The Will Project

“…the will, in truth, signifies nothing but a power or ability to prefer or choose: and when the will, under the name of a faculty, is considered as it is, barely as an ability to do something, the absurdity in saying it is free, or not free, will easily discover itself.”
by John Locke An Essay Concerning Human Understanding

The Will Project was proposed by Roberto Assagioli, the founder of Psychosynthesis. It is outlined in Assagioli’s book The Act of Will. A similar version is available online at: Will Project.

The Will Project website has been set up to encourage and facilitate the continuation of research, education, and experience of the Will

You may make suggestions and comments in the comments forms of each page. If you would like to ask questions or get more information on contributing to the Will Project, then you may email [email protected].

Program of Research on the Will and Its Applications

1. History of the Theories, Beliefs, and Doctrines on the Will
2. The Will in Modern Psychology
3. Nature and Aspects of the Will
   1. Strong Will
   2. Skillful Will
   3. Good Will
   4. Transpersonal Will
   5. Individual Will identified with the Universal Will

1. Energy – Dynamic Power – Intensity
2. Mastery – Control – Discipline
3. Concentration – Attention – One-Pointedness – Focus
4. Determination – Decisiveness – Resoluteness – Promptness
5. Persistence – Endurance – Patience
6. Initiative – Courage – Daring
7. Organization – Integration – Synthesis

1. Purpose – Aim – Goal – Valuation – Motivation – Intention
2. Deliberation
3. Choice – Decision
4. Affirmation – Command
5. Planning and Programming
6. Direction of the Execution

1. Sensory-Motor – Impulses – Drives and Desire – Emotions and Feelings – Imagination – Thought – Intuition

1. Physical Activities: Manual Labor – Gymnastics – Rhythmic Movements – Sport
2. “Useless” Exercises
3. Training of the Will in Daily Life
4. Use of External Aids: Words and Phrases – Images – Music
5. Concentration – Meditation – Invocation
6. Affirmation – Command
7. Creative Activities

1. Individual
   1. Psychotherapy
   2. Education
   3. Self-Actualization (Personal Psychosynthesis)
   4. Self-Realization and Spiritual Psychosynthesis

1. Between two individuals
2. Family group
3. Communities and social groups of various kinds
4. Racial groups
5. Religious groups
6. National groups
7. International relationships

1. By individuals and groups – reports of results

1. Historical Figures
2. Individuals
   1. Self-actualizing
   2. Self-realizing
   3. Clients
   4. Pupils

1. In various languages

1. By individuals
2. By groups

Organization and Execution of the Program Through:

1. Foundations
   1. For the whole program
   2. For specialized research, experimentation, and application. Location and fields of work: local – national – according to language areas

1. Through: Lectures – Publications (articles – pamphlets – books – international journals) – Conferences – Symposia – Associations