instinct本能

In The Early Sessions Book 2, Seth offers a unique and specific interpretation of the concept of "instinct," mainly revolving around humanity's "instinct for manipulation," the clarification of the so-called "instinct for destruction," and the individual's instinctive self-regulating mechanism when facing aggressive emotions.

First, Seth explicitly denies that humans possess an "instinct for destruction." He points out that the human race has no instinct for destruction, and that what appear to be manifestations of a destructive instinct are actually the result of humanity's inability to control emotional energy and to release energy in the most effective way ^[1]. In contrast, Seth affirms that humans do possess an inner tendency that can truly be called an "instinct for manipulation" ^[1]. This instinct for manipulation is closely related to humanity's activities of constructing the physical universe and creating culture and civilization on the material level.

Second, regarding the release and regulation of emotional energy, Seth explains the natural operation of instinct. When emotional energy cannot be released through natural means (such as allowing it to overflow into the field of non-identity molecules), it leads to intense aggressive feelings ^[1]. On the collective level, if this surplus and uncontrolled emotional energy cannot be effectively discharged, it may even be balanced through wars or natural disasters (such as earthquakes, tornadoes, etc.) as safety valves ^[1].

Finally, on the individual level, Seth uses the example of Ruburt (Jane) to demonstrate how instinct guides the individual in beneficial energy transformation. When Ruburt experienced aggressive emotions in response to stimuli, he instinctively chose to consume and control this energy through physical activity (such as cleaning and rearranging the apartment). Seth points out that this constructive alteration of the apartment environment was "instinctively correct" ^[2]. Physical activity is an excellent way to use and control the effects of aggressive reactions, and can prevent aggressive emotions from accumulating into harmful physical constructions. Seth mentions that, except when encountering disappointment in writing, Ruburt almost instinctively operated within a beneficial pattern when dealing with such emotions ^[2].

In summary, in The Early Sessions Book 2, "instinct" is described as an inner mechanism that guides energy toward constructive transformation. It not only denies the theory of innate destructiveness, but also emphasizes the importance of instinctively and constructively releasing and directing emotional energy through physical activity and material manipulation.

In Seth Speaks, regarding the innate inner knowledge and instinct of cells and organisms (that is, the deep unconscious and inner self discussed in the book), there are several core formulations and distinctive aspects:

I. The true unconscious is highly awake and possesses cellular knowledge The book points out that the true unconscious is by no means without consciousness; on the contrary, it is so deep and inexpressibly conscious that its consciousness overflows [chunk 235]. At the very deepest unconscious levels, human beings create the physical body they know with great discrimination, miraculous clarity, and intimate unconscious knowledge of every cell that composes the body [chunk 9264]. This intimate knowledge of the cells is not symbolic, but actual, and the entire existence of the physical body depends completely on the smooth functioning of this portion of the unconscious [chunk 9264].

II. The inner self's command and maintenance of the body and life This seemingly unconscious portion is actually called the "inner self," because it directs inner activities [chunk 9264]. Although the everyday "conscious mind" or "ego-oriented self" cannot perceive these activities, this inner self actually knows far more than the conscious mind; it is highly conscious, perceptive, and alert [chunk 9264]. The materially oriented self of the human being springs precisely from this great psychic force [chunk 9264]. At the same time, from this unconscious bed of possibilities, human beings draw strength, creativity, and their own fragile yet powerful individual consciousness [chunk 235].

III. The distinctive aspect of animal consciousness In discussing the consciousness and instinct of living organisms, the book mentions that animals do possess a kind of consciousness [chunk 9264]. Although this consciousness does not grant them as much freedom as human beings have, at the same time, in applying this consciousness, animals are not burdened by certain particular characteristics that often prevent human consciousness from realizing its practical potential [chunk 9264].

IV. The integration of inner knowledge and the whole self This inner instinct and knowledge is also reflected in the pursuit of the whole self. In order to maintain the nature of human consciousness, sexual differentiation (anima and animus) is deeply implanted to balance necessary but seemingly opposing tendencies [chunk 235]. There exists a natural tension between the sexes based on deep reasons, and the attraction between people stems precisely from the "inner knowledge" of the whole self, which strives to achieve true identity by combining and realizing these seemingly opposing tendencies [chunk 235].

In The Nature of Personal Reality, Seth explores the concept of "instinct" from multiple dimensions, defining it as the innate inner knowledge, unconscious wisdom, and self-regulating programs with which cells and organisms are born.

I. From pure instinct to the evolution of free will and the conscious mind In the early stages of human consciousness evolution, pure instinct provided everything needed for survival ^[1][2]. However, with the birth of the conscious mind (free will), humanity had to discard those aspects of instinct that, although self-regulating, precise, and safe, were also limiting ^[3][4]. This means that those originally wonderful and fully applicable "built-in programs" (that is, instinct) were replaced, and they were demoted from absolute "regulations" to "suggestions" ^[3][4]. Humanity thus became a species no longer completely dependent on instinct, yet still retaining all natural survival desires, and possessing a mind capable of making decisions and discerning differences ^[2][5][6].

II. The precision of animal instinct and its inner order Seth points out that instinct is quite precise; for example, it can guide wild animals to the territory most suitable for their survival ^[7]. The "thinking" of animals exists entirely within the framework of instinct, whereas human thought expressed in words can break out of that framework, and this is one of the main differences between humans and animals ^[8]. At the biological level, a "biological compassion" and sense of justice, understood at the deepest cellular level, is built into animal instinct ^[3]. For example, when a cat kills a mouse, the mouse's consciousness, knowing in advance the coming pain, will voluntarily leave the body, and the two reach a tacit understanding and mutual comprehension at the biological level without any sense of guilt ^[3][4]. Furthermore, animal instinct and the natural state follow an inner unconscious order, keeping their numbers within reasonable limits and making room for other creatures with unconscious courtesy ^[9].

III. Cellular knowledge and the innate healing instinct The foundation of instinct lies in the inner knowledge of cells and molecules. Seth mentions that the body's cells, amid constant metabolism, can still retain their own character and recreate themselves according to their inherent pattern, and this depends on the miraculous wisdom of the body's "unconscious" knowledge ^[10]. At the micro level, the latent, freely flowing innate "knowledge" of molecules establishes the "knowledge" of cells, and they cooperate seamlessly with one another ^[11]. For human beings, when body and psyche work together, there exists an "innate healing instinct" ^[12]. When people trust this natural healing instinct and understand the nature of the conscious mind and the unconscious mind, the natural healing system of body and mind can keep them healthy and joyful. Conversely, if they do not trust this instinct, people will evade conscious thought and turn instead to external treatments or drugs ^[12].

IV. The repression, conflict, and distortion of human instinct When human beings fail to fully develop the discernment of consciousness and emotion, they often retreat and rely on the remnants of ancient instincts ^[13]. However, these ancient instincts were not designed to work in coordination with the conscious reasoning mind; they cannot understand humanity's "moments of reflection," and may even regard them as irrational denials of impulse ^[13]. This conflict causes the body to send out highly contradictory messages, so that humanity can neither let true instinct rule nor let reason prevail, thereby producing a "distorted version of instinct" and a misuse of the senses that leads to collective problems ^[13].