Psychosynthesis: A Psychology of the Spirit (Suny Series in Transpersonal and Humanistic Psychology) (Paperback)

by John Firman (Author), Ann Gila (Author)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description
A comprehensive account of Robert Assagioli's psychosynthesis, a type of therapy that seeks to address both spiritual development and psychological healing and growth. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

From the Back Cover
Conceived by Italian psychiatrist Roberto Assagioli, psychosynthesis is one of the first Western psychologies that addresses both spiritual development and psychological healing and growth by recognizing and supporting the particular life journey of the person-the individual's own unique path of Self-realization. Firman and Gila present a comprehensive account of psychosynthesis, providing a transpersonal integration of developmental, personality, and clinical theory. They reveal some of the relationships between psychosynthesis and contemporary developmental research, object relations theory, intersubjective psychology, trauma theory, the recovery movement, Jungian psychology, humanistic and transpersonal psychology, and common psychological diagnoses. Case examples, practical theory, and experiential exercises designed to support both the layperson and the professional seeking to understand and facilitate psychospiritual growth are included. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

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Product Details

• Paperback: 288 pages
• Publisher: State University of New York Press; illustrated edition edition (October 2002)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0791455343
• ISBN-13: 978-0791455340
• Product Dimensions: 8.3 x 5.5 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #608,197 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

24 of 24 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A clear, comprehensive introduction, December 28, 2002

By	Paul Bramer (Toronto, Ontario, Canada) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Psychosynthesis: A Psychology of the Spirit (Suny Series in Transpersonal and Humanistic Psychology) (Hardcover)

Psychosynthesis may not be as popularly known as psychoanalysis, depth psychology, etc., but it holds some tremendously powerful keys for self-understanding, self-renewal, and emotional healing that in turn lead to more empathetic and authentic relationships with others. This book is a clear and comprehensive introduction to psychosynthesis, outling such fundamental concepts as primal wounding, lower and higher unconscious, and subpersonalities within a developmental framework. It has stimulated my own growth and I have been recommending this book widely.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Finally!, April 17, 2008

By	Seeker (Camden, ME) - See all my reviews

I have been searching since adolescence for theories in psychology that would actually be helpful to me. Though there have been many ideas that have helped, it seemed that I had reached a plateau where I felt I was quite self-aware but that just didn't seem to be enough - it didn't heal what was making my life difficult.

Reading this book has helped me see what I need beyond awareness and has also helped me to better understand the people in my life. The concepts of primal wounding, survival personality, subpersonalities, the healing power of empathic connections and a non-linear view of our development
that recognizes that our earlier experiences are not far away and insignificant, are profoundly helpful ideas.

The wounding we have suffered and the subpersonalities that have developed within us, need more than recognition, they need acceptance, inclusion and synthesis which can only happen in an atmosphere of empathy. Then, and only then, can we become authentic, fully conscious people who do not need addictions and compulsions as crutches. No wonder self-awareness is not enough!

This is not my field and I may not be able to clearly convey all the concepts in this book. I may not even understand all of them. There are stories in the book of different people as they go through psychosynthesis therapy that clarify these concepts and how they work in real people. Even though some of the expressions can be a little intimidating for lay people like myself (unifying center, the difference between "I" and "Self"), I truly believe this book can be helpful to anyone who is seeking to understand how to help heal oneself or others.

Thank you, thank you, thank you Assagioli, Gila and Firman!

Just one thing, where can I find a good psychosynthesis therapist? (-:

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Psychosynthesis by Assagioli, June 5, 2008

By	E. Browne-russell (New Zealand) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

Very clear exposition of the fundamentals of Psychosynthesis counselling. I highly recommend this text for anyone studying Psychosynthesis counselling