Psychosynthesis and The Four-fold Way:
A Synthesis

Fortunately or unfortunately, psychosynthesis has often been absorbed into psychology and mainstream thinking without acknowledgment. In a keynote address at the International Psychosynthesis Conference held in San Diego in 1996, Piero Ferrucci noted that Roberto Assagioli had said psychosynthesis would be as well known as Freudian and Jungian psychology within twenty years. (Assagioli died in 1974.) At first glance, that prediction seems far off the mark. However, since many of the concepts and principles have become common knowledge, he may very well have been correct. Psychosynthesis largely catalyzed the widespread use of guided imagery and the understanding of concepts such as the Higher Self, the Will, and "parts" of ourselves known in psychosynthesis as "subpersonalities." Inner child work certainly owes a debt to psychosynthesis concepts as do practices such as Internal Family Systems popularized by Dick Schwartz, to name a few. In other words, psychosynthesis principles have a basic, universal appeal that makes them adaptable to new applications. Many concepts, principles and methods have been incorporated into other practices.

In his creative genius, Assagioli maintained that the overall principles of psychosynthesis were far more important than any technique. He insisted that the principles not be dogmatized, codified or rigidified, and he welcomed an unfolding and evolving of our understanding. He would have applauded those thinkers, writers, and teachers of psychosynthesis who continue to re-vision. Though developed as a psychology, psychosynthesis principles have been incorporated into many applications ranging from education to organizational development to global peace work to conflict resolution. The work of many writers and teachers in the transpersonal and spiritual fields have been significantly impacted by psychosynthesis. My book, Twelve Songs of the Soul, applies psychosynthesis principles to an understanding of how we experience astrological types.

Thus, with psychosynthesis as a framework for viewing and assisting life's unfolding, it is not surprising that many psychosynthesis practitioners and teachers evolve into new forms. I deeply appreciate and have gratitude for those teachers who remain dedicated to teaching psychosynthesis in a structured way. If we all moved into new forms, how would new students know about psychosynthesis in an in-depth, coherent way? However, my own path has been to evolve into a new form.

Psychosynthesis became a passion for me at the first workshop I attended in 1978 and has profoundly impacted my entire life and work since that time. Like many others who are drawn to psychosynthesis, I immediately felt at home. Beginning in 1985, I offered training programs in psychosynthesis to helping professionals-work which continued through 1994. To my surprise and almost chagrin, the energy suddenly vanished to begin another program, even though phone calls continued to come about when the next one would be offered. To override inner knowing courts disaster, so the teaching stopped in that form.

The new form emerged during a three-day vision quest which was part of a two-week intensive with Angeles Arrien, cultural anthropologist and internationally known teacher. In her book, The Four-fold Way, which she researched, created and synthesized from the wisdom of indigenous peoples, she spells out four archetypes: Warrior (leader), Healer, Visionary and Teacher. For contemporary life, as in ancient times, we need to find a balance with these four ways of being in the world, a balance of power, love, vision and wisdom -- resources which are certainly familiar to psychosynthesists. As Angeles associates one of these archetypes with each of the seasons, a format for a new program was easily born, and zest and passion entered my work again.

At the beginning of each season, we meet for a weekend devoted to one of the archetypes. Then, in each of the two intervening months before a new season begins, we meet for two hours to continue work on that theme. We complete the year with a silent, alone-in-your-own-tent experience in nature, a short vision quest, as it were. Psychosynthesis principles are interwoven into all of the work. We delve into the Self as a way of holding the whole. Subpersonalities of each of the archetypes surface which we actively work with throughout the year. For instance, what gets in the way of fully embracing the Warrior within? Any type of Shrinking Violet subpersonality, among many others, comes into view for recognition and healing. The Warrior cannot be understood or fully incorporated without knowledge and use of the Will, a hallmark of psychosynthesis.

The work encourages deepening trust in our inner guidance, increasing respect for ourselves and others, becoming more authentic, and connecting more deeply with Nature. Angeles' key words for the four ways impacted me from the time I first encountered them; and at her retreats we diligently work on these practices: show up and be present, pay attention to what has heart and meaning, tell the truth without blame or judgment, and let go of the results. As you can see, psychosynthesis seems to blend naturally with the concepts of the Four-fold Way.

And certainly all that I have learned as a psychosynthesis group leader over the years, enhanced by being in Tom Yeomans' group leadership program for six years, has affected this blending work. The group itself becomes an entity, a container of the whole, a community. The group itself learns to hold the intensity that periodically occurs. The members learn to welcome diversity and the unknown. They practice being themselves from a place of integrity and being a part of a working group.

As one of the psychosynthesists who can't seem to help from synthesizing, this blend challenges me to create and integrate in new ways. When new "marching orders" come from inside, I will again know. But for now, I am having a great time.