The Heart of the Enlightened: A Book of Story Meditations

by Anthony de Mello

This is a collection of short story meditations - one of the hallmarks of de mellos's retreat giving - which become stepping stones towards a fuller spiritual life. A 20th century spiritual guide, de Mello brought humour, compassion and insight to the search for understanding the human condition.

Genres: Spirituality, Short Stories, Theology

190 pages, Hardcover

First published March 26, 1989

About the author

Anthony de Mello was a Jesuit priest and psychotherapist who became widely known for his books on spirituality. An internationally acclaimed spiritual guide, writer and public speaker, de Mello hosted many spiritual conferences.

The few talks which he allowed to be filmed, such as "A Rediscovery of Life" and "A Way to God for Today," have inspired many viewers and audiences throughout the United States, Canada, and Central America. De Mello established a prayer center in India. He died suddenly in 1987. His works are readily available and additional writings were published after his death.

In 1998, some of his opinions were condemned by the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith. Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger, who later became Pope Benedict XVI, wrote for the Congregation:
"But already in certain passages in [his] early works and to a greater degree in his later publications, one notices a progressive distancing from the essential contents of the Christian faith. ... With the present Notification, in order to protect the good of the Christian faithful, this Congregation declares that the above-mentioned positions are incompatible with the Catholic faith and can cause grave harm."

Some editions of his books have since been supplemented with the insertion of a caution:
"The books of Father Anthony de Mello were written in a multi-religious context to help the followers of other religions, agnostics and atheists in their spiritual search, and they were not intended by the author as manuals of instruction of the Catholic faithful in Christian doctrine or dogma."

Reviews

[Hitesh · Rating 5 out of 5]

This one was a very light reading !

The book is a compilation of lots ... and Blimey ..Really LOTS of small stories. Some of them are those which you might've already heard, but still will make you think in new light.

Anthony De Mello, takes stories from every faith and belief and retells to grip you to the book.

The book has lots of Quotes, and they are really good ones.

Definitely a GOODREAD !!!

[Raoul G · Rating 2 out of 5]

Over the past weeks I have been reading a few of the stories collected by Anthony de Mello in this book almost every morning. Its subtitle is 'A Book of Story-Meditations' and it seems that the author is convinced that at least some of them are able to offer the reader flashes of truth or enlightenment. I am a big fan of parables in general and believe that the best of them truly are able to speak to the human heart in ways other forms of writing rarely do. But this selection did just not do this for me. To be fair, many of the stories cannot correctly be categorized as parables but are more or less jokes (literally). The interpretation of the stories rarely revealed anything deep - at least according to my understanding, and most of them do not have a clever or unexpected turn or ending. The predictability that characterizes almost all of these stories is not something that aids their effectiveness in my opinion. If you are interested in parables that are truly moving and powerful and clever, look no further than Peter Rollins' The Orthodox Heretic And Other Impossible Tales, which I recommend without reservation.

[Matt · Rating 3 out of 5]

Tales, fables, and parables to provoke the mind and feed the soul. De Mello shares his profound thoughts and insights on enlightenment, relationships, education, human nature, and more.

"Only your illusions prevent you from
seeing that you are-and always have been-free."

[Carol · Rating 3 out of 5]

I have read a number of de Mello's books but found this one disappointing. It is a collection of very brief pointed stories which can easily be inserted in speeches or sermons, but frankly I like the Treasury of Jewish Folklore better.
I would have prefered fewer stories and some of his perceptive comments on the stories.

[M.j. Radosevich · Rating 4 out of 5]

Stories. They capture our heart and mind leaving threads to weave the warp and woof. Without both we would not have a tapestry to enjoy.

[John · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’ve been a de Mello fan for many years, and I love his books Awareness and A Way to Love. I picked up The Heart of the Enlightened at a used book store. It is essentially a collection of short reflections or parables with different common themes. Although de Mello was a Jesuit Catholic priest, these reflections are consistent with his other works in that he dips into other faith traditions, and especially Buddhism and eastern spiritualities, to describe enlightenment.

Many of these vignettes are lighthearted in mood, but carry serious lessons to reflect on. I found myself laughing out loud while reading many entries, but you may be laughing because like me you just might recognize yourself in many of these stories.

Thoroughly enjoyable and highly recommended for anyone on a spiritual journey. This will take its place with my other favorite books.

[Siska · Rating 5 out of 5]

As usual, De Mello is beyond amazing. I'd have given it 10 stars if I could.

[Dave Day · Rating 3 out of 5]

An empty random collection of slightly amusing anecdotes.

[Silvia · Rating 4 out of 5]

Enjoyed the big stories in this little book.

[Larada Horner-Miller · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fantastic weaving of Christianity & Eastern storytelling. Soothes my heart & makes me laugh!

[Grady Ormsby · Rating 3 out of 5]

The Heart of the Enlightened: A Book of Story-Meditations by Anthony De Mello, S.J. is a collection of stories, tales, sayings, fables, parables, aphorisms and sutras. The entries come from a wide variety of sources: Buddhism, Hinduism, Islam, Christianity, folklore and mythology. The entries are divided into sections: Spirituality, Education, Authority, Human Nature, Relationships, Service and Enlightenment. The themes of the stories are threaded together with De Mello’s brief and unobtrusive commentary, which is helpful but never preachy. Generally I found the book to be interesting, validating and inspirational. If you get a copy leave it by your bedside. Read only two or three pages at a time. That way the stories can soak in a bit.

[Laurent · Rating 5 out of 5]

5 stars -- had a deep impact on me.

This book is a collection of short stories, most of them less than one page long:
One of Junaid's disciples came to see him with a purse full of gold coins.
- Do you have more coins? asked Junaid.
- Yes, many more.
- And are you attached to them?
- Yes.
- Then you also should keep these ones, because you need them more than I do.

Many stories did not resonate with me, but I can imagine how they could have. I'll read this book again in a couple of years.

[Ellie Finlay · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a collection of pithy, thought-provoking teaching stories, parables, fables and the like providing considerable material for reflection. I come back to this one year after year as a source for sermon illustrations, springboards for giving talks to meditation classes, and my own personal contemplation.

[Libby · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great little book to pick up and read when in need of some inspiration. It contains an eclectic mix of stories from many spiritual traditions and non spiritual sources.

[Val · Rating 4 out of 5]

It was a very interesting book lots of shot stories, each with a message to think about. Iread only one a day than thought about it. a book well worth reading

[Irma Toro · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excelente! Descubran ustedes mismos por qué