Cultivating: Technique and Discipline
Osiris rising from sleep, Egyptian Museum, Cairo
Hands and feet also symbolize methods that enable a man to rise from the state of sleep to the state of Divine Presence. When the hands are raised up in the air, the arms quickly tire. Likewise is the effort to promote Presence, which is like training a muscle. The more one practices, the more one can do it.
We are given hands and feet so we might use them in ways agreeable to God.
[The Philokalia, Peter of Damaskos]
The King has sprung up to heaven on the fingers of the god, lord of the ladder.
[Pyramid Texts]
Blessed [be] the LORD my strength, which teacheth my hands to war, [and] my fingers to fight.
[Psalms 144:1]
Feet also symbolize steadfast effort and the ablility control the devil-like lower self.
Christ standing on a lion and snake, Archiepiscopal Chapel, Ravenna 5th C. AD.
Stamp under the feet, everything that is not Him, This is the way of reaching the Beloved.
[Jalaluddin Rumi]
Horus has placed your enemy under your feet, that you might live.
[Pyramid Texts]
I have pursued mine enemies, and overtaken them neither did I turn again till they were consumed. I have wounded them that they were not able to rise they are fallen under my feet.
[Psalms 18:37-39]
The place of the self is under your feet.
[Shams]
