http://www.yogebooks.com/english/atkinson/1906thoughtvibration.pdfI am in receipt of a letter from an earnest student of New Thought, who writes me that he is endeavoring to put into practice the teachings for which I stand. That is all right—I think he will get some good out of the practice (I know that I do). But here is where the trouble comes in—he goes on to say that he is “a faithful disciple” of mine, and is content to “sit at the feet of the Teacher.” Now, if you will pardon the slang, I must say that such talk “makes me tired.” I wish no “disciples”—disciples are mere parrots repeating what one says—mere human sheep trotting along after some conceited old bell-wether. I do not wish to pose as a bell-wether, nor do I wish a flock of human sheep trotting after me. I want everyone of my fellow students of Mental Science to be his own bell-wether. I like comradeship and mutual help—the help of interdependence. But I don’t like this talk of master and disciple—of leader and follower—this talk and idea of dependence.
As for sitting at anyone’s feet, the idea arouses all the spirit of independence within me. I don’t want to sit at any one’s feet—and I don’t want any one to sit at mine. I am willing, and often glad, to listen to some teacher and to pick from his teachings such bits of truth as my mind is ready to receive. I am willing to say “I don’t know,” and to accept from others that which appeals to me as truth; not because the other says that it is truth, but because my mind recognizes it as such. I take my own wherever I find it, because I recognize it as mine. I know that all students and teachers get their knowledge from the only source of supply—they can’t get it from anywhere else. And if some other fellow happens to see a particular bit of truth before I do, I gladly accept a portion of it from his hands, be he king or beggar; while if I happen to see the thing first, I will gladly share it with all who are ready for it, and who may want it, without feeling that I am a “leader,” or “teacher,” or that they are “followers” or “disciples.” We are all fellow students—that’s all. I recognize no man as my master—and I spurn the person who would call me “Master,” if there be any so foolish. This feet-sitting talk makes me very, very weary.
I am fully aware that certain teachers convey the idea that the
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