False States Are Not a Reproach to the Truth, but a Call to Renounce Everything

As a tethered bird flies and then falls again to earth, though tethered by the tiniest limb; as one with dust in the eye opens it but sees nothing with it—so one with an attachment thinks he has gone deep into God, but thereby only deceives himself. In this state there are false visions, delusions of fantasy, and along with them—also enchantments of Satan, who loves and knows how to exploit every weakness of ours. Many have been struck by this and perished forever. Yet this should not serve as a reproach to the truth or stop the zeal and desire of those who seek. One should only not forget the wise rules left by the godly fathers, that is, in striving toward God, not to forget renunciation of everything and to begin more strictly with the latter or devote oneself to it principally. (3, 345)