obyvatel
The Living Force
I wanted to share with you some portions of Dabrowski's book Multilevelness of Emotional and Instinctive Functions. D's Theory of Positive Disintegration has been covered in this forum. The Multilevelness book describes psychological processes which appear and disappear on the path of positive disintegration towards the destination of secondary integration. D's secondary integration is very similar to the second birth described in esoteric literature - it is perhaps the state of Man 4 in Gurdjieff's 4th Way. This book describes the sequential progress in the inner world of a person as he/she moves towards this second birth. D also talks about conditions necessary for such evolution and the factors affecting it. Reading this book has had a profound influence on me. I believe that in this forum we have members at varying levels of this developmental process and many would be able to identify with what is described in the book and hopefully find some solace in their dark hour of emotional pain along with the strength and encouragement to march onwards towards their respective destinies. More advanced members can perhaps verify the accuracy of what D had to say regarding the advanced levels having experienced those levels personally.
I had taken the liberty of some paraphrasing, ordering and emphasizing of the material so that it has an easier to understand logical progression for my own self when I was reading the book . I hope that this is helpful for other forumites as well.
Introduction to Positive Disintegration and Levels of Development
In the theory of positive disintegration, development is a function of the level of organization. The most significant aspect of human development is emotional development but such a development has a different character than neuromuscular or cognitive development. The level of emotional functioning is not produced automatically but evolves as a function of other conditions. A high level of cognitive functioning does not guarantee a high level of emotional functioning but the reverse may not be true. The concept of multilevelness is the starting point for the analysis of development and behavior. In general, higher levels of development are characterized by mental processes and behavior that are more conscious and voluntary while lower levels are characterized by processes which are more mechanical and automatic.
Positive Disintegration is the process by which the transition from a lower to higher level of functioning takes place. It consists of a weakening and dissolution of lower level mental structures and functions and a gradual generation and growth of higher levels of mental functions culminating in a personality integration at a higher level.
This process of development from a lower to a higher level of mental functioning is characterized by conflict, instability and partial or even complete disorganization of behavior followed by gradual emergence and organization of new mental structures which are higher than those of the previous stable state.
My comments: corresponds to friction and fusion in 4th Way terminology.
Internal conflicts play a decisive role in inhibiting primitive impulses. Reflection, hesitation and inhibition are indicative of internal conflict and as such are less automatic than immediate response to stimulii.
Levels of development:
A level is a distinctly identifiable developmental structure - it is not a temporal sequence or stage. When we use the expression " a level is attained", it means the structure of a lower level is replaced by the structure of a higher one. Also the use of the expression "transition from one level to another", is colloquially convenient but inaccurate. In the process of development, the structures of two or even three contiguous levels may exist side by side, although it must be understood that they exist in conflict. The conflict is resolved when one of the structures is eliminated or at least comes under the complete control of another structure.
5 distinguishable levels of development according to the theory of positive disintegration are
1) Primary Integration: Cognitive and emotional structures and functions are automatic, impulsive and rigid. Behavior is controlled by primitive drives and external motivations. Intelligence serves the cause of primitive drives. No inner conflict while external conflicts rule.
2) Unilevel Disintegration: Begins with the loosening of the cohesive and rigid structure of primary integration. There is hesitation, doubt, ambivalence, increased sensitivity to internal stimuli, mood fluctuations, excitations and depressions, various forms of mental and psychosomatic disharmony. There is ambitendency of action, either changing from one direction to another, or being unable to decide which course to take and letting the decision fall to chance, or a whim of like or dislike. Thinking has a circular character of argument for argument's sake. Internal conflicts are unilevel and superficial. When internal conflicts are severe and engage deeper emotional structures the individual often sees himself caught in a "no exit" situation. Severe mental disorders are associated with unilevel developmental structure.
3) Spontaneous multilevel disintegration - Its characteristic is an extensive differentiation of mental life. Internal experience begins to control behavior, wavering is replaced by a growing sense of "what ought to be" as opposed to "what is" in one's personality structure. Behavior is guided by an emerging autonomous , emotionally discovered hierarchy of values and aims. He starts to feel a difference between what is higher and what is lower. He looks for ideal examples and models around him and in himself as well. Developmental dynamisms include positive maladjustment, astonishment with oneself, feelings of shame and guilt, feeling of inferiority and dissatisfaction towards oneself.
4) Organized multilevel disintegration - Its main characteristics are conscious shaping and synthesis. At this level a person exhibits more tranquility, systematization and conscious transformation of his personality structure. While tensions and conflicts are not as strong as at the previous level, autonomy and internal hierarchy of values and aims are much stronger and clearly developed. There is a pronounced growth of empathy as one of the dominants of behavior and development. Developmental dynamisms at this level are: subject-object in oneself, third factor (conscious discrimination and choice), inner psychic transformation, self-awareness, self-control, education of oneself and autopsychotherapy.
5) Secondary integration: This level marks a new organization and harmonization of personality. Personality ideal is the dominant dynamism in close union with empathy and the activation of the ideal. There is a need to transcend verifiable, consensual reality (known through sensory perception) and to reach empirically through intuition, contemplation and ecstasy towards a transcendental reality. Developmental dynamisms are: responsibility,autonomy,authentism and personality ideal. Those who achieve the level of secondary integration epitomize universal compassion and sacrifice. There are no internal conflicts at this level in the sense of opposition between "what is" and "what ought to be". The cognitive and emotional structures are fused together into a harmonious and flexible whole.
I had taken the liberty of some paraphrasing, ordering and emphasizing of the material so that it has an easier to understand logical progression for my own self when I was reading the book . I hope that this is helpful for other forumites as well.
Introduction to Positive Disintegration and Levels of Development
In the theory of positive disintegration, development is a function of the level of organization. The most significant aspect of human development is emotional development but such a development has a different character than neuromuscular or cognitive development. The level of emotional functioning is not produced automatically but evolves as a function of other conditions. A high level of cognitive functioning does not guarantee a high level of emotional functioning but the reverse may not be true. The concept of multilevelness is the starting point for the analysis of development and behavior. In general, higher levels of development are characterized by mental processes and behavior that are more conscious and voluntary while lower levels are characterized by processes which are more mechanical and automatic.
Positive Disintegration is the process by which the transition from a lower to higher level of functioning takes place. It consists of a weakening and dissolution of lower level mental structures and functions and a gradual generation and growth of higher levels of mental functions culminating in a personality integration at a higher level.
This process of development from a lower to a higher level of mental functioning is characterized by conflict, instability and partial or even complete disorganization of behavior followed by gradual emergence and organization of new mental structures which are higher than those of the previous stable state.
My comments: corresponds to friction and fusion in 4th Way terminology.
Internal conflicts play a decisive role in inhibiting primitive impulses. Reflection, hesitation and inhibition are indicative of internal conflict and as such are less automatic than immediate response to stimulii.
Levels of development:
A level is a distinctly identifiable developmental structure - it is not a temporal sequence or stage. When we use the expression " a level is attained", it means the structure of a lower level is replaced by the structure of a higher one. Also the use of the expression "transition from one level to another", is colloquially convenient but inaccurate. In the process of development, the structures of two or even three contiguous levels may exist side by side, although it must be understood that they exist in conflict. The conflict is resolved when one of the structures is eliminated or at least comes under the complete control of another structure.
5 distinguishable levels of development according to the theory of positive disintegration are
1) Primary Integration: Cognitive and emotional structures and functions are automatic, impulsive and rigid. Behavior is controlled by primitive drives and external motivations. Intelligence serves the cause of primitive drives. No inner conflict while external conflicts rule.
2) Unilevel Disintegration: Begins with the loosening of the cohesive and rigid structure of primary integration. There is hesitation, doubt, ambivalence, increased sensitivity to internal stimuli, mood fluctuations, excitations and depressions, various forms of mental and psychosomatic disharmony. There is ambitendency of action, either changing from one direction to another, or being unable to decide which course to take and letting the decision fall to chance, or a whim of like or dislike. Thinking has a circular character of argument for argument's sake. Internal conflicts are unilevel and superficial. When internal conflicts are severe and engage deeper emotional structures the individual often sees himself caught in a "no exit" situation. Severe mental disorders are associated with unilevel developmental structure.
3) Spontaneous multilevel disintegration - Its characteristic is an extensive differentiation of mental life. Internal experience begins to control behavior, wavering is replaced by a growing sense of "what ought to be" as opposed to "what is" in one's personality structure. Behavior is guided by an emerging autonomous , emotionally discovered hierarchy of values and aims. He starts to feel a difference between what is higher and what is lower. He looks for ideal examples and models around him and in himself as well. Developmental dynamisms include positive maladjustment, astonishment with oneself, feelings of shame and guilt, feeling of inferiority and dissatisfaction towards oneself.
4) Organized multilevel disintegration - Its main characteristics are conscious shaping and synthesis. At this level a person exhibits more tranquility, systematization and conscious transformation of his personality structure. While tensions and conflicts are not as strong as at the previous level, autonomy and internal hierarchy of values and aims are much stronger and clearly developed. There is a pronounced growth of empathy as one of the dominants of behavior and development. Developmental dynamisms at this level are: subject-object in oneself, third factor (conscious discrimination and choice), inner psychic transformation, self-awareness, self-control, education of oneself and autopsychotherapy.
5) Secondary integration: This level marks a new organization and harmonization of personality. Personality ideal is the dominant dynamism in close union with empathy and the activation of the ideal. There is a need to transcend verifiable, consensual reality (known through sensory perception) and to reach empirically through intuition, contemplation and ecstasy towards a transcendental reality. Developmental dynamisms are: responsibility,autonomy,authentism and personality ideal. Those who achieve the level of secondary integration epitomize universal compassion and sacrifice. There are no internal conflicts at this level in the sense of opposition between "what is" and "what ought to be". The cognitive and emotional structures are fused together into a harmonious and flexible whole.