The Fourth Way & Esoteric Traditions

Lower Self: Negative Emotions

Negative emotions are a major obstacle that prevent one from reaching the Divine Present. Preoccupation with irritations, anger, judgment or self-pity, etc. veil reality. Furthermore, negative emotion creates a strong, illusory sense of `I` that conceal the nature of the lower self. When blaming others or events for one`s negativity, it is impossible to see one's own internal faulty attitudes that are the cause of the negativity. However, because attitudes are possible to change, a positive attitude can enable one to harness and transform the powerful energy behind the negativity.

Expression of negative emotions is always mechanical,
so it can never be useful. But resistance to it is conscious.
Only those who have a certain control of negative emotions
can work on self - remembering and get good results.
-- Ouspensky

When you restrain your anger you outrage the devil,
since you have tamed your animal self and subdued it.
-- Ibn Arabi

The lion traditionally represents the emotions of the lower self; a roaring lion is a strong negative emotion. The non-expression of negative emotions is the beginning of transforming them into presence. When the feeling of `I` is distanced from the negative emotion, its powerful energy can become fuel for the state of Presence. Not justifying ones negativity, but rather stepping back to observe the negativity circulating within already begins to transform and redirect this volatile energy.

Blessed is the man who consumes his lion,
and cursed is the man who is consumed by his lion.
-- Gospel According to Thomas

Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil,
as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour.
-- Bible, I Peter 5:8

He took the sword and, rushing upon the lion,
smote him between the eyes.
-- Arabian Nights