Dorothy's Story.
I have studied Anthony de Mello since 1991
and have offered video presentations on him in Hawaii over the past couple of
years, as well as book studies. I have
seen Tony and his teachings make a difference in the lives of a number of
people who have attended these offerings.
I would like to briefly share the story of one woman, Dorothy.
Dorothy, who attended the video
presentations and two concurrent book studies for almost two years, recently
passed away. She was in her 70's and resolutely independent. Not being a meditator she was never one to
get into the mindfulness meditations which I routinely included in the
presentations and book studies. I did
this as Vipassana meditation; it was something Tony encouraged without actually
saying so directly, at least in his U.S. presentations. In one of the book studies when we would
silently meditate, Dorothy would turn her chair from the group and just look
out the window appreciating the beauty of nature. This I would say was her own meditation, and
actually appreciation of nature is something Tony encouraged. In the first year or so during the book study
discussions Dorothy would often say things like, “What's he talking about? I don't get it.” Then when myself or another group member
would explain to the best of our ability what Tony was talking about, Dorothy
might say, “Well, okay, but I still don't get it.”
Then a little over a year ago Dorothy
surprisingly gave an informal testimonial to a group viewing "A
Rediscovery of Life" for the first time.
She told the audience how much her life had changed in the past year due
to Tony's teachings. Dorothy stated how
she felt "at peace,” then added, “But I'm scared....I don't know who I am anymore!"
When asked what she meant, Dorothy gave an example: “I used to fight on the
board of the condo association for what I believed was right, but now I speak
up without fighting. This isn't the 'me' I used to know." When
asked if she liked being “at peace,” Dorothy promptly said: “Oh, yeah!” and
smiled. Dorothy clearly was embodying
Tony's teaching about the “me” and the “I”.
She clearly did “get it.”
A couple months later Dorothy was diagnosed
with inoperable cancer. When I called her in the hospital, she was very
calm. I was impressed by this and said
her so. Again Dorothy simply said she
was “at peace” and added: "My family and friends don't know what to make
of me anymore. So I just tell them, 'It's the new Dorothy.' I feel
at peace....and I owe it all to Tony."
Dorothy lived out her last year very much “at
peace.” She truly has been an
inspiration to all who knew her and continues to be so even now. Her spirit indeed lives on. Dorothy's name means “God's gift,” and she
has certainly been, and still is, “a gift of God” to us all.
With much love and Aloha,
Richard Hennessey.