Authority

Don't let anyone tell you that you cannot know the truth for yourself or that you cannot achieve yourself spiritually without being tied to a temple or church. You were not born a spiritual slave. You are the authority who distinguishes what is true and untrue, spiritual and unspiritual.  Hua-Ching Ni

Others gain authority over you if you possess a will distinct from God's will.  Rabbi Hahman of Bratzlav

The question of whether or not there is a God or truth or reality, or whatever you like to call it, can never be answered by books, by priests, philosophers or saviours. Nobody and nothing can answer the question but you yourself and that is why you must know yourself. Immaturity lies only in total ignorance of self. To understand yourself is the beginning of wisdom.  J. Krishnamurti

Generally, mystic authors write according to their own experience-- as if the same instructions would serve indefinitely for all others. Whereas such is the inexplicable variety of internal dispositions, that the same course and order in all things will scarce serve any two souls.  Augustine Baker

He that seeks no witness for himself without, has clearly committed himself wholly unto God.  Thomas à Kempis

Come, not only to look at a map of the spiritual country, but to possess it and walk in it without fear of losing your way. Come, not to study the history of God's divine action, but to be its object; not to learn what it has achieved throughout the centuries and still does, but simply to be the subject of its operation. There is no need to bother about what has been told to others; there are words for you alone.  Jean Pierre de Caussade

More often than not, you will learn your greatest lessons in spite of your teacher's efforts, and not because of them. Lon Milo DuQuette

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