PSYCHOSYNTHESIS

BY

ROBERTO ASSAGIOLI M. D.

i/ pI~

ROME 1nstttte of Psychosynthesis, Via Aaonio Bosio, 15

LONDON L, N. Fowier and Co,, 7, Imperial Arcade,

Ludgate Circus, E. C. 4.

NEW YORK Lucis Publishing Co., 452, Lexington Avenue.

- i-i

A NEW METHOD OF HEALING:

PSYCHOSYNTHESIS

BY

ROBERTO ASSAGIOLI M. D.

ROME, Ixstitute of Psychosynthesis, Via Antonio Bosio, 15.

LONDON, L. N. Fowler and Co., 7, Imperial Arcade, Ludgate Circus, E. C. 4.

NEW YORK, Lucis Publishing Co., 452, Lexington Avenue.

- ------- -

A NEW METHOD OF HEALING:

PSYCHOSYNTHESIS (1)

Printed in italy

iIedica1 science is going through great and rapid changes. One inight say that it is aetaa1y in a state of revolution and of strife. But it is not the strife of more discord, it is the « storin and stress » of growth, of crea• tive evolution. Many limitations are being overcome, mucli resistance is being vanqui- shed; new fields, wide and pomising, are being discovered, new light is obtained on the causes of liuman ilis, and new efficient methods to heal theiu are constantly being found and used.

I think that the members of the « English Speaking .Union » and their friends may per- haps be interested to hear a rapid review of some of the changes which are going 011 and

(1) Leoture delivered at the « English Speaking Union » in Rome, on May lst, 1927.

Copyrigkt by Roberto Assagioli - Arezzo, 1927

Arezzo, &ab. Tipografico I. Beucci

6 PSYCITOSYNTIIESIS

to be informed about the latest developments in the art of healing.

Two great new facts, two important di-scoveriés have started the radical transforma-tion now going on in the field of medicine.

The first one is the scientific recognition

of the enormous, practicaily unlimited influenee of the mmd (in its wiest senso) upon, the body.

The second is the discovery df the sub-

conscious and of the sereonscious psycholog'icl

activities wbich are continuaily going on within

each of us. Thefirst one is not in itseif a real « dia-

covery », as the influence of tbc mmd on the .body has always been more or less recog -

nized, but during the period in whieh scien-tific materiaiism and positivism were the ruling influences, tbat is chiefly from about 1870 untii lately, the greatest stress was put on material causes of disease and upon the influence of the body upon the mmd, while the power of

the n-ìind upon the body was practically ne-

glectecl. In the last decades a great change bas

begun to take piace, and now even the most

PSYCHOSYNTHESIS 7

prudent and « positive ». scientists are recog-niing more and more this inost important fact. As a significant instance, I will quote a few statements of Dr. (Jannon, Professor of Physiology in Harvard University, contained in his interesting book: Bodily changes in pain, hunyer, fear and rage.

« As long as 1878 Richet, who had oc-casion to study a giri whose oesophagus was closed and who was fed through a gastric fis-tula, reported that whenever the giri chewed or tasted a highly sapid substance, such as sugar or lemon juice, while the stomaeh was empty, there flowed from the fistula a consi-derable quantity of gastric juice.

A uumber of later observers have had si-milar cases... All these observations ciearly de-monstrate that the normal flow of... the saliva and gastric juice is favoured by the pleasurable feeiings which accompany the taste... of food..., or which are roused in anticipation of ea•ting when choice morsela are seen or smelled (p. 7-8).

On the other hand Professor (Jannon sta-tes that:

« The conditiona favourable to proper di-gestion are whoily abolished when unpleasa•nt

8 PSYCHOSYNTHESIS ?SYCHOSYNTHES!S 9

feelings such as vexation and worry anci an- It is the emotional element that seems xiety, or great emotions such as anger and most characteristic of these cases. To so great fear, are allowed to prevail. This fact... has an extent this is true that :Rosemljach has long been known. The dry mouth of the an- suggested that as a term fo characterize the xious person called. upon fo speak in public cause of the disturbances, « emotional » dy- is a common instance;. and the « ordeal of spepsia is better than « nervous » dyspepsia » rice », as employed in India, was a practical (• 14 and 18). - utilisation of the knowledge that exeitement The intestine is affected as the stomach i$ capable of inhibiting the salivary flow. When by the emotions. several persons were suspeced of crune, the « Mild affective states, such as worry cònsecrated rice was given to them all to chew, and anxiety - says Prof. Cannon - can, to and after a short time it was spit out upon be sure, check the activity of the colon and the leaf of the sacredg tree. If anyone ejected thus cause constipation » (p. 27). it dry, that was taken as a iroof that fear Of Other important cffects of the emotions being discovered had stopped the secretion, and òn the bodily functions are provd by the expe- consequently he was adjudged guilty » p. 9).. riments and observations of Prof. Cannon anci.

<K Again - continues Prof. Cannon - - of many other scientists. The inner secretions just as the secretory activities of the stomach of glands, such as the adrenal . glands, are are unfavourably influenced by strong emotions, deeply affected by cinotional states, so that so aiso are the movements of the stowaeh; glycosuria can be produced. For instance a and, indeed, the movements of almost the en- pupil of Prof. Cannon, Mr. Smillie, found that tire alirnentary canal are wholly stopped du- four out of nine medical students, all normally ring great excitemcnt... without sugar in their urine, had glycosuria

Indeed, the opinion has been expressed after a hard examination, and only one of that a great majority of the cases of gastric the fine had glycosnria after an easier exa. indigestion that come for treatment are fune- mination. - tional in character and of nervous origin.

10 PSYCIIOSYNTHESIS

Thus many scientists have observed the important part which einotions play in cau-sing such different physical troubles as Ba-sedow's disease, asthma, polyneuritis, arterio-solerosis, eczema, etc..

Even the healing of wounds can be con-siderably affected by the mental state of the patient. An American surgeon, who had been in charge of a Red Cross hospital during the Baikan wars, assured me that lie had observed that the wounds of the soldiers belonging to the successful natiou healed more rapidly and normaily than those of the soldiers who were worried and anxious because of the invasion of their land by the enemy.

- The second epocli - making discovery of modem science is - as already mentioned - that of the existence within ourselves of a vast realm of psychologieal (mental and emotional) activitiès, of which we are no.t direofly aware and which we ordinarily take no pains to in-vestigate.

In an excellent book by Evelyn Underhil, The ife of the spirit and the life of to-day, which 1 greatly recommend to all those interested in

PHOSYNPHESIS 11

psycho-spiritual problems, the foliowing apt comparison is made:

« ... most of us behave like the owners 'of a well-furnished room, who ignore every aspect of it except the window looking out upon the street. This we keep polished, and drape with the best curtains we can afford. But the room upon which we sedulously turu our backs contains all that we have inherited, all that we have accumulated, many tools which are rusting for want of use; machinery to which, left to itself, may function satisfac-torily, or get out of orcler and work to results that we neither desire nor dream » (p. 89-90).

One can form some idea of the enormous proportions and importance of this subconscious part of ourselves considering that, according to some authors, not less than 90 to 95 per cent of our mental life belongs to it, and only 5 to 10 per cent is present in our every-day consciousness.

It is indeed uncanny to think of this great mystery that we constantly carry within ourselves and this realisation makes the explo-ration of this inner realm a matter of fasci-nating interest.

12 PSYCH0SYNTHSIS

PSYCHOSYNTHFSIS 13

I cannot dwell on the reports of the first travellers in this unknown land, which may be compared to the first, reports of the amazed explorers of the new eontinent. Those who want to get a vivid and dramatie view of the extent to which this subconscious life can expand, arriving at the creation of different personalities within one body, which engage in a fierce fight for supremaey, can find it in the book of the well known Boston neuro-logist Prof. Morton Prince, The dissociation of a personality. The facts contained in his cold and matter-of-fact scientific report beat the most daring imaginations of the novelists, and compared to them even The strange case of i». Jekyll and .Mr. Ryde appears mach simpler and not quite so strange.

But to nìglit I inust limit myself to touch only on a few points of medical interest.

The studies on this subject have shown beyond all question that the intense ami com-plicated interplay of psychological forces which is going on below the threshold of our con-scious personality has a direct and profound influence upon our bodily functions - a much g-reater one than that of our consoious mental activity.

The multifarious and passionate life which 15 going on in the depths of our inner beings bringe about many eomplications ami con-flicts.

In those obscure realms a regular « strug -gle for life » is going 011. among the various instincts, impulses, emotione, ideas, desires and imaginations. All kinds of dissociations and blendings, repressions and transformations, al-lìances and fights, are continually happening there. It is not surprising that these compli-cations and fights may, and do often, produce serious troubles in our physical and mental health.

These facts may at first appear troubling and discouraging, but a further consideration easily dispels this impression and opens on the coitrary new bright vistas of hope and faith, explaining why ordinary medicine fails in inany cases and pointing towards new and more promising methods of healing.

It appears obvious that in all cases in which the chief cause of the trouble is psycho-logical, the resources of materia medica are unable to bring about a real and permanent cure. These physical means can only obviate

14 PSYCHOSYNTIIESIS - PSYC}IOSYNTHESIS 15

or palliate temporarily tbc effects, but bave no power to eliminate tbc causes.

On tbc other hand one can easily sec that the psychological complications anci conffléts which are responsible for the trouble can be completely and permanently ellminated by the proper uso of other powerfiil psychological infiuences. These forces can and do work both ways. It is a fact beautifully symbolized by Richard Wagner in « Parsifai», when speak-ing of King Amfortas' wound: « Only one weapon avails, oniy the spear which has in-flicted the wound can heal it ».

9 :'

On the sure basis of these facts and prin-ciples is founded a new important branch of healing, that is to say scientific psychotherc&py.

Though recent, this kind of medical treat-ment hs aiready gained considerable ground and can claim many brilliant eures. Yet it has by no means reached its fu.fl development and its methods are subject to constant revision and improvement. This condition, while it proves its vitality, is apt to create some un-

certainty and confusion among the publio, and even among doctors who ha-ve not made a special study of tbc subject.

So I think it might be useful to give a short and clear view of the two methods of psychotherapy now most widely practised: that is, suggestion and psyohoanalysis, and to give some idea of a new and more comprehensive method, called psyehosynthesis.

Suggestion and autosuggestion bave been called during tbc last years to tbc attention of the public chiefly through tbc sensation stirred up by the wide propaganda and the many cures made by Emile Oou. These bave aroused many animatcd debates among the doctors and tbc generai publie. I think that an objective and impartial consideration of tbc matter shouid lead to the foliowing conciusions:

Suggestion is a powerful means of mental influence and treatment, which was known and praetised before Cou.

Coué' s undeniable and startling successes were due not only to the techuical value of bis method, but also to bis personal qualities, to the faith, to the great human sympathy

16 PSYCEOSyNTflpSIS PSYCUOSYNTHESIS 17

and love which animated him, and also to the favoarable psychological atmosphere created by his popularity.

Cou' s theory and method, while they are too simple, crudely expressed and very one-sided, do yet contain a vital germ of truth (1). This good seed, as it has been ably developed by Profesor Charles Baudoin in his book Suggestion and autosuggestion, has become an im-portant part of scientific psychotlierapy, which has its proper field of application and can give very good results. when suitably and ably used.

Suggestion can be very efflcacious in all the simpler cases of nervous and bodily tron-bies, the chief cause of which is to be fouiid in the worry and depression of the patient and in bis fear of his own illness, a fear which causes an intensiflcatjon and fixation of liis troubles, determining a real vicious circie. The use of suggestion can eliminate that worry

(1) The true meaning of Coué's paradoxical denial of the power of the will, and the right relationship be-tween vi1I, imagination and suggestìon, will be discussed in a chapter of my book on The Training of the Will (in preparation).

and fear, change depression into serenity, pes-simism into optimism, awaken courage and confidenee. Thus the vicious circle is broken and the natural recuperative powers of the bocly, helped by other medical and hygienic measures, bring about a rapid recovery (1).

On the other hand suggestion fails in briuging about a real and permanent cure in eases which are more complicated, being due to deep disturbances in the subconscioas life, to serious inner conllicts. For such casea finer and more subtle methods are needed. One of these is psychoanalysis.

Psychoanalysis has been and is even more passionately discussed than suggestion -- and that is well, because, while it has some very fruitful and genial aspeots, it is also dange-rous, and, when indisereetly used, is apt to

cause very real harm.

(i) I want to emphasize the fact that psychotherapy oes not in any way exclude proper medical treatment of a

physical nature; on the contrary both kinds of treatment can and do very \veiI co-operate and help each other and the wise doctor, by an appropriate and varied com-bination of psychological and pbysical influences, vi11 obtain much better curative resutts than those who use exelusively the one or the other means.

7

18 PSYCHOSYNTHESIS

The great vahie of psychoanalysis lies in the fact that it offers an ingenious and efficient rnethod of exploring the subeonscious, of di-scovering the hidden conflicts which cause tbc trouble, of removing the harmful repressions, ef liberating useful energies. But unhappily Professor Freud, the originator of psychoana. lysis, and even more ma-ny of bis foliowers, have associated-jt whith a mecanichal and « p0-sitivistie » conception of life, have given a most exaggerated importance to the- sexual element, have arrive'd at aburd excesses in their fanciful symbolic intepretationa of dreams (1).

And e-v'en in its better and sa-ner aspects psychoa.nalysis cannot deal with all tbc cases.

(1) The most impartial and reasonable statement of the better aspects of psychoanalysis and of their ap-plication to constructive ends (although failing short of a true understanding and appreciation of the spiritual side of human nature) is contained, in my opinion, in Di'. B. M. Hinkle 's book The e•creating of the indi-viduai (New York, Harcourt, Brace and Co., 1923).

The deepest and niost searching discussion of psy -choanalysis from the metaphysical and spiritual stand-point has bcen made by the great German philosopher Count Hermann Keyserling in his new book Wiederqe. burt (Darmstadt, Reichl, 1927). See chapters: Psycho- analyse und SelbstvervoiThonimnung and Heilhunst unci Tiefensc/jau.

PSYCHOSYNTIIESIS 19

Against the troubles due to tbc deepest and most fundamental problems of human nature psychoanalysis fails. To discover tbc confliet is often not sufficient in order to solve it: sometimes tbc discovery makes it even more acute; to liberate repressed energies is not enougli: if proper mea.sures to have them duly utilised and harmonised are not taken, they might cause more trouble than before. And there is a whole series of problema and con-tlicts connected with the spiritual nature of man, wbich require a broader, higher, more

comprehensiVe method.

L Psychosymthesis aims at being such a

method.

jq >9

PsychosynthesiS, as its name indicates, is

foundecl upon tbc principle of organisa-tion around a central point, of ordereci hierarchy,

of synthesis. While descriptive, experimeutal and beha-

viourist psychology, as well as psychoanalySis, are directed towards tbc analytica-1 and objec-tive study of psychological phenomena as stich,

20 PSYCHOSYNTHESIS PSYCUOSYNTHSIS 21

and consjder mental life as a mechanism ruled by fixed laws, psychosynthesis starts from the living centre of the 1wnn being, from the self, and studies ali psychological facts in their vital ielationship with that centro.

Psychosynthesis considers - reviving the old conception of Plato - the human being as a state, composed of many citizens, groups, and lesser organisations. The trou.bles which take piace in the human being can be compa-red to those whjch rise in a natioii which is badly or inefficiently governed, and in both cases the solution, the cure, can be found ouiy in an improvement and streugthening of the central power.

Thus psychosynthesis is based upon the study and the action of the set

Now the question arises: What is, or ra-ther, who is the self in us

The answer may at first appear easy and simple, yet it proves very dllfficult. The ego, of the reality of which we seem to be most sure, strangély eludes and baffles us when we try to grasp it.

I will not enter now into the complica tions of this question, but will state only that,

for all practica1 purposes, we may, and we must, distinguish two kinds of selves: the per-

sonal self and the incli'vidnal or SPiritnaI Self, and to these correspond two kinds of synthesis: psychological or personal symthesis, and inivi-

clual or psyeho-spiritual synthesis. The personal or psychological self is the

conscious self of the noima1 human being, the centro of his personal interests, of bis emo-tions, passions, desires and aspirations; in the higher senso it is his conscience, bis reason, Ms moral nature. In a healthy person this self has, ordinarily, a fair amount of direct control over his coriscious personality, and sucb an indirect control over the subconscious elements sufficient to avoid too acute clashes,

agitations and rebellions. But when this normal peace and this rela-tive harmony are inenaced or destroyed by the outburst of a passion, by an external e-iuergency, or by a weakening of the grip on the part of the self, it beeomes necessary to establish a new order, a new and more power-fui rule. To obtain this, both suggestion and psychoanalysis prove often insufficient, as they leave out of consideration the central factor

LA

24 PSYOHOSYNTHESIS

happened to Paul can and does -happen, on a lesser scale, to many persons (1).

These coufficts between the supercon-seious and the conscious scives are moreover often complicated by the intervention of sub-conscious elements. Oar subconseious is really a menagerie full of strange iuips always ready to make troable and play nasty tricks!

Thus are produced many serious physieal and psychological troubles, whieh are' not as yet generallyrecognized and understood, either by the patients or by the doctors. These trou bies are often of long duration, baffling all ordinary medical and psychotherapeutic treat-ments.

These are clearly cases for the use of what I have called spiritual psychosijnthesis, which consists in the incorporation (so to say) of the active superconscious elements in the perso-nal make up; in other words, in the harmo-nisation and a more or less complete biending

(i) A poetic and very dramatie illustration of the iìght between the deliberate urge of the spirit and the stubborn resistance of the personal self is col?tained in Francis Thompson's famous poem The Hound of Heaven.

PSYCHOSYNTHESIS 25

of the personal with the higher self, creating thus a wider and richer synthesis.

The praticaI use of psychosynthesis is a delicate art. It implies:

Tbc psyeho-spiritual diagnosis, that is the study of the wholTh subconscious and (when necessary) superco4bious constitution of the patient; the classifittion of Mspsycho-physi-cal type (1); the diSovery of the psychologi-cal causes and mechanism of the illness.

2. Tbc reconstruction of the personality, by the alternate or combined use of all the psyohological tools existing: suggestion, per-suasion, analytic explanation, teaching of the patient, active reeducation, etc., but none ex-clusively or as an end in itself, but all directed

(1) The description and interpretation of the « psy. chological types » have not yet reached, in spite of their valuable recent devolpments, a final and satìsfac-tory stage, owing chiefly to the lack of a synthetic standpoint and of the proper consideration of the spiri-tual elements. The best which has been published up to now on this subject is found, in my opinion, in C O. Jung 's book Psychoiogische Typen and in two chap. ters (A study of psyohoiogicai types and Maseuline and feìninine psychoioqy) of the book, already mentioned, of Dr. Hinkle, The re-oreating of the individuai.

26 PSYOHOSNTflE5IS

anci subservie.nt to the central purpose of ereating the new synthesis.

3. When the spiritual syntliesis is needed, the use of all the means liable to bring about the awakening, the birth of the new spiritual self in the personality, which may be aptly called epigenesis, that is, birth froiii above. These means are 011 the whoie the same that have been more or less spontaneously used by religious souls or recommended by spiritnà.1 teachers:

The study of the éxperiences of those who have successfuily achieved the epigenesis; regu. lar and graded exercises of concentration, medi-tation anci « silence »; the develòpment of true intuition and of the power of diseriminating beetween the promptiugs of the higher Self and the impuises or suggestions from thè sub-conscious; the development of a willing obe-dience to the higher intimations; an active and inteliigent cooperation with the process of as-sirnilating the spiritual elements in the per-sonality.

But in the case of patients, who generaily liave a particuiar sensitiveness and special diffi-eulties to overcome, the use of all those means niust be wisely advised and regulated by the

rscnosrnsis 27

doetor, in order to suit the psychologicai type and the possibilities of each patient, to avoid the danger of excesses and exaltatioB, to pre-vent as much as possible the reactions and complications which èasily occur in such cases.

This does not mean that there shouid be any elaim to regniate in an artificial way tbc free and spontaneous creative activity of tbc apirit; oli the contrary it means preparing the paths for its manifestation, removing the ob-stacles and helping the personality to assimi-tate it in a harmonious and healing way.

t ee

In this lecture I have been able to give only a rougli and sketchy outiine of so wide and manifold a subject, but I hope to have succeded in showing that the new line of hea-iing represented by psychosynthesis is fuJi of promise and deserves to be taken up by se-rious and advaneed doctors.

I would like to add that psychosynthesis, as I conceive it, should not onl y be a method of treatrnent of physical and psychoiogical ilis, bat ought also to develop as a method

28 PSYOUOSYNTHESIS

of educatiQn and of seff-education, as it repre-sents not only an ideal of health and harmony, but aso of dynamic development and growth of personality.

When it will bo genera1y known and practised, it may even be extended to soeia life: it may become a method of eliminating misunderstandings and unnecessary confficts between individuais and groups, and point out the principles and methods of a wider, more harmonious and real human synthesis.

May it thus contribute to the prcparatiou of a healthier, better and happier humanity.

INSTITUTE OF PSYCflOSYNTUESIS

(Applieci Psychology and Psychother'apy)

Know thyself

Possess thyself

Tranform thyself

w- ROME (137)

VIA ANToNIo Bosio, 15 1927

PROSFECTUS AND AIMS

The Necessity of Increasing Physical and Morai Energy

The rhythm of modern life, by its ever increasing rapidity, tends continually to be-come more complex and exhausting, and to present greater difficuities in every respect. The result is that the individuai' s resisting power is put te a severe test, and lie feels impelled to look around for means te increase his moral and physical energies, so that lie may not succumb to the pressure of bis daily tasks and duties.

These means, liowever, are seldom sought in the best and safest direction. We are in-clined to trust too much te external and ma-terial aids and remedies, sudi as medicines, which only alleviate to a limited extent; or worse stili, we have recòurse to stimulants of

34 PSCU0SYNT1TESIS

PSYCHOSYNTUESIS 35

various kinds, which aro apt to exact a heavy price fòr the momentary and fictitious well-being which they confer.

The New Methods of Applied

Psychology and Psychotherapy

As against tlìose externai aids, there exist interior or, psychologica.I methods, which pro-duce different and much more efficacious re-sults. These rnethods have oniy recently been discovered (or re-discovered) and applied, and aro being continually investigated into and impreved upon.

This fact explains why they are not yet suf ficiently kuown or appreeiated by the generai publie. Nevertheless, there are already thou sands of people in the world who hav6 tried them and dernonstrated their efflcacy in over-coming pliysical and inoral ilis of every kind, and in reveaJing the hidden springs of health, peace afl(1 joy.

Of these methòds tbc principai are: - various proccsses ofpsycho-physical culture (exer-cises for muscular, nervous ami montai rela-xation, and re-èducative gynrnastics); su9gestion

(in its various forms of auto-suggestion and suggestion from outside) persuasiom; traiming (developmcnt and contro]) of the various psy-•chological £unctions and :activities (memory, inteiligence, imagination, feeling, impulso, will); psychoana2ysis; psychosynthosis.

Aims of the Institute

•Our Institute proposes to spread the know- -ledge, and to teach the right uso, of the me-tliods above mentioned, to the end that all who will may enjoy therefrorn the greatest beneflt possible, avoiding all the dangers and incou-veniences arising from a mistaken idea of these methods, or an erroneous application of them.

•Particular attention will ho given to the teaching and the use of psychosynthesis, which coinbines the best elements of the other me-thods with special means of psycho-spiritual action, with the purpose of harmonising t'ho conflicting « complexes » of the personality and ef ereating a higher individuai synthesis. Tbc Institute further proposes to advance tbc progress of scientific knowledge, both practical and theoretiea1, in this domain, and to combat

36 PSYCEOSYNTHESIS PSYCUOSYNTHESIS 37

any tendency to unhealthy exaggeration, or to exploitation by incompetent practitioners.

To what Public the institute appeals

The Institute appeals to all, because thesc methods of applied psychoiogy and psychothe-rapy can be used by every individuai as a means of increasing his physical health and maintaining, it, of increasing his efflciency, of developing and improving his personality, and of exercising over others an influence at once more powerful and beueficent.

it appeals especially to all those who suf-fer, eithcr physically or mentally, and who feci the need of awakening the healing ener-gies latent within thèmseives.

To this end the Institute offers special help to the foliowing classes: -

1) Sufferers from any kind of physical dise(ues, who may very advantageously com-bino a suitable psychological curo with any treatment they niay be foliowing.

(Il is to be noted that psychotherapy in no way exeludes other medical treatments, but co-operates with thom).

2) Sufferers from nervous orpsychological troubleg, for whom the special methods òf psychotherapy, aapted to their various needs, often constitute the most èfficaciiis cure.

3) Sufferers fron timidity, from depree-sion, who aro over-sensitive and too easily discouraged, and whose desire is to feci full of strength, serenity and courage.

4) Those who desire to learn mental con-eentration and how to strengthen their rnemory.

5) Those with strong passions and mi-pulses, who desire self-control.

6) Those of weak will. 7) Those who desire to overcorne some

bad habit or vice (abuso of tobacco, craving for alcohol or drugs).

8) Those who su ffer from a suicidal tendeney.

Work of the Institute

The Institute proposes to develop its acti-vities in the foliowing ways: -

a) Lectures, in order to attract public at-tention and spread the generai principies of applied psyciiology and psychotherapy.

38 PSYCUOSYNTEESIS

b) Courses of lessons, inculcating the principlcs of self-knowledge and teaching the methods for the (levelopment of the innate powers and facuities.

e) Curative experirnents and treatments. d) Gourses of lessons by eorrespon4ence

(in preparation). e) Individuai training and treatrnents by

correspomdence. Prospeetus with instructions and fees sent on application).

f) Publication of a Bulletin, of, pam-phlets anci books.

g) Circulatiny Library, of suitable works. h) Sale of books. i) Sale of apparatus (pendudum of Che-

vreul, apparatus for luminous suggestions, etc.).

fULES

I. - An Institute of .Psychosynthesis (Ap-plied Psychoiogy and Psychotheraphy) is fonu-ded in Rome (Italy).

2. - Tbc objcct of the Institute is to contributo towards the physical, moral and spiritual renewal of the individuai and the race, by promoting a greater and better deve-lopment of the interior energies, and further-ing the work of psychological prevention and cure of diseases threatcning both physical and moral heaith.

30 - To attain this object the Institute will promote the stady .and application of those new methods of psychologiea.1 training and psychotherapy which Lave, proved of real va1ue and efflcaey, such as the foliowing: di-rect and indirect suggestion; persuasion; trai-ning of the memòry, imagination, feelings and

rifl; psychoanaiysis, psychosynthesis. 4. - The Institute will develop its acti-

vity through the medium of lectures, cour-

iii

40 PSYCITOSYNTHESIS

PSYCHOSYNTHESIS 41

ri

ses of lessons, treatments, lessons by corre-spondence, publication of a Bulletin, pamphlets and books; sale and loan af books; manu-facture and sale of apparatus for experi-ments and treatment.

5. - The Institute is composd of: a) ilonorary Members, who contribute

once and for all not less than two thousand lire, or else - pay an annual subscription of not less than two hundred lire.

b) Active or Fromoting .Mernbers, who further tbc interests of the Institute either by their moral support, by their work, or by a free yearly financial contribution.

These two classes of members (a and b) constitute the Promoting (Jommittee.

e) Ordinary Members, resident in Rome, who have the right to attend to the lectures and courses of lessons, to borrow books, and Lave special facilities for the purchase of books and appliances.

d) Associate Members, not resident in Rome, who have the right to receive the Bnl-letin, to the loan of books, and to faciities for purchasing books ami apparatus.

6. - The Institute has appointed a Ooni-

mittee of 10 mernbers, elected from the hono-rary and promoting members. They hold office for three years, and can bè. re-elected.

On its own initiative the Committee no-minates a President, a Vice-President, tbc Director of the Institute and a Secretary, who is also the Treasurer.

Tbc financial contributions due from or-dinary and associate members are fixed yearly by the Committee.

The Coinmittee reserves te itself all de-cisions respecting the nomination ami admis-sion of members.

7. - To Doctor Roberto Assagioli, as Di-rector, the management of the Institute has been entrusted for tbc first .ten years.

ENGLAND: 6 p. U. S. A.: 15 cents.