Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #4893 in Books
• Published on: 1990-12-01
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Paperback
• 190 pages

Synopsis
De Mello's spiritual classic remains at the top of the "Fount" bestsellers more than five years after its original publication.

Customer Reviews

a great work
It saddens me that some Catholics find this book unchristian - the point is that this book reaches the spiritual truth that is at the heart of every religious tradition. It goes beyond demonination and beyond concepts and beliefs - right to the essence of reality itself, where is nothing but pure consciousness and well-being. Anthony DeMello was a spiritual teacher who just happened to express himself in a Christian framework. But really there's little difference between him and teachers like Eckhart Tolle or Krishnamurti. In fact I came across this book on the recommended reading list on Eckhart Tolle's website, where I have found other fantastic books such as The Fall by Steve Taylor The Fall:the Insanity of the Ego in Human History and the Dawning of a New Era: The Insanity of the Ego in Human History and the Dawning of a New Era.

Plain and Simple
A.De Mello takes the compications out of spirituality, looking at it all from a pshycological perspective, he says that awareness is the way to spiritual enlightenment. Continuously throughout the book he keeps repeating the words (Awareness, Awareness, Awareness) as the basic underlying concept of all religions. He can be down to earth and humorous and also serious when he needs to be. Overall this book clears up what awareness really is and what it means to be spiritually aware. A good companion for this book would be Finding Reality, which carries a message that brings the awareness process to life. Both are all about simplifying the enlightenment process, getting back to brass tacks and taking a good look at the mind to uncover what is really important!

Time to wake up?
Quote from book - "Someone once said, `the three most difficult things for a human being are not physical feats or intellectual achievements. They are, first, returning love for hate, second, including the excluded, third, admitting you are wrong.' However these are the easiest things in the world if you haven't identified with the, 'me'."

i.e "It is cold in this room", as opposed to "I am cold" its about trying not to think of things from the ego's perspective and being aware of other factors.

I'll start with saying this book is an excellent read and is full of inspiration for those who are fed up with their position in society and promotes a spirituality that does not depend on anything but the self, however, Anthony tries for the reader not to identify with the "I" nature of our personality by letting go of the selfish nature of the ego or personality. Sometimes points he is trying to make are repeated using different analogies, but because of the very well layered humour this does not distract the reader. Sometimes it can appear that Anthony's writing from a pompous attitude and full of an ego but he knows this and is honest to the reader regarding his harsh nature at times.

This book is for both people who have achieved accolades or gained prestige and for those who have not. Anthony includes a varied scope of topics for discussion by the reader but his overall message (if there is one to be found) is the age-old goal of achieving enlightenment or as he calls it Awareness. It's waking up to reality no matter the situation. It's letting go of concepts society has dispensed on us. It's about getting in touch with our souls.

This book comes highly recommended to those who are affected by so called `labels' that society has placed upon us and for those who are stuck in a rut as it were, and it is recommended to read it again a couple of times because some of the concepts are hard to grasp in the 1st sitting.

At 184 pages it's a good day's reading and has the potential to change your outlook and in turn your life. Read it as soon as you can.