Assagioli has dedicated several writings to the themes of cheerfulness and smiling wisdom, and to the metaphor of life as a game or theatre play. Some of them have been collected in the precious booklet entitled Per vivere meglio (To live better) (1993) in which cheerfulness is defined as a technique, more precisely, a state of mind that can be aroused, developed and maintained with appropriate psychological exercises. Obviously, we cannot modify our emotions and feelings directly, by wilful imposition. However, we can practice all our psychic functions, drawing on specific psychological laws and activating our intelligent and skilful will.

There are two groups of useful methods to develop cheerfulness:

• techniques to overcome the obstacles preventing the expression of cheerfulness;
• techniques for the evocation of cheerfulness.

In order to eliminate the obstacles to cheerfulness – i.e. irritation, criticism, self-pity, impatience and worry – we can employ cathartic techniques together with reflective meditation, considering both the negative but also the positive effects of these perceived obstacles (for example, we may reflect on how these internal and external “enemies” may prompt self-improvement, or we may try to relativize our personal pain in the broader context of universal human suffering).

The active method consists in cultivating moods and feelings which are opposites to the above-mentioned obstacles, or that directly express cheerfulness. As with any quality that we want to develop, we need to become receptive to what radiates it. For example, we may choose to read funny and entertaining books or listening to lively and joyful music, we may use evocative words, phrases and images or practice acting “as if”. But the most fundamental method to neutralise frustration and self-pity and develop cheerfulness is acceptance (see Ch. VI, par. A). Thanks to the expansiveness of the human soul, we can, in fact, cultivate cheerfulness even in the face of suffering.

For more:

• Know, Love, Transform yourself (Vol. I)  (pp. 266-267) – Buy now
  
• Know, Love, Transform yourself (Vol. II)– Buy now
• The Way of Psychosynthesis, Synthesis Insights (p. 190) – Buy now