Ahead of publication, on 14th April, another sneak-peak, this time of the generous endorsement i’ve been very grateful to recieve from authors in the field of psychosynthesis:
“This is a book on psychosynthesis with a difference, emphasizing
the individual’s lived experience and, in this sense, takes the reader
on a remarkable journey. It elucidates several highly held values
in psychosynthesis—that it is empirical and to be validated accord-
ing to how it fits one’s experience, rather than a doctrine or dogma
to be swallowed. It also provides a context for psychosynthesis,
the ground it stands on and a container for which to approach psy-
chosynthesis theory. Allan is thinking outside the box with this
writing, inviting the reader to contemplate how they know what
is true for them and how they make sense of their life’s journey. It
requires us to read with a confluence of our head and our heart,
providing a refreshing approach to learning. The Act of Imagination
demonstrates a deep and profound insight into the true depths of
psychosynthesis, and of the meaning of synthesis, especially in
terms of presenting it as an eco-system, which I know Assagioli
would have loved.”
—Diana Whitmore,
author of Psychosynthesis Counselling in Action
“Allan Frater’s The Act of Imagination is a contemporary, original
description of psychosynthesis, with a wealth of examples and use-
ful explanations, and a lucid view of its apparent contradictions,
its secret gifts and promises. It evidently comes from an insider’s
knowledge of the material. Allan is not only a capable therapist
but also a fine writer. I learned quite a bit from this book.”
—Piero Ferrucci,
author of The Art and Science of Psychotherapy
and The Power of Kindness
“The Act of Imagination is an original, refreshing, and revitalizing
read. Allan Frater offers us a meticulous and incisive exposition of
the essential context and dynamics of psychosynthesis. Weaving
together the experiential with the conceptual, the foundational
process of “synthesis” is illuminated as the motive force at the
heart of all psychological life. The book does well to avoid the lin-
guistic abstraction that sometimes clouds the rigour and precision
of Assagioli’s conception. Indeed, it both honours and develops
Assagioli’s articulation of psychosynthesis, drawing upon parallels
with contemporary ecological principles and systems theory. Put
simply, it is the clearest exposition of psychosynthesis I have read
in my 20 years of practice as a psychotherapist. A must-read for
students and practitioners alike.”
—Susan Holliday,
author of Hidden Wonders of the Human Heart
“The Act of Imagination is an extremely thoughtful contribution
to the evolving literature of psychosynthesis. Its central argument
is disarmingly simple yet philosophically ambitious: psychosyn-
thesis is not a doctrine but an experience defined by synthesis —
by bringing together diverse aspects of the human psyche into an
organic whole. This is a book written by a practitioner who has
wrestled with psychosynthesis from the inside — its brilliance, its
contradictions, and its living history. A rich, intellectually honest,
and forward-looking text that can deepen our understanding of
Psychosynthesis while refusing to domesticate it. It will be espe-
cially valuable to practitioners who want not just to learn Psy-
chosynthesis, but to think about it, question it, and most
importantly — experience it.
—Phillip Carr-Gomm,
author of The Gift of the Night
“Assagioli said that psychosynthesis takes us to the doorway of the
Mystery; the rest is up to us. Allan Frater charts how, as we ap-
proach the doorway, inevitably we find it shifting deeper into end-
less mystery. If it is acts of will that keep us moving, he suggests,
it is acts of imagination that keep us oriented and inspired. This
milestone in the literature will bring practitioners and newcomers
alike to a profound reassessment and appreciation of the depth
and vitality of psychosynthesis, and how essential the creativity of
imagination is for these liminal times.
—Mark Skelding,
Chair of The Association for the Advancement of Psychosynthesis
“The Act of Imagination is a clear and profound work that invites
the reader to explore psychosynthesis—not as a closed system of
theories or techniques but as a living experience, an open and dy-
namic process, an inner adventure that is constantly renewing it-
self. Rather than attempting to determine what the “correct”
presentation of psychosynthesis should be, Allan Frater is more
immediately and realistically concerned with showing us that
“placing limits upon psychosynthesis is not possible or even de-
sirable”, and with giving meaning to all the diversity and difference
that characterize it. It is an approach that captures the very
essence of the psychosynthetic teaching, and in this particular his-
torical moment renews its incredible relevance. Congratulations
to the author for this fine work!”
—Petra Guggisberg Nocelli,
author of Know, Love, Transform Yourself
and The Way of Psychosynthesis