How Psychosynthesis Connects Us to Intuition

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Psychosynthesis refers to a process of psychological and spiritual development developed by the Italian psychiatrist and philosopher Roberto Assagioli (1888–1974) that takes place at the conscious and unconscious levels of the human psyche. While the psychoanalysis of Sigmund Freud focused on the effects of early childhood experiences on the formation of the psyche and Carl Jung’s depth psychology took interest in the collective unconscious connecting humanity, Assagioli recognised that a complete philosophy of the mind needed to take into account both the prepersonal and transpersonal. The original goal of psychosynthesis was to create a new way of thinking and being by offering a complete philosophy and psychology of the human being. It includes a theory of human nature, an understanding of the development of consciousness, and a methodology for psychological and spiritual self-development. The psychosynthesis approach is integrative and holistic, consisting of parts and levels of the human psyche ranging from the most primitive instincts to the most complex structures of the ego and personality.

Psychosynthesis considers the process of psychological development to be a process of transformation, beginning with the progressive emergence of consciousness and growing to the differentiation of personality. Like other talking therapies, psychosynthesis emphasises the value of regular conversations between the therapist and the client, which can help the client to move forward in their personal and spiritual development. The main tools of psychosynthesis are reflection, art, journaling, dialogue, active imagination, and contemplation. These tools facilitate critical awareness of the contents of consciousness, especially the motivational aspects of consciousness, in a non-judgmental and compassionate way. It encourages clients to see thoughts and feelings as transient events that arise and pass within, rather than fixed, unchanging realities, and methods for entering into dialogue with these inner phenomena. In this sense, psychosynthesis is an approach that encourages critical self-awareness and the development of a capacity for self-observation and self-regulation. Psychosynthesis approaches human development by emphasising the transformative potential of the deep self and seeks to empower the individual to live a more complete and satisfying life…