Section Delta  Lesson One: Implications For Self Concept  Introduction  The wisdom within these Lessons is self-evident, upon a bit of experimentation. Yet, due to the many limiting ideas that exist within the Mind of Man, it is essential to point out each and every implication of having access to the voice of spirit. For until this time, humans have been left to their own devices and the creativity resulting has left a jumble of conflicting factioned groupings which need to be reassembled into the Family Of Man. Thus, each individual within the world, each and every belief system, each institution within each culture, need now be cleansed with the knowledge that comes from the voice of spirit.  This may sound like a horrendous challenge. In fact, it need not be. We have at our disposal a system in place that would allow us to carry out this process in a collective manner, in a more effective way than in any time in known history.  This global cleansing is the challenge of each Earthbound entity. It is not to be accomplished with darkness or violation of any type. It cannot be accomplished with competition, battles, or Holy Wars, It can only be accomplished through the cooperative, developmental efforts of individuals redefining the mental landscape under the direction of the spiritual guide, followed by expressive efforts to alter the cultural landscape accordingly, to accommodate the nature of humankind. The task is a daunting one, yet the time, the energy, and the human receptivity to internal guidance is at a peak point. The patterns of resistance, competition, and self-preservation have been repeated so many times throughout human history that the futility and negativity of such a course is now apparent to all. Humankind now experiences en masse the effects of lack of evolution, the effects of disconnection from the spirit within, the effects of separation from the Creator, and is now trapped within the gross limitations of their own creations. Such a life of pain, guilt, and futility is hardly the intention of the Creator.  There are two ways to look at the state of Humankind. One can presume that this state is the result of some built-in flaw that can only be corrected by association with some religious or governmental institution or personality. The other is to presume that such an observed "flaw" is really the result of a faulty communication system – the system between the lesser self and the greater self.  Thus, the spirit urges from within, through feelings of frustration, signaling the need for individuals to rise to the challenge at hand. In response to the inner feelings, civilization can now be accomplished through each individual effort---and even the slightest, most seemingly insignificant successes impact the energy far more than might be suspected. Indeed, world peace can be accomplished through the accumulation of such efforts. The seeds planted now by the enlightened ones will flourish, and in time the garden now choked with weeds can return to its original Edenlike state of creative freedom and spiritual fulfillment.  We are the gardeners whose plots are limited in size and influence only by our respective imaginations. Whether our intent is to change an individual habit or alter the course of history for the better, we can plant our seeds, fertilize them with positive feelings and watch in amazement as they come to fruition.  All accomplishments of self-development and expression rest upon the ability to rise above the self-preservationary reactions that now hold most humans captive. Understanding the self will reconnect humans with the universal values so they no longer must argue over which political, economic, religious, educational, social, and ethical ideas and approaches should be pursued. With mind, anything goes. Minds will always disagree until spiritual values are understood and invoked.  We have been taught that maintaining opposing views in some legal/peaceful fashion is one of the virtues of our form of government, but it is what we can unite about and cooperate in that moves us toward accomplishments in every area of our lives.  With spirit, there is a correct, purposeful course---one deemed so by the very Creator. It is written on the wind, evidenced throughout all physical nature and encoded within each cell. It presents itself as innate needs which cannot be left unmet. It is evidenced by the natural repercussion from biological safeguard systems. It follows the pleasure and pain principle, the approach and avoidance action impulses clearly observable in every physical unit, from human beings to subatomic particles.  All aspects of our environment strain to give us illustration of the influence of Spirit as an ongoing instructor. We but need stop, look, listen and reflect upon what we experience to find that road more easily traveled.  Tremendous progress can be made. A true and empoweringly great leap forward can be made, but there is a particular sequential order to this global transformation. Thus, the first step is to attain the total and complete understanding of the "Self". For it is the many muddled ideas about the self that keep humans from claiming their spiritual birthright. To this end, we will now pull together and discuss existing concepts of self.  Much of what we believe about ourselves is based upon what we have been mistaught by others and the institutions that support those teachings. It is our inner being which can help bring us to a more correct state of awareness. These "Lessons" can play a major role in that effort.  We have acknowledged the problem of how all beliefs become associated with the self-identity and signal the feeling system. We provided the solution to this problem by establishing the crucial division between mind and spirit, and of how different feelings relate to these different aspects of self. With these understandings in place, it is now useful to add the body back into the mix.  In this physical reality, our body is the immediate bio-feedback tool. It is our essential vehicle and must be included in any effort to expand our Consciousness.  It's crucial to remember that the mind still holds the focus upon the physical realm and can greatly distort the perceptions and restrain incoming information, skewing the impressions of the physical world. It's also essential to know that the energy of spirit contains all information from both mind and body. But now, clarifying within the self concept the exact role of body, can usher in less abstract understanding of the self-preservationary impulse. For although it is disruptive when misunderstood, it is the basic, safeguard system, level of human purpose.  The Self and Human Purpose The human is actually comprised of a trinity of self. The spirit  is the energy, the life force which carries information between the twin physical and nonphysical realms. It has access to all available information from both realms. The mind is the vehicle of free will through which the individual can design the life accouterments to their liking and to best fulfill their destiny path. The mind has the express purpose of self-development. When the mind does its job, the spirit can meet its purpose of self-expression in ever-expanding areas of experience.  This might sound like a duality rather than a "trinity", but the physical "self" makes the third part and is the essential quality of solidifying the progress we make in the other two roles. From the energy of Spirit, the mind can convert the non-physical state into the physical state of being and does so continuously. This is something that is obviously observable.  With adequate information exchanges and feedback between these "Twin Selves" humans can enjoy the maximum most rewarding physical experience. The life giving habits are all designed to meet these higher purposes.  As we progress along our mental and spiritual lines of development, we will naturally benefit at the physical level as well. These "selves" are not independent or unaffecting of each other.  Unfortunately, the mind has complete free will and can develop itself with slivers that can take humans in less rewarding directions, should the communication with spirit somehow breakdown. This is the risk of physical existence and the downside of free will. This is why the wisdom of the Creator has been imbued into the body itself. This is the safety feature that can save humans from themselves by keeping them oriented upon a purposeful path. The body contains the needs to move humans forward, and its physical responses of fight and flight to move them back when they stray from their intended course. The body's basic purpose is to self-preserve so that the human is kept alive long enough to discover and act upon its higher purposes. Thus there is a trinity of purpose swirling within humans at their present level.  Imagine driving your car down a winding, hilly road with guard rails on each side, traveling faster than one should and using a steering wheel with too much play in it. Hopefully, the journey can be completed before the damage to the car causes too much disability. If we can tighten our steering and slow our speed, we have a chance at arriving at our destination in much better shape.  The human race has not yet reached sufficient self-understanding necessary for the cooperative level of existence which they now are faced. They remain at cross purposes within themselves because the emotional self-signals have three distinct meanings which need to be understood. The feelings tell body to self-preserve. They tell mind to self-develop in ways to ensure the body's purposes are met. They speak the truth of spirit for its purpose of self-expression.  You might say that the human race is still in that teen-age driver state, learning through the process of trial and error.  Local Self Distinctions  So it is now useful to recognize the trinity of self, to best understand each feeling signal as it is experienced at this quite primitive level of human existence. Thus, all other terms used to capture any concept or portion of self will fall into one of these three simple self-categories of body, mind and spirit. It is essential to define this trinity of self to decipher the language of human feeling.  The most difficult part of this "defining" will be the redefining that will be necessary. Establishment supported knowledge is the most challenging to redefine. Those who profess to know the most are the last to admit that they might not "know it all".  There has been a tendency for humans throughout their history to theorize and dissect the human self and declare certain portions to have specific functions. Although incomplete or inaccurate, many have been quite elaborate, and have created further confusion. This tendency has been rooted in the very real distinction between body, mind, and spirit, yet was always clouded by the knowledge of the day, mental judgments and the perspective of the theorist.  Like most opinions, they are often passed on without testing them against our inner compass, without weighing them against the context of the spiritual nature of our being. As someone much more wise than I once said, "Those things not worth remembering, are preserved in books."  Many theorists identified three major categories, but there was so much fuzziness and overlap that the role of feeling signals in the spiritual self-regulation system could not reveal itself. Many of what was supposed to be higher divine values, were simply the passing fancies within mass consciousness. As we know now, any such belief taken from the cultural storehouse of mass consciousness, is freely and willfully chosen and maintained by its owner.  In the physical world, what we own tends to eventually decay. This can apply equally in the mental world when the exercise of creative free will is not fully appreciated and encouraged.  For example, the historically accepted Freudian distinction between Ego, Id and Superego. The Ego represents the individual's conscious mind. the Id, which he defined as an inborn, unconscious, impulsive portion of the personality, represents the body. The Superego, which was thought to be a sort of conscience or higher inner guide, was a combination of external social dictates, mores, and rules from the realm of mind, mixed together with a vague concept of inborn internal spiritual directives, inaccurately entangling them into a third fuzzy category. Such is also the case with the early philosophy of Plato, with his rational (mind), spirited (spirit) and appetitive (body) portions of the human self that based (were the basis for) the later Freudian thought.  While Plato at least gave credit for the existence of "spirit", Freud, affected by his own Darwinian times, felt compelled to reinvent the metaphorical wheel of man by rearranging and replacing some of the spokes.  The result has been a great deal of terms, each used to describe various portions of the human psyche. With the precise clarity of redefining each aspect of self, cleansed of its cultural judgments, the feelings can begin to take on their purposeful meaning. To this end, each term now must be relegated to the proper category of Body, Mind or Spirit to further cement this critical distinction. Thus, the following is offered:  BODY: (Inborn qualities) Purpose: Self Preservation   Physical Genetic Self Id/(internal, natural rules) Unconscious(hardwired drives) Collective Unconscious Appetitive Evolving Self Natural Knowledge Temperaments Talents Drives/Needs Physical/Natural Influences   MIND: (Learned, developed qualities) Purpose: Self Development Mental Self Ego Conscious Focus Mass Consciousness Rational Actual Self Intellectual Beliefs/Cultural knowledge Plans/Expectations Attitudes/Mood Skills Goals Environmental  Influences   SPIRIT: (Enduring divine qualities) Purpose: Self Expression  Nonphysical Self Superego (divine rules) Info beyond space/time Unconscious Soul Spirited  Ought Self Ideal/Destined Self Intuitive  Truths/Divine Knowledge  Divine Intention/Mission  Divine Exuberance  Soul Development  Destiny Path  Spiritual/Influences  CONCLUSION:  Each and every aspect of a human being that is learned and changes after birth resides in the realm of Mind. Each and every aspect that is innate and hardwired belongs in the realm of Body. Each and every aspect that is enduring, divine and life giving belongs in the realm of Spirit.  If we can keep this straight and enhance our understanding of "IT " by constantly reviewing the above chart, we have a good chance of "psyching" ourselves into the new millennium.  Other terms commonly used to describe aspects of self, often combine and overlap between these realms causing further confusion. Examples include: personality, character, mentality, psyche, and even brain. The term personality for example, is a combination of innate spiritual tendencies acted upon by the specific experiences and beliefs held in mind which shape behavior choices. The word brain is a uniquely confusing word. For of course, all aspects of self are manifested within the physical structures. The brain is clearly part of the body. It comes with its own abilities and temperaments and talents. But the brain can then be expanded upon and developed through experience. Quite literally, as humans learn and have experiences, the brain structures themselves change and grow in ways specific to that individual's experiences. But it is the energy of spirit that pulses the brain with life, giving rise to mind.  "Personality" for example, is a fluid quality that can be refined as we bring forth the qualities of our spiritual nature and expand the mental information of what we truly are. If we can think of the brain as the computer, than we can accept mind as the programmer.  Interpretation of Feelings And Attribution  An instantaneous recognition between the purposes of body, mind and spirit is crucial to the accurate assessment of the feedback offered by the Spiritual adjudicator, the emotional information system. The feelings take on the three distinct levels of meaning to the enlightened mind. But without adequate understanding of the separate functions of each aspect of self, the system falls into automatic mode to ensure survival. Consequently, when we make ourselves aware of the true value as well as the sophisticated scope of our nature, we automatically begin to move toward a new level of growth, giving ourselves greater purpose than the instinct to simply survive.  In this mode, (automatic mode) the system operates upon the self/not-self distinction with body, mind, and spirit lumped together motivating actions toward a singular goal of self-preservation. Self preservation of mind creates limitation and emotional boundaries and stifles the spirit's purposeful expression. Evolving humans must rise above the automatic cycle by mindfully intervening and rising to the higher purposes of self-development of mind and self-expression of spirit. Thus, it is essential to correctly understand which portion of self any specific feeling addresses.  We are truly astonishing creatures, more complex than we have been led to believe, but more understandable than we have anticipated. The clue lies in our intent to achieve full cognition. Without the inspirations of "intent", there can be no growth.  This is a process called attribution. Attribution is the part of the Right Response which acknowledges the specific portion of self which has elicited the feeling signal being interpreted. This is a relatively simply task when one understands the difference between body, mind, and spirit, and will eventually become virtually automatic for enlightened ones. But what happens without such information, is that the entire self gets credit or blame for each and every feeling, and automatically seeks to preserve itself by avoiding situations that invoke bad feelings, or automatically approaching those that bring pleasurable ones---oftentimes not at all the best choice of action.  Again, we have the capability to differentiate between this trinity of qualities, but the first step has to be one of awareness of the "completeness" of the humans that we are and always have been.  Actions which meet one need at the expense of another provide a benefit of momentary relief from bad feelings or pleasure from good ones, but at a cost of future problems. Lacking this ever-present boundary and the correct attribution of the feeling signal, the message of Divine Intention is far less accessible, and the human needs can become mental enemies instead of spiritual allies. If the feelings are mis-attributed or unexamined they can work against the spiritual goals by helping instill slivers rather than removing them. Partial, temporary, or artificial need fulfillment can perpetuate misconceptions that set the stage for future pain.  Something that feels good physically, may be quite damaging mentally or spiritually, especially when the action does not take into consideration the long term effect, or the result one's action might have on someone else.  For instance, the need for Self Esteem. Self Esteem and the feelings of joy, hope, trust, honor, pride, faith, and the confidence it brings, are the spiritual rewards for successful developmental and expressive responses. They are the validation that willfully developed beliefs, skills, and strategies of mind that have allowed the spirit to shine upon humanity. But such feelings must be attributed to their correct source, or confusing, conflicting, and inaccurate beliefs and ideas can result.Such slivers, in turn, create future situations which will signal far less pleasant emotions.  This is one case where feeling good about one's self can be trusted to be from a spirit source. If there are "second thoughts" which tend to contaminate that blissful feeling, an examination of one's belief system (as it relates to the particular experience) might be in order.  For example, a spirited young girl of eleven tender years dances into the living room of her parents, displaying adept and imaginative choreography. Even as she dances, she experiences joyous emotion for the creative expression she is achieving. Her spirit sings its happiness as she meets this essential need, to which she rhythmically and energetically responds. The joy is intensified due to the fact that she is also meeting her connection need by performing for others. When her performance is complete, her parents give raves and applause, and again her spirit soars in reward for her skillful accomplishments, and her sense of self is strengthened.  This is an example of pure joy, a completed action that results in the kind of uplift that can have long-enduring benefits. As we move into adulthood, we begin to meet the blend of the misguided around us.  But among the praise for her creative expression, her tenacity in practicing, and her innate talent, come other, perhaps more sinister, praises: "What lovely golden curls, you are so beautiful, just like a lady!" Or comparisons might be made: "You're so much better than your cousin Jane!" The positive emotion that accompanies such a glowing review prompts an automatic response, where these new concepts of self, "beautiful," "ladylike" and "better" are added to the tools of mind. This is also known as conditioning or positive reinforcement. Like all needs, the esteem need ties directly with the feedback system and its objectives to identify things that are good or bad for self. Without conscious mental intervention, all portions of self will be included in any situation of positive reinforcement. Recall that true self esteem is based upon self-development (of mind) and self-expression (of spirit), both of which are purposeful, individual actions. But recall also that esteem needs can be met in other temporary or artificial ways through self-preservation of existing ideas or mindsets. There are several potential problems in this situation:  What follows is self-explanatory and is designed to alert us to a negativity that we might not necessarily be aware of until we examine it a new perspective.  Positive Feelings & The Self This example brings to light how positive emotions play their role in the learning cycle. Although the negative emotions are the most problematic, it is essential to understand the subtleties of the positive ones as well. Since all feelings can be attracted to contents of mind or self concept, the pursuit of pleasure is also wrought with potential self-preservationary responses.  Keeping an "eye on the prize" and a positive attitude works as a sort of a mental magnet is bring about the experiences that generate the growth sought. This also weakens the influence of those negative slivers that we are constantly exposed to and will then naturally reject. We have discussed in detail how each of the emotions speak from different aspects of self, how the primary emotions of joy, anger, fear and sadness spring directly from a frustrated or expanding spirit which brings bodily safeguards into play. But joy is also intimately connected with any contents of mind that have met with success previously. And joy takes on many subtle shadings in the form of the learned emotions such as pride, confidence and even hope that operate in the mind. Although temporary and misleading, it is far easier to retain slivers which bring pleasure than those that bring pain.  This is where a refined filter system comes into play. We develop this "system" by attuning ourselves to the thoughts and attitudes and, more importantly, the feelings we find ourselves experiencing in relation to the world as we move through it.  Thus, to be just as cautious in understanding the positive emotional signals is to be truly enlightened. The best advice is to think about the incoming positive feedback and scrutinize just what belief it is suggesting or what need it is fulfilling, like the young lady in our example. As you go through this process, pay particular attention to any bad feelings that arise, for they will expose limitations to the incoming or proposed "gem." If the pleasure does not allow denial or an escape response from something that causes pain, if it doesn't compromise one need to meet another, or if it shows promise of a truly better approach, let it in. Let it become associated with your sense of self---in full awareness that this is the mind which is always purposefully seeking change and improvement. For the beauty of the spiritual adjudicator, is that if it is truly a sliver it will create future negative feelings such as anxiety, fear, frustration, guilt, or sadness, which will then expose it for removal or alteration.  There is a built in propensity to believe that that which is for our spiritual betterment will sustain and be retained, while that which is the opposite will become painfully evident, which is the tool of encouragement that should lead to rejecting such. Consequently, that which we desire to be will naturally become us.  In sum, each incoming feeling, good or bad, and the experience or incoming feedback information that spurred it, should be pondered and applied to its correct source. With a few conscious interpretations and attributions, these thought processes will soon become as unconscious as the ones which now automatically attribute every feeling to the entire self.  In other words, we need merely change our "habits" of thinking and once accomplished, the new habits will carry us forward to the unlimited possibilities these "Lessons" promise. It's really as simple as that.  Each feeling, indeed, springs from an aspect of self and should be recognized as such. For mind is the pinnacle of physical existence, but it also stands directly between spirit and the body in its physical world, placing the responsibility upon the mind to resolve its own complications. All humans simply must apply this knowledge to each and every feeling as soon as it is experienced. If the source is mind, the best response is to adapt beliefs and learn. If the source is body or spirit, the best response is to honor the need, express the higher ideal, faithful in the wisdom of spiritual intention. Of course when the mind is enlightened to the degree that it can direct actions within all three purposes, such conflicts do not arise.  This last sentence is the ideal toward which we strive.  Other Self Goals  There are also other terms regarding the self and its goals tossed around which can be clarified as well. Some examples are: self-efficacy, self actualization, self-love, self-hatred, etc. At this point applying them to the correct aspects of self should be relatively easy. As long as the understanding is in place between the developing and enduring qualities, interpretations of self become the proverbial piece of cake.  Presumably this is in reference to the common cliche to "have one's cake and eat it too". This should become more clear as we proceed.  For example, self efficacy is defined as the effectiveness or ability of an individual to make things happen. It is related to self-esteem and belongs in the realm of mind. Self actualization, on the other hand, is about allowing the spirit to fully express its gifts upon the physical realm. It speaks of something that already exists within the body that needs to be developed and actualized or made apparent in the world. This of course is the spirit. But without development of mind, without skills and strategies with which to express spirit, self-actualization is not as likely to occur.  Let's say that a person has a particular gift that comes forth when he/she is put in a position to build someone else's sense of pride, such as a teacher. Yet, because the person believes that he/she is not intelligent enough to enter such a profession, the "gift" is never allowed expression.  Self love should always be above spirit. Self love is about valuing that which you are despite the illusions of the physical realm, the slivers of mind, the limitations of body, and the judgments and injustices of mass consciousness. Self love marks faith and trust in the Spirit and in its higher wisdom. It is strengthened by the absolute certainty that spirit is one with the Creator and All That Is. Self love is not conditional upon anything that might rest in the realm of mind, or body. Love for self and others flows naturally when the needs are met. Patience, compassion, humor and self-acceptance regarding the body, the mind and its developmental progress are also such expressions of self love.  When we truly love ourselves for what we are, then it automatically follows that we will love our spirit and recognize that it is a part of a greater Spirit that encompasses ALL, including all others who are and will be a part of our being.  Self hatred should never exist. But it is an easy tendency when blaming is a chosen strategy. As we now know, any legitimate negative feelings about the self, point to deficits within the realm of mind and beg for learning experiences and corrections of conflicting beliefs. Many cultural systems instill such conflicts by asking individuals to believe things that go against their spirit and their natural bodily inclinations. Guilt almost always is the result of such conflicting information and external dictates. When spirits choose their own actions which do not agree with the mind's chosen religious tenets or moral view, they experience guilt and self-loathing.  So many of us have been taught that we are basically sinners, doomed to everlasting punishment, without the help of our religious institutions. This sets the stage for discouragement of free will and plays down any appreciation of our spiritual nature, resulting in all the negative experiences that follow.  It must be completely accepted by the mind that the spirit, the body, and all of its inherent nature, are good and beautiful and natural as defined by the Creator. They should be loved and celebrated and placed as superior to any man-made ideas or methods which deny, defile, control, or attempt to overcome the spirit's nature.  A close look at Nature itself, reinforces the apparent truth of its perfect state of balance, regardless of how mankind may attempt to improve upon it. So it is with humans, who are already perfect in our own nature, if allowed and encouraged to connect with our true spiritual essence.  Feelings of guilt and self-loathing should automatically be examined to find the underlying slivers which pit mind against body or spirit, and demand that nature bend to the ideas of mind. This is an affront to the Creator, and this is why it is a violation of the response rules. It never works, for the spirit will continuously offer its message of disapproval through the subsequent negative feelings. This is as close to "sin" as humans can come---to deny the Creator's intention. True doctrines which celebrate spirit do not even attempt to legislate natural behavior, instead they attempt to understand the wisdom of the Creator by honoring the creation and accommodating each of its natural working systems.  Would that this concept be adopted by the religious institutions. In place, it would lead mankind back to our intended relationship with All That Is.  In sum, the distinction between the trinity of self is the basic foundational understanding which can unlock the complex meanings contained within each emotional signal. It can demonstrate how all three purposes are suggested within each feeling. It can show how each feeling suggests the sequence of specific internal or external corrective actions set forth in the appropriate response rules. It can unlock the mystery of how the safeguards of body are forced into action when the mind is not sufficiently developed to lead humans along the destiny path. It can expose the folly of such concepts as evil and sin.  It is, at this point, time to review this "trinity" once again, with the intent of fully grasping the value of what we are meant to be and become.  It can acknowledge the existence of the spirit and its special functions and divine wisdom. It can give the spirit credit as the ever-present life force that communicates information from all physical and nonphysical realms. It can acknowledge how the spirit provides the insights and inspirations from the wellspring of universal consciousness, once humans unblock the mind. It can hint of a grander more purposeful level of existence than that which now exists.  In other words, it can open all our "physical senses" and unlock our mental and spiritual potential far beyond what we can presently perceive.  This first level of self understanding provides the foundation for further implications upon personhood, as we now turn to the process of learning culture. Table of Contents