthe"communionofconsciousness,"which,accordingto May,characterizethehigherwill.AnotherpointinMay'sbookthatcallsforsome reservationishisgreatemphasisonthe"demonic,"whichhemakeswithout clearlydistinguishingbetweenitsvariousforms.Socrates' daimon,forexample,is moreakintotheTranspersonalSelfthantothedark,instinctual,"demonic"forces. Whiletranspersonalpsychologyhasnotyetdealtspecificallywiththesubjectof thewill,Maslowhasmadeabriefbutclearreferencetothedeliberateuseofthe willinatranspersonaldirection."Inprinciple,itispossible,throughadequate understanding...toseevoluntarilyundertheaspectofeternity,toseethesacred andsymbolicinandthroughtheindividualhereandnowinstance." Psychosynthesis,inwhicharecombinedtheempirical,existential,humanistic,and transpersonalconceptionsandmethods,accordstothewillapreeminentposition andregardsitasthecentralelementanddirectexpressionofthe"I,"orself.In keepingwithitsempiricalapproach,psychosynthesisdirectsthemainattentionnot tothe"concept"ofthe

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willbuttotheanalysisofthe"willingaction"initsvariousstages,tothespecific aspectsandqualitiesofthewill,andtothepracticaltechniquesforthe developmentandtheoptimumuseofthewillfunction. Theconsiderableamountofinvestigationanddiscussionofthewill,whichthis surveycursorilyexamines,isnotincompatiblewiththepreviouslymadestatement abouttheneglectoreventhedenialofthewillbypsychologists.The investigationsmentionedhavebeengenerallyignoredbythemainstreamof modernacademicpsychology,andinanycasehavemadenoimpactuponit.They canbesaidtohaveformedamoreorlessindependentrivuletwhichhasremained dissociatedfromthemainstream.Tworecentbooksgiveavividpictureofthe confusion,misconceptions,andclashofopinionsthatstillencompassthesubject

ofthewill.Inoneofthem,TheConceptofWilling,anumberofpsychologistsand theologianshavemadeaseriousandcommendableattempttodefinethisconcept. Whilemostofthecontributionspresentinterestinginformationandpointsofview, thebook'seditor,Dr.JamesN.Lapsley,honestlyadmitsinhisdiscerningand objectivesummary(revealinglyentitled"TheConceptoftheWillAlive?")that "justastherewasnoconsensusabouthowonegetstothephenomenonofthe functionofwilling,sotherewasnoneregardingwhatonefindswhen andifone arrives."Pruyserendshisablehistoricalsurveyinthiscollectionbypointingout theinadequaciesinpastandpresentconceptionsofthewill,andcomestothe conclusionthatthe"problemofthewillremainsadifficultchallengeto psychologists,theologians,philosophers,ethicists,andallotherswhoare interestedinwilling." Theotherbook, Qu'estcequec'estcouloir (WhatIsIttoWill?),comprisesaseries ofpapersbyagroupofmedicaldoctorsandtheologiansdeliveredataconference heldatBonneval,France,inthepsychiatricclinicofDr.HenryEy.Itpresentsa varietyofdivergent,evencontradictory,viewsrangingfromSaintThomas Aquinas'straditionalconcept,ofthewilltothe 246/APPENDIXFOUR extremepositionheldbyapsychoanalystDr.S.Leclair,whocandidlyavowshis perplexityaboutwhattodowiththeconceptofthewill,constitutingasitdoesa problem"whichhasnotbeenformulatedintheanalyticalfield,"Hegoessofaras todenytherealityof Freud'slibidoasanenergy,relegatingittothestatusofa metaphoricalexpression:itislittlewonderthat,inhisintroductorysummaryofthe variouspapers,FatherL.Beirnaertconcedesthattheycreatemoreproblemsthan theysolve.Besidestheninetheoreticalpapers,thebookcontainstwovaluable essaysonmethodsoftrainingthewill.Thisisasubjectwhichanumberof educators(Payot,Eymieu,Dwelshauvers,etc.)havedealtwith. Themoststrikingconclusiontobedrawnfromthishistoricalsurveyisthat attemptstosolvetheproblemofthewillontheoretical,intellectualisticlineshave lednotonlytonosolutionbuttocontradiction,confusion,andbewilderment.This beingso,awayoutoftheimpasseneedstobesoughtinanotherdirection,onethat canproduceusefulandpracticalresults.Suchawayexists:itsstartingpointisthe direct,existentialexperienceofwilling,unhamperedbypreconceivednotionsand itproceedstoadescriptionofthedatayieldedandtotheinstitutionofexperiments onthevariousstages,characteristics,andusesofthewillingaction. Thepresentbookhasbeenwrittenwiththespecificpurposeofprovidingsignposts pointinginsuchadirectionandpresentingacomprehensiveprogramofresearch andapplicationinthefieldofthisneglectedbutsoimportantandessential reality ofhumanlife.

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TheActofWill
ROBERTOASSAGIOLI,M.D.

APPENDIXFIVE: DIFFERENTIAL PSYCHOLOGY

AccordingtotheDictionaryofPsychologicaland PsychoanalyticalTerms, differentialpsychologyis"thebranchofpsychologythatinvestigatesthekinds, amounts,causesandeffectsofindividualorgroupdifferencesinpsychological characteristics." Thoughdifferentialpsychologycanberegardedfrom severalangles,depending upondifferentpointsofviewandframesofreference,itispossibletodistinguish threeprincipalbranches: I. Traits,orFactor,Psychology II. Typology III.ThePsychologyoftheIndividual, or"IdiographicPsychology" Traits,orFactor,Psychology Thisconsistsintheanalyticalexaminationofthetraits,orcharacteristicelements, whichservetodescribeaperson'smakeup.Thisdescriptiveapproach,theobject ofmuchresearch,hasrevealeditselfinpracticetobeinadequateasaprocedurefor understandingahumanbeing.Inthefirstplace,theverynumberofthesetraitsis confusing.GordonAllportstatesthatEnglishhasabouteighteenthousand designationsfordistinctiveformsofpersonalbehavior,andthatthisfigureis greatlyexceededwhentheyappearincombination.Moreover,con 248 tradictorytraitsarenotinfrequentlytobemetwithinthesameperson.Allport quotesthefollowingcase,whichclearlyillustratesthepoint: TakethecaseofDr.D.,alwaysneatabouthispersonanddesk,punctiliousabout lecturenotes,outlines,andfileshispersonalpossessionsarenotonlyinorderbut carefullykeptunderlockandkey.Dr.D.isalsoinchargeofthedepartmental library.Inthisdutyheiscarelessheleavesthelibrarydoorunlocked,andbooks arelostitdoesnotbotherhimthatdustaccumulates.Doesthiscontradictionin behaviormeanthatDr.D.lackspersonaldispositions?Notatall.Hehastwo opposedstylisticdispositions,oneoforderlinessandoneofdisorderliness. Differentsituationsarousedifferentdispositions.Pursuingthecasefurther,the

dualityisatleastpartlyexplainedbythefactthatD.hasonecardinal (motivational)dispositionfromwhichthesecontrastingstylesproceed.Theout standingfactabouthispersonalityisthatheisaselfcenteredegotistwhonever actsforotherpeople'sinterests,butalwaysforhisown.Thiscardinalselfcenter edness(forwhichthereisabundantevidence)demandsorderlinessforhimself,but notforothers. Typology Fromancienttimesuptothepresentday,varioussystemsforclassifyinghuman typeshavebeendeveloped.Theirdescriptionsandadiscussionofthemwould occupyanentirebookand,tobeofpracticalvalue,wouldhavetobefollowedby theexaminationofthepsychosyntheticmethodsspecifictoeachtype.HereIwill limitmyselftoarapidenumerationoftheprincipaltypes.Theirmultiplicityand diversityarereflectedinthedifferentclassificationsintowhichthey fall,from binaryandternarytolargergroupingsuptotwelve. Inthebinaryclassificationstheprimaryandfundamentaldichotomyisbetweenthe "masculine"andthe"feminine"types.Theycorrespondtothetwofundamental aspectsof

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reality,oflife,whicharetermedbytheChineseYangandYinandbytheIndians PurushaandPrakriti.Inthiscontexthowever,Iamreferringsolelytothetwo psychologicaltypesmasculineandfeminine,andtheircharacteristicsandqualities. Someotherbinaryclassificationsare: 1.NominalistRealist 2.ClassicistRomantic 3.PhilistineBohemian 4.ApollonianDionysiac(Nietzsche) 5.TenderheartedToughminded(James) 6.EmpiricistRationalist 7.PrimaryfunctionSecondaryfunction 8.ActiveReflective(Gross) 9.SchizoidCyclothymic(Kretschmer) 10.InnerdirectedOuterdirected 11.ExtrovertIntrovert AnancientternaryclassificationistheIndianoneof Tamos(Inertia)Rajas (Activity)Sattua(HarmonyRhythm).Amodernonethathasbeenwidely adopteddifferentiatesbetweenvisual,auditory,andkinesthetic(ormotor)types. ThenthereisthatadvancedbySheldon:viscerotonic,cerebrotonic,and somatotonic(endomorph,ectomorph,andmesomorph). Thequaternarygroupingsincludetheoldonebasedonthefourtemperaments: sanguine,phlegmatic,choleric,andmelancholicandJung'sclassification

accordingtowhatheconsideredtobethefourpsychicfunctions:sensation, feeling,thought,andintuition.HeymansandWiersmanhavedevelopedan eightfoldclassification,elaboratedbyReneLeSenne,inwhichemotionality, activity,andprimaryandsecondaryfunctionsarecombinedinvariousways. Jung'sgroupingofthefourfunctionscombinedwiththetwopsychologicaltypes, extrovertandintrovert,alsocanbeconsideredaneightfoldclassification. Thereisalsoaseptenaryclassification:theaesthetic/creative 250/APPENDIXFIVE

type,thewill/powertype,thelove/illuminativetype,the devotional/idealistictype,thescientific/rationaltype,the organizer/ritualistictype,andtheactive/practicaltype Finally,thereisatwelvetypeclassificationbytheSwisseducator AdolpheFerriere,whohasbeen,alongwithJohnDeweyandMaria Montessori,oneofthemajorpioneersinthefieldofthe"neweducation." Herelateshistypestothetwelvezodiacaltypesdescribedbyastrologers, butquiteindependentlyofthevalidityofastrologyperse.Jungand Keyserlinghavealsousedastrologicalsymbolsinthismanner.Ferriere designateshistypesinthefollowingratherpeculiarway:
l.Original,spontaneous 2.Primitive 3.Imaginary 4.Conventional 5.Individual 6.Logical 7.Sociable 8.Unquiet 9.Intuitive 10.Ascetic 11.Mystical 12.Accomplished(Fulfilled). Thiswidespreadtendencytoclassifyhumantypesissimilarinmanyrespectsto theearlyattemptstoclassifychemicalsubstances.Thereweremanymistakes, muchfloundering,andmanyincompatibleandarbitraryclassificationsof questionablevalue:ourknowledgeofchemicalsubstanceswasnotsufficiently deep,andwehadnotyetlearnedtodistinguishbetween superficialand fundamental differences.Buteventuallythiseffortledtothediscoveryofthe periodictableandtotheclassificationofthebasicelementsinaboutahundred typesofatoms.Thisbroughtorderoutofmuchconfusioninourconceptionof matter,andgaveaforcefulimpetustomodernchemistry. Aclassificationismostusefulifithelpsonetorecognizeanaunderstand differencesoftypethatalreadyexistwithintheschemeofnature.Ontheother

hand,aclassificationbasedonartificial,arbitrary,orsuperficialdivisionswillbe oflimitedpracticalvalue,andmaybecomeanobstacleandacauseofdistortionin ourperceptionofreality.Soitisimportanttoconsiderwhenaclassificationis appropriateandusefulandwhenitisnot.Aclassificationbasedonnaturally existingcategoriesdoesnotinanywaynegatethebasicunityandthe

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common aspectsamongtypes.Weknowtodaythatthemanytypesofatomsare different, yetformedbythesameelementaryparticles,accordingtothesame universallaws.Ice,water,andvaporrepresentdifferenttypesofwater.Yetwe knowthattheyaredifferenttypesof appearance,differentstatesofthesame substance.Similarly,werecognizemanydistinctcolorsalthoughtherecanbe intermediateshadesthatbridgethegapbetweenanytwocolorsandthereis thereforenoseparationinprinciple.Andlightitselfchangescolorinacontinuous, gradualwayasitchangesitsrateofvibration.Itisinterestingtonotethatscientists todaydescribecolorintermsofanumbercorrespondingtoitswavelength,thus recognizingthatthereisnoseparation.Theartist,onthecontrary,thinksofcolors primarilyasspecificanddistinctentities.Butheisfreetomixtheminany proportion,sothisclassificationisinnowayanobstacletohisartisticexpression. Inthepsychologicalfield,themanyexistingclassificationshavebeenshownto haveawidelyvaryingdegreeofpracticalusefulness.Ontheonehandtheyhave givenmuchevidencethatthereexistinnaturegroupsofqualities,characterizing individuals,thatcanberecognizedandclassifiedaccordingtotype,thusyieldinga betterunderstandingofhumanbeings.Ontheotherhand,theseclassifications haveclearlyshownhowdivergentaretheviewpointsandthecriteriaassociated withthem,andhowmoreorlessonesidedandincompletehavebeen,tothistime, allthetypeclassificationsbasedonthem.Therefore,thetendencyrather,the temptationtoaccordanexcessivevaluetotypologicalclassifyingneedstobe resistedandevenmoretheinclinationtoattachlabelstoindividuals.Thosewho areattractedbysuch"cataloguing"oftenbecomeharmfullyconditionedand limitedbyit,whileothersrightlyrebelagainstit.Theinadequaciesandlimitations resultingfromrigidandstatictypologicalclassifyinghavebeenplainlyindicated andcriticizedbybothAllportandMaslow.Withthesereservationspological descriptionsbasedon 252/APPENDIXFIVE themorefundamentaldifferences,andthereforeabletotakeintothefullest possibleaccountthecomplexityandfluidityofthepsychologicallifeof individualscan,ifwiselyemployed,lendsubstantialaidtoadeeperandmore preciseunderstanding.Buttheycallforfurtherrefinementandforappropriate considerationofthemanypsychologicaldimensions.Mostofall,theymustbe subtleandflexible,opentoindividualshadesandcolorings,overlappingsand interpenetrations.Theyshouldnotbesimplistic,norshouldtheypretendtobe final,butmustallowforthecontinuingchangeandunlimitedpotentialforgrowth

ofeveryindividual. An exampleofsuchaconstructivedevelopmentisthefundamentaltypological divisionbetweenextrovertsandintroverts.Thatpredominantlyextrovertedor introvertedpeopleexistisevident.Thisdistinctioncanbeofhelpinacquiringa firstknowledgeof anindividual,butitisinsufficientbyitself.Whenonespeaksof anintrovertorextrovert,oneisreallyreferringtoatendency, or direction, ofhis lifeinterest,which,asAllportrightlymaintains,isadispositionoftheindividual. Whenthisdisposition,thisorientationofthevitalinterest,ispredominant,the personmaybesaidtobeextrovertedorintroverted. AsanexampleofintroversionIwillciteImmanuelKant,theKonigsberg philosopher.'Focusinghisentireinterestonthestudyofthemind,ofintellectual consciousnessanditslaws,hereachedthepointofnevercaringtoleavehisnative city.AnevenmoreintrovertedtypewastheFrenchnovelistMarcelProust,whose introversioncanbeconsideredtobepathological.Hatingdaylightandordinary humanactivities,hepassedalargepartofhislifeinacorkpaneledroom, occupiedindescribing,withgreatsubtletytheconsciousandunconsciousmental processesofthecharactersofhisnovels. Extremelyextrovertedtypesarerepresentedbythegreatmenofaction,allofthem orientedtowardtheconquestoftheexternalworld.WecanmentionJuliusCaesar andNapoleon,and,inthetechnicalsphere,suchgreatinventorsasEdisonand Marconi.

DifferentialPsychology/253
Butacloserconsiderationrevealsthatthingsarenotsosimple.Onemeetsfirstan importantdifferencebetweentheactiveandthepassivecharacterinboth extroversionandintroversion.Themenofoutstandingabilitymentionedabove wereactiveintrovertsorextroverts,buttherearepassivemoreprecisely, reactiveextrovertsaswell,whopresentaverydifferentpicture.Sensitiveand impressionable,theirattentionisattracted,Iwouldsaymonopolized,byexternal influences)towhichtheyarehypersensitive.Thepassiveextrovert'smarked susceptibilitycreatesinhimatendencytoacceptotherpeople'spointsofviewand respondtotheirpsychicinfluences.Thehypnotizedsubjectrepresentsanextreme caseofpassiveextroversion.Allofusexhibitatemporarystateofpassive extroversionwhenreadinganewspaperorbookandwhenwatchingafilmor television. Anexcessiveinterestinone'sphysicalorpsychologicalstateisafeatureofpassive introversion.Itcanleadtooversolicitudeaboutone'sphysical condition,tofearof disease,tohypochondria.Theschizophrenicmaybedescribedasanextreme introvert.Thedepressivephaseofmanicdepressivepsychosisischaracterizedby morbidpassiveintroversion,incontrasttothemanicphase,whichexhibits excessiveandmorbidextroversion. , Leavingtheextremecases,andturningourattentiontothegreatmajorityof people,wefindthatthedisposition,ortendency,towardextroversionor introversionisoftennotgreatlymarked,andalsothatthesestatesalternateinthe samepersoninresponsetodifferentconditions.Thereisfirstofallthematterof

age.Inthecaseoftheinfantinthefirstmonthsoflife,onemayspeakofa conditionofintroversion,inthesensethatthebabyisentirelyabsorbedinthe sensationsofitsownbody.Thenlittlebylittleitturnsitsattentionandinterest towardtheoutsideworldandotherbeings,thuspassingintoaphaseofincreasing extroversion.Thisculminatesinchildhoodandprepuberty,inwhichactivism,self assertion,andarebelliousattitudetowardothersmanifestthemselves.With 254/APPENDIXFIVE theawakeningofthenewandoftenconflictingelementsof adolescence,the attentionveersoncemoretowardtheinteriortheadolescentistakenupwithhis feelings,urges,andpersonalproblems.Oncethecrisisofadolescenceispast,the youngindividualandlateronthematurepersontendtowardextroversion,toself affirmationintheexternalworldinrelationtoothers,andoftenagainstothers. Thelateryearsandoldage,on theotherhand,seeareturntointroversion.Interest intheexternalworldanditsachievementsgraduallysubsidesandisreplaced, accordingtocircumstances,eitherbyawithdrawalintoegocentricityandpreoccu pationwithphysicalhealth,orbyaserene,detachedviewof theworldandan interestinspiritualrealityandvalues. Then,otherdifferencesmustbetakenintoconsideration.Thedispositionto extroversionorintroversioncombineswithotherindividualvariations:oneofthe mostimportantisthepredominanceofoneoranotheroftheprincipal psychologicalfunctions.AsIhavepreviouslymentioned,Jungclassifiedthese typesaccordingtowhatheconsideredman'sfourfundamentalfunctions,thus distinguishingthesensorytype,thefeelingtype,thethinkingtype,andthe intuitivetype.Whenthesensoryfunctionpredominates,theinterestmaybe directedeithertowardbodilysensationsortowardsensoryimpressionsreachingus fromtheexternalworld.Thisdispositionwaswellcharacterizedbytheartistwho remarked,"Iamoneforwhomtheexternalworldexists."Whenthefeeling functionisuppermost,thepersoncanbedescribedaslivinginaworldofemotions andfeelings,ofpersonalrelationships,ofattractionsorattachmentsandaversions. Themental,intellectualtypeiseasilyrecognizedanddoesnotcallforspecific comment.Casesoftheintuitivefunctionpredominatingarelesscommon,but, interestingly,areontheincrease. Itisimportanttorealizehowprofoundlyindividualsbelongingtothesevarious typesdifferfromoneanothertheymaybesaidtoinhabitvirtuallydifferent worlds,whichscarcelycomeincontact.Asimpleexamplewillsufficeto

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clarifythisfact.Letusimaginethatfourindividuals,eachbelongingtoadifferent type,arelookingatalandscape.Theinterestofthesensorypracticalmanwillbe focusedontheareasofthefieldsbeforehim,theirproductiveness,andthevalueof theland.Thefeelingtypemaybemostawarethatthepeacefulsceneevokesin himafeelingofserenity,ofharmony,ofcalmandsoftness.Ifheisanartist,he mightgiveallhisattentiontothelinesandcolors,thelightandshade,notingthe

differenttonesofgreen,thecontrastbetween thedarkpatchesoftheclumpsof treesandthedelicatetintsofthemeadows.Theaestheticvaluesofthescenewould constitutehismaininterestandpleasure.Thethirdmemberofthequartetwillbe thinkingaboutthenaturalfeaturesofthelandscape,suchastheclimate,thetypeof vegetation,theinterestinggeologicalnatureoftheground,andthescientificissues thesefeaturesmightpose.Thefourthobserverwilldiscerninthescenespreading beforehimanaspectoftheradiantgloryofdivinemanifestation.Hewillbehold creationmanifestinnatureandsurrenderhimselftoanecstaticjoy. Ifeachofthese"observers"weretoputhisimpressionsonpaper,itisprobable thatthefourversionswouldcontainfewwordsincommon.Anyonereadingthem mightscarcelybelievetheyallweredescriptionsofthesame"object." Comprehensionofthisfactthathumanbeingslivingexternallysidebysidearein realityinhabitingdifferentworldshasgreatpsychologicalandeducationalvalue.It revealsthetruecauseofmuchofthefundamentallackofunderstanding,bitter criticism,andantagonismthatcomplicateslifeandcreatesanincalculableamount ofunnecessarysuffering. Anotherimportantdistinctionappearsbothinextroversionandinintroversion and invariouspsychologicalfunctions.Therearemanypeoplewhocannotbesaidto possessasinglepredominatingdisposition.Apersoncanhavetwotendencies, manifestingextroversionatonelevelandintroversionatanother. Forinstance,he maybeextrovertatthefeelingemotionallevelandintrovertatthementallevel, andviceversa.Thisis 256/APPENDIXFIVE obviousalsointhecaseofhumangroups.ThusitcouldbesaidthatEnglishmen areingeneralextrovertedatthephysicallevel(practicalactivity)andintrovertedat theemotionalfeelinglevel. Instancesofthesecontrastingdispositionsandtendenciesinindividualpersonscan befoundamongreligiousfigures.SaintTheresa,SaintCatherineofSiena,and SaintDominic,forexample,combinedapronouncedmysticalintroversionwitha practicalextroversionthatmadethem"activists,"ledthemtofoundgreat organizationsand,inthecaseofSaintCatherine,toexerciseadecisiveinfluence onthehistoryofhertimes.SaintCatherinemaythusbeclassifiedasanintrovertat theemotionalandintuitivelevelsandasanactiveextrovertatthephysicallevel. Further,therearetwootheroppositedirectionsfollowedbythelifeinterestwhich mustberecognizedandgivenadequateconsideration.Oneis"downward,"which canbetermedinfraversion,theother"upward,"or supraversion.Ininfraversion, theaimistoplumbtheunconsciousinitsloweraspects.Thisisamajorconcernof psychoanalysis,andithasbeentermed"thedescentintohell."Itmaybecompared tounderwaterdiving.Insupraversion,ontheotherhand,thelifeinterestand psychologicalinvestigationaredirectedtowardthehigheraspectsofthepsyche, i.e.,towardthesuperconsciousandtheSelf.Supraversioniscomparableto mountaineering. Whathasbeensaidshouldnotbeinterpretedasundervaluinginfraversionand overvaluingsupraversion.Heretoooccurmanifestationsofdifferentvalue.There

isaninfraversionofhighquality,thescientificinvestigationandexplorationofthe lowerunconscious,whichmightbecalledpsychologicalgeologyandarchaeology. Andexcessivesupraversioncanbeusedtoescapefromtheproblemsoflife.The psychosyntheticgoalistoacquiretheabilitytodirectenergiesatwillthatis, throughthedirectingfunctionofthewillinanydirectionandfashion,according tospecificpurposes,intentions,needs,anddemands.Thiscanbecalled poliversion.

DifferentialPsychology/ 257
Finally,thereisabasicdifference,orrathercontrastbetweentwodirectionsin timeofthelifeinterest:betweenthefutureoriented,or forwardverted,andthe pastoriented,or,' retroverted.Thisoppositionbetweenprogressionandregression isgoingonallthetimeineachindividual,andregressionhasrightlybeenpointed outasthecauseofmanypsychological troublesandneuroticsymptoms. Collectively,theconflictbetweenthosewhobelongtothetwooppositetypesthe innovatorandtherevolutionaryononeside,andtheconservative,clingingtothe past,ontheotherhasreachedalevelofcrucial,acutestrife,whichpervadesthe worldscenetoday. TheUniqueIndividualIdiographicPsychology Howeverusefultypologymaybeforunderstandinganddealingwithdifferent humanbeings,itfailstogiveafullview,acomprehensiveaccountofan individual. Everyindividualconstitutesauniquecombinationofcountlessand differing factors.Ifeventhecombinationsbetweenelementsassimpleasthelines ontheskinofthefingersaresodifferentthat:fingerprintsaresufficienttoidentify anindividual,itisclearlyapparentthatthecombinationsofthevastnumberof biologicalandpsychologicalcharacteristicsineachsinglehuman.beingmakeof eachofusamostcomplex,diverse,andgenuinelyuniqueindividual. Evenmorethanthis,thosecountlessfactorsandtheircombinationsarenotstatic andfixedasfingerprintsare.They arechangingconstantly,owingbothtotheinner developmentandgrowthoftheindividualandtotheconstantimpactandintakeof influencesfromtheoutsideworldandfromotherhumanbeings. Butimportantasthisrealizationis,itshouldnotleadustobelievethatitis hopelesstoestablishascientific"psychologyoftheindividual." Suchapsychologyispossible,andisbeginningtobedeveloped.Whileittakes intodueconsiderationallthecontributionswehavementioneduptohere,which couldbe 258/APPENDIXFIVE subsumedundertheterm"descriptivepsychology,"itschiefmethodisthatof understandingpsychology(verstehende,inGerman).Themeansforarrivingat suchunderstandingorcomprehensionfromwithin,sotospeak,hasbeenindicated indifferentways,andthereisstillmuchconfusionintheterminology.Allport

madeasophisticatedcriticalsurveyofthemethodsindicatedbysuchtermsas empathy,sympathy,identification,intuition,acquaintance,participation,andso on.I cannotenternowintoadiscussionofallofthese,butIwilltrytoclarify somebasicpoints.Thecontrastbetween"acquaintancewith"and"knowledge about"waspointedout,withhisusualaptness,byWilliamJames,inthefollowing anecdotequotedby Allport.TwoMainefishermenwerechatting.Theywere discussingacollegeprofessorwhowasasummerresident.Onesaidtotheother: "Heknowseverything."Theotherdrawledhisreply:"Yup,buthedon'trealize nothing."Thesecondfishermanwassaying,ineffect,thattheprofessorhadplenty ofknowledgeabouttheworld,buthadfailedtodigestit."WilliamJames,"says Allport"likethefisherman,hascalledattentiontothedistinctionbetweentwo kindsofcognition:knowledgeaboutandacquaintancewith.Onemayknowa greatdealaboutPeter,andyetnot'realize'thepatternofhislife. "Tobetrulyacquaintedwithapersonmeanstobeabletotakehispointofview,to thinkwithinhisframeofreference,toreasonfromhispremises.Acquaintance leadsustorealizethattheexistenceoftheotherappearsrationallyconsistentfrom hisstandpoint,howeverdisjointeditmayappeartobefromours." AnanalysisofsympathyinitsvariousaspectshasbeenmadebySchelerinhis book TheNatureofSympathy, andissummarizedbyW.A.Sadlerin Existence andLove. SadleralsoextensivelyquotesBinswanger,andhisconclusionisthat thisunderstandingrequiresunionof heartandhead,calledbyBinswanger"loving thinking." Soaholistic,syntheticscienceofthehumanbeingmusttakeintoproperaccount boththebasiccommonelementexistingin

DifferentialPsychology/259
allindividualsandthedifferencesthatmakeeachofthem unique.Thishasbeenso wellexpressedbyMaslowthatIshallquote himinfull: Onecaneventranscendindividualdifferencesinaveryspecificsense.Thehighest attitudetowardindividualdifBferencesistobeawareofihem,toacceptthem, butalsotoenjoythemandfinallytobeprofoundlygratefulforthem:(asa beautifulinstanceoftheingenuityofthecosmosthe^recognitionoftheirvalue, andwonderatindividualdifferences.Butalso,andquitedifferentfromthisuiti mategratitudeforindividualdifferences,istheother attitudeofrisingabovethem intherecognitionoftheessentialcommonnessandmutualbelongingnessand identificationwithallkindsofpeopleinultimatehumannessorspecieshood,in thesensethateveryoneisone's,brotherorsister.Thenindividualdifferencesand eventhe differencesbetweenthesexeshavebeentranscendedinaveryparticular way.Thatis,atdifferenttimesonecanbeveryawareofthedifferencesbetween individualsbutat anothertimeonecanwaveasidetheseindividualdifferencesas relativelyunimportantforthemomentbycontrastwiththeuniversalhumanness andsimilaritiesbetweenhumanbeings. Mostofwhathasbeensaiduptothispointbelongstothefieldofsocalled "normal"psychology,or(seethediagramonpage14)tothe"lower"and"middle" areas(bothconsciousandunconscious)ofthehumanpersonality.Butthereisalso

thelevelorrealmofthesuperconsciousandoftheTranspersonalSelf.Hereagain, andinamoreessentialsense,wefindtheparadoxicalunionorintegrationand coexistenceoftheindividualandoftheuniversal.Thishasbeendiscussedin Chapter10,andputinevidenceinthediagramsonpage127. TheTranspersonalSelfofeachisinintimateunionwiththeTranspersonalSelfof allotherindividuals,howeverunconscioustheymaybeofthis.AllTranspersonal Selvescanbe 260/APPENDIXFIVE consideredas"points"withintheUniversalSelf.Aninterestingcorroborationof thishasbeengivenbytheFrenchpsychologistGastonBerger: WhatIhavetoemphasizeisthatallourpreviousanalysis"sentusback"constantly toatranscendentalsubject.Allmydeductions,whichItriedtokeepwithina positiveframeofmind,implyanendingwhichisnotitselfincludedintheseriesof naturalevents.Ihavebeentalking,forinstance,ofemotions.Butthiswordmeans somethingbecauseitnotonlyevokessomeobjectivemodifications,butitpointsto aconsciousnessexperiencingcertainfeelings.Relationshipswhichexistamong humanbeings,andaboutwhichwehavebeentalkingwithregardtosituations, alsopointtotranscendentalsubjectivities. Thediscoveryofthetranscendentalsubjectistheconclusivemomentof psychologicalreflection.Onecandiscovertranscendentalrealitythroughvery differentways.Descartesarrivesthere,anduseshis"cogito"inanenergeticeffort toformulateapropositionaboutwhichitwouldbeimpossibleforhimtodoubt. Husseriarrivestherebywhathecallsa"phenomenologicalreduction.""Truthis one,buteveryphilosopherwalkstowardsitbyhisownpath." LetmeclosewithBerger'spenetratingthought: AmInowabletoanswerthequestionwhichIwasaskingatthebeginningofmy inquiry?CanIsaywhoamI?Nothingcouldbelesssure.Ihavelearnedto recognizein'thepersonalitymoreorlessprofoundlevels.Ihavetakenback propertiestotheirownprinciples.Butlevelscoveracenter,andpropertieshavean owner.Ihaveipushedasfaraspossiblemyinvestigationwithouteverbeingable togetatsomethingmorethanmybelonging.Torecognizethemasmine,meansto differentiatemyselffromthem.Icertainlyamnoteitherthisbodythrough

DifferentialPsychology/261
whichsensationscome,andwhichIuseforaction,northosetendencies,goodor badones,thatmanifestthroughit.Icanevenseeinthelightofexperiencethat cannotbeabodyoranaggregateofbodiesoracharacteristicderivedfromsome particularformofbodies.ThosehypotheseswhichIamrefusingwerenotfalse propositions,butmeaninglessaffirmations.HoweverevenifIcannotinanyway getholdofmyself,IneverthelessknowthatIam, andthatIcannotdoubttobe.... IfIwantedtospeakmorerigorously,IshouldthensayIamI,expressinginthis unusualwaythefactthattheIisalwaysthesubject.IfIprefertouseatermwhich belongsbothtocommonuseandtothephilosopher'slanguage,Iwillnotsay,asis

sometimesdone,thatIhaveasoul(which,tobeprecise,iscontradictory),butthat Iamasoul. 262 / APPENDIXFIVE

TheActofWill
ROBERTOASSAGIOLI,M.D.

REFERENCENOTES

PartOne:TheNatureoftheWill
Chapter2.TheExistentialExperienceoftheWill 12.ProfessorCalo,Enciclopediaitalianadiscieme,lettereedarti(Rome,1929 1939,Vol.35), p.559. Chapter3.TheQualitiesoftheWill 21.Foramoredetaileddescriptionofeffortlessvolition,andquotations,see AppendixFour, HistoricalSurvey,p.235,andFrancisAveling,PersonalityandWill(London, 1931),pp. 83ff. 21.A.H.Maslow,TheFartherReachesofHumanNature(NewYork,1971),p. 68. 2324.A.H.Maslow,MotivationandPersonality(NewYork,1970),PP.13637 2526.Ramacharaka,RajaYoga(Bombay,1966),pp.12527. 32.LuigiFantappie,Principidiunateoriawiitariadelmondoftsicoebiologico (Rome,1944). 32.R.BuckminsterFuller,NoMoreSecondHandGod&OtherWritings (Carbondale,Illinois, 1963),p.v. 34.Maslow,TheFartherReachesofHumanNature,p.210. 34.RobertoAssagioli,Psychosynlhesis(NewYork,1971),p.31. 263

Chapter4.TheStrongWill 39.WilliamJames,TalkstoTeachers(NewYork,1912),pp.7576. 3941.BoydBarrett,StrengthofWillandHowtoDevelopIt(NewYork, 1931). Chapter5.TheSkillfulWill:PsychologicalLaws 5051.ArnaudDejardins,LesCheminsdelasagesse,Vol.II(Paris,197' )>P 35 57.GustaveLeBon,LaPsychologicde{'education(Paris,1889)

58.CharlesBaudoin,SuggestionandAutosuggestion(London,1922). 64.RobertoAssagioli,TheTransformationandSubliminationofSexual Energies(NewYork, PsychosynthcsisResearchFoundation,1963). 65.FrancesWickes,InnerWorldofChoice(NewYork,1963),p.34. Chapter6.PracticalApplicationsoftheSkillfulWill 73.A.H.Maslow,MotivationandPersonality(NewYork,1970),pp. 18788. 75.ThemethodofneutralizationisexplainedbyPatanjaliinhisYoga Sutras,33,BookII:"To obstructthoughtswhichareinimicaltoYoga,contrarythoughts shouldbebrought." (TranslationbyVivekanada,Almora,1915.) 8283.TheAutobiographyofGoethe,translatedbyJohnOxen(London, 1891),pp.32023. Chapter7.TheGoodWill 8889.Onempathy,seeLauraHuxley'srecipe,"Jumpintheother person'splace,"inYouAre NottheTarget(NewYork,1965),PP 5660. Chapter8.LoveandWill 94.PetrimSorokin,TheWaysandPowerofLove(Boston,1959). 94.MartinLutherKing,TheStrengthofLove(NewYork,1963). 96.Amongthevariouswriterswhohavepointedoutthatloveisanart, ErichFrommhas contributedaparticularlyclearandpenetratingstudyinhisbookThe ArtofLoving(New York,1956).
264/ ReferenceNotes 98.A.H.Maslow,MotivationandPersonality(NewYork,1970),p.21. 103.HermannKeyserling,TheRecoveryofTruth(NewYork,1929),p.103. 104.RobertoAssagioli,"TheBalanceandSynthesisoftheOpposites"(NewYork, PsychosynthesisResearchFoundation,1972). Chapter9.TheTranspersonalWill 106.ThissenseofdissatisfactionhasbeenbrieflydescribedinPsychosynthesis,p. 41. 107.Evermore..."abyssexperience":ViktorE.Franki,TheWilltoMeaning (NewYork,

1969),p.83. 107."Theexistentialvacuum...it":ibid.,p.86. 107109.LeoTolstoi,AConfession(London,1940),pp.1519. 111.C.G.Jung,ModemManinSearchofaSoul(NewYork,1933),P32. 112.Themost...vision:DaisetzTaitaroSuzuki,EssaysinZenBuddhism(New York,1949),p. 126. 112.TheMan...live:quotedbyViktorFranki,op.cit.,p.50. 114.R.M.Bucke,CosmicConsciousness(NewYork,1951). 114.WilliamJames,TheVarietiesofReligiousExperience(NewYork,1902). 114.WinslowHall,ObservedIlluminates(London,1926). 11415.FrancisThompson,inImmortalPoemsoftheEnglishLanguage(New York,1960),p. 476. 115.C.G.Jung,TheIntegrationofthePersonality(London,1940),pp.29196. 119.A.H.Maslow,"TheoryZ,"JournalofTranspersonalPsychology,1:2,pp.31 47.Reprinted inA.Maslow,TheFartherReachesofHumanNature(NewYork,1971),pp. 28095. 120.F.Haronian,"RepressionoftheSublime,"inJamesFadiman(ed.),The ProperStudyof Man(NewYork,1971),p.240reprintedbyPsychosynthesisResearch Foundation,New York,1972.

ReferenceNotes/265
120.Inmy...fate:quotedbyHaronianandrfcprintedinMaslow,op.cit.,p.35.V 12021.Transcendence...nature:op.citpp.27475. Chapter10.TheUniversalWill 128.LamaAnagarikaGovinda,TheWayoftheWhiteClouds(Berkeley,1970), pp.12425. 128.SarvepalliRadhakrishnan,"HumanPersonality,"indarkMoustakas,ed.,The Self(New York,1956),p.118. 129.A.H.Maslow,TheFartherReachesofHumanNature(NewYork,1971),p. 277. 13031.ThequotationfromDanteisadaptedfromthetranslationbyGeoffrey Bickersteth (Cambridge,England,1932). PartTwo:TheStagesofWilling Chapter12.Purpose,Evaluation,Motivation,Intention 14546.PierreTeilharddeChardin,inThePhenomenonofMan(NewYork,

1964),hasgiven someinspiringideason thefutureofthepsychospiritualevolution,basedon pastandpresent biophysicdevelopment. Chapter13.Deliberation,Choice,andDecision 15253.ProfessorCalo,fromhisarticleonthewillinEnciclopediaitaliana discienze,lettereed arti,Vol.35(Rome,19291939),p.17. Chapter14.Affirmation 171.HermannKeyserling,FromSufferingtoFulfilment(London,1938),pp.in, 18485. Chapter15.PlanningandPrograming 185.Forcorrecthandlingofthepsychologicalphasesofelaborationof gestation, seemypaper "ModesandRhythmsofPsychologicalFormation"(inItalian)(Florence,Italy, Istituto Psicosintesi,1968). 266/ReferenceNotes Chapter16.TheDirectionandtheExecution 195.RobertDesoille,"TheGuidedDaydream"(NewYork,Psychosynthesis Research Foundation,1966). 195.Leuner,AmericanJournalof'Psychotherapy,32:I,1969,pp.422. PartThree:Epilogue Chapter17.TheJoyousWill 200.Whynot...happiness:A.H.Maslow,TheFartherReachesofHuman Nature(NewYork, 1971),p.176. 200.Levelsofneeds:A.H.Maslow,TowardaPsychologyofBeing(NewYork, 1962),p.83. 201202.EvelynUnderbill,Mysticism(NewYork,1961),p.437. Appendices AppendixTwo.ThinkingandMeditation 21920.SwamiVivekanada,TheCompleteWorksofVivekanada,Mayavati MemorialEdition (Almora,1915). AppendixFour.HistoricalSurvey 235.Otherviews,omittedfromtheintroductoryurveyinAppendixFour,maybe

foundinthe clear"SelectiveHistoricalSurvey"byPaulW.PruysercontainedinThe ConceptofWilling editedbyJ.N.Lapsley(Nashville,Tenn.,1967).Theexpositionof Kierkegaard'sprofound viewsonthewillisparticularlyvaluable. 236....themostimportant...senappealstoit:DaisetzTaitaroSuzuki,Essaysin ZenBuddhism (NewYork,i949)>PP107,ii5. 237.W.Lutoslawski,Seelenmacht(Leipzig,1899). 237.W.Lutoslawski,TheWorldofSouls(London,1924). 237.P.D.Ouspensky,TheFourthWay(London,1959).

ReferenceNotes/ 267
237JMacquarrie,"WillandExistence,"inLapsley,op.citpp.4iff. 238.H.B.andA.C.English,Dictionaryof PsychologicalandPsychoanalytic Terms(NewYork,1958),p.587. 238.S.Hiltner,inLapsley,op.cit.,p.18. 239.P.E.Levy,TheRationalEducationoftheWill(London,1918). 239.EdmondDuchatelandReneWarcollier,LesMiraclesdelavolonte(Paris, 1914). 239.W.H.Sheldon,PsychologyandthePrometheanWill(NewYork,1936). 239.Mathurin,SelfknowledgeandSelfdiscipline(Aberdeen,1926). 239AgoodexpositionanddiscussionofWundt'sideashasbeenmadebyFrancis Avelingin PersonalityandWill(London,1931),pp.7078. 239.WilliamJames,PrinciplesofPsychology(NewYork,1950),pp.52425 23940.QuotationsfromWilliamJamesfromTalkstoTeacherss(NewYork, 1912),pp.189, 191. 240.C.G.Jung,PsychologicalTypes(NewYork,1933),pp.61617. 241.EdgarForti,L'emotion,lavolonteetIecourage(Paris,1952). 241."Hewas...instincts":IraProgoff,TheDeathandRebirtK<ifPsychology (NewYork),p. 210. 242."willtoimmortality":ibid.,p.261. 242.NarcissAch,UberdieWillenstdtigkeitunddasDenKett(Gottin,gen,1905) 242.AlbertMichotte,EtudeexperimentalsurIechoixvolontaires(Louvain, 1910). 242."Between...kind":FrancisAveling,PersonalityandWill(London,1931), pp.91,93. 242.this..one:ibid.,p.87. 242.Otherexperimental...will:ibid.,p.101(Webb,"Characterand Intelligence,"British JournalofPsychology,Monograph,1915,andLankes,"Perseveration,"British

Journalof Psychology,Monograph,1915.) 243.L.H.Farber,TheWaysoftheWill(NewYork,1966).243."archetypes": Wolfgang Kretschmer,SelbsterkenntnisundWillensbildmgimarztlichenRaume (Stuttgart,1958),p. 66.

268/ ReferenceNotes
244generalsemanticsaclearexposition canbefenattdinW. Johnson'sPeopleinQuandaries(NewYork,1946). 244.A.H.Maslow,PsychologyofScience(NewYork,1966). 244.VictorFranki,TheWilltoMeaning(NewYork,1969). 24445.RolloMay,LoveandWill(NewYork,1969),pp.182,223,20i,243,283, 286. 245A.H.Maslow,Religions,Values,andPeakExperiences(NewYork,1970) 246.JamesN.Lapsley,ed..TheConceptofWilling(Nahville,Tenn.,1967),pp. 55,50. 246.HenryEy,Qu'estcequec'estvouloir(Paris,1958). AppendixFive.DifferentialPsychology 248.H.B.andA.C.English,DictionaryofPsychologicalandPsychoanalytic Terms(New York,1958),p.152. 248.theobjectofmuchresearch:AnneAnastasi,DifferentialPsychology(New York,1958). 24849.contradictorytraits:GordonAllport,PatternandGrowthinPersonality (NewYork, 1961),pp.35355. 249.Takethe...others:ibid.,p.363. 250.OnHeymansetal.,seeGastonBerger,Caractereetpersonalite(Paris,1962), pp.13etseq. 251.AdolpheFerriere,Versuneclassificationnaturelledestypespsychologique (Nice,1943). 259.G.Allport,PatternandGrowthinPersonality(NewYork,1961). 259.W.A.Sadler,ExistenceandLove(NewYork,1969). 260.A.H.Maslow,"VariousMeaningsofTranscendence,"Journalof Transpersonal Psychology,1:1,reprintedinMaslow,TheFartherReachesofHumanNature, p.278. 261.What...subjectivities:GastonBerger,Caractereetpersonalite(Paris,1962), p.106. 261.Truth...path:ibid.,p.105. 26162.AmI...asoul:ibid.,p.108.Theterm"belonging"hasbeenusedby Husseritodesignate

whatseemstothesubjectsuchanimmediatepropertythatitseemstobeone thingwiththe subjecthimself.SeeEdmundHusseri,MeditationsCartesiennes(TheHague, 1960),and GastonBerger,LeCogitodanslaphilosophicdeHusseri(Paris,1941).

ReferenceNotes/ 269

INDEX
Ach,Narciss,242 Authoritariansystem,163 Achievement,171,aoi Autosuggestion,52 Action,9,i6,26,37,155,157, Aveling,Francis,21,242,245 l6l,237 "Awakening,"7,9second,217 ideomotor,5152,5455 evokesimages,5253inner, Bach,JohannSebastian,7 218, Balanceamongqualities,20,145, 228mechanismsof,191trans162,186 pcrsonal,11617willin,33,6l,"BalancingandSynthesisofthe i89 Opposite,The"(Assagioli), 90 104,186 "Actingasif"techniques,53,79 Balzac,Honorede,148 84, Barrett,Boyd,3940 14243,i73,i88 Bartlett,C.J.,242 Activities:mental,192,aao Baudoin,Charles,58,241 physical, Beauty,78,li6,11819 206 Beethoven,Ludwigvon,8, Acts.SeeAction 11819 Actualization.SeeSelf Beingvalues,17,119,199200 actualization Beirnaert,FatherL.,247 Adaptation,139 Berger,Gaston,261 Adicr,Alfred,241 BhagavadGita,223,230 Advertisers,57,17475 Binswanger,Ludwig,259 Affirmation,2on,56,104,135, Bliss,200 137, Blondel,Maurice,237 139,154,17172,2o6,23031, Body,212,21416.reinforces 233 imagi techniquesof,17277 nation,53 Agape,99,il6 Brahman,125,202 Agassiz,Louis,2526,192 Breathingandfeeding, Aggression,6465,7071,8687, psychological, 143, 57,6976

146 Allport,Gordon,24849,252 53,259 Altruism,156,200.Seealso LoveAmbivalence,79 AnagarikaGovinda,Lama,128 Angyal,A.,120 Anxiety,84,112 Aristotle,160 Atman,125 Attention,19,2427,41,56, 59,67 68,7172,7576,146,185,191 92, 205,2220,230,233,242 Augustine,Saint,236 Authenticity,of theself,143 Index 270
Caligula,16 "Call"of consciousness,11315 Calo,Professor,12,15253 Campanella,Tommaso,80,147 Caritas,99,116 Carnegie,Andrew,181 Carter,Bctsie,ix Catharsis,61,65,193 CatherineofSiena,Saint,257 Causeandeffect,lawof,162 Cavour,Camille,163 Changeableness,166 Character.SeeTraitsTypes Choices,6t,89,13536,138,143, 151,16669,171,183,190,206, 230,233,236.SeealsoDecision Christ,131,147 Cieskowski,237,245 Claparede,Edouard,240 Cognition,James's("acquaintance with" and"knowledgeabout"),259 Compassion,65,72,76,go,99,116.

Buber,Martin,162 Bucke,R.M.,114,129 BuddhaandBuddhism,45,73, 111 12,117,129n,222,236Zen, 223, 236 Buffon,GeorgesLouis,Comte de,81 Caesar,Julius,253

DanteAlighieri,104,130 Daring,1920,28,31,205, 230,33. Darwin,Charles,29 DaVinci,Leonardo,7,l2l Death,psychological,213 Decision,8,2on,28,37,41, 61,135 38.143.149,171,190,206, 230, 233,244tossup,166,241 Decisiveness,19,20,2728, 205,230, 233 Deliberation,8,20n,61,135 38151 55,164,171,iSa,205,230,233 collective,16264,217,228 Democraticmethod,28,163 Depression,6970,72,75 Descartes,Rene,237,26.1

SeealsoLoveCompetition,69,86 Desensitization,84 Composure,emotional,218,229 Desires,4,6,io,3637.46,49, Concentration,1920,2427,192, 55,60, 205,206,220,22930,233. 63,65,67,70,7374.93, Condemnation,60 99,167, ConceptofWilling,The(ed. 19394,206,216,217, Lapsley), 229selfish, 246 73 Confessions(Tolstoi),107 Conflict,47,50,61,74,8586,89, Desoille,Robert,195 94, Destiny,130 104105,145,165,23940 Determination,56,19,2728, Consciousness,17,31,33,57,59, 36,37, 113, 205,230,233 188,19192contentsof,21112, Dewey,John,251 215marginal,56spiritual,236. Diagrams,1214,49,101 SeealsoSelfconsciousness 102,12627 Consequencesofaction,155 Consideration,15152 Dialogue,between"I"andSelf, Consulting,15861 114,226incounseling,161 Contact,22627 62DictionaryofPsychological Contemplation,8,27,118,138,226 andPsy Control,3,19,2224,27,6l,79,89, choanalyticTerms(Englishand 153,205,230,233subconscious, English),238,248 190 Differences,individual,164 Cooperation,34,86,104,18182 66,25860 Coordination,32,33 Cosmicconsciousness,1251,128 Differentialpsychology.See 29. Psychology SeealsoIllumination Directionofexecutionofwilled CosmicConsciousness(Bucke),114 act. Counseling,151,16062 Courage,19,28,31,42,5253,7576, SeeExecutionofwilledact Dischargeofdrives,6l,143 81,117,165,205,230,233 Creativity,59,65,99,14647,156, Discipline,1920,2224, 205,230,233 206

Discrimination,147,155,157
Index271 Disidentification,60,21117,

220,224 Distance:inner,176psychologi cal,220 DivineComedy(Dante),130 Dominic,Saint,257 Dostoevski,Feodor,148 Drives,1011,21,26,44,46,

55,60 61,65,74,111,14445,193,206. SeealsoMotivation Duchatel,Edmond,239 DunsScotus,John,236 Dynamicpower.SeePower

Extensionasmeansofpsychological transformation,6465 Extroverts,250,25356 Ey,Henry,246

Eckhart,Meister,129n Faith,17172 Ecology,6970,75,117 Farber,L.H.,243 Ecstasies,128 FartherReachesofHumanNature Edison,ThomasA.,29,253 (Maslow),21 Education,57,i8a,206,232,251 Fatigueandnervoustension,29,49 Fear,60,6972,75,81,8384,98,165 Einstein,Albert,n2 Feedbackprocess,5354.5667,81 Elevation,64,229 Feelings,37,49,5254,64,7981, Emerson,RalphWaldo,37 103,118,139,19293,206,212, Emotional(love)types,97,Ioo 216,229negative,56.Seealso Emotions,4,1011,46,49,52 Emotions 55, Ferriere,Adolphe,251 5960,67,74,7981,83 Ferrucci,Piero,ix "Fiat(commandofwill),"135,139 84,118. Fichte,JohannGottlieb,236 157,159,19194,206,21416 Flexibility,184 negative,224.Seealso Focus,19,2427,205,229,a33 Feelings Foresight,exercisein,155 Empathy,34,8890,155 Formulation,asstageofplanning, Endurance,19,2931,4142, 182 205, 83 230,233 Forti,Edgar,241 Energy,1922,29,33,37,40,6768, Forwardversion,258 FourthWay,The(Ouspensky),237 85, 139,171,205,216,230,233 Francis,Saint,117,201,226 psychological,61,63,65,78, Franki,Viktor,30,106107,110,244 Freud,Sigmund,24041,247 85, FromDeathCamptoExistentialism 149,172,225transmutationof, (Franki),30 146, Frustration,72,167 186,193 Fuller,Buckminster,32 Functions:personality,137psy English,H.B.andA.C.,238, chological,12,20,22,24,33,46, 248 49, Enjoyment,199200 Environment,psychological,50, 51,86,124,139.172,176,19091, 19495,206.SeealsoWill, 6970 function Eros,104

of Ethos,104 Futility.SeeVacuum,existential Eupsychiceanpublicity,79 Evaluation,135,138,141,147, Gandhi,Mohandas,54,122 223, Gillet,41 244 Goals,16,110,13536,138,140, Evocation,imaginative,83 14445,14951,15455,178,180, Evocativewords.SeeWords 184,191,193,205,230,233,244 Evolution,32,34,98,14546,l66 God,114,117,12325,130,145,l62 Executionofwilledact,28,33, Goethe,JohannWolfgangvon, 8183,115,118,121Greed,70,72 18384 73,75 directionof,20n,135137, Green,AlyceM.,243 139,189. Green,ElmerE.,243 96,206,230,233,240 supervision of,139 Exercises:concentrationand, 27for decisionmaking,168indaily life,42 45ofIdentification,12,213 17for directingimagination,19495 physical,4142"useless,"38 41, 206forstrengtheningwill,35 45for trainingwill,viiforuseof will,170 ExistenceandLove(Sadler),259 Existentialism,viii,30,6l,112, 237.See alsoWill:existentialexperience of Experience,transpersonal,213 Expression,89,231outer,64 65 regulationof,2223,6o6i

Index 272 Gross,0.,250Guidedaffective Individuality,33?!,113,128,

imagery 164 (Leuner),195 l66,188.SeealsoPsychology, Guideddaydream(Dcsoille),195 idiographic Individuation,33 Habits,5758 Inertia,10,98 Hall,Winslow,114 Inferioritycomplex,165 Happiness,199200 Infraversion,257 Harmonization,44,86,l2l,130, Inhibitions,2223,46,6o,84, SeealsoCooperation 152 Haronian,Frank,ix,120 153.157,164 Hartmann,Eduardvon,236 Initiative,1920,28,31,205, Hate,22122Hedonism,167 230, Heidegger,Martin,237 233 Hemingway,Ernest,31 Innerpowers.SeePowers,inner Hetzel,29Heymans,250 Innerpresence.SeePresence, HibbertJournal,34 innerInsight,30 "Hierarchyofneeds."SeeNeeds Inspiration,15658,224,227 Hiltner,S.,238 InstitutInternationalde Hitler,Adolf,16,174 Psychoped "HoundofHeaven"(Thompson), agogieetdePsychotherapie, 11415 241IstitutodiPsicosintesi,ix, Humanitanamsm,94,122,156, 204Integration,19,3134,205, 200Husseil,Edmund,261 230, 233 "I."SeeSelf Intellect,58 "I"consciousness.SeeSelf Intensity,1922,35,l88,19394, consciousness 205,230,233 Idealism,144,155,180 Intention,6465,88,90,135, Idealmodel,37,83,99,173, 138, 195,228 14041,144,154,163,183,205, Ideals,94,140 230,232,233,24445 Ideas,10,12,27,5158,63,76 Interaction,psychological,with 77, physicalfacts,5859 80,94,229 Interest,56,67withdrawalof, Isesforces,76 57,75. Identification,55,77,l88,213 Interpretation,157,223 17,229. Interiorization,6465 SeealsoDisidentification Introverts,165,250,25356 Selfidentification Intuition,49,124,139,15658, Identity.SeeSelfidentification 19596,206,22426,255 Idiographicpsychology.SeePsy Invocation,206

chology,idiographic Illumination,11114,156,22526James,William,25,39,51,58, Images,27,5157,6768,7677, 114, 80 23940,242.250,259 81,194,206astechnique, "JonahComplex,"120 173, JournalofTranspersonal 175 Psychology,17 Imagination,46,49,53,66,83 Joy,9,24,37,40,647576,110. 84, 199202 99,n8,13839,155,186,194,Jung,Carl,330,111,11415, 206,229 124, Impressions,54,227 240,25051,255 Impulses,4,9,49,59,63,139, 143, Kant,Immanuel,124,253 156,16667,206 Keyserling,Hermann,30, Impulsiveness,164,l66 103,171,251 Indecision,16466,170 Kierkegaard,Sjziren,237 Independence.SeeLiberty King,MartinLuther,94,122 Koans,223 Kretschmer,Ernst,243,250 Index Kretschmer,Wolfgang,243 Krishna,230Kull,Steven,ix 273
Lafitte,P.,163 Marconi,Guglieimo,253 Lankes,242 Maslow,A.H.,17,2i,23,34,60, Lapsley,JamesN.,246 LaSenne,Rene,250 73,9899,106107,113,119 Laws:I,27,5152,5355passim76 21, II, 129,199200,24445,252, 5253,80III,5354IV,5455V 260 5556VI5657,6776VII.5758 VIII,5859,76IX,54,6061X,54, Mastery,1920,2224,37,41, 6165ofactionandreaction,16of 153, causeandeffect,161ofrhythm 201,205,228,230,233 and Materialachievements,45 equilibrium,16psychological,27, Mathurin,239 4866 Matsui,J.,129?! LeBon,Gustave,57 May,Rollo,90,24445 Ledair,S.,247 Educationrationnelledelavotunte Meaning,110,112,141,244 Meaninglessness,106,112 (Levy),239 Leibniz,GottfriedWilhelm,Baron Meditation,12,27,99,111,152, von,236 162,

LeslieSmith,Kenneth,ix 164,206,21831creative, Leuner,195 218, Levy,P.E.,239 22829receptive,158,218, Liberty,160,167,18788,201 224 Libido,60,247 27,23031reflective, Life,external,simplificationof,46 158,195,218 "Littleandoften"technique,29 25,230 Logos,104,124 Love,34,6465,7576,90,io6,221 Meditationssudamericaines altruistic,94.99,11617 (Keyser Buddhist,117emotional,64,116 ling),31 erotic,93Franciscan,94,fraternal, MeinKampf(Hitler),174 94ofGod,95human,116,129 "Messages,"22426Metaneeds, humanitarian,94,122 io6 idealistic,94idolatrous,95im Michelangelo,n8,230 personal,94betweenmanand Michotte,Albert,342 woman,9394maternal,92 oblative,64,9293passionate,94 MiddleAges,160 paternal,9271,93personal,88 Mind,104,195,2i2,21516,219 possessive,64sentimental,94 220,22425,235 transpersonal,11617,129 Miraclesdelavolunte,Les types,9195universalprinciple (DuchatelandWarcollier),239 of, Modernlife,56,85,87 129.SeealsoCompassion Money,180 LoveandwillSexuality Loveandwill,viii,16,90105,116, Montessori,Maria,251 176,245harmonizationandunion Motivation(Motives),9,64, of, 135, 97100 138,14050,165,205,229, LoveandWill(May),244 230, Lutoslawski,W.,237

233,240,244higherand lower, Machiavelli,Niccolo,81 14448,18283personal,164 Machines,179 transpersonal,156 Macquarrie,J.,237 unconscious, MainedeBiran,236 Man'sSearch/orMeaning(Franki), 14142,144,149,154,165, 110 240 MotivationandPersonality Index274 (Maslow), 60,106 Motives.SeeMotivation Motorelement,51,5859 Multiplicity:ofhumannature, 201

ofmotivations,14446 psycho logical,142 Music,206 Musicalthemes,78 Mysticism,117,122,129,201 Napoleon,28,115,253 NatureofSympathy(Scheler), 259Needs,55,61,111for beauty,11710 8ofenjoyment,200hierarchy of, 106higher,17ofhumanity,
130formeaning,112trains personal(meta),106Neuroticism, ill,258Neutralization,75 Nietzsche,FriedrichWilhelm,236, 242,250 Nightingale,Florence,122 Observation,2526,192,194 ObservedIlluminates(Hail),114 Obstacles,6,86 Obstinacy,166 OnePointedness,19,2427,205, 230,233 Organization,19,3134,205,230, 233 OriginofSpecies(Darwin),29 Ouspensky,P.D.,237., Palombi,Ida,ix Parapsychology,162 Patanjali,75,23536, Pathos,104 Patience,19,2931,44,185,205, 230, 232,233 Paul,Saint,171 Peace,203204 Peakexperiences,17 Persistence,5,n,1920,2931,37, 39,

Projectmaking,18283 Promptings,15758:'^5 Promptness,19,2728,205,ago, 233 Proust,Marcel,253 Pruyser,246 Psychicatmosphere,157 Psychicsensitivity,157 Psychoanalysis,50,55,6o,141, 144, 176,237,240,257 "Psychoanalysisand Psychosynthesis" (Assagioli),34 Psychologicalbreathingand feeding, 57,6978, Psychologicalelements,4849 Psychologicalenergies,61, 63,65,78, 85,149,172,225 Psychologicalenvironment,50, 6970 Psychologicalformations,5657 Psychologicalfunctions.See: Functions Psychologicallaws.SeeLaws

185,205,221,230,232,233 Personality,212,213,223,228 sub,175.SeealsoIndividuality PersonalityandWill(Aveling),242 Personalization,33.Seealso Individuality Physicalattitudes,173 Piaget,Jean,240 Pilotproject,18283 Planning,20n,190andprogramme. 33,13537,139,17888,206,230, 233 Plato,124,l6l Poisons,psychological,7075 Polarity,104,129,l86 Poliversion,257 Power,10,4647,99,171,201 dynamic,1922,205,230,233 inner,46,9,38.SeealsoWill, power Prajna,128 Preference,16768 Presence,inner,101 PrinciplesofPsychology(James), 239 Problems,15169 Progoff,Ira,162,241 Programing.SeePlanning

Psychologicaltypes.SeeTypes PsychologicalTypes(Jung),240 PsychologicdeI''education.La (Le Bon),57 Psychology:descriptive,259dif ferential,88,24862 humanistic,viii, 88idiographic,25862 transpersonal,viii,17,106un derstanding,259 PsychologyandthePromethean Will (Sheldon),239 Psychosynthesis,vi,17,30,66, 70, 100,115,152,158,'88,190, 2i8, 24546,257educational, 232 group,186individual,70, 178,185 86,232interpersonal,178, 186 personal,viii,33,121,137, 206, Index275 223social,178,186trans personal (spiritual),104,121,185,206 Psychosynthesis(Assagioli),vi. 12, 34,37,48,64,84,87,105, 115, 124,185,192,222,228,232 PsychosynthesisInstitute,204 PsychosynthesisResearch Foundation, 78 Psychotherapy,206,232,243 "Pull,"11314,i49 Purification.64

Purpose,wn,29,33,52,135, 138, 14041,145,149,155,171,180 184,205,230,233,244.

130formeaning,112trains personal(meta),106Neuroticism, ill,258Neutralization,75 Nietzsche,FriedrichWilhelm,236, 242,250 Nightingale,Florence,122

Projectmaking,18283 Promptings,15758:'^5 Promptness,19,2728,205,ago, 233 Proust,Marcel,253 Pruyser,246 Psychicatmosphere,157 Observation,2526,192,194 Psychicsensitivity,157 ObservedIlluminates(Hail),114 Obstacles,6,86 Psychoanalysis,50,55,6o,141, Obstinacy,166 144, OnePointedness,19,2427,205, 176,237,240,257 230,233 "Psychoanalysisand Organization,19,3134,205,230, Psychosynthesis" 233 (Assagioli),34 OriginofSpecies(Darwin),29 Psychologicalbreathingand Ouspensky,P.D.,237., feeding, Palombi,Ida,ix 57,6978, Parapsychology,162 Psychologicalelements,4849 Patanjali,75,23536, Psychologicalenergies,61, Pathos,104 63,65,78, Patience,19,2931,44,185,205, 85,149,172,225 230, Psychologicalenvironment,50, 232,233 6970 Paul,Saint,171 Psychologicalformations,5657 Peace,203204 Peakexperiences,17 Psychologicalfunctions.See: Persistence,5,n,1920,2931,37, Functions 39, Psychologicallaws.SeeLaws 185,205,221,230,232,233 Psychologicaltypes.SeeTypes Personality,212,213,223,228 sub,175.SeealsoIndividuality PsychologicalTypes(Jung),240 PersonalityandWill(Aveling),242 PsychologicdeI''education.La (Le Personalization,33.Seealso Bon),57 Individuality Physicalattitudes,173 Psychology:descriptive,259dif Piaget,Jean,240 ferential,88,24862 Pilotproject,18283 humanistic,viii, Planning,20n,190andprogramme. 88idiographic,25862 33,13537,139,17888,206,230, transpersonal,viii,17,106un 233 derstanding,259 Plato,124,l6l PsychologyandthePromethean Poisons,psychological,7075 Will Polarity,104,129,l86 Poliversion,257 (Sheldon),239

Power,10,4647,99,171,201 dynamic,1922,205,230,233 inner,46,9,38.SeealsoWill, power Prajna,128 Preference,16768 Presence,inner,101 PrinciplesofPsychology(James), 239 Problems,15169 Progoff,Ira,162,241 Programing.SeePlanning

Psychosynthesis,vi,17,30,66, 70, 100,115,152,158,'88,190, 2i8, 24546,257educational, 232 group,186individual,70, 178,185 86,232interpersonal,178, 186 personal,viii,33,121,137, 206, Index275 223social,178,186trans personal (spiritual),104,121,185,206 Psychosynthesis(Assagioli),vi. 12, 34,37,48,64,84,87,105, 115, 124,185,192,222,228,232 PsychosynthesisInstitute,204 PsychosynthesisResearch Foundation, 78 Psychotherapy,206,232,243 "Pull,"11314,i49 Purification.64 Purpose,wn,29,33,52,135, 138, 14041,145,149,155,171,180 184,205,230,233,244.

PurushaandPrakriti,250 Pythagoras,160 Qu'estcequec'estvouloir,246 Radhakrishnan,128 RajaYoga,235 Rajas,250

Scheler,Max,259 Schelling,FriedrichWilhehn Josephvon, 236 Schweitzer,Albert,122 Science,60,98,l66,237 Secretant,237 Security,9,31

RajaYoga(Ramacharaka),25 Seedthoughts,22224 Ramacharaka,25 Seelenmacht(Lutoslawski),237 Rank,Otto,241 Self("I"),6,9,n12,15,18,26, Rasputin,16 48,60, Rationalization,55,141 87,113,115, Ravaisson,237 121,126, Reaction,Lawofactionand,16 128,130,156,176,19091, Reality,129130existential, 201,21112,215,226,23738, 130 245 transpersonal,116,12325, self.SeeTranspersonalSelf 261Realization,transpersonal, Selfactualization,17,23,73, 149, 106, 200,2i3.SeealsoSelf 11921,186,200,206,232 realization Selfanalysis,98,142,149,165 TranspersonalSelf Selfassertion,64,73,86,117, Reason,103,124, 147, 144,164Rebirth,213 179 Reception,delayed,227 Selfawareness.SeeSelf Recollection, consciousness mental,219,229Recoveryof Selfcenteredness,8788 Truth, Selfconsciousness("I" The(Keyserling),103 consciousnessselfawareness), Regression,113,258Regulation, 913,26,33,48,60, 33, 176,211I3,21517,223,229 6061,68,74,104 Selfcontrol.SeeControl Relaxation,physical,218,229 Selfcreation,228 Renaissance,160Renoir,Pierre Selfidentification(identity), Auguste,118 1112, Repetition,30,41,5657,76,173 101,128,21113,245 75 exercite, Repression,io,22,46,50,56,59 21317 60, Selfishness,8688,119Self 74,8384,143,14546,153 KnowledgeandSelfDiscipline "RepressionoftheSublime" (Mathurin),239Selflove,91 (Haronian),120 Self Resignation,227 realization,116,11922,149, Resistance,10,44,98,176 20r,206 Resoluteness,19,2728,205, Self,Transpersonal.SeeTrans 230, personalSelf Responsibility,90,120,15960, Self,Universal.SeeUniversal 165,167,191 SelfSensations,n,49,212,215

Retroversion,258 Rhythm,Lawofequilibrium and,16in life,44 Role(s),18586,21213,21617 playinga,52 Rossini,GioacchinoAntonio, 148Rousseau,JeanJacques,5

16 Sensoryimpressions,19192 Sensorymotorrelationship,206 Sensuality,73 Serenity,76 Sexuality,23,64,7375,93, 97.116, 146,193 Sheldon,W.H.,239,250 Sattva,130 ShivaShakti,129 Sadler,W.A.,259 Silence,38,22425 Samadhi,128 Simplicity. SatChitAnanda,202 SeeLife,external,simplificationof Satori,128 Smog,psychological,75 Socrates,115,161,245 Index "SongoftheCreatures" (Saint,Francis), 276 117 Sorokin,P.A.,94 84,186,"littleandoften,"29 Space,innerandtemporal,188 meditation,creative,218, Spinoza,Baruch,130,171 228229 Spiritualexperience.SeeWill, meditation,receptive,158,218, Transpersonal 224 Spontaneity,21,23,59,62 27,23031meditation, Sportingattitude,41,44 reflective, Stoics,130 158,195,21825,230 Strength,8,15,41,no.5walso repetition,30,41,5657,76, Will,strongStrengthofWilland 173 HowtoDevelop 175selfidentification,1112, It(Barrctt),39 101, StrengthtoLove(King),94 128,21117,245 Structuring,18283 sublimation,62 "SubconsciousFinalism,Law 65,99,143,146,192,194 of." substitution,57,6768,75 SeeLaws,LawVIIISublimation, transmutation,6165,99,143, 6265,99,143,146, 146, 194ofenergies,192pseudo,65 l86,19394ventilating,193 Subpersonalities,58,aoi visualization,37?,8o8i,99, Substitution,57,6768,75 194, Suffering,30,89,ill,167,201 230wordsofpower,172 Suggestion,52,74,78,8i 173,177

SuggestionandAutosuggestion Technology,3,5,63,166,17980 (Baudoin),58 TeilharddeChardin,Pierre,32 Superconscious,the,3,13,27, 34Tenacity,2930,221"Theory 58, Z" 110,116,11819,i2i,126,156 (Maslow),11921 157,161,1961224,257,260 Theresa,Saint,257 Superioritycomplex,165 Thinking,139,152,195,21831. Suppression,22,143 SeealsoThoughts Supraversion,257 ThomasAquinas,Saint,246 Symbolicaction,6162 Thompson,Francis,114 Symbols,173,222,23 Thoreau,HenryDavid,5 Synergy,3334,99100 Thoughts,11,26,49,53,191, Synthesis,19,3134,100105, 206, 171, 212,215,220,829negative, 182,205,213,230,233 222,228.SeealsoThinking Syntrophy,32 Tolstoi,Leo,107,109 Tommaseo,Niccolo,28 Talmud,145 Tournier,Paul,162 Tamas,250 Training:indecisionmaking, Tao,21,130 168 Tasso(Goethe),118 external,84imaginative,84, Techniquesfortrainingwill, l86, viiviii,41, 19495.SeealsoWill,training 49,66affirmation,172177 of "acting Traitspsychology,24849 asif,"53,7984,14244,l73, Transcendence,34,113,11522, 188 128,129,261 attitudes,physical,173 TranscendentWill.SeeWill, consulting Universal'Transformation others,158160counseling, (transmutation), 16062 6165,99,104,i43,146,194 creativeimagination,53,66, ofenergies,186,193 8384, TransformationandSublimation 99,186,l94,229 of desensitization,84 SexualEnergies(Assagioli),64 disidentification,211217 Transmutation.See evocative TransformationTranspersonal words,52,54,7679,177 realization.See externaltraining,84ideal Realization,transpersonal model,37, TranspersonalSelf(SELF),3, 83,99,173, 13,18,

195,228identification, 55,188images,173,175,186 imaginativetraining,

277

27,33,48,104,110,11315. 11822,126,143,156,158,171 202,22324,22627,22931, 245,257,26062.Seealso Index Will, Transpersonal Transpersonaiwill.See Will,Transpersonal Trifocalvision,184

TristanandIsolde(Wagner),116 Turenne,General,81,84 Twain,Mark,238. Types(Typology),54,89,97100, 16466,24858 Typology.SeeTypes

17172,17677aspectsof,vii,14 18,35,205I233awarenessof,9 10tobeauty,11719central position,6,51,54disciplining, 86 discoveryof,7,9existential experienceof,vii,618,21,33, Unconscious,the,3,48,5759,77, 126, 79, 247free,237,239function,6,10, 110,145,153,161,175,191 31,142good,1517,35,79,8590, lowerandcollective,22526, 97,116,135,i86,200,203205, 257, 231,233 togood,229,231 260 middle,260"plastic,"4950, gymnasticsof,3845,66 76"structured"("conditioned"), historicalsurvey,23547indi 49 vidual, 50.SeealsoMotivation, vii,130,205joyous,199 202 Superconscious levels Underbill,E.,201, of,99loveandviii,16,90105, Understanding,8890,94,223,225 n6, UNESCO,203. 176,245tomeaning,111,244 UniversalSelf,18,122,126,261. negationof,141personal,21,117 SeealsoWill,Universal 18,122 Urges,21,37,46,55,6o,65,67, power,35,112,171project,ix, 11819,138.141,144,156.193 101, 194.SeealsoMotivation 203208,235andpsychological junctions,4849qualitiesof,vii, Vacuum,existential,106109 14, Valuation,6o,89,147,205,230,233 1034,96,185,205,233realityof, Value,138,140Vargiu,James,ix 9recognitionof,7,15skillful,15 Vargiu,Susan,ixVarietiesof 17, Religious 27,35,4684,135,142,146,194, Experience 205,233social,34stagesof,vii, (James),114Verne,Jules,29 14, Victorianconceptionofwill.SeeWill 20,I3539,'70,190,205,230,233, Vigilance,185Violence,7072,75, 244strong(strengthof),'5i7,20, 86Vision,225 24,2728,3547,66,68,83,135,

Visualization,37,808i,99,194,230 166,134,205,233 Vivekananda,Swami,219,224 trainingof,67,II,14,l6,35,39, Voltage,psychological,62,172 42 43,86,17677,ao6,232,233 Wagner,Richard,116,230 Transpersonal,viii,13,l6,1718, Walden(Thoreau),5 2i, War,6465,69,72,203204 33,35,10622,201,204,205,230, Warcollier,239 233 WaysandPowerofLove,The understanding,88Universal (Sorokin),94 (transcendent),viiviii,18,21,113, WaysoftheWill(Farber),243 11531,135,201,204,205,207 Webb,242 valueof,3637,66,98Victorian Westinghouse,George,181 conceptionof,10,2i,46,91,143, "Wheelofcausation,"inWickes, 18o,199voltage(force)of,24 Frances,65Wiersman,250 weak,194wise,103104' Will:actsof,viii,33,(So62,135 Willers,viii,19,20,101 136,170,aoi,2431affirmative Wisdom,5,101103,15455,157, 185,188 Words,206evocative,52,54,7679, 177ofpower,17273,177 WorldofSouls,The(Lutoslawski), 237 Wundt,WilhelmMax,239 Wuwei,21,130 YangYin,129,250 YogaSutras(Patanjali),75,235 ZenBuddhism,223,236 Zest,150 Index278