Lower Self: Animal Nature
The lower self has an animal-like nature. It is selfish, and primarily concerned with comfort, security, food, money, and sex. It is basically responsible for keeping one alive, and when one is ill, it is active in the process of recovery. However, it is not interested in awakening, but rather opposed to awakening, which means loss of control to the Higher Self.
Demon beast creeping up on a Saint.
The bull is a symbol for the instinctive, animal-like characteristics of the lower self. If we are not controlling the bull, we are being controlled by it.
Back, you, lowing ox. Your head is in the hand of Horus;
your tail is in the hand of Isis.
[Egyptian Pyramid Text]
The junior demon shook himself and changed into an aged Taoist
He could be compared to the Taoist riding a buffalo.
[Journey to the West]
So long as the soul is in a state contrary to nature, running wild with the weeds and thorns of sensual pleasure, it is a dwelling-place of grotesque beasts... for all these animals signify the various shameful passions.
[Theodorus the Great Ascetic]
When the spirit of heaven rules in man, his animal nature takes its appropriate place.
[I Ching]
