DOCSLIB.ORG

Thinking About “I”

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
Thinking About “I” THINKING ABOUT “I” Compiled and Edited by Andrew S. Curtis Copyright 2007 For In-house Use Only by The Synthesis Center 274 N. Pleasant Street, Amherst, MA 01002 (413) 256-0772 WHAT IS THE PERSONAL SELF/“I”? 1. The Lower Unconscious 2. The Middle Unconscious 3. The Higher Unconscious or Superconscious 4. The Field of Consciousness 5. The Conscious “self” or “I” 6. The Higher “Self” 7. The Collective Unconscious Assagioli's Egg Diagram • “At the heart of the self there is both an active and a passive element, an agent and a spectator. Self- consciousness involves our being a witness – pure, objective, loving witness – to what is happening within and without. In this sense, the self is not a dynamic in itself but is a point of witness, a spectator, an observer who watches the flow. But there is another part of the inner self – the will-er or directing agent – that actively intervenes to orchestrate the various functions and energies of the personality, to make commitments and to instigate action in the external world. So, at the center of the self, there is unity of . will and love, action and observation” (Assagioli w/ Keen as quoted by Brown in Unfolding Self, 2004). “Self-expression or Self-realization refer to the expression of Self through the personality (with “I” acting as administrative agent [through awareness and will]. We always have the choice to resist this expression out of ignorance or confusion; this often leads to problems that bring people into therapy or counseling. Guiding is the process of helping some rediscover and 'tune into' the expression of Self” (Brown, 2004). • Describing common fears about identifying with “I” James Vargiu (n.d.) says, “It is important that the “I” not be confused with any kind of repressive agent. As the “I,” we are able to accept ourselves, including all our faults and limitations, all our negative and immature subpersonalities. Of course, as we have seen in the acceptance of a subpersonality, acceptance does not mean resigning ourselves to the status quo [or acting on every thought, feeling, or impulse that arises]. On the contrary, recognizing and accepting what is in us and our relationship with it is an important step toward changing it” “It [“I”] gives us the freedom to observe and to act while remaining fully disidentified from any part of ourselves, from any emotion, habit pattern, or subpersonality. On the other hand, it gives us the freedom to choose at any moment to become fully identified with any part – to be involved in it and experience it deeply – or to choose any intermediate degree of identification between these two extremes.” WORKING WITH “I” IN THERAPY? We are dominated by everything with which our self becomes identified. We can dominate, direct, and utilize everything from which we dis-identify ourselves (Assagioli, 2000). The following notes come from the Psychosynthesis Level 1 Training (Firman/the Synthesis Center, n.d.): • Access to “I” (Self – I) is the most important piece in therapy – finding the true client. • Moving to “I”/Self heals (in theory) all neuroses/pathology, etc. It does not eliminate pain, however, but allows one to be in “right” relationship to pain. Disidentification is particularly useful in crisis (which is a call to let go of old identity, limitations, distortions, projections, etc.). • Do not confuse the client's false positive (persona, major identification, presenting face, etc.) with “I.” All “survival” personalities have an investment in repressing shadow, certain subs (false negative, etc.), and any historically unacceptable aspects of the person. • The most stuck place is no “I” consciousness (i.e. total identification with one or more subpersonalities). Not surprisingly, working with this kind of identification in therapy is also difficult for both client and therapist. When working with a major identification (MI), find the catch. That is, find “What doesn't work” about this identification or subpersonality and see if it can expand beyond its boundaries. Push the edges of the MI and see what else pops up – usually the opposite or buried subpersonality. Help the client find motivation for change by assessing the MI's limitations. • Gaining access to “I” exists along a continuum from complete “I” - Self experience (major peak experience, disidentified moment, enlightenment experience, etc. [rare and passing] to any and all experiences of our most or more mature subpersonality, observer, wise being, etc. “Most Mature Subpersonality” (MMSP) represents the most “I” consciousness available at any time. It will change over time and there is a strong tendency to cling to a MMSP after it has outlived its usefulness. MMSP then becomes a major identification, and limiting as a result. Thus movement is continuous and not fixed. Consequently, the principle of “Disidentification” is forever and “I” is never seen as static or an ultimate state to be achieved.. 2 • Finding “I” space (or MMSP) is detective work that never ceases. It is a barometer of your work with the client. The variety of what that looks like is vast. MMSP could look only marginally functional or close to enlightened. TECHNIQUES FOR ACCESSING “I” While we can't speak the truth of “I,” we can recognize and develop contact with it through a variety of exercises found in psychosynthesis and elsewhere. Really, everything in psychosynthesis points towards “I” as it is the most important piece in therapy – finding the true client (Firman/The Synthesis Center, n.d.). The “Who Am I” , Disidentification, and Self-Identification exercises (Yeomans, 1989) are basic psychosynthesis techniques for increasing “I” awareness along with all phases of will development and subpersonality work. Many forms of psychotherapy and meditation develop “I” awareness. Both also foster some degree of will development as well, though they tend to under-emphasize it my opinion. The following methods can be used to help the client contact “I” in a session. It is by no means complete or exhaustive (Firman/The Synthesis Center, n.d.). • Use guided meditation to quiet the mind, ground into the body/sensation or contact purpose, meaning, etc. Note – There is an assumption that if a person leaves mind and identifies with their heart, that he or she will be able to access “I” more easily. This is not always the case as a person can usually access “I” most easily through their dominant function which tends to be the least wounded (i.e. Thinking, Intuition, Imagination, Emotion, Sensation, and Impulse/Desire). What this looks like will be expanded upon when we work explicitly with the psychological functions. • Ask questions that can only be answered by “I.” (e.g. Who is asking this question? What part of you is observing this problem?) • Acknowledge exercise of “will” and explore which Aspect, Stage, or Quality is involved or is missing if that seems useful. • Likewise, listen for and acknowledge “soulful” qualities such as faithfulness, fairness, courage, creativity, joy, patience, etc. • Ask the client to “....be aware of whatever within you is always the same.” • Ground physically • Disidentification/Self-Identification: I have “X” and I am not “X” - I am a center of pure consciousness and will. These principles can also be cultivated and supported less directly through the guides' presence and way of relating. • Breathe in “X,” Breathe out “Y.” • Anything that is transpersonal in nature (Meditation, guided imagery, wise being, prayer, movement/dance, vocalizing, Ideal Model, bodywork, nature, seed thought, etc.) This type of work is “talk therapy,” but not in the usual sense of the word – it is not cognitive therapy. A single tear, accompanied by embodied awareness can be sufficient for transformation. It is not necessary to get to the bottom of rage in order to have a profound effect. What we need to do is identify/embody the experience enough to be able to disidentify from it. Disidentification does not have to be forced, it is natural. Children are perfect examples of this. They grieve and then they let go of grief and it is over. 3 EXERCISES: A MEDITATION ON STOPPING THE WAR WITHIN This meditation from A Path with Heart by Jack Kornfield (1993) is a nice place to begin developing the ability to observe your experience without becoming identified with the experience itself. Allowing yourself to truly feel and accept the pain and conflict within you, albeit at a manageable and appropriate pace, is a prerequisite for harmonization and transformation of the personality. Sit comfortably for a few minutes, letting your body be at rest. Let your breathing be easy and natural. Bring your attention into the present, sit quietly and notice whatever sensations are present in your body. Be especially aware of sensations, tensions or pains you may be fighting. Do not try to change them; simply notice them with an interested and kind attention. In each area of struggle you discover, let your body relax and your heart soften. Open to whatever you experience without fighting. Let go of the battle. Breathe quietly and let it be. Then after a time, shift your attention to your heart and mind. Now notice what feelings and thoughts are present. In particular, be aware of any feelings or thoughts you are now struggling with, fighting or avoiding. Notice them with an interested and kind attention. Let your heart be soft. Open to whatever you experience without fighting. Let the battle go, breathe quietly and let it be. Continue to sit quietly. Then cast your attention over the battles that confront you today. Sense them inside yourself. If you have on ongoing battle with your body, be aware of that. If you have been fighting inner wars with your feelings, or have been in conflict with your loneliness, fear, confusion, fear, anger, grief or addiction, sense the struggle you have been waging.
Load more

Recommended publications
  • Diss 2 1 8 OCR Rev.Pdf
    Stanley G. Smith, Ph.D., is affiliated with the department of who displayed both human and non-human alters orsubper­ Psychology, Mississippi State University and the Choctaw sonalities and met the DSM-III-R (American Psychiatric As­ Community Mental Health Center, Philadelphia, Missis­ sociation, 1987) criteriafor MPD. Data are presented on the sippi. hypnotic susceptibility and visual acuity of the alters, the developmental process of the individual's MPD, and treat­ For reprints write Stanley G. Smith, Ph.D., Department of ment of the alters in the course of the psychotherapy. Psychology, Mississippi State University, Mississippi State, Mississippi 39762 METHOD Subject ABSTRACT The subject was a 70 year old male of Native American ancestry. While a more detailed description of his tribal Clinical data arepresented on a NativeAmericanpatientdiagnosed affiliations would be of considerable psychological and an­ with multiple personality disorder. Eleven subpersonalities were thropological interest, it is omitted in deference to consid­ found to contain four human and seven non-human components. erations ofconfidentiality. He was a traditional Indian herb­ Findings indicated child abuse was at the core ofthe developmental alist (a highly esteemed form of medicine man) by profes­ process. However, once alter components manifested themselves, sion and a full blooded member ofa Native American tribe. culturalfactors reinforced and maintained the process. Evaluation In addition to his presenting personality, the subject dis­ ofhypnotic susceptibility indicated all subpersonalities were highly played four human alters: a male warrior (Man Killer), a hypnotizable. Analysis ofvisual acuity on two occasions, separated male child (Small One), a female (Moon Walker), and an l7y 30 days, indicated significant differences amonga numberofthe elderly male (Old One).
    [Show full text]
  • A Study of the Internal Family Systems Model Applied to Remarried Couples of Stepfamilies in Different Stages of Adjustment
    Andrews University Digital Commons @ Andrews University Dissertations Graduate Research 1998 A Study of the Internal Family Systems Model Applied to Remarried Couples of Stepfamilies in Different Stages of Adjustment Susan Marie Carter Andrews University Follow this and additional works at: https://digitalcommons.andrews.edu/dissertations Part of the Family, Life Course, and Society Commons, and the Social Psychology Commons Recommended Citation Carter, Susan Marie, "A Study of the Internal Family Systems Model Applied to Remarried Couples of Stepfamilies in Different Stages of Adjustment" (1998). Dissertations. 264. https://digitalcommons.andrews.edu/dissertations/264 This Dissertation is brought to you for free and open access by the Graduate Research at Digital Commons @ Andrews University. It has been accepted for inclusion in Dissertations by an authorized administrator of Digital Commons @ Andrews University. For more information, please contact [email protected]. Thank you for your interest in the Andrews University Digital Library of Dissertations and Theses. Please honor the copyright of this document by not duplicating or distributing additional copies in any form without the author’s express written permission. Thanks for your cooperation. INFORMATION TO USERS This manuscript has been reproduced from the microfilm master. UMI films the text directly from the original or copy submitted. Thus, some thesis and dissertation copies are in typewriter face, while others may be from any type o f computer printer. The quality of this reproduction is dependent upon the quality of the copy submitted. Broken or indistinct print, colored or poor quality illustrations and photographs, print bleedthrough, substandard margins, and improper alignment can adversely affect reproduction.
    [Show full text]
  • Digging up the Past Object Relations and Subpersonalities
    DIGGING UP THE PAST OBJECT RELATIONS AND SUBPERSONALITIES by Chris Meriam Psychosynthesis Palo Alto Monograph Series ψσ Published by: Psychosynthesis Palo Alto 461 Hawthorne Avenue Palo Alto, California 94301 U.S.A. Copyright © 1994 by Chris Meriam All rights reserved. CONTENTS Preface .............................................................................. 4 Digging up the Past ....................................................... 7 Three Components of Current Subpersonality Theory ........ 8 Some Limitations of Current Subpersonality Theory ........ 11 The Nature of Object Relations ............................................... 15 A Psychoanalytic View of Splitting ......................................... 16 Psychoanalytic Object Relations ............................................. 22 A Psychosynthesis View of Splitting ...................................... 28 Psychosynthesis Object Relations ........................................... 32 The Development of Subpersonalities ................................... 37 The Anxious Pleaser ................................................................... 39 In Conclusion ............................................................................... 45 About the Author .......................................................... 49 Bibliography .................................................................. 49 P REFACE Roberto Assagioli (1965) used the term “subpersonalities” to refer to those often-conflicting, semi-autonomous subsystems within the personality which have
    [Show full text]
  • Psychological and Culture Workshop As a Universal Module in Social Education Programme
    ISSN 0798 1015 HOME Revista ESPACIOS ÍNDICES / Index A LOS AUTORES / To the ! ! AUTORS ! Vol. 39 (# 25) Year 2018. Page 28 Psychological and culture workshop as a universal module in social education programme Taller psicológico y cultural como módulo universal en el programa de educación social Tatiana Vitaljevna PUSHKAREVA 1; Darya Vladislavovna AGALTSOVA 2; Elena Michaylovna SHEMYAKINA 3; Ekaterina Vladimirovna PUSHKAREVA 4 Received: 18/02/2018 • Approved: 20/03/2018 Contents 1. Introduction 2. Methodology 3. Results 4. Conclusions Bibliographic references ABSTRACT: RESUMEN: The article describes the author's experience of El artículo presenta la experiencia de taller psicológico psychological and culture workshop "My doll and me" y cultural "Mi muñeca y yo" en el educación social y conducting during Social studies training in Russian pedagógica como módulo universal. La base teórica y State Social University and Moscow Pedagogical State metodológica del taller fue el enfoque Gestalt y la University. The methodology for the workshop psicología analítica. El realizada en el trabajo grupal conducting is described. Gestalt approach and sobre la creación e interpretación de la imagen de una analytical psychology have become the workshop muñeca que representa a una mujer eslava del theoretical and methodological basis, realized in pueblo. La experiencia analiza y muestra sus practice in Slavic folk dolls creation and resultados positivo. interpretation. The experience was analyzed and the Palabras clave: taller psicológico, taller de cultura, workshop results to be used as a universal educación social, muñeca popular pedagogical module in the program of social higher education and pedagogical higher education are revealed. Keywords: psychological workshop, culture workshop, social education, folk doll.
    [Show full text]
  • Digging up the Past, 1994
    DIGGING UP THE PAST OBJECT RELATIONS AND SUBPERSONALITIES by Chris Meriam Psychosynthesis Palo Alto Monograph Series ψσ Published by: Psychosynthesis Palo Alto 461 Hawthorne Avenue Palo Alto, California 94301 U.S.A. Copyright © 1994 by Chris Meriam All rights reserved. CONTENTS Preface .............................................................................. 4 Digging up the Past ....................................................... 7 Three Components of Current Subpersonality Theory ........ 8 Some Limitations of Current Subpersonality Theory ........ 11 The Nature of Object Relations ............................................... 15 A Psychoanalytic View of Splitting ......................................... 16 Psychoanalytic Object Relations ............................................. 22 A Psychosynthesis View of Splitting ...................................... 28 Psychosynthesis Object Relations ........................................... 32 The Development of Subpersonalities ................................... 37 The Anxious Pleaser ................................................................... 39 In Conclusion ............................................................................... 45 About the Author .......................................................... 49 Bibliography .................................................................. 49 P REFACE Roberto Assagioli (1965) used the term “subpersonalities” to refer to those often-conflicting, semi-autonomous subsystems within the personality which have
    [Show full text]
  • A Foundational Bridge Between Psychology and Spirituality
    Pastoral Psychol DOI 10.1007/s11089-017-0753-5 Psychosynthesis: A Foundational Bridge Between Psychology and Spirituality Catherine Ann Lombard1,2 # The Author(s) 2017. This article is published with open access at Springerlink.com Abstract Pastoral psychologists have long tried to establish a working model that encom- passes the seemingly conflicting disciplines of science and religion. Psychosynthesis, a transpersonal psychology and therapeutic approach, offers such a model of the human personality, in which the psychological and spiritual perspectives can converge. This article explores psychosynthesis psychology and therapy as a theoretical framework for pastoral psychology. Although psychosynthesis psychotherapy relies on an array of techniques, it fundamentally works with the clients’ will while emphasizing, exploring, and cultivating their relationships on all levels—intrapersonal, interpersonal, and with the Higher Self. In addition to the subconscious, psychosynthesis includes a higher psychological plane, called the superconscious, from which our higher ethical, aesthetic, scientific, and spiritual values are derived. This article begins by introducing psychosynthesis concepts and techniques. It then provides qualitative findings showing that psychosynthesis counseling helped to awaken spirituality in three out of eleven clients who had formerly identified themselves as atheists. In addition, testimonies are included that show that psychosynthesis counseling also helped all eleven clients to attain personal growth. Finally, the
    [Show full text]
  • The Administration of the Flesh
    The Administration of the Flesh The discourse of self-improvement and neuroplasticity Elliot Sturdy Institutionen för etnologi, religionshistoria och genusvetenskap Examensarbete 30 hp Etnologi Etnologi - masterkurs Masterprogram i estetiska vetenskaper 120 hp Vårterminen 2012 Handledare: Barbro Blehr The Administration of the Flesh The discourse of self-improvement and neuroplasticity Elliot Sturdy Abstract This study looks at the discourse of four books that use neuroplasticity as a basis for their project of self-improvement. By using the genealogical techniques developed by Michel Foucault this study focuses upon the process of subjectivization and the techniques employed by the discourse. In particular it focuses upon the relationship between the mind and brain that is formed by the discourse. Keywords Michel Foucault, neuroplasticity, neuroscience, cultural critique, discourse, governmentality, Catherine Malabou, Kant, mindfulness. Contents Introduction ............................................................................................ 2 The Buddha’s Brain ............................................................................... 14 Rewire Your Brain ................................................................................ 21 You Are Not Your Brain ........................................................................ 30 Cognitive Behavioural Therapy Workbook for Dummies ........................ 36 On the Ethics of Self-Improvement and Neuroplasticity from a Kantian Point of View ........................................................................................
    [Show full text]
  • Identity Search: Special Media Interest in a Clinical
    IDENTITY SEARCH: SPECIAL MEDIA INTEREST IN A CLINICAL LEARNING DISABILITIES POPULATION A thesis submitted in partial fulfilment for the degree of Doctorate in Clinical Psychology Stuart Whomsley Centre for Applied Psychology (Clinical Section) University of Leicester October 2000 1 UMI Number: U135665 All rights reserved INFORMATION TO ALL USERS The quality of this reproduction is dependent upon the quality of the copy submitted. In the unlikely event that the author did not send a complete manuscript and there are missing pages, these will be noted. Also, if material had to be removed, a note will indicate the deletion. Dissertation Publishing UMI U135665 Published by ProQuest LLC 2013. Copyright in the Dissertation held by the Author. Microform Edition © ProQuest LLC. All rights reserved. This work is protected against unauthorized copying under Title 17, United States Code. ProQuest LLC 789 East Eisenhower Parkway P.O. Box 1346 Ann Arbor, Ml 48106-1346 Acknowledgements I am grateful to the following people for their help with the current research. My thanks go to the participants for their time and insights. Jennifer Clegg provided knowledge and support. Meena O’ Neil was a generous, committed reader and co-assessor of clinician transcripts. Jo Theasby remained a good humoured and precise transciber. Fred Fumiss provided some fresh ideas. Carol Sherrard and Konstantine Loumidis improvered the overall quality of this document. Harriet Crofts was a courageous proof-reader demonstrating her understanding of grammar, syntax and how to make
    [Show full text]
  • A Transpersonal Orientation: Psychosynthesis in the Counselor's
    A Transpersonal Orientation: Psychosynthesis in the Counselor’s Office* By Dorothy Firman, Ed.D. Introduction Defining transpersonal as simply that which goes beyond the individual or personal, it could be hypothesized that all counselors are, at least in part, transpersonal in their orientation. By and large Americans, in any profession, believe in God and in various other religious and spiritual perspectives (Harper, 2005). Given that this is the case, the transpersonal (or spiritual) dimension, is, almost inevitably, part of a counselor’s possible arena of concern. While it is important for counselors to orient themselves specifically towards areas of interest and expertise, it is also clear that broad knowledge and comfort in the widest possible area will serve both the counselor and client. It is therefore important that all counselors have a working knowledge of the transpersonal orientation in counseling and psychotherapy, simply to keep pace with their client’s concerns. It seems clear from the research, that counselors do, in fact, share an interest in and concern for the transpersonal dimension in their clinical work (Winston, 1990; Carlson, Kirkpatrick, Hecker, and Killmer, 2002). What is also likely to be true, is that counselors are not trained to work in that dimension nearly as thoroughly as they are trained, for instance, to work in family of origin issues. It is not surprising, at least historically, to find counselors dealing with spiritual or transpersonal issues with their clients, but not talking about that aspect of their work in supervision. And more often than not, there is little if any academic training in the transpersonal orientation in counseling and psychology (Shafranske and Malone, 1990).
    [Show full text]
  • Psychosynthesis Quarterly December 2017
    PSYCHOSYNTHESIS QUARTERLY The Digital Magazine of the Association for the Advancement of Psychosynthesis Volume 6 Number 4 December 2017 “Take Your Grandmother Home” by Ann Gila Sleepers, Awake! by Jan Kuniholm Driving the Carriage by Dorothy Firman Opening the Gateway to the Storyless Land by Richard Lamb The Stone of Villa Serena by Isabelle Küng Psychology and Spirituality by Shamai Currim You Too are a “Self” by Margret Rueffler Psychosynthesis Life Coaching: A Transpersonal Process by Cristina Pelizzatti Using “Your Own Star” in Subpersonality Work by Pelizzatti and Burr Book Reviews: Handbook of Individual Family Constellations Always About Anxiety Courses: Psychosynthesis Life Coach Training Psychological Functions: Certificate Training Mothers and Daughters - Healing the Feminine And More . Psychosynthesis Quarterly Notes from the Editor Editor: Jan Kuniholm Even though we do not solicit material with any kind of “theme” in mind for the Quarterly, there are inner connections between many of Assistant Editors: Audrey McMorrow, Walter Polt and Douglas Russell the articles our writers share with you in this issue, which run the gamut from death to life, from habits to spirit. Design and Production: Jan Kuniholm, Walter Polt Ann Gila’s memoir, “Take Your Grandmother Home” is about Psychosynthesis Quarterly is published by recovering connections with family, and we have also a review of a AAP four times a year in March, June, September Handbook of Individual Family Constellations that shows the vital and December. Submission deadlines are February 7, importance of family relationships. Death makes an appearance in May 7, August 7, and November 7. Catherine Ann Lombard’s interview with Massimo Rosselli, and also Send Announcements, Ideas, Reviews of in Shamai Currim’s reminiscence of a Journey of Love.
    [Show full text]
  • Map of the Soul: 7
    MAP OF THE SOUL: 7 Persona, Shadow & Ego in the World of BTS MURRAY STEIN with Steven Buser & Leonard Cruz CHIRON PUBLICATIONS • ASHEVILLE, N.C. © 2020 by Chiron Publications. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted, in any form by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise, without the prior written permission of the publisher, Chiron Publications, P.O. Box 19690, Asheville, N.C. 28815-1690. www.ChironPublications.com Interior design by Danijela Mijailovic Cover design by Claudia Sperl Cover Illustration by Tijana Mijailovic Printed primarily in the United States of America. ISBN 978-1-63051-850-9 paperback ISBN 978-1-63051-851-6 hardcover ISBN 978-1-63051-852-3 electronic ISBN 978-1-63051-853-0 limited edition paperback Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data Pending To BTS and their ARMY of fans Special thanks to BTS ARMY, Carla Postma-Slabbekoorn at the ARMY Help Center, Laura London at Speaking of Jung, Tijana Mijailovic and to BTS for bringing Jungian psychology to a new generation. Table of Contents Preface 9 Chapter 1: BTS and the Number 7 13 Chapter 2: Reflections on the Lyrics of BTS’ Map of the Soul: 7 19 Chapter 3: A Review of the Map of the Soul 65 PERSONA Chapter 4: An Introduction to Persona 87 Chapter 5: BTS, Jung and the True Self 91 Chapter 6: Persona and Your Identity 97 Chapter 7: Love Yourself, Know Your Name, Speak Yourself 103 SHADOW Chapter 8: An Introduction to Shadow 111 Chapter 9: The Shadow 119 EGO Chapter 10: An Introduction to Ego 153 Chapter 11: The Ego 165 Preface The title of BTS’s latest album, Map of the Soul: 7, sticks to the mind because it is suggestive and enigmatic.
    [Show full text]
  • SUBPERSONALITIES by James Vargiu the Following Article Is Taken from Synthesis Volume I: the Realization of the Self the Synthesis Press, Redwood City, CA 1974
    SUBPERSONALITIES By James Vargiu The following article is taken from Synthesis Volume I: The Realization of the Self The Synthesis Press, Redwood City, CA 1974. The Psychosynthesis Workbook exercises that have been included in this monograph was prepared with the collaboration of the Psychosynthesis Institute, San Francisco and with the assistance of the Canadian Institute of Psychosynthesis, Montreal and the Institute of Psychosynthesis, London and authors have been credited when noted. Transcribed by The Synthesis Center, Amherst, MA, 2003 Who am I? I am George. I am Peter. I am Martha. I am Judy. Whatever my name, I know that I am some one person – I sense that “I am me,” though it is hard to express what this means. When you ask me to describe it, when you press me to answer the question, “Who am I?” I waiver. I will write, “I am George.” But that doesn’t say it. I will write, “I am a teacher” because that’s my profession, but that doesn’t say it either. I will write, “I am kind,” then, “I am mean (sometimes),” “I am bold,” “I am timid,” “I am a father,” “I am faithful.” The list can extend for pages: qualities, social roles, attitudes, peculiar habits, typical foibles. The list is endless. And yet as I give more and more answers, adding complexity upon bewildering complexity (so that it might seem that the very thread of “me” would break in shreds), my sense of identity, the awareness that “I Am Me,” also gets stronger. (G.C. Taylor: The “Who Am I?” Techniques in Psychotherapy, Psychosynthesis Institute, 3352 Sacramento St., San Francisco, CA, 1968.) I see that I am one person – the same person – and that I am made up of many aspects, also and at the same time.
    [Show full text]