Product Description

The Way To Love contains the  final flowering of Anthony de Mello's thought, and  in it he grapples with the ultimate question of  love. In thirty-one meditations, he implores his  readers with his usual pithiness to break through  illusion, the great obstacle to love. "Love  springs from awareness," de Mello insists, saying  that it is only when we see others as they are  that we can begin to really love. But not only must  we seek to see others with clarity, we must examine  ourselves without misconception. The task,  however, is not easy. "The most painful act,"  de Mello says, "is the act of seeing. But in  that act of seeing that love is born." Anthony  De Mello was the director of the Sadhana Institute  of Pastoral Counseling in Poona, India, and  authored several books. The Way To Love  is his last.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #11968 in Books
• Published on: 1995-06-01
• Released on: 1995-06-01
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Paperback
• 196 pages

From the Publisher
The Way To Love contains the final flowering of Anthony de Mello's thought, and in it he grapples with the ultimate question of love. In thirty-one meditations, he implores his readers with his usual pithiness to break through illusion, the great obstacle to love. "Love springs from awareness," de Mello insists, saying that it is only when we see others as they are that we can begin to really love. But not only must we seek to see others with clarity, we must examine ourselves without misconception. The task, however, is not easy. "The most painful act," de Mello says, "is the act of seeing. But in that act of seeing that love is born." Anthony De Mello was the director of the Sadhana Institute of Pastoral Counseling in Poona, India, and authored several books. The Way To Love is his last.

Inside Flap Copy
The Way To Love contains the  final flowering of Anthony de Mello's thought, and  in it he grapples with the ultimate question of  love. In thirty-one meditations, he implores his  readers with his usual pithiness to break through  illusion, the great obstacle to love. "Love  springs from awareness," de Mello insists, saying  that it is only when we see others as they are  that we can begin to really love. But not only must  we seek to see others with clarity, we must examine  ourselves without misconception. The task,  however, is not easy. "The most painful act,"  de Mello says, "is the act of seeing. But in  that act of seeing that love is born." Anthony  De Mello was the director of the Sadhana Institute  of Pastoral Counseling in Poona, India, and  authored several books. The Way To Love  is his last.

Customer Reviews

De Mello Dynamite
Anthony De Mello wrote a handy little book that has been one of my favorites for several years. Although I can not do justice to this great mystic, I will share just a little of his brilliance.

The book is a collection of meditations that helped me adjust to life as it is, not as I thought is was. De Mello presents thirty one short reflections concerning our common struggles: anxieties, resentments, fears, relationships with enemies, suffering, and praying.
The meditations are written in a clear conversational style that is filled with graphic questions for the reader to ponder. For me, I read only one meditation at a time, then spend several minutes considering the questions. Occasionally I need to stop and meditate after a single paragraph.

What follows is just a few of De Mello's thoughts.
According to Anthony, when I find myself angry or upset about another person, instead of asking "what is wrong with him", I need to ask "what does this irritation tell me about myself." To bring peace I must think about myself, ask what barriers exist in me that prevent peace.

The Way of Love discusses a common belief that if all our wants and desires are fulfilled we will be happy. Happiness can not be defined in a way that it applies to everyone. Happiness is very subjective. If an object I fancy breaks and cannot be replaced, I am unhappy. If a person I love is ill, dies, or is very aloof towards me, I am miserable. Happiness can only be attained by releasing myself from my attachments to earthly possessions and people.

DeMello suggests that people and situations that cause us pain also give us growth. Pleasant encounters may give us temporary pleasure, but hurtful ones cause us to change and improve. He says we might select a painful situation in our history, remember which emotions we felt, and analyze those feelings to reveal what they tells us about ourselves. Were we really hurt, or were our standards and values challenged? If we had not been programmed by society to be upset in such experiences, would our pain be so great?
The Way to Love is worth having. If you get a copy, carry it with you and read it during those times you are idle. You may enjoy having it with you.

An adjective I rarely use describes this book - AWESOME
I am a DeMello fan - and it began with this book. It is a short (very small, very short) book, but it is packed with wisdom and "ah ha" moments. One brief chapter is enough for an evening to let the deep truths settle in one's mind...or more appropriately for this read...soul. It is spiritual without being religous. While DeMello quotes scripture, the explanation is so practical that you forget he is referencing the Bible. I have bought a number of these to pass out to people who are on the journey of discovering how to have a truly peaceful, meaningful life. I don't use this word much - awesome - it is an awesome, timeless read.

Great Morning Reading to Start Your Day
This book, written by a Jesuit priest, has a definite eastern flavor. As such, it appeal to both Christians and non-Christians in its philosophy. It is filled with short reading that are perfect for focusing one's day and remind us that we are really as happy as we choose to be. Good for people in recovery.