--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Self proclamation of authoritative titles…" description: "\"“Self proclamation of authoritative titles is a common phenomenon among religious and/or occult sect leaders. A cursory survey of this primarily 20th c..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e14/zeena-schreck-12024_eye-of-the-storm_self-proclamation-of-authoritative-title_3155747.jpg" --- # Self proclamation of authoritative titles is a common… ![“Self proclamation of authoritative titles is a common phenomenon among religious and/or occult sect leaders. A cursory survey of this primarily 20th century phenomenon will instantly reveal a multitude of self-declared Masters, High Priests, gurus, Ipsissimi, Bhaghwani, etc.. I am pleased that I…” quote by Zeena Schreck](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e14/zeena-schreck-12024_eye-of-the-storm_self-proclamation-of-authoritative-title_3155747.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e14/zeena-schreck-12024_eye-of-the-storm_self-proclamation-of-authoritative-title_3155747.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e14/zeena-schreck-12024_eye-of-the-storm_self-proclamation-of-authoritative-title_3155747.jpg) > ““Self proclamation of authoritative titles is a common phenomenon among religious and/or occult sect leaders. A cursory survey of this primarily 20th century phenomenon will instantly reveal a multitude of self-declared Masters, High Priests, gurus, Ipsissimi, Bhaghwani, etc.. I am pleased that I cannot count myself among such types. Legitimate religious teachers and scholars know that a genuine spiritual leader is one whose calling to lead is first noticed by those outside of him or herself based on certain qualities, abilities, and actions and then must subsequently be accepted by the individual in question as his or her destiny. This contrasts with those whose will to lead is born simply out of the mundane wish to be a leader. In such cases the goal being to reap the rewards a title brings without the hard work and the innate, manifest qualities which validate the position; in short what might be considered a 'false prophet'." --“From the Eye of the Storm” (Zeena's column for the SLM) Volume II – Winter Issue (2003): “One Year Later...”” [Zeena Schreck](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/zeena-schreck/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. The passage critiques self‑appointed religious leaders, emphasizing that true spiritual authority arises from recognized qualities and external validation, not merely titles. **In simple terms:** True leaders earn respect, not just titles. Key Takeaway Seek authentic leadership based on merit. Themes leadership authenticity spirituality Mood critical analytical Type expository philosophical When to use this quote - religious communities - personal development - organizational culture - public discourse Key Concepts authority self‑declaration Questions to Reflect On - How can communities differentiate genuine leaders from impostors? - What qualities truly validate spiritual authority? A Different Perspective May discount cultural contexts where titles hold symbolic value. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Eye of the storm](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/eye-of-the-storm/) [False prophets](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/false-prophets/) [Leader](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/leader/) [Leadership](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/leadership/) [Religion](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/religion/) [Spiritual leader](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/spiritual-leader/) [Spirituality](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/spirituality/) [Zeena-schreck](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/zeena-schreck/) ## Related quotes > [“We also have to give up the notion of a divine savior, which has nothing to do with what religion we belong to, but…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chogyam-trungpa/we-also-have-to-give-up-the-notion-of-a-divine-savior-which-has/) [Chögyam Trungpa](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chogyam-trungpa/) > [“We all have vices, visible and invisible. Some we deliberately keep secret. Others we don’t even realize or we refuse to admit we have…Vices…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/zeena-schreck/we-all-have-vices-visible-and-invisible-some-we-deliberately-keep/) [Zeena Schreck](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/zeena-schreck/) > [“Conservatism is far from what I’m aiming at in proclaiming the establishment of a Sethian left-hand path tradition in the West as one of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/zeena-schreck/conservatism-is-far-from-what-i-m-aiming-at-in-proclaiming-the/) [Zeena Schreck](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/zeena-schreck/) > [“One of the biggest dangers on the left-hand path, according to Zeena, is that the initiate often adheres to the need of ‘maintaining his…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/zeena-schreck/one-of-the-biggest-dangers-on-the-left-hand-path-according-to-zeena/) [Zeena Schreck](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/zeena-schreck/) > [“Zeena believes that the breaking of taboos creates access to blocked energy that is let loose in a forceful way. The left-hand path is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/zeena-schreck/zeena-believes-that-the-breaking-of-taboos-creates-access-to-blocked/) [Zeena Schreck](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/zeena-schreck/) > [“Kundalini means, according to Zeena ‘She Who is Hidden,’ and points to the dormant goddess in every human being’s body. While the kundalini force…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/zeena-schreck/kundalini-means-according-to-zeena-she-who-is-hidden-and-points-to/) [Zeena Schreck](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/zeena-schreck/) > [ “Most humans who have been reared with the creature comforts of the spiritually vacuous industrialized Western world will cease their search \[for Truth\] at… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/zeena-schreck/most-humans-who-have-been-reared-with-the-creature-comforts-of-the/) [Zeena Schreck](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/zeena-schreck/) > [“There are Tantrics who deliberately seek to do more active forms of renunciation, so transgression of social norms and breaking of taboo, and breaking…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/zeena-schreck/there-are-tantrics-who-deliberately-seek-to-do-more-active-forms-of/) [Zeena Schreck](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/zeena-schreck/) > [“Zeena Schreck is a Berlin-based interdisciplinary artist, author, musician/composer, tantric teacher, mystic, animal rights activist, and counter-culture icon known by her mononymous artist name,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/zeena-schreck/zeena-schreck-is-a-berlin-based-interdisciplinary-artist-author/) [Zeena Schreck](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/zeena-schreck/) > [“If you have strength of character, you can use that as fuel to not only be a survivor but to transcend simply being a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/zeena-schreck/if-you-have-strength-of-character-you-can-use-that-as-fuel-to-not/) [Zeena Schreck](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/zeena-schreck/) > [“A certain amount of native skill and training can allow many individuals to be fairly successful magicians, achieving a surprisingly high ratio of positive…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/zeena-schreck/a-certain-amount-of-native-skill-and-training-can-allow-many/) [Zeena Schreck](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/zeena-schreck/) > [“One example of an uniquely Sethian approach towards initiation is for the initiate to regard his or her own life with the same urgency…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/zeena-schreck/one-example-of-an-uniquely-sethian-approach-towards-initiation-is-for/) [Zeena Schreck](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/zeena-schreck/) > [“Conventional, organized religion, in its most decadent form, is an inert parody of the genuine religious experience as much as modern occult organizations are…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/zeena-schreck/conventional-organized-religion-in-its-most-decadent-form-is-an-inert/) [Zeena Schreck](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/zeena-schreck/) > [“Zeena Schreck believes that the right-hand path and the left-hand path have traditionally had the same end goal; it is only the method that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/zeena-schreck/zeena-schreck-believes-that-the-right-hand-path-and-the-left-hand/) [Zeena Schreck](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/zeena-schreck/) > [“Many secular observers and spiritual practitioners alike mistake mystical chanting as a kind of anthropological curiosity or interesting musical diversion from secular mainstream entertainment,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/zeena-schreck/many-secular-observers-and-spiritual-practitioners-alike-mistake/) [Zeena Schreck](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/zeena-schreck/) ## More by Zeena Schreck > [“Many secular observers and spiritual practitioners alike mistake mystical chanting as a kind of anthropological curiosity or interesting musical diversion from secular mainstream entertainment,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/zeena-schreck/many-secular-observers-and-spiritual-practitioners-alike-mistake/) [Zeena Schreck](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/zeena-schreck/) > [“Zeena Schreck believes that the right-hand path and the left-hand path have traditionally had the same end goal; it is only the method that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/zeena-schreck/zeena-schreck-believes-that-the-right-hand-path-and-the-left-hand/) [Zeena Schreck](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/zeena-schreck/) > [“Conventional, organized religion, in its most decadent form, is an inert parody of the genuine religious experience as much as modern occult organizations are…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/zeena-schreck/conventional-organized-religion-in-its-most-decadent-form-is-an-inert/) [Zeena Schreck](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/zeena-schreck/) > [After you've seen behind the facade of a stage set you can't take the play seriously any more. In other words, you can't go…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/zeena-schreck/after-you-ve-seen-behind-the-facade-of-a-stage-set-you-can-t-take-the/) [Zeena Schreck](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/zeena-schreck/) > [A unifying factor between the different traditions and lineages of Tantra, is that it is feminine in nature. It acknowledges the feminine as the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/zeena-schreck/a-unifying-factor-between-the-different-traditions-and-lineages-of/) [Zeena Schreck](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/zeena-schreck/) > [Sex is like an atom bomb. A potent weapon which fascinates and frightens. We're afraid to let it loose, yet we all have our…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/zeena-schreck/sex-is-like-an-atom-bomb-a-potent-weapon-which-fascinates-and/) [Zeena Schreck](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/zeena-schreck/) > [Environmentalists and secular humanists insist that humans will destroy the planet. Corporate capitalists and many religious fundamentalists have no regard for wildlife and nature.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/zeena-schreck/environmentalists-and-secular-humanists-insist-that-humans-will/) [Zeena Schreck](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/zeena-schreck/) > [To the non-initiate, whose experience of sexuality and bodily pleasure may be distorted by negative cultural conditioning, the introduction of sexuality into a sacred…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/zeena-schreck/to-the-non-initiate-whose-experience-of-sexuality-and-bodily-pleasure/) [Zeena Schreck](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/zeena-schreck/) > [Nothing could be easier than disturbing a status quo instituted by others; the real work of the sinister current is to break the rules…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/zeena-schreck/nothing-could-be-easier-than-disturbing-a-status-quo-instituted-by/) [Zeena Schreck](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/zeena-schreck/) > [Always remember, wherever you are, whether near or far, you had a mother who really, really loved you. The original mother. Once you've found…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/zeena-schreck/always-remember-wherever-you-are-whether-near-or-far-you-had-a-mother/) [Zeena Schreck](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/zeena-schreck/) > [“One example of an uniquely Sethian approach towards initiation is for the initiate to regard his or her own life with the same urgency…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/zeena-schreck/one-example-of-an-uniquely-sethian-approach-towards-initiation-is-for/) [Zeena Schreck](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/zeena-schreck/) > [“A certain amount of native skill and training can allow many individuals to be fairly successful magicians, achieving a surprisingly high ratio of positive…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/zeena-schreck/a-certain-amount-of-native-skill-and-training-can-allow-many/) [Zeena Schreck](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/zeena-schreck/) > [The core practice of magic is: The execution of a willed intent to create change in the material world, which either defies, hastens or…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/zeena-schreck/the-core-practice-of-magic-is-the-execution-of-a-willed-intent-to/) [Zeena Schreck](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/zeena-schreck/) > [“If you have strength of character, you can use that as fuel to not only be a survivor but to transcend simply being a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/zeena-schreck/if-you-have-strength-of-character-you-can-use-that-as-fuel-to-not/) [Zeena Schreck](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/zeena-schreck/) > [When all that’s left of us is the pure untainted consciousness without form, we’ll know what it means when the last human breath expires.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/zeena-schreck/when-all-that-s-left-of-us-is-the-pure-untainted-consciousness/) [Zeena Schreck](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/zeena-schreck/) [Explore all 56 Zeena Schreck quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/zeena-schreck/) ## More Eye of the storm quotes > [“Eye of the Storm:”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kate-messner/eye-of-the-storm/) [Kate Messner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kate-messner/) > [The eye of the hurricane forms as air rotates up and out of the hurricane and some of the air that's being spun out…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ginger-zee/the-eye-of-the-hurricane-forms-as-air-rotates-up-and-out-of-the/) [Ginger Zee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ginger-zee/) > [Football's not particularly crazy. Once you are in it, you're in the eye of the storm, and it's quite nice.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-green/football-s-not-particularly-crazy-once-you-are-in-it-you-re-in-the/) [Robert Green](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-green/) > [“be the calm eye of the storm where nothing phases you, focus on your centre to remain balanced, let your life flow like a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jay-woodman/be-the-calm-eye-of-the-storm-where-nothing-phases-you-focus-on-your/) [Jay Woodman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jay-woodman/) > [Love is a hurricane being a storm we go through facing harsh winds sending our heart and mind in all sorts of twists and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/zach-vowell/love-is-a-hurricane-being-a-storm-we-go-through-facing-harsh-winds/) [Zach Vowell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/zach-vowell/) > [In the age of technology there is constant access to vast amounts of information. The basket overflows; people get overwhelmed; the eye of the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/criss-jami/in-the-age-of-technology-there-is-constant-access-to-vast-amounts-of/) [Criss Jami](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/criss-jami/) > [We all have are own storms that we consistently battle as the days of life progress forward, but while in the eye of the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rl-mitchell/we-all-have-are-own-storms-that-we-consistently-battle-as-the-days-of/) RL Mitchell > [“I want to be in the eye of the storm, holding your hand, and if you get sucked into it, I want to go…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/r-l-griffin/i-want-to-be-in-the-eye-of-the-storm-holding-your-hand-and-if-you-get/) [R.L. Griffin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/r-l-griffin/) > [“Indeed psychoanalysis makes sense only as part of the larger cultural conversation in the arts that became known as modernism. Vienna, where Freud lived…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/adam-phillips/indeed-psychoanalysis-makes-sense-only-as-part-of-the-larger-cultural/) [Adam Phillips](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/adam-phillips/) > [“And in this quiet moment, as I close my eyes, spent and sated, I think I'm in the eye of the storm. And in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/e-l-james/and-in-this-quiet-moment-as-i-close-my-eyes-spent-and-sated-i-think-i/) [E.L. James](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/e-l-james/) > [False security is like An Eye of the storm](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alfred-guajardo-alspoemzone/false-security-is-like-an-eye-of-the-storm/) Alfred Guajardo (Alspoemzone > [What was left when that fire was gone? I thought it felt right but that right was wrong All caught up in the eye…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/linkin-park/what-was-left-when-that-fire-was-gone-i-thought-it-felt-right-but/) [Linkin Park](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/linkin-park/) > [“Just like in the eye of the storm there is always comfort within the chaos. Becoming aware of this however, is your responsibility.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gary-hopkins/just-like-in-the-eye-of-the-storm-there-is-always-comfort-within-the/) [Gary Hopkins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gary-hopkins/) > [The preparations are what they are. We're here. The storm is coming. We are as best prepared as we can be as the eye…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/russel-honore/the-preparations-are-what-they-are-we-re-here-the-storm-is-coming-we/) [Russel Honore](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/russel-honore/) > [“Just because you don't say much doesn't mean people don't notice you. It's actually the quiet ones who often draw the most attention. There's…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/amy-efaw/just-because-you-don-t-say-much-doesn-t-mean-people-don-t-notice-you/) [Amy Efaw](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/amy-efaw/) [Browse all 45 Eye of the storm quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/eye-of-the-storm/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "“Self proclamation of authoritative titles is a common phenomenon among religious and/or occult sect leaders. A cursory survey of this primarily 20th century phenomenon will instantly reveal a multitude of self-declared Masters, High Priests, gurus, Ipsissimi, Bhaghwani, etc.. I am pleased that I cannot count myself among such types. Legitimate religious teachers and scholars know that a genuine spiritual leader is one whose calling to lead is first noticed by those outside of him or herself based on certain qualities, abilities, and actions and then must subsequently be accepted by the individual in question as his or her destiny. This contrasts with those whose will to lead is born simply out of the mundane wish to be a leader. In such cases the goal being to reap the rewards a title brings without the hard work and the innate, manifest qualities which validate the position; in short what might be considered a 'false prophet'.\" --“From the Eye of the Storm” (Zeena's column for the SLM) Volume II – Winter Issue (2003): “One Year Later...”", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Zeena Schreck" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/zeena-schreck/self-proclamation-of-authoritative-titles-is-a-common-phenomenon/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Eye of the storm" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/zeena-schreck/self-proclamation-of-authoritative-titles-is-a-common-phenomenon/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e14/zeena-schreck-12024_eye-of-the-storm_self-proclamation-of-authoritative-title_3155747.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e14/zeena-schreck-12024_eye-of-the-storm_self-proclamation-of-authoritative-title_3155747.jpg", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e14/zeena-schreck-12024_eye-of-the-storm_self-proclamation-of-authoritative-title_3155747.jpg", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“Self proclamation of authoritative titles is a common phenomenon among religious and/or occult sect leaders…” — Zeena Schreck", "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "creator": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } } }, { "@type": "BreadcrumbList", "itemListElement": [ { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 1, "name": "Home", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 2, "name": "Quotes", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 3, "name": "Zeena Schreck", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/zeena-schreck/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "“Self proclamation of authoritative titles is...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/zeena-schreck/self-proclamation-of-authoritative-titles-is-a-common-phenomenon/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/zeena-schreck/self-proclamation-of-authoritative-titles-is-a-common-phenomenon/#breadcrumb" }, { "@type": "WebSite", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "publisher": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } }, { "@type": "Organization", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "logo": { "@type": "ImageObject", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png", "width": 512, "height": 512 } } ] } ```