hello,

some people say "I am my body, my mind, the sum of my experiences"
this is the lower (not lesser) self - the consciousness of the flesh...
some people say "I am en eternal, recurring, perfect spiritual being",
this is the higher (not better) self - the aspect of the eternal emenation.
some people say "I am what I feel, sense, and exchange w/ others"
this is the middle (singular) self, the soul/sole (existing once) amalgam.

so; lower, middle, and higher only exist in comparison to each other,
aspect precipitates consciousness, as thesis provokes antithesis...
and the synthesis, the emotional core, the "2nd act" is thus created.
so the highest self is an open awareness operating a healthy body -
a pure (clean) mind open to growth through experiential learning -
and a willingly vulnerable soul, open and aware, involved in living;

or, open-hearted, fully-aware, triplicity of self while in the world of duality.