Anthony de Mello

Priest

1931-09-04 – 1987-06-02

Anthony de Mello was an Indian Jesuit priest, psychotherapist, and spiritual writer. He is known for his books and retreats that blended Christian spirituality with interreligious storytelling.

Books by Anthony de Mello

Awareness

a de Mello spirituality conference in his own words
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Call to love
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Heart of the Enlightened
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Quotes by Anthony de Mello

A thought is a screen, not a mirror; that is why you live in a thought envelope, untouched by Reality.
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We see people and things not as they are, but as we are.
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We were brought up to need people. For what? For acceptance, approval, appreciation, applause - for what they call success. Those are words that do not correspond to reality. They are conventions, things that are invented, but we don't realize that they don't correspond to reality. What is success? It is what one group decided is a good thing. Another group will decide the same thing is bad.
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The only way someone can be of help to you is in challenging your ideas. If you're ready to listen and if you're ready to be challenged, there's one thing that you can do, but no one can help you. What is this most important thing of all? It's called self-observation.
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Enlightenment is: absolute cooperation with the inevitable.
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People who want a cure, provided they can have it without pain, are like those who favour progress, provided they can have it without change.
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These things will destroy the human race: politics without principle, progress without compassion, wealth without work, learning without silence, religion without fearlessness, and worship without awareness.
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Everybody was talking about the religious man who committed suicide. While no one in the monastery approved of the man's action, some say they admired his faith.Faith? said the Master.He had the courage of his convictions, didn't he?That was fanaticism, not faith. Faith demands a greater courage still: to reexamine one's convictions and reject them if they do not fit the facts.
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When you come to see you are not as wise today as you thought you were yesterday, you are wiser today.
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The one who would be constant in happiness must frequently change.
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Wisdom tends to grow in proportion to one's awareness of one's ignorance.
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The genius of a composer is found in the notes of his music; but analyzing the notes will not reveal his genius. The poet's greatness is contained in his words; yet the study of his words will not disclose his inspiration. God reveals himself in creation; but scrutinize creation as minutely as you wish, you will not find God, any more than you will find the soul through careful examination of your body.
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Every word, every image used for God is a distortion more than a description.
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Any time you are with anyone or think of anyone you must say to yourself: I am dying and this person too is dying, attempting the while to experience the truth of the words you are saying. If every one of you agrees to practice this, bitterness will die out, harmony will arise.
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If what you seek is Truth, there is one thing you must have above all else.— "I know. An overwhelming passion for it." —No. An unremitting readiness to admit you may be wrong.
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Perfect love casts out fear. Where there is love there are no demands, no expectations, no dependency. I do not demand that you make me happy; my happiness does not lie in you. If you were to leave me, I will not feel sorry for myself; I enjoy your company immensely, but I do not cling.
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If what you seek is Truth, there is one thing you must have above all else.— "I know. An overwhelming passion for it." —No. An unremitting readiness to admit you may be wrong.
Read quote
We were brought up to need people. For what? For acceptance, approval, appreciation, applause - for what they call success. Those are words that do not correspond to reality. They are conventions, things that are invented, but we don't realize that they don't correspond to reality. What is success? It is what one group decided is a good thing. Another group will decide the same thing is bad.
Read quote
Any time you are with anyone or think of anyone you must say to yourself: I am dying and this person too is dying, attempting the while to experience the truth of the words you are saying. If every one of you agrees to practice this, bitterness will die out, harmony will arise.
Read quote
Perfect love casts out fear. Where there is love there are no demands, no expectations, no dependency. I do not demand that you make me happy; my happiness does not lie in you. If you were to leave me, I will not feel sorry for myself; I enjoy your company immensely, but I do not cling.
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