A Teaching Story from Awakening: Conversations with the Master by Anthony de Mello

Anthony de Mello, a Jesuit priest who died in 1987, explores the spiritual path through stories, parables, and proverbs. Here's one:

" 'I have been four months with you, and you have still not given me a method or technique.'

" 'A method?' said the Master. 'What on earth would you want a method for?'

" 'To attain inner freedom.'

"The Master roared with laughter. 'You need great skill indeed to set yourself free by means of the trap called a method.' "