Holistic Health Practices/Part 34
| By: Dr. John Ankerberg, Dr. John Weldon; ©2009 |
| One purpose of psychosynthesis is to establish contact with an alleged inner “higher self” to receive its supposed wisdom and inspiration. |
What is psychosynthesis?
Psychosynthesis is a psychological/occultic method of personal enlightenment. It was developed by psychiatrist and occultist Roberto Assagioli, a colleague of both Freud and Jung, as well as a pioneering psychotherapist in Italy. Assagioli studied Eastern and Western philosophy and the occult, and was for a number of years the Italian director of the occult movement founded by New Age leader Alice Bailey, the Arcana/Lucis Trust.
One purpose of psychosynthesis is to establish contact with an alleged inner “higher self” to receive its supposed wisdom and inspiration. In order to achieve contact and harmony with the higher self, varieties of New Age methods are employed. For example, some techniques include guided imagery, meditation, development of the will, Jungian psychology, dream work, Eastern meditation, Gestalt therapy, visualization, and development of intuition.
As a result of his occultic studies, Assagioli believed that every individual has seven “layers” of consciousness; the purpose of psychosynthesis is a complete integration of these seven states of consciousness. Because psychosynthesis was developed by an occultist who incorporated occultic theories and practices into his method, psychosynthesis may become the means to secure occult goals. For example, contact with one’s alleged “higher self,” “collective unconscious,” etc., can be a disguise for contact with a spirit entity who masquerades as a psychological dynamic. Assagiolo himself believed that the “higher self” knew the future and would personally guide an individual.
Unfortunately, when the goal of therapy is to contact an inner source of wisdom, to establish dialogue with it, and receive its teachings, the method becomes a potential means to spiritistic contact and inspiration.
