1. "Self-action must be understood. In it is comprised the entire synthesis of activity." [Infinity I, 375]
2. "... The seed of the spirit knows all laws of creation. Thus, the key to attainments is contained in independent action." [Infinity I, 259]
3. "... Self-reliance must be developed to the fullest. Before turning to the Guide, each student will first ask himself whether he has exhausted all possibilities on his own." [Supermundane, 546]
4. "... It is especially difficult for people to reconcile the seemingly contradictory concepts of free will and guidance. Some cry for the elimination of the idea of leaders, and others object to freedom of the will, but life itself reveals that only equilibrium permits progress and advances evolution. In daily life one can see how both concepts can coexist harmoniously. The teacher presents a certain task and adds, “Apply all your abilities in order to make better decisions.”… It is essential that a real teacher should encourage the free will, and a prudent pupil, while exercising his free will, will learn to value the importance of the teacher." [Supermundane, 485]
5. "The pupil must not be obsessive, and the Teacher must not be seen as a dictator. Indeed, there is demanded of the student a realization of Hierarchy and harmony of action – the reconciling of the free will with acceptance of the Teacher. …The realization of the significance of the idea of the Teacher is a passing through the first gates of evolution. One should not bring to the concept of the Teacher expectations of anything supermundane. The Teacher is the One who gives the best advice for life. This practicality will embrace knowledge, creativity, and Infinity." [Agni Yoga, 43]
6. "Independence of action is an indispensable quality. ...Every Teacher exerts his efforts to instill effective independent activity in the disciple… The independent action must be accompanied by attunement, or, as is said, by harmony, with all the degrees of consciousness." [Brotherhood, 120]
7. "On the steps of ascent, the first condition will be self-help and resourcefulness. One should depend upon the assistance of Hierarchy when all one’s self-acting ability has been intensified. Each one knows that according to the extent of acquisition of knowledge the approaches of the Teacher become less frequent, because the man is raised to the step of co-worker. It must be understood that the Principle of self-activity is already a sign of trust. ...Thus, we can assist the Highest Ones through our offerings of self-activity." [Fiery World II, 315]
8. "Aspiration, self-emanating from the spirit, is the first condition for achievement. The Teacher cannot forcibly send it if the impulse has not been born inside you. The teacher can indicate the goal, explain its meaning and point the way to it, but you have to strive yourself, go yourself and take the initiative yourself." [Facets of Agni Yoga 1956, 408]
9. "At the first stages of apprenticeship, self-activity should be especially approved. Subsequently, it will become, as it were, innate, inseparable from the path, but at the stage when the student moves from the state of a tutored child to the level of an co-worker, self-activity and intense activity of the whole being is the main issue of the stage. Therefore, the receipt is conditioned by an active prerequisite on the part of the recipient." [Excerpts by Boris Abramov from the book "Aspiring Heart" 1954, 310]
10. "The highest form of activity is self-activity, that is, actions that are self-originating from the essence of a given consciousness. This indicates the maturity of the spirit and that it is ready to fulfill the Assignment. The Assignment is given, but the methods and ways of execution are chosen by the spirit itself, left to its own experience, resourcefulness and ingenuity. ...An action performed under the influence of the outside has no value, because the source of energy is from the outside. But a self-descending action, approved by the free will of the spirit, is already a creative act that generates consequences." [Facets of Agni Yoga 1953, 627]
11. "Everyone is invited, but everyone makes himself the chosen one. Personal merit gives the crown of the spirit, but not anything else. So the possibilities are in the hands of everyone..." [Facets of Agni Yoga 1956, 84]
12. "Love self-activity in all self-sacrifice." [Unity by Nicholas Roerich]
