Red Book 12

The spirit of this time in me wanted to recognize the greatness and extent of the supreme meaning, but not its littleness.

The spirit of the depths, however, conquered this arrogance, and I had to swallow the small as a means of healing the immortal in me.

It completely burnt up my innards since it was inglorious and unheroic.

It was even ridiculous and revolting.

But the pliers of the spirit of the depths held me, and I had to drink the bitterest of all draughts.