How can we avoid tricking ourselves into thinking we are making "progress" on a path when we may just have something on our mind to the point where we think we are hitting something? (an example of this is people who think they possess some special power when street lights go out as they pass them, when actually it is just because they are on a timer and go on and off anyhow.)

I have known so many people who think they are controlling the elements when the answer is really quite mundane and mechanical.

We may not be able to avoid tricking ourselves into thinking we are making progress on the Path, but the Albigen System is structured so that we may be able to offset such self-induced trickery with the aid of other people, in a group confrontation session. Or we may use what Mr. Rose called "Milk from Thorns", which means we use that which uses us, in this case we would continue our self-analysis and self-questioning to include such thoughts as "How might I be tricking myself here?", or "What ego might be behind these thoughts and feelings?", or "How can I better define the idea of 'progress on a spiritual path', in light of these recent developments?". The whole path or effort centers on a never ceasing questioning of our entire being, and all that takes place within its domain, until a Final Answer is forthcoming.