PB doesn't say that the person in a mystical state treads (or should tread) the flesh under foot - but rather 'fleshly desires.' In the moment or state of being uplifted by a Glimpse, of being blessed by the presence of the Overself, the question arises, "how could I have ever wanted anything else?" For the Overself, like the body, carries its own desirability within itself. To become aware of the Overself is to be awakened to a desire for it. The same is true of the body. Unfortunately, the converse is also true - when we are not truly awake to the Overself we can only conceive or believe (or remember) its desirability, while we are awakened to the body - and its fleshly desires - every morning. As to the goodness of these latter - they're basically good for the body, and only are bad for the quester in that they absorb attention and energy that may be required to achieve contact with the Soul.

Tim, when you write, "when we are not truly awake to the Overself we can only conceive or believe (or remember) its desirability, while we are awakened to the body - and its fleshly desires - every morning." is this statement based upon your personal experience?

I remember that PB never allowed himself to be recorded and was very cautious about 'self-disclosure'. Yet in conversation, PB was quite frank about past and present realizations.

My conclusion is that to withhold or disclose, or to hesitate, to act spontaneously or to act with deliberation - the EGO will still find a way of benefiting. There seems to be the least negativity aroused from discretion, however, and that is the course that I generally prefer. I think that PB's verbal frankness reflects the living presence of the Overself. Whenever something is recorded, written down, that statement becomes fixed, and that which is fixed as a personal fact is inevitably food for the ego.

It is fair to ask the source/basis of a thought or opinion. In this case, I am speaking from experience; this can neither be ratified nor denied by another (which limits debate, discussion), but at least it's my own truth.

Getting back to the quote, my point is that the ego harbors desire, and not the Overself or the Body. As long as the ego remains, the filter - and filtre - of desire will color our contact with both.