A long conversation, mostly on C. Day-Lewis, but quite interesting in reflecting on some of the earliest uses of Kafka-esque in English as a term of description - in this case of someone else's writing as original and amusing. The Trial had yet to be published in English at this time (1936).

The above Franz Kafka quote continues:
This good center of gravity I still have, but to a certain extent I no longer have the corresponding body. …

I believe the source of this notion of a good center of gravity, comes from Kafka's reading of Von Kleist's Marionette Essay.

Kafka talks of his belief in human basic goodness in his Diary in 1910. When talking of how his education spoiled him he writes:

"For like everyone, I too have my center of gravity inside me from birth, and this not even the most foolish education could displace."

#FranzKafka

At least the Franz Kafka prize.

57. To express anything outside the world of the senses, language can only be used by way of hints and intimations, but never in a way approaching metaphorically, for, as it corresponds to the world of the senses, it deals only with possession and its associations. (Crick translation)

I got the source:

The quote I asked about was:

“Don't bend; don't water it down; don't try to make it logical; don't edit your own soul according to the fashion. Rather, follow your most intense obsessions mercilessly.”

My asking for the source got blocked: Though widely attributed to Kafka, Chat can't find one.

That makes sense for your group. Did Kafka say this in his interactions with Janouch? If so, it would be a similar context and make sense for him to say it. Those conversations were never intended for a general audience or any context.