167 The Shadow Cabinet of Rejected Impulses

Session 167: The Ego’s Power Trip and the Inner Child Party

Welcome to the ultimate vibe check on the nature of personality. Today, we’re breaking down the cosmic wisdom from Session 167 of The Early Sessions Book 4 of the Seth Material, recorded on the evening of July 5, 1965.

Grab a drink, kick back, and let’s talk about why your ego might be acting like a buzzkill and how your inner child is actually still hanging out in the room.

The Personality is a Dance Floor, Not a Statue

Seth kicks things off by reminding us that the personality isn't some dusty relic—it’s constantly in motion. If you think you're "set in your ways," Seth would like a word.

• Non-Stop Motion: No part of your personality is ever still. It’s a literal flow of energy.
• Time is a Social Construct (for the Ego): Except for your ego, the rest of your personality doesn't care about your calendar. It experiences everything as a big, eternal "now."
• The Adult-Child Mashup: Since the inner self doesn't see time as linear, the child you used to be is still very much alive and kicking inside you.

"The child therefore within the adult personality is not dead, nor are his reactions considered, basically, as reactions which are part of a past behavior pattern; but these reactions exist side by side with adult reactions."

The Ego: The Rigid Manager of Your Life

The ego is that one friend who is obsessed with being "effective" and "rational." It’s the only part of you that worries about the past, present, and future.

• The Gatekeeper: The ego decides which reactions are "cool" to show the world. If it thinks a reaction is ineffective or doesn't fit its "self-image," it tries to swipe left on it.
• Rationalization Games: When the ego finally accepts a behavior it previously hated, it uses rationalization to make itself feel better about it.
• The Rigidity Trap: The ego is pretty stiff. It deals in cause and effect and gets spooked by anything that threatens its control.

"The ego’s denial of a reaction however does not cause the reaction to disappear from within the personality... Many reactions, many patterns of reactions, are rejected by the ego upon some occasions and accepted upon other occasions, but as a rule such alternate behavior is annoying to the ego itself."

When Suppressed Vibes Rebound

Here is where it gets spicy. If the ego acts like a dictator and blocks too many natural impulses, those impulses don't just vanish—they start a secret club.

• Impulse Groupings: Rejected impulses huddle together and form their own energy patterns.
• Energy Drain: If the ego spends all its time trying to suppress these patterns, it starts running low on "juice" for the outside world.
• The Inevitable Explosion: These suppressed patterns will find an outlet. If the ego refuses to acknowledge them, they might just bypass the ego entirely.

Rest, Rhythms, and the Oswego Symposium

Seth kept this session short because he’s a bro who understands the need for a "recharge." Jane and Rob were heading to a Hypnosis Symposium at Oswego State University College, and Seth wanted them at 100% energy.

• Inner Rhythms: Sessions follow a natural beat. Sometimes they are long and intense; sometimes they are short and sweet.
• The Energy Bank: Seth encouraged them to use the rest to regenerate. Even if you feel fine, having an "excess of energy" is a pro move for big future events.

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If you want to dive deep into the rabbit hole (and you should), go grab the books! Visit the New Awareness Network website and bookstore at sethcenter.com/the-early-sessions.