In his prologue to this vintage paperback, J. Francis Stroud, of the De Mello Spirituality Center at Fordham University, praises this Jesuit writer, spiritual director and retreat leader:
"He touched the hearts of people across the continents because he was so interested in life — real, vibrant, joy-filled living. His captivating stories, his warmth and humor, his insights into happiness and discovery of the true self — all had an exhilarating effect on anyone who listened to him."
De Mello is a master storyteller and this collection of story meditations come from a variety of cultures, religions, and wisdom traditions. In a note to readers, he states that by reading these tales, you are "auditing a Course in Enlightenment for which no guru is needed other than yourself!"
This superb paperback contains 250 stories and is organized around themes of prayer, awareness, religion, grace, the "saints," the self, love and truth.
Here are a few of our favorites from the book:
Prayer
"The Master sat with his disciples in the audience. He said, 'You have heard many a prayer and said many a prayer. Tonight I should like you to see one.'
"At that moment the curtain rose and the ballet began."
Listening
"An old man would sit motionless in church for hours on end. One day a priest asked him what God talked to him about.
" 'God doesn't talk. He just listens' was his reply.
" 'Well, then what do you talk to him about?'
" 'I don't talk either. I just listen.'
Wherever You Go
"The lament of a bishop: 'Wherever Jesus went there was a revolution; wherever I go, people serve tea.'
"When a million people follow you, ask yourself where have you gone wrong."
Don't Be Quick to Judge Others
"A family of five were enjoying their day at the beach. The children were bathing in the ocean and making castles in the sand when in the distance a little old lady appeared. Her gray hair was blowing in the wind and her clothes were dirty and ragged. She was muttering something to herself as she picked up things from the beach and put them into a bag.
"The parents called the children to their side and told them to stay away from the old lady. As she passed by, bending down every now and then to pick things up, she smiled at the family. But her greeting wasn't returned.
"Many weeks later they learned that the little old lady had made it her lifelong crusade to pick up bits of glass from the beach so children wouldn't cut their feet."
