I may have posted this quote from one of Tony's books before. Nevertheless, I find it so beautiful and meaningful that I can't resist posting it again(if I have done so before)

Once upon a time there was a forest where the birds sang by day and the insects by night. Trees flourished, flowers bloomed and all manner of creatures roamed about in freedom.

And all who entered there were led to Solitude which is the home of God who dwells in Nature’s silence and Nature’s beauty.

But then the Age of Unconsciousness arrived when it became possible for people to construct buildings a thousand feet high and to destroy rivers and forests and mountains in a month. So houses of worship were built from the wood of the forest trees and from the stone under the forest soil. Pinnacle, spire and minaret pointed towards the sky; the air was filled with the sound of bells, with prayer and chant and exhortation.

And God was suddenly without a home.

God hides things by putting them before our eyes!

Anthony deMello. Prayer of the Frog Vol I.

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.

I share another review from another Tony admirer today:

I just finished reading your book, Anthony deMello, The Happy Wanderer. I am so happy that you chose such a project! I learned so much about the life of your brother and your family as well.

It was such a pleasure to discover the intimate details of Tony's life. It's hard to believe but I look at your brother with even greater respect. I didn't realize just how much he did in his life. I attend a Jesuit High School in Cleveland> St. Ignatius and I realize the extensive years of training and study that a Jesuit priest goes through before officially joining the priesthood. I just had no idea that Tony did all that was required plus so much more! The amount of time he spent writing, praying, teaching, speaking, guiding, listening, helping, traveling...and much more is simple amazing. I really don't know how he it did it all. As you mention in your book he had a calling and he did his life's work full of grace.

Its also somehow comforting to know what Tony went through. I don't mean it in a bad way at all. I only mean to say that as you mention in the book, Tony was human after all. The fact that he had tough times but through prayer, awareness and work he not only overcame but excelled better than most that have ever lived!

As I said I am very happy to have read your book. I truly appreciate the hard work, time, energy that you went through to obtain letters, comments, research and everything else that made "The Happy Wanderer" such a joy to read.

One last comment. I had a cool experience as I was reading the last page of your book. The phrase all shall be well has been coming to mind more and more lately and I had that thought on the last page. As you know the book ends, and all shall be well, all shall be well, all shall be well.

Thank you and all the best.

Your friend,

Jed Cogan

REALISM

A gambler once said to the Master. “I was caught cheating at cards yesterday so my partners beat me up and threw me out of the window. What would you advise me to do?”

The Master looked straight through the man and said, “If I were you, from now on I would play on the ground floor.”

This startled the disciples.“Why didn’t you tell him to stop gambling?” they demanded.

“Because I knew he wouldn’t.” was the Master’s simple and sagacious explanation.

Anthony deMello. One Minute Wisdom.

HAPPINESS

 

A few days ago, I posted an amusing story my father told me when I was very young, about being happy and content with what I have. Here is a piece of Wisdon from my brother to back up that advice I received from Dad all those years ago:

“I am in desperate need of help—or I’ll go crazy. We’re living in a single room, my wife, my children and my in-laws. So our nerves are on edge, we yell and scream at one another. The room is a hell.”

“Do you promise to do whatever I tell you?” said the Master gravely.
“I swear I shall do anything.”
“Very well. How many animals do you have?”
“A cow, a goat and six chickens.”
“Take them all into the room with you. Then come back after a week.”

The disciple was appalled. But he had promised to obey! So he took the animals in. A week later he came back, a pitiable figure moaning, “I’m a nervous wreck. The dirt! The stench! The noise! We’re all on the verge of madness!”

“Go back,” said the Master, “and put the animals out.”

The man ran all the way home. And came back the following day, his eyes sparkling with joy. “How sweet life is! The animals are out. The home is a paradise—so quiet and clean and roomy!”

One Minute Wisdom. Anthony deMello SJ ( Publisher-Gujarat Sahitya Prakash, Anand India July 1985)

Here is another contribution from an ardent Tony follower:

I have been infinitely blessed with the wisdom shared by Tony DeMello for many, many years. Seeking Woman became Finding Woman in the pages of his many books from which I drank with relish long and deep. From the first pages of Song of The Bird and through his lectures and workshops others have kindly shared online, my heart and spirit took flight. The journey became clear and life became a joyous celebration. The stories he shares are priceless and his genius in ordering them undeniable. I feel extremely blessed and lucky to have had this master sent to me at a time when the student was ready. I've worn many professional hats during my life but make a humble living crafting jewerly from sea glass, semi precious stones and metals. It is enough. Thank you, Bill, for doing the work of fleshing out the details of the life of the man we have come to know and love. After completing Tony's Awareness workshop, it occurred to me that he has fleshed out a ninth beatitude and, if I may be so presumptuous as to put it to paper for him, I believe he would offer his assent to it: Blessed are those who are awake for to them has been given the power to really love. 
Cindy Khun.

My friends,
Now that The Happy Wanderer, Tony's biography, has been launched globally(Orbis books and Amazon) I feel it is time to begin publishing some of the messages I have been receiving from way back when I first posted the short e-biography on the Internet in 2000 as well as more recent messages from people. I am amazed at the number of times I read the lines-"Your brother( or Tony) changed/transformed my life". Today is the first of many I intend posting here so stay tuned and if you wish to either comment(use the "Comment" bar) or send me your review, I shall be happy to post it here too. Here is the first:

Hi Bill,

I would just like to thank you for putting the short biography of Tony on-line.
It has been very interesting to read, giving a sense of how Tony lived whilst he was with us.
On a personal level I can say that his work has transformed my life, new insights and direction have come from practising awareness. My family and friends have also benefited as have the clients I work with in my counselling capacity.
I guess just sending this to you gives me a connection to the most influential person in my life, it feels like there has been a gift of freedom given to me and that this gift will be passed on to souls who are looking to be awakened. Most of my work is in the area of fear and I use many of Tony's teaching to help me and others move into true happiness
Kindest regards to you and your family   
John Doherty
http://thegloriousroad.wordpress.com/