Your Symphony of Selves

July 6, 2020
Psychology professor Fadiman (The Psychedelic Explorer’s Guide) and lawyer Gruber systematically explore the idea that all humans comprise multiple selves in this engaging yet dense work. Arguing against Freudian theory and the popular presentation of personality multiplicity as a dysfunction, the authors posit that the “selves” within a person are much more than just moods, rather they’re “recurring patterns of mindbody energy, chemistry, energy, perception, and behavior” that manifest in behavior and physiology. They suggest one should reject the “Single Self Assumption” and instead focus on “what one is good at and wants to be doing” in order to cultivate the ability to be “in the right mind at the right time,” address unmet needs, understand and accept variable behavior, and—once one understands their multiple selves—learn how to bring the needed parts forward so that the person as a whole functions like an instrumental ensemble. Though their process for evaluating one’s multitudes is organized and meticulous, the authors’ exhaustive pursuit of a fully realized theory of self overshadows the practical steps for self-reflection. Nevertheless, their efforts to reframe and destigmatize the idea of multiple selves will appeal to general readers interested in the nature of human behavior.