We have written Psychosynthesis: A Psychology of the Spirit with several purposes
in mind:
• The case examples and practical theory in this book are designed to
support those seeking to understand and facilitate their own personal
journey of Self-realization. While this does not take the place of walk-
ing this path with fellow travelers and/or experienced guides, here
there is helpful information about much of the terrain that may be
encountered during such a journey.
• As a foundational text, this work is useful for beginning and advanced
psychosynthesis courses, professional training programs, or any course
of study seeking a transpersonal integration of developmental, person-
ality, and clinical theory. We here address the seven essential topics of
psychosynthesis training outlined by Assagioli: disidentification, the
personal self or “I,” the will, the ideal model, synthesis, the supercon-
scious or higher unconscious, and Self (1974).2
• It also is appropriate for general psychology courses, as it reveals some
of the relationships between psychosynthesis and contemporary devel-
opmental research, object relations theory, self psychology, intersubjec-
tive psychology, trauma theory, the recovery movement, Jungian psy-
chology, humanistic and transpersonal psychology, and common psy-
chological diagnoses.
• Finally, educators, social workers, career counselors, personal coaches,
therapists, spiritual directors, physicians, pastoral counselors, nurses,
and parents will find herein a broad framework within which they can
apply their particular expertise. Since psychosynthesis is not a tech-
nique but a broad integrative view of the human being, it can provide
a useful context for a wide variety of applications.