July 17, 1953. Running time: 30:53. Thomas a Kempis was another mystic who lived during a time when the Catholic Church was going through institutional turmoil. Kempis focuses on a dualism in life - the struggle between the things a person encounters in the world and the spirit of God. He believes that deep inside, a part of our being wants to be subjected to a higher authority. Kempis says this inner authority is the God within ourselves.