lower self
Our primitive impulses
The lower self is a spiritual or psychological concept referring to the base, instinctive part of human nature—the aspects driven by ego, fear, desire, and self-interest rather than wisdom or compassion.
It contrasts with the higher self, which represents one's nobler, more enlightened qualities.
Jealousy is the lower self talking.
The term appears across religious traditions and self-help contexts, often framing personal growth as a struggle between these two aspects of being.
- egoOne's self-image
- shadowLight blocked by object
- inner demonPsychological self-destructive force
- instinctInnate behavioral tendency
- desireIntense wanting
base instincts · temptation · guilty pleasure · flesh · primal · impulse · knee jerk · appetite · base · carnal · weakness · vice · craving · cheap thrill · animalistic · urges · greed · lust
lower selfhigher self
One's transcendent inner nature
conscience · soul · spirit · true self · better angels
lower selfsuperego
Mind's moral overseer
rational mind · better nature · moral conscience · self-mastery
lower selfhigher self
One's transcendent inner nature
atman · divine spark · pneuma · nous · holy spirit
lower, low, self, lowers, lowered, lowering, lowest, lowly, lowliness