Self-mastery and self-regulation – 1

Master yourself

“The work of exploration and discovery of our inner life is followed by that of self-mastery; of regulating and coordinating the various forces and elements that live and work within us. (…) Only in this way can we achieve harmony, balance and true health.”

R. Assagioli, 1973

“The work of exploration and discovery of our inner life is followed by that of self-mastery; of regulating and coordinating the various forces and elements that live and work within us. (…) Only in this way can we achieve harmony, balance and true health.”

R. Assagioli, 1973

Gaining a deep awareness and understanding of harmful complexes – which is the aim of the analytical phase of the psychosynthesis process (see Analysis in Psychosynthesis) – can help dissolve their energy, yet it may not necessarily lead to permanent positive change. Spontaneous transformations and syntheses may occur as a result of analytical work. However, the workings of the personality are so complex and old patterns tend to have such a strong pull on us, that the insights achieved through analysis may be short-lived, unless we can find appropriate ways to channel the energy released.

It is therefore imperative that we take full responsibility for what emerges during the exploration of the unconscious, learning to manage in an intelligent and creative way “the various psychological contents that we have come to recognise. We do this, first, by discovering our unifying centre, or personal self, and then by reconstructing or harmonising our personality around this new centre.” (M. Rosselli, 2000)

The “master yourself” phase is characterised by two distinct moments:

  • first, the acquisition of a sufficient degree of mastery, of regulation over the various elements that make up the personality;
  • second, self-realisation or self-identification or, at least, the discovery or creation of a unifying centre, with its essential function: the will.

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