Lower Self: Imagination
Imagination is one of the greatest obstacles to Being Present. Being Present means being aware of oneself and ones surrounding at the same time. The state of imagination is characterized by fascination with internal thoughts and emotions that endlessly turn round and round. The animals in the images of the Tarot 'Wheel of Fortune' card and the Dutch painting each represent a thought, or an emotion, or a sensation. Each one is mistakenly taken as `I`. We do not see that these thoughts, emotions and sensations happen just like the weather happens. Such continual inner chatter is simply uncontrolled mind activity.
In many esoteric traditions, the lower self is represented by a snake or serpent. Because it has no hands or feet, it cannot raise itself up (to Presence). The snake also symbolizes imagination. Imagination starts with an innocent thought like the head of the snake, and can wind on indefinitely—like the long body of the snake.
If we do not admit the serpent's head, which is the provocation of the thought, we will not admit the rest of its body.
[The Philokalia, John Cassian]
Get thee back, Apep, thou enemy of Ra, thou winding serpent in the form of an intestine, without arms, without legs, whose body cannot stand upright.
[Egyptian Texts, Legends of the Gods]
The snake is your animal self. Do not expect to oppose it with
quietness and sweetness and mere wishing.
[Rumi]
