ofselfishness.Thisdeteriorationinthementalconditionofanindividualistermedegoism.Egoism
disturbstheinternalarrangementofthepersonality,pushingittowardssetian 167 (demoniac)qualit-
ies instead of heruian 168 (saintly) qualities.
Whentheinternalarrangementofthepersonalityisoutofbalance,thepersonalityemotesnegative
expressions.Theseinturnshapetheenvironmentinwaysthataredistastefultotheegoitselfthatis
doingtheemitting.Forexample,whenadesireisnotfulfilled,theegomaycursewhatitconsidersto
bethesourceoftheobstructionpreventingitfromattainingwhatitbelievesisitsobjectofdesire.
Thisemotingofhateasifcausestheobjecttoreflecthatredbackandthepersonalityisfurthertor-
mentedbythisinteraction.Thepersonemittinghatredisincapableofexperiencingtrueloveand
peacebecauseoftheirownnegativefeelingandemissionwhichcloudtheintellectualcapacitytore-
solvetheissueofthetrueproblem.Theobjectofdesiremaybeapersonoraninanimateitem,butthe
resultisthesame.Theegofallsbackonacopingmechanismbasedonignorancewhereinimagina-
tionandfantasyallowittoassignblameforthefrustrationitfeels.Thusthefrustrationbecomespro-
jected upon the perceived source of the obstruction.
TheignorancebywhichthisentireprocessproceedsislackofknowledgeofSelf.Theignorantper-
sonactsoutduetomisunderstandingthetruenatureoftheirownbeingandthetruenatureoftheex-
ternalworld.Soperceivingitselfasanindividualinauniverseofindividualobjectsandrandomcir-
cumstances,theegolivesoutofdesireandfear,aswellashatred,constantlyseekingtoachievesitu-
ations or acquire objects that will fulfill it. Since this is impossible it experiences perpetual unrest.
Theonlypeacethatthemindexperiencesiswhenindreamlesssleep,forevenworldlypleasuresarea
formoftemporarytensionrelief.Theyultimatelyleadtomorefrustrationbecausethepleasureexper-
iencedfromtheworldcanneverbefullyandabidinglymaintained,andsothedesirecanneverbe
fullyandabidinglyfulfilled.Mentalandemotionalimbalancesleadtoimbalancesinthelifeforceen-
ergyandthehormonesofthebody.Asaresult,chemicalreactionsthatoccurwithinthebodytokeep
itfunctioningoptimallyaredisrupted,resultinginconditionssuchasheadaches,ulcersandcancers.
Whenthepersonalitybeginstodiscoverhigherandmorefulfillingaspectsofitsnature,itfindspeace
and an intuitional capacity to lead itself to true happiness and health.
Three states of mind
Therearethreeimportantstatesofmind,theDull,AgitatedandLucid.Therearetwobasicstatesor
polesofmentaloperation.TheseareDullnessandLucidity.Mosthumanbeingsliesomewherein
betweenthesetwooppositeendsofthementalspectrum(varyingdegreesofdisturbanceoragita-
tion).TheDullmindisbesetwithdepression,anguish,hatred,andunrest,invaryingdegrees.The
lesseragitatedmind,thelucidmind,whichoperatesonhigher,universalprinciplesandself-know-
ledge,orfaithintheDivine,isfreeoforexperienceslessdepression,worry,anxiety,etc.Thismind
ismorepronetouniversalloveinsteadoffavoritism,conciliationinsteadofaggression,and