Author: jttcom

“You are brainwashed when you take on an idea which isn’t yours” – Source: Anthony de Mello.

De Mello argues that most of our values were given to us and we accept them without question.

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“A saint is one until he or she know it” – Source: Sufi

A person who does good without knowing that they are doing good is a saint. When they become aware they are doing good, perhaps because they are praised, then they continue to do good because it makes them feel good.

They are no longer doing good without motivation.

“The three types of selfishness. The first type is where I give myself the pleasure of pleasing myself. The second one is where I give myself the pleasure of pleasing others. The third one is where you do something to not get a bad feeling.” – Source: Anthony de Mello

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“Faith: an openness to the truth, no matter what the consequences, no matter where it comes from, no matter where it leads you. Faith is insecurity, you don’t know, you are ready to listen. Faith does not mean being gullible. You have to challenge everything, but challenge it from an attitude of openness” – Source: Anthony de Mello (slightly paraphrased)

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“What is the use of putting a man on the moon when we cannot live on the earth” – Source: Anthony de Mello

We spend a great deal of effort and resource to go higher (or deeper) which we could be using to figure out how to live together without conflict.

“You’re never in love with anyone, you’re only love with your prejudice and hopeful idea of that person” – Source: Anthony de Mello

This is an explanation of why we fall in and out of love, even when the person we were in love with has not changed. De Mello argues that we are attracted to someone, perhaps physically, and then build a mental image of what that persons personality is like.

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“The nature of the rain is the same but it grows thorns in the marshes and flowers in the garden” – Source: Arab Proverb

You can give the same advice to two people, one will use it wisely and benefit, one will use it foolishly and cause damage. It is not the advice that was at fault but its interpretation and implementation.

This is also a reference to people who want to attain self-awareness but believe they need a guru or saviour to help them achieve it. They can provide the rain but what you do with it is up to you.

One person can read the bible and become peaceful, another can read it and embark on a life of violence against others. Both read the same text but interpreted it in different ways.

This quote also reflects contradictions often made by religions. They attribute positive things that happen to a person (say Jesus) but negative events to people (sinners).

In truth if someone iconic (like Jesus as an example) says something and some people do positive things because of it the praise should be with the people who did those positive people. Others listening to the exact same might do negative things and the responsibility lies with them. The message (and the messenger) take no credit or criticism.

 

“Everything is in a mess and all is well”, Source: various

This quote is often used to demonstrate the difference between illusion (perception) and reality. The world is (or nature is if you like). If you alone perceive it to be in a mess then it is. If you are removed then there is no mess.

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