Autonomy

Autonomy is simply the capacity to be the Personal Essence, one's fullness of Being. The sense of freedom, independence, autonomy and individuation is experienced at such times as a very clear, precise and certain fact. There is no vagueness or uncertainty about autonomy when one recognizes the Personal Essence as one's true being. (The Pearl Beyond Price, pg 46)

From the perspective of the man of spirit, however, one is actually a Being independent from mind, existing outside the field of memory. From this perspective, the accomplishment of ego autonomy is ultimately a prison. In identifying with the self-image constructed through the process of ego development, we cage ourselves. How can this be autonomy, this bondage which is the primary source of human suffering? (The Pearl Beyond Price, pg 42)

Ironically, however, when we realize the Personal Essence, that is, when it is a permanent attainment rather than simply an experience, we no longer feel the desire for that coveted autonomy. It simply ceases to be an issue, and falls away, leaving us with no need or desire for autonomy, nor any conflicts around autonomy. We are, and in our Being we are absolutely autonomous. (The Pearl Beyond Price, pg 49)

In the context of the Diamond Guidance, autonomy means recognizing and developing this sense of personal involvement, this personal passion in inquiry. Autonomy means that we do our work of inquiry not because somebody told us to, not because we read about it in a book, not because we want to be good or enlightened, but because we are personally excited about it. If we have our own excitement about the process, then we’re autonomous. If remaining excited about our inquiry depends on a teacher or somebody else turning us on or inspiring us, then we are still dependent on others or on the circumstances. (Spacecruiser Inquiry, pg 393)

Autonomy and personalness go together. This indicates the role of the Personal Essence – the aspect of the Pearl – in the functioning of the Diamond Guidance. Personal involvement, autonomy, and contact and are all qualities of the Personal Essence. In other words, the effect of the Pearly Diamond of the Diamond Guidance is to create contact with, a personal involvement with, our internal and external experience. And that translates into personal autonomy in inquiry. The Diamond Guidance guides the soul and its process of maturation and individuation. This process is the same as the movement towards the soul’s realization of the Personal Essence, and the Diamond Guidance will arise naturally to assist in this development. (Spacecruiser Inquiry, pg 394)