Anthony De Mello
"Bringing together the wisdom of East and West, Anthony de Mello used stories and parables to awaken his listeners to an awareness of God's presence in their midst. Since his death in 1987, countless readers have been challenged to encounter the God who lies behind words, concepts, and religious formulas. At the same time, de Mello's critique of the capacity of "religion" to interfere with our relationship with God has drawn criticism from various quarters, including the Vatican. In the penetrating introduction by fellow - Jesuit William Dych and in his selection of de Mello's essential writings, readers may assess for themselves the message of a true spiritual master for our times."
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6recommend
7mentions
6people
2010–2022years
100% recommend
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What Hacker News says
- Awareness by Anthony De Mello
I haven't been the same, in the best way possible, ever since reading it.
Anthony was well-read and traveled and his background as an Indian, Jesuit Priest and practicing psychologist put him at the perfect intersection of experience to deliver such a life-changing work that encompasses religion, science, relationships, your psyche, career, money, philosophy, spirituality, etc.
It's telling and (to me) validating of his mastery of life that, after his death, he was excommunicated from the church due to his 'blasphemous' works.
The ebook and audiobook are available for free here: https://archive.org/details/Awareness-AnthonyDeMello
- Awareness by Anthony De Mello
I've been a follower of Eastern Philosophy for 20+ years and have also read most major religious and philosophical works, but during my reading of this book I experienced Satori, Englightenment, Awakening, Nirvana, 'Receiving The Gospel', whatever you want to call it.
Oddly enough, it happened to a friend after their reading it, too.
I haven't been the same, in the best way possible, ever since.
Anthony was well-read and traveled and his background as an Indian, Jesuit Priest and practicing psychologist put him at the perfect intersection of experience to deliver such a life-changing work that encompasses religion, science, relationships, your psyche, career, money, philosophy, spirituality, etc.
It's telling and (to me) validating of his mastery of life that, after his death, he was excommunicated from the church due to his 'blasphemous' works.
The ebook and audiobook are available for free here: https://archive.org/details/Awareness-AnthonyDeMello
- Im in the same boat as you. 32, never have to work again, living in an apartment just off the beach in a holiday resort in the eu. I can only recommend checking out Michael Singer and Anthony De Mello for spiritual guide. Im personally keeping my possessions to what can fit in two suit cases so that I can master what i have which is mostly portable music studio gear , a synthesizer, drum machine, qy700 for composing melodies and making one music album a year from here on out and releasing a video game every two years. I'm half finished the first game now. The universe gave you this freedom for a reason. You're going to die pretty soon regardless so work out what will satisfy you and reach your utmost potential. If you want to chat get in contact with me here.
- Robert Kegan has a constructive developmental model where he uses "Subject" and "Object" to describe the progression in development.
Basically, you identify with the Subject and at the next level you become aware that that identity is actually something you have, not something you are. Foe example, you have wants and needs you are not your wants and needs. Your identity is not grounded in the fulfilment of your needs.
Mindfulness helps with this. You stop identifying yourself with your body and you realize that you have a body. At an advanced level you stop identifying yourself with your mind and you realize that you have a mind. This ownership allows you to choose your reactions to outside stressors and to approach in a more rational manner changing the things you have. You can change your mind because you want to change it.
At ultimate level subject-object distinction disappears. Glimpses of this ultimate level can be obtained through proper use of entheogens but it is meditation that is the slow and steady road to the mountain top. In other words, you might get to experience the state in a psychedelic trip but if you want to live there, you need to pay the price. The price might be 10 years of daily meditation.
For a frequently funny and light-hearted approach to this subject I recommend the work of Anthony de Mello. He used the word "Awareness" to label this space an "Wake Up" for the process of getting there.
- Top 3 for the year for me below. All of these are completable in 2 or so hours and non-fiction. For me at least, this is notable since so many non-fiction reads take 400 pages to make a point that could be summarized in 150:
- Free Will, Sam Harris - one of my buddies strongly recommended this book after debating me on the subject for an hour plus. While some of the question of free will is semantics, Harris deeply changed my position on to what extent we determine our own actions. When someone can present an argument to you for an hour and a half uninterrupted, it also makes a difference - perhaps the best way to influence someone is to recommend a book.
- It Doesn't Have to Be Crazy At Work, DHH and Jason Fried - made me rethink the tradeoff between working harder and working smarter. This book strongly debates how most companies structure PTO, the work week, meetings and so much more and offers opinionated alternatives. Basecamp is clearly thinking independently from first principles here, and I really admire that.
- The Way to Love, Anthony de Mello - meditations on freeing yourself from attachment and your own programming. This book pairs really well with Free Will (I read them around the same time) because both offer unique perspectives on why we are the way we are and why change is possible (Free Will actually optimistically concludes change is possible without us being in control of our actions).
Shameless plugs - I blog on my favorite reads of the month at theconsider.com , which also is available as a monthly e-mail (https://theconsider.com/subscribe/).
- Anthony de Mello - Call to Love
