From Rudolf Steiner:

But the ” I ” is a spiritual potency, a spiritual being. What the ” I ” creates, as the astral body creates karma, does not remain connected with man but detaches itself from him as forms created by thoughts. Now in respect of the forms or forces deriving from the ” I ” of man, a sharp distinction must be made. The human ” I ” or Ego can unfold either selfishness or selflessness in the inner life. According to whether selfishness, or selfless love and compassion are unfolded, these “forces” or “forms” operate quite differently. The forces of selfish thoughts become forces of disturbance, even of destruction; they pass into the spiritual world actually as destructive forces. On the other hand, all forces of selfless thoughts enter into the spiritual life of Earth-evolution, not as destructive but as upbuilding, constructive forces. In that these forces of selfless thought detach themselves as it were from the ” I ” of man, they leave behind certain traces in him. Especially is it true of forces begotten of selfless thoughts and feelings, that as they go forth from the ” I,” they leave traces behind in the human being —  traces which are quite perceptible. The more the ” I ” sends out forces born of selfless thoughts and feelings, the more does a man develop individuality of form, of gesture, facial expression, and so on — in short, the power inherent in his own being. The forces of selfish, self-seeking thoughts and feelings, however, operate in him in such a way that he has little power to give expression to his own individuality. We must therefore ask: What is the principle underlying the distinction to be made among the individual forms of men in the course of the evolution of humanity?

Rudolf Steiner

Ideas must become Ideals.

 

We are most ourselves when we are least ourselves.

Selflessness leads to true individuality.