Context  by Stacey Millichamp

In this chapter I will set the scene for the more focused analysis which follows.  I intend to do this by looking at the historical context in which Assagioli conducted his research and development of psychosynthesis theory and beginning to assess how the changing scientific and social climate today might impact our theories of the Self.

When reflecting on the purpose of this chapter, I asked myself what would be useful about examining the historical context of Assagioli’s work.  In answer to this I turn to Amy Mindell who writes eloquently in her book Metaskills about how our attitudes affect our clients more than our actual techniques, or even which school we have trained in. ‘By looking at these basic beliefs and feelings of the therapist we are confronting the very ground of psychotherapy – the mother, the earth, from which it springs; the container which holds and produces all other skills.’  (1995.P27).

In questioning myself on the relevance of an interrelated world view on the clinical relationship, I have found Amy’s ideas very helpful in addressing the subtlety of presence and the impact of our most fundamental world views and values on our presence with our clients.  If presence is one of the determining factors of the quality of our work, then I feel that it would be useful to address the world views that psychosynthesis might contain within its theories and which I might also have as a therapist within the current culture.

I wanted to search a little below the definitions of Self I have learned in my psychosynthesis training to explore what might be implicit in Assagioli’s approach.  He has published very little of his own writing and I feel, therefore, that I might benefit from assessing the influences around him to gain some suggestion of his beliefs and how they are passed on in the training of therapists within the psychosynthesis tradition.   I draw largely from Jean Hardy’s book A Psychology with a Soul for this background information.