“When you go through life with preferences but don’t let your happiness depend on any one of them, then you’re awake. You’re moving toward wakefulness. Wakefulness, happiness—call it what you wish—is the state of nondelusion, where you see things not as you are but as they are, insofar as this is possible for a human…
Enter first applicant. “You understand that this is a simple test we are giving you before we offer you the job you have applied for?” “Yes.” “Well, what is two plus two?” “Four.” Enter second applicant. “Are you ready for the test?” “Yes.” “Well, what is two plus two?” “Whatever the boss says it is.”…
“A man who took great pride in his lawn found himself with a large crop of dandelions. He tried every method he knew to get rid of them. Still they plagued him. Finally he wrote the Department of Agriculture. He enumerated all the things he had tried and closed his letter with the question: “What…
“The explorer returned to his people, who were eager to know about the Amazon. But how could he ever put into words the feelings that flooded his heart when he saw exotic flowers and heard the night-sounds of the forest; when he sensed the danger of wild beasts or paddled his canoe over treacherous rapids?…
“Said the monk, “All these mountains and rivers and the earth and stars—where do they come from?” Said the master, “Where does your question come from?”– Anthony De Mello, The Question One part of the writing process I value is that it fuels better questions. What’s the story behind that monument? How did this mountain…
“We see people and things not as they are, but as we are. That is why when two people look at something or someone, you get two different reactions.” – Anthony De Mello, Awareness I’ve been off of Facebook for 23 days, promising myself I wouldn’t go back on until after the election in the…
“Look at a river as it moves toward the sea. It creates its own banks that contain it. When there’s something within you that moves in the right direction, it creates its own discipline. The moment you get bitten by the bug of awareness.” – Anthony de Mello, Awareness Sometimes I fight active avoidance in…
“Wonder dies and is replaced by boredom, as we develop language and words and concepts. Then hopefully, if we’re lucky, we’ll return to wonder again.” – Anthony de Mello, Awakening The hummingbirds work their way across the mounds of honeysuckle in turns. One fills up and flies off and another takes its place. The vine…
“Let tenderness pour from your eyes The way the Sun gazes warmly on the earth.” – Hafiz, If It Is Not Too Dark There’s enough darkness in the world. Enough anger, accusation and bitterness. Outraged darkness. Indignant darkness. Resentful darkness… it’s not for me. I prefer to share light. Have I been outraged, indignant and…
“Spirituality is… unlearning all the rubbish they taught you.” – Anthony De Mello, Awakening I’ve pondered this De Mello quote since I read Awakening last year. Admittedly I was late the game with De Mello as with many other writers, but then again, I don’t believe there are prizes for learning everything before a certain…