But the elimination of self-interest, even granting a sincere desire on the part of the individual to accomplish it, is not so easy and is never completely achieved except by the aid of a Perfect Master. For self-interest springs from a false idea of the true nature of the Self, and this idea must be eradicated and the Truth experienced before that elimination of self-interest is possible.
I intend, when I speak, to reveal the one supreme Self which is in all. This accomplished, the idea of the Self as a limited, separate entity will disappear, and with it will vanish self-interest. Cooperation will replace competition; certainty will replace fear; generosity will replace greed. Exploitation will disappear.
It has been [repeatedly] asked why I have remained silent for seven years, communicating only by means of an alphabet board, and why I intend to break my silence shortly. And it might well be asked, in view of what has just been said, what relation my speaking will have to the transformation of human consciousness.
Humanity, as constituted at present, uses three vehicles for the expression of [thoughts], and experiences three states of consciousness. These three vehicles are: the mental body [the mind], in which thoughts arise as the result of impressions from past experiences. These thoughts may remain latent in the mental body as seeds, or they may be expressed.
If they are expressed, they take the first forms of desire, and first pass through the subtle or the desire body, which is composed of the five psychic senses. They may rest there, as in the case of dreams or unfulfilled desire, or they may be further expressed in action through the physical body, with five physical senses.
The three states of consciousness corresponding to the three vehicles mentioned are: unconsciousness (mental body) as in deep, dreamless sleep; sub-consciousness (subtle body) as in dreams or obscured, unformed and unfulfilled desires; waking consciousness (physical body) as in active daily life.
The process by which thought passes from the mental through the subtle into physical expression may be called the expression of human will.
In order that thought may be expressed effectively, all three of the vehicles used in its expression must be perfectly clear, and the interaction between them must be harmonious. The head and the heart must be united, intellect and feeling must be balanced, and material expression must be understood to be the fruit of spiritual realization.