Why choose Self-destruction?

A big Thank You to John Thrasher for asking for this channeling on why someone would choose Self Destruction as a Chief Feature (also known in the Teaching as our Obstacle).

Here is my understanding.

Self-destruction, like all Chief Features, exists as a place to act out or process issues when you are imbalanced. We don’t turn off like a machine if we get out of balance; we proceed, but the imbalance shows in various negative ways.

No one is born with a Chief Feature. We develop them based on childhood experiences and rarely settle into one until our late teens or early 20’s. And we do use all of them. But our “own” that we settle into is most difficult to shake.

All chief features teach us things about acting out badly so we learn the ramifications of being impatient, arrogant, etc with others.

The ordinal Chief Features are more internal, and although others are still impacted by them, they are designed to make us look at ourselves the most. To examine our own feelings, thoughts, beliefs, prejudices.

Self Destruction is adopted in the first place as a rejection of Greed. It says to itself: I see that Greed leaves me with a bottomless hunger that might never be satisfied and I reject it because I truly believe that I would never fill that void. Since that is the case, why pursue happiness? Why not simply self destruct and perhaps be born a better human with more talent for satisfaction.

NO says your survival instincts and the personality who strived so hard to get here and grow to adulthood. Stop that nonsense! This is a classroom so learn something before you go. Learning is why you came.

So the older, wiser soul doesn’t commit suicide as a teenager as many a younger soul does. They suck it up and try to learn something and contribute something to the world and society.

Do they fall into self destructive habits? Smoke, over-drink, drive too fast, take reckless challenges? Yes, they do. But only when they are IMBALANCED.

The rest of the time they do their best to learn, grow, and contribute. And they learn the positive pole of their Chief Feature which is Selflessness and Self Sacrifice.

They care for others without worrying about the toll on themselves. They learn to let go of narcissism and self centeredness. They learn to have a sense of humor because without altitude and perspective they cannot proceed with fortitude.

And they flirt with ending it all. And fall into depression and cynicism. And then have to remember to quit whining about how hard their life is and go out and Serve others because Service leads to enlightenment and soul growth.