Anthony de Mello, a Jesuit priest and author, is best known for his book, Awareness: The Perils and Opportunities of Reality. Written in 1992, the book is part of a philosophical trilogy that explores the idea of psychological suffering, human freedom, and spiritual awakening. The other two books are The Song of the Bird and The Way to Love.
In Awareness, de Mello uses his decades of experience as a spiritual counselor to help readers understand the power of awareness. He explores the role of pleasure, pain, relationships, and work as dimensions of our life that can be altered by the power of awareness. De Mello's message is simple and straightforward: awareness has the power to set us free from our suffering.
De Mello offers various techniques such as mindfulness, self-reflection and self-inquiry to his readers. He urges us to take advantage of the opportunities presented to us in life and to use awareness to uncover more layers of our inner and outer realities. He implores us to be conscious of our thoughts, feelings, and actions and to be aware of our inner and outer worlds in order to break free of our suffering. De Mello believes that awareness is the key to freeing ourselves from our psychological suffering.
De Mello encourages us to take an active role in our lives by being mindful of our thoughts, feelings, and actions as we progress through life. He believes that by being aware of these, we can modify our behavior and look at ourselves in new light. He utilizes stories and parables to illustrate his message that “to be aware is to be free”.
De Mello believes that awareness can lead to many positive changes in our lives and can open up doors to new realities. By developing awareness, we can free ourselves from our suffering and lead a more meaningful life. Through Awareness, de Mello wants us to understand the power of being conscious of all aspects of our lives. He reminds us that only through awareness can we take control of our life and move forward.
De Mello's book, Awareness: The Perils and Opportunities of Reality, is a quick read and is packed with insightful teachings. With its simple and easy to understand language, the book is a must read for anyone looking to unlock the power of awareness and live a more meaningful life.
