Awareness

Rating:
Summary: Oh, the poooor old Pope...
Review: Is he casting aspersions? That's OK. DeMello was obviously way beyond Catholic theology and either enlightened or on his way there. A beautiful, simple, and simply amazing book.

Rating:
Summary: Direct Honesty
Review: Anthony de Mello's book Awareness is the most direct book I have ever read about what the really important questions in life really are. De Mello wastes no time placating or hedging: he states succinctly and with amazing clarity exactly what the "real" questions are and tells us how to "answer" them: Awareness. Truthfully, he lays little claim to direct answers, his point is that awareness is not an answer because no answer is appropriate -- the point is to be aware, not to answer questions nor solve problems nor to "fix" things. Life is not broken.

Regardless, if you feel your life is not what you want it to be, if it lacks a spark of some kind, but you can't quite figure out what is missing, I highly, highly recommend this book -- I think you are in the perfect place to find value in this book, if not immediately, definitely soon. I am continually amazed as I read every page how _true_ de Mello's words are. I would say it's "unfortunate" or "sad" but I think these things are meaningless to describe the fact that few people will even appreciate this book and fewer still will truly understand it. I can say that I think it would be nice if everyone was able to read this book and really consider de Mello's words with an open, honest mind.

Anthony de Mello suggests an incredible opportunity for a life worth living in this book and I want you to take advantage of it. Read this book.

Live well.

Rating:
Summary: Good book, but be careful
Review: I've read many books of this type, and this one is quite good. But you have to watch out that you don't take what he says to mean nihilism, as at first this is what seems to come across when he is describing he thoughts. Because of this you have to be careful with how you use this book. But other then that it's well worth the read.

Rating:
Summary: Wonderful insight for those grounded in their faith
Review: This will be a brief review, to cast my vote "for" this wonderful book and to offer some advice. I was greatly impressed with Father De Mello's advice to stop thinking about being aware and Just DO IT! That advice -- to be aware of the blessings of God in our world and in the brief section of the world we call our life -- is superb and valid no matter what your faith or outlook (assuming it is basically positive).
Just one word of advice -- the Vatican has, indeed, cast some aspersions on this book (at least for now; who knows when that may change). I would recommend this book be read by someone who feels comfortable with their faith and with their trust in the Lord. The book can seem a bit new age-y but it can also bless one's prayer life and one's response to the wonderful creation, which includes one's awareness.

Rating:
Summary: Great Man
Review: I am forever indebted to this book, for it was the start of many eye opening experiences to come. Though I did not take the Christian route, I stumbled into Zen Buddhism as a result of it. That was 5 years ago. Little did I know how different my entire outlook upon life would change when innocently opening that first page!

Basically he made me comfortably nervous. I started to ask myself zillions of questions as a result of this book, questions I never would have dreamed up otherwise. But every page I turned I kept saying, "my goodness, he is so dang right!" I couldn't argue against his words, they were very clear, very open, and very insightful. Since then I have read a few other works by this Jesuit priest, and I must say Awareness is the best. Perhaps that is due to it being a replica of talks he gave-that it brings out his "natural voice", rather then his "author voice." But yes, this book certainly has life changing potential. But perhaps it was just a book that was there for me at a specific time that, looking back, has a few errors within as well. Not a big deal-so maybe the conditions for you in this life are right. Perhaps this book can kickstart an awakening within you-a desire to embark upon a spiritual journey-regardless of theological, ideological, or even philosophical backgrounds.

I hope this book can do for you, what it had done for me. Enjoy;)

Rating:
Summary: A must read for anyone searching for Happiness
Review: I received this book as a gift. Although I did not plan to read it right away, just scan it (you know, busy, busy, busy!), I found myself unable to put it down. The book is filled with jokes and stories, and while light reading carries a profound message -- that sticks. The message may not be acceptable to those who are sticklers for religious dogma, since it points out some pitfalls of religious worship as opposed to achieving true spirituality which is an inherently human trait (God is in every one of us). I can't wait to order De Mello's other works.

Rating:
Summary: Wake up!
Review: This book is worth every penny. Neither using complicated terminology, nor trying to impress the reader with complicated ideas, the small chapters each contain nuggets of wisdom which can change how you view the world.

Take the time to read it. Put down the heavy tomes of new age gurus and see why you must wake up. The world is full of distractions and this book will help you see beyond them. You'll see what is really important, and it is not what you hear all day long.

Rating:
Summary: An author who makes us think. Good!
Review: To the author I would say, "Bravo, you're making people think." To other Christians I would ask, "Are you ready to think for yourself? Or are you content to have people do your thinking for you?"

Rating:
Summary: Highly Recommended!
Review: I highly recommend this book for people who want to hear the truth about humans.

Rating:
Summary: Unmitigated Tripe
Review: This book was recommended to me by a Priest whom I greatly respect. I still wonder what possessed him to pick this work or this author.

First, I must confess that this is the only De Mello work I am familiar with. As it is the only work of his I am likely to read, this puts me at something of a disadvantage as a judge of this particular volume.

In general, however, Awareness comes across as something of a naked emperor. Throughout, De Mello paints a picture that you "can't get" until you are "awake." Thus far, it sounds a lot like any form of faith or mysticism. Where De Mello diverges is that he defines this vision as a unique entity. It is impossible to call his vision Christian, let alone Catholic; throughout Awareness De Mello has much more use for the Buddhist transcendentalism than for Christian approaches to God.

As a form of spirituality, "Awareness" is watered-down yogiism, with a dose of EST & a little bit of Simon & Garfunkel thrown in. This book will probably continue to be a hit with those spiritual seekers who are intent on new-age Godless spiritualism. However, such a search will always be fruitless. There is only one Way, and He is apparently of little use to De Mello.

I must, however, cite one benefit of his book. After completing its nonsensical ravings, it occurred to me that it was right up the alley of a leftist/buddhist friend of mine. I mailed him a copy, for which he thanked me... then I didn't hear from him for a couple of years. Coincidence? Perhaps. Or perhaps De Mello's book can bring great benefits after all.