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
4/THENATUREOFTHEWILL

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.
6/THENATUREOFTHEWILL

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.
14/THENATUREOFTHEWILL

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
36/THENATUREOFTHEWILL

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|
38/THENATUREOFTHEWILL

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.
40/THENATUREOFTHEWILL

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
50/THENATUREOFTHEWILL
'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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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

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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.
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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

LoveandWill/93
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
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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
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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

LoveandWill /97
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
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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

LoveandWill/99
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

LoveandWill/ 101

101/THENATUREOFTHEWILL

been arrestinglypresentedbyHermannKeyserlingin TheRecoveryofTruth:

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

LoveandWill/103
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.

LoveandWill/105

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

TheTranspersonalWill/107
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

TheTranspersonalWill/109
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
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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

TheTranspersonalWill/119
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
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"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."

TheUniversalWill/131

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

HistoricalSurvey/237
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

HistoricalSurvey/239
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,

HistoricalSurvey/241
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

HistoricalSurvey/245
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.

HistoricalSurvey / 247

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

DifferentialPsychology/249
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

DifferentialPsychology/ 251
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

DifferentialPsychology/255
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

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

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.

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

Caesar,Julius,253

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