According to Assagioli, the nature of the will has four main aspects. The first three, in particular, are essential to understanding the the stages of the willed act.
- The Strong Will: The will must be recognized, developed, and made strong enough for its various uses in life. However, strength alone is not enough and can be ineffectual or harmful.
- The Skillful Will: The will should be used in a way that obtains desired results with minimal energy expenditure. Understanding one’s inner constitution and utilizing existing tendencies and drives can help achieve this.
- The Good Will: Choosing right goals and being guided by ethical considerations is essential for a fulfilling will.
- The Transpersonal Will: The will has a spiritual dimension, which is the domain of transpersonal psychology. The aim of personal and interpersonal psychosynthesis is to help individuals reach this dimension.
Additionally, Assagioli also outlined:
- The Universal Will: The relationship between the Universal Will and individual wills is fundamental. The intuitive approach involves direct experience of communion with the ultimate reality, and the approach of analogy is based on the essential unity of all aspects of reality and the close correspondence between man and the universe.
- The Joyous Will: The act of willing can be and often is intrinsically joyous. It is necessary to have a clear conception of the nature and the various aspects and manifestations of joy. The good will is joyous, it creates a harmonious, joyful atmosphere, and acts of good will have rich and sometimes amazing results.
See also:
- Stages of the Act of Will
- Qualities of the Will
- The Will, interview with Roberto Assagioli by Stuart Miller
