Some inspiering and encouraging words in the brief autobiography of Sister Uppalavannā (not to mix up with the Sri Lankan Sister Uppalavannā who did many translations into english.
...She who had lived in the lap of luxury in Germany, did not even crave for the ordinary comforts available in some of the towns of Sri Lanka. Her view was that the closer one lived to nature, the easier it was to get on the "Path". When asked by friends as to why she did not write or discourse on the Dhamma, she replied that she was intent on treading the Path to Emancipation, as quickly as she could, and that she wanted to spend as much time on meditation so as to get rid of the defilements in the mind. She further expained that Writings and Discourses could lead to self aggrandizement, which is a step backwards, and not forwards! Nearly all who came in contact with her, believed her to be a Worthy One (Srāvaka Sangha). They also believed that perhaps she had reached the 2nd Level to Sainthood Sakkādāgāmi.
...She adhered to the Rules (Vinaya) to the letter. When she was nearly 80 years old, held up as an example of piety and strength of purpose, she was introduced to a very young Monk, by one of her Benefactors. To the amazement of the people who were there, Sister Uppalavannā, fell on her knees and paid obeisance to him, with her forehead on the ground, because he was her Senior in the Dispensation (Sāsana)!