Intimately knowing, But not showing.

 Desires, Ego, Fantasy, these things are not bad in and of themselves. The reason many spiritual practices suggest their limitation or destruction is for two reasons. 1) it is impossible to fully destroy 2) Attachment to these things limits our ability to see clearly.

If you are absorbed in what you want, pursuing your goal, you could even be succeeding and feeling good about it too, but the problem is, you do not see the world clearly. You see all only in relation to that goal. Not only are you blind to large swaths of life, but that obsession alters your perceptions in such a way that you are more easily manipulated and led astray.

You must be in contact with your desires, with your ego, with your fantasies. To know them intimately and yet not let them sway you in the moment while you are living your life.

Knowing them and not letting them act through you.

Pay attention,
to others,
to yourself,

notice when situations arise which seem to be a gift from the universe to satiate your desires.
Participate but do not take actions toward those goals.
Notice,
Take note,
Watch how the world unfolds.