Thank you for your reply Mark!  Sorry I only read it today.
Posting on NCR articles are LOVE/HATE activities for me.  :-(
I actually in head over heels in LOVE with God!  To me God is like standing on a quiet and unceasing waves of sea water at beach!  Especially, if you grew up by the sea and it is a part of your spirit.
"..with no clear conception of their own interests."  You talk as though you are a separate being from God!  As for me, God is a basic and inseparable part of my own being.  And He holds all the beauty, profound peace, all encompassing love & tenderness.  Well, once you experience God's being, how is it possible to entertain your own miserable interests?   You are done more or less being interested in your being as a human or your miserable life on earth!!!!  
I honestly can't be sure if it is blessing to experience God or it is a sort of curse!!!
I still hope you experience our incredible God!