Internalizing Authority

The Mature Magician learns from teachers and traditions, but he doesn't remain dependent on external authority. He internalizes what he learns. He tests it against his own experience. He becomes his own authority. He trusts his own wisdom.

The Manipulator claims authority he hasn't earned. He pretends to know what he doesn't know. The Dummy never internalizes authority—he remains dependent on others to tell him what to think and do. He's a perpetual student. The Mature Magician earns his authority through practice and then trusts it.

Internalizing authority requires:

Learning from teachers: The Magician studies with those who have walked the path before. Respecting their wisdom.

Testing teachings: The Magician tests what he learns against his own experience. He doesn't accept teachings blindly.

Developing judgment: The Magician develops his own capacity to discern truth from falsehood, wisdom from foolishness.

Trusting intuition: The Magician learns to trust his inner knowing. His intuition has been trained by experience.

Taking responsibility: The Magician takes responsibility for his choices. He doesn't blame teachers or traditions when things go wrong.

Letting go of teachers: The Magician eventually lets go of dependence on external teachers. He carries their wisdom within.

No man is free who is not master of himself. The goal of learning is not to remain a student but to become a master. The Magician honors his teachers by becoming his own authority.

Internalizing authority does not mean rejecting all guidance. The mature Magician still learns from others, and seeks counsel. He no longer needs permission to trust what he knows.

No one can walk the path to wisdom for us. We ourselves must walk the path. The Magician who internalizes authority becomes someone who trusts his own wisdom while remaining humble enough to keep learning.