Originally posted by qbik2008
I see what you mean on the one hand and yet, I see the same thing in another light...for example I think what you are focused on or pointing out is
the "Service of the Self" and "being true to the Self"...can be considered selfish yes...???
I see this as a Paradox again...and it is in the wording that you have proposed...as there are many Paradox's given throughout the entire book...
I have not really seen anywhere in the Book that it states that we are to "Serve Ourselves" but I can relate to the idea that by "Serving
ourselves" to rid ourselves of our own "Separate Selfish Selves" to really see and understand who, what, where, when and why we ARE...We are
ONE...We are Universal Consciousness...may appear to be Selfish...
And yet at the same time appear to be serving the Universal Consciousness and also at the same time allowing us to eventually and truly serve others
once we have accomplished this Horrendously difficult task of Destroying our Separate Selfish Selves and ultimately Serving others Unselfishly with
Unselfish Love via the "Universal Will"....
Quite a mouthful...but does this appear to be somewhat of a viable answer?
I am by no means an expert on this stuff...just very interested and seeking knowledge and insights myself...and so by answering "other's"
questions...It would appear that I am selfishly teaching myself some things about this book while answering "other's" questions....
Definitely the main point, a guiding principle, is to never give in to your seperate selfish self conciousness.
But we could look at "Service to self" in another way.
Think of the Star Exercise. You bring in energy into the body, this is blessings and salvation for oneself. But at the same time you send energy out
of and through the body, giving blessing and salvation to others.
The saying in the Buddha school is cultivating inwards saves oneself, cultivating outwards saves others. Salvation for oneself and others, Salvation
for all Beings.