self自己

In The Early Sessions Book 2, Seth elaborates the concept of the self in multiple dimensions, pointing out that its essence is infinite and boundless, while the isolated self ordinarily recognized by humans is only an arbitrary and narrow construction. First, the boundaries of the self are arbitrary and infinite. Seth points out that the boundaries, limitations, scope, and prospects of the self are merely arbitrarily drawn ^[1]. In a true sense, every self is infinite and boundless, closely connected not only with all things on the physical level but also, through the inner senses and the inner self, with the unknown inner universe ^[2]. Between the so-called self and non-self, no true boundary exists on chemical, electrical, or psychic levels ^[2][3]. Second, the physical and the environment are deeply intermingled. From a physical perspective, the self has an obvious chemical and biological dependence on and reciprocal relationship with the planetary environment ^[2][4]. The skin, as a physical boundary, is actually a loose, open framework through which chemicals, nutrients, light, and sound constantly pass in and out, so on the physical level the self is not independently enclosed either ^[5]. Moreover, because the self creates its environment, the environment is actually an extension of the self, and the division between subject and object is only an expedient established for training in the manipulation of energy on the physical level ^[6]. Third, the self has a multidimensional structure and mode of operation. The unit of the self is organized by the inner self, which directs the entire energy field, while the outer self is responsible for manipulating this gestalt in the physical universe ^[7][8]. When the two maintain balance and communication, the outer self can align with the inner self by adjusting its focus, thereby directly experiencing inner reality and in turn enriching the inner self ^[8]. In addition, on the unconscious level, the self spills over into the dream world and secondary personalities, in order to fulfill and develop qualities incompatible with the primary intention ^[9]. Fourth, the core of identity is dynamically changing. Physically there is no single, static self, because the molecules and atoms that construct the body are constantly changing; even the core of identity is continually changing, and the understanding of I am myself is completely different at different ages ^[9]. The self is like a cell in the body: although it is an individual with cohesive consciousness, because it participates in the activities of the body as an open system, it is actually infinite ^[10]. Finally, the self is capable of expansion and transcendence of consciousness. Out of fear and survival habits, humans confine themselves within an arbitrarily established core of self, like early humans huddled in a cave ^[4][11][3]. Stepping out of this limitation does not lead to the annihilation of the self, but to the value fulfillment and expansion of the self ^[4][11]. On the nonphysical level, the self is theoretically unrestricted ^[5]. The self can even leave the body, expand and move, and reassemble the body without taking physical action ^[12]. At first, this extension of the self may be accompanied by a slight, temporary expansion and deep pulsation of the bodily tissues ^[13]. At the same time, the thoughts and intentions of the self cannot be blocked by the flesh, and they continually spread outward through telepathy ^[14][5].

In The Early Sessions Book 3, Seth elaborates the concept of the self in multiple dimensions, breaking down the traditional view of the self as a single, rigid, and limited entity. First, the focusing of consciousness determines the presentation of the self. Seth points out that the human being is far more than the conscious self, and the so-called conscious self is merely the presentation of the whole self when it chooses to direct its energy and focus in a particular direction ^[1]. The whole self possesses many facets, capacities, and dimensions, and it changes direction and perspective by turning the beam of attention on or off; for example, when looking to the right it is the conscious self, and when looking to the left it is the equally important dream self ^[1]. Second, the self is a gestalt of action. The self is defined as a gestalt of action-perception patterns held together by attraction [chunk:5218, 5221]. It has no arbitrary boundaries, and on a practical level it can be regarded as a gestalt of perception patterns within which fairly constant efficiency is maintained [chunk:5221, 5222]. As the effective field of perception changes, the apparent boundaries of the self also change accordingly ^[2]. Third, there exist multiple selves and selves within the self ^[3]. Within a particular range of perception there are patterns within patterns, which from the perspective of one self can be called secondary selves or other selves [chunk:5221, 5222]. A given self can even simultaneously possess multiple coexisting selves that are unaware of one another, such as the inner self and the dream self ^[2]. The basic self includes not only the present self, but also selves in past instances, a series of selves in past physical fields, future selves, and countless present selves coexisting in various perceptual experiences unknown to the ego [chunk:5225, 5226]. Fourth, the inner self serves as the core hub. Among the many seemingly separate selves, the inner self acts as a relay station and reference point; it is the original point of action, the core, from which all other emanations that form the whole self begin, and only through contact with the inner self can knowledge of the whole self be found ^[4]. Fifth, there is a significant distinction between the self and the ego. The self with which we are familiar is actually the self plus the ego ^[5]. The ego is the attempt of the self to separate itself from action and to regard action as an object; it seeks stability, resists change, and attempts to limit perception ^[6]. The self is basically unrestricted and does not need imaginary fences to protect its privacy or security; only the ego fears challenge and seeks such restrictive security [chunk:5232, 5233]. Finally, the self has the characteristics of indestructibility and continual change. The self is limited only by its own ideas of limitation ^[7], and those psychological realities closely connected with the self that cannot be objectified and examined with the physical senses can be explored through a combination of intuition and discipline [chunk:4951, 4952]. The self changes constantly, yet it is aware of itself in all its spontaneous and simultaneous operations [chunk:5225, 5226]. Selves are not destroyed; by acting upon themselves they change into other selves while still remaining themselves ^[8].

In The Early Sessions Book 4 (dictated in 1965), Seth elaborates the concept of the self in multiple dimensions. The core formulation of this period emphasizes that the self is a complex conscious structure composed of action and without boundaries, and it clarifies in detail the dynamic relationship among the self, the ego, and the personality.

I. The essence of the self: composed of action and entirely without boundaries Seth clearly states that the self is composed of action ^[1]. Because the self is part of action, it has no limitations, no above or below, and no so-called boundaries ^[2].

1. Transcending physical and spatiotemporal limitations: The self is not enclosed within the bony skull, nor is it subject to physical limitations, because chemicals and nutrients constantly pass in and out of the body ^[3]. At the same time, the self is not limited by space or time, and actual experiences in dreams that are unrelated to space and time will change and shape the personality ^[3].
2. False boundaries and the core: The only boundaries of the self are the imaginary boundaries given to it by the ego ^[2], or the boundaries arbitrarily created and perpetuated by the self itself ^[4]. In practical application, the self is a core composed of characteristic actions and reactions, used to manipulate and process all environments; this core is established through past survival experiences, and because the self is unrestricted, the core can expand and project at any time ^[5][6].

II. The dialectical relationship among the self, the ego, and the personality At this stage Seth clearly defines the position of the ego within the self:

1. The ego is only a part of the self: The ego is actually only a part of the self, speaking on behalf of the other parts of the self ^[7]. However, when the ego attempts to speak only for itself in isolation and tries to detach itself from action, its language becomes meaningless and it limits the perception of the self ^[7][2].
2. The fear and disguise of the ego: The emotional reactions of the ego seem intense, but they are actually a disguise used to conceal the fact that it refuses to participate in overall action and fears losing its own permanence ^[7]. Only when the ego understands that it is part of the complete self and part of action will it not worry about its own permanence, because its essence depends precisely on change, vitality, and value fulfillment ^[7].
3. The expansion and yielding of the ego: In certain states, such as channeling or specific exercises, an extension of self occurs, in which the ego can participate from a temporarily subordinate position ^[8]. As a part of the personality, the ego likewise has the ability to acquire greater knowledge, potential, and scope, and to perceive and appreciate other realities ^[4].

III. The multidimensional levels, expansion, and interconnection of the self What humans are presently familiar with is only a small part of the self; the true self is far more complex and subtle than people know ^[3].

1. Multidimensional exploration: In deep dreams, the main energy shifts from physical concentration to psychic concentration, and the self travels to levels of consciousness and layers of the self far removed from the areas of physical activity ^[9].
2. Psychological and electrical gestalt: The formation of the self originates from a psychological and electrical gestalt ^[10]. Seth emphasizes that teaching oneself to expand is of the utmost importance ^[1]. The exploring intuition and the seeking self can travel through tiny and vast spaces like a summer wind, perceiving actual existences smaller than a needlepoint and vaster than a galaxy ^[4].
3. Boundless interconnection among psychological units: On a broader level, not only does the individual self have no boundaries, but different psychological units, or individuals, usually have no boundaries separating them from one another either ^[5]. One person's dreams will affect another person's dreams in very specific, realistic, and practical ways, chemically and electromagnetically, and will in turn be influenced by the dreams of neighbors ^[5][6].
4. Illness and operation: In addition, when facing illness or obstructing action, Seth points out that such obstructing action is only a particular adopted portion of the self, rather than the original basic personality structure or action gestalt ^[11]. Through specific tests and exercises, it is also helpful to understand how the self operates under such special conditions ^[12].