I warn you about this while I recommend it because it is the only thing a person should do and at the same time the heaviest sacrifice one can make – you must call on the innermost core of your being, the core without which you would be a lifeless corpse (or not even that), and order  it to lead you by the shortest route to the greatest goal, the only one that is worth striving for, even if you do not realise it at the moment; you must order it to be merciless in leading you without rest   .   .   .

 Once on the spiritual path the only ones who can turn back – no, not even turn back, stop and look back and turn into a pillar of salt – are those who have not made the vow. A spiritual vow is like an order and, in this at least, God is the servant who is charged with carrying out that order.

      .   .   .   I warn you: do not pledge too much! Otherwise you might end up like the thief whose bones were broken on the cross.

Gustav Meyrink / The Green Face