In this article I revisit an older one, published on December 22, 2023 as Reimagining “Selfish Desire”
Have you ever felt guilty or ashamed of your desires? Have you ever been told that your desires are selfish, and therefore wrong or harmful? Have you ever suppressed or denied your desires in order to please others or conform to some ideal?
If you answered yes to any of these questions, you are not alone. Many of us have been conditioned to believe that our desires are something to be feared, avoided, or controlled. We have been taught that our desires are selfish, and that selfishness is bad. We have been told that our desires are in conflict with the greater good, and that we should sacrifice them for the sake of others.
But what if this is all a misunderstanding, a distortion of a deeper truth? What if our desires are not selfish, but rather expressions of our true self? What if our desires are not harmful, but rather beneficial, both for ourselves and for others? What if our desires are not in conflict with the greater good, but rather aligned with it?
This is the perspective offered by Seth, known for his insightful and empowering teachings on reality. Seth invites us to reconsider our assumptions and beliefs about desire, and to embrace the power and potential of our selfish desires.
What is a selfish desire?
According to Seth, a selfish desire is simply a desire that is connected to the self. It is a desire that arises from the very essence of our being, the core of our self that desires to exist and express itself. It is a desire that reflects our unique individuality, our preferences, our passions, our talents, our dreams.
Seth says:
“I am here because I selfishly desire to be here. My being exists through the ages because I selfishly desire that it shall be so. And you sit before me because you selfishly desire that it shall be so. And so, there is nothing wrong with your desires, and there is no god (using whatever concepts you want to be), there is no All-That-Is that is not —— with the desire of being, that is not, because it desires to be. You can not annihilate desire.”
Seth explains that desire is an inherent force, an expression of the self that arises from the wellspring of all creation, which he terms “All-That-Is.” All-That-Is is the source and substance of everything that exists, and it is constantly creating and expanding through its own desire. All-That-Is is not a separate or external entity, but rather the innermost essence of every being, every thing, every reality.
Seth says:
“There is no All-That-Is, there is no consciousness in the known universe or in the unknown universe, that does not possess the knowledge of itself, that does not follow its selfish desires.”
Therefore, our selfish desires are not something to be ashamed of or suppressed. They are not something that we have to justify or explain. They are not something that we have to compromise or negotiate. They are simply who we are, and what we want. They are the natural and inevitable expressions of our self, our being, our existence.
Why are selfish desires good?
Seth challenges the negative connotations that we often associate with selfishness. He points out the inherent contradiction in the term “selfless desire.” How can a desire be selfless, if it is not connected to the self? How can a desire be good, if it is not aligned with the self?
Seth says:
“There is no selfless desire! How can there be a desire not connected with the self? You are taking it for granted, because of your definition now, that your desires, or mankind’s desires, must be wrong, and that your selfish desire must be destructive and work against others.”
Seth invites us to see beyond this distorted image of selfishness, and to recognize the positive potential of our selfish desires. He suggests that when we follow our authentic desires, when we allow them to guide our choices and actions, we tap into a powerful creative force. This force is not only beneficial for ourselves, but also for others.
Seth says:
“But your desires, if followed, will be like the desires (if you will forgive me) of the flower that selfishly wants to exist and is. And in fulfilling that desire, it brings joy and vitality to others.”
Seth uses the analogy of the flower to illustrate how our selfish desires can enrich the world. Just as the flower’s desire for existence is not inherently destructive, neither are our own. Just as the flower’s desire for existence brings beauty and fragrance to the world, so do our own. Just as the flower’s desire for existence contributes to the diversity and harmony of nature, so do our own.
Seth says:
“For left alone, your selfish desires are those of vitality and creativity, and they will bring joy and creativity that all will recognize and observe. Your selfish desires are good. They are the desires of a self born out of the glory of [All-That-Is], and therefore, those desires are good.”
Seth reminds us that we are not separate from the creative essence of All-That-Is. Our desires, therefore, are not random or arbitrary, but rather expressions of the same creative impulse that animates all of existence. Our desires, therefore, are not in conflict with the greater good, but rather in harmony with it. Our desires, therefore, are not selfish in the negative sense, but rather selfish in the positive sense.
How to embrace our selfish desires?
Seth encourages us to embrace our selfish desires, and to follow them with confidence and joy. He advises us to trust our inner guidance, and to listen to our intuition. He urges us to act on our impulses, and to explore our possibilities. He inspires us to create our own reality, and to express our true self.
Seth says:
“You are not here to cry about the miseries of the human condition, but to change them when you find them not to your liking through the joy, strength and vitality that is within you; to create the spirit as faithfully and beautifully as you can in flesh.”
Seth also warns us of the dangers of denying or ignoring our selfish desires. He cautions us that when we do so, we create conflict and frustration within ourselves, and we diminish our vitality and creativity. He explains that when we do so, we also create negative consequences for others, and we interfere with their freedom and happiness.
Seth says:
“When you refuse to deal with your own desires, you automatically impede the desires of others. When you refuse to deal with your own creativity, you automatically hamper the creativity of others. When you refuse to deal with your own reality, you automatically help to create a false reality for yourself and others.”
Seth also offers us some practical tips on how to embrace our selfish desires. He suggests that we start by identifying and acknowledging our desires, without judgment or fear. He recommends that we write them down, or speak them out loud, or visualize them in our mind. He proposes that we examine them, and see how they reflect our true self, our values, our goals, our purpose.
Seth says:
“You must first recognize your own desires, and then you must act upon them. You must state them clearly, and then follow them where they lead. You must not be afraid of them, or of their consequences. You must not be ashamed of them, or of their expression. You must not be guilty of them, or of their fulfillment.”
Seth also advises us to be flexible and open-minded about our desires, and to allow them to evolve and change as we do. He reminds us that our desires are not fixed or static, but rather dynamic and fluid. He encourages us to experiment and play with our desires, and to discover new aspects and dimensions of ourselves.
Seth says:
“Your desires are not meant to be rigid, but to be constantly changing and expanding. Your desires are not meant to be limited, but to be infinite and abundant. Your desires are not meant to be serious, but to be joyful and fun.
Quotes are part of ESP 1974.02.12 unpublished
All images are artificial generated by Dirk Bosman and licensed under Creative Commons BY-NC 4.0
