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The Song of the Bird
by
"Every one of these stories is about YOU." --Anthony de Mello
Everyone loves stories; and in this book the bestselling author of Sadhana: A Way to God shares 124 stories and parables from a variety of traditions both ancient and modern. Each story resonates with life lessons that can teach us inescapable truths about ourselves and our world.
De Mello's international acclaim ...more
Everyone loves stories; and in this book the bestselling author of Sadhana: A Way to God shares 124 stories and parables from a variety of traditions both ancient and modern. Each story resonates with life lessons that can teach us inescapable truths about ourselves and our world.
De Mello's international acclaim ...more
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THEOLOGY : The art of telling stories about the Divine. Also the art of listening to them.
A disciple once complained:
"You tell us stories, but you never
reveal their meaning to us."
Said the Master:
"How would you like it if someone
offered you fruit and masticated it
before giving it you?"
It is interesting to note that if something is hard to grasp (or too simple to make sense of) can be understood if told in a form of a story. Similar are spiritual teachings, which are hard to make sense ...more
A disciple once complained:
"You tell us stories, but you never
reveal their meaning to us."
Said the Master:
"How would you like it if someone
offered you fruit and masticated it
before giving it you?"
It is interesting to note that if something is hard to grasp (or too simple to make sense of) can be understood if told in a form of a story. Similar are spiritual teachings, which are hard to make sense ...more
What a gem of a book! Am I glad that I read Sanjay’s review or else it would have been another of those books that would never have seen the light of day, well with me anyway.
This book comprises 161 pages of stories, tales and parables that all in their own way leave an explicit message. They are written for everyone regardless of whether or not they are religious and they certainly encourage one’s own dreams and choice of direction in life, and even more importantly a spiritual search.
The ...more
This book comprises 161 pages of stories, tales and parables that all in their own way leave an explicit message. They are written for everyone regardless of whether or not they are religious and they certainly encourage one’s own dreams and choice of direction in life, and even more importantly a spiritual search.
The ...more
If I could find this book anywhere but online I'd be handing it out to everyone I know. Full of stories and lessons from religions all around the world-- none of which you are likely to have ever heard. Most are very short and can be read in a minute's time. A great "coffee table book" without having the lack of substance that most coffee table books come with.
These little parables -- I guess that's the best way to describe them -- each with a little bit of reflection following, have a lot of depth. This isn't a book to just read through quickly, but to savor and think about. My favorite stories were the ones about the irony of self-sacrifice becoming a pleasure, about the flaw of enjoying your own high and mighty righteousness.
Huh, I just realized that this is a great book to read and re-read. I'm not much of a re-reader, but I could see this being ...more
Huh, I just realized that this is a great book to read and re-read. I'm not much of a re-reader, but I could see this being ...more
I often come back to this gem, especially during Lent.
My favorite passage:
In the gospel according to Luke we read:
But Peter said, “Man I do not know what you are talking about.” At that moment, while he was still speaking, a cock crew; and the Lord turned and looked straight at Peter…and Peter went outside and wept.
I related well with the Lord. I would converse with him, thank him, ask for help.
But always I had this uneasy feeling that he wanted me to look at him…And I would not. I would talk, ...more
My favorite passage:
In the gospel according to Luke we read:
But Peter said, “Man I do not know what you are talking about.” At that moment, while he was still speaking, a cock crew; and the Lord turned and looked straight at Peter…and Peter went outside and wept.
I related well with the Lord. I would converse with him, thank him, ask for help.
But always I had this uneasy feeling that he wanted me to look at him…And I would not. I would talk, ...more
Excellent little book
Jun 09, 2012
Deepa
added it
Love his spin on the golden goose story, how some priests insist that golden eggs did exist and how belief in golden egg laying goose becomes mandatory in going to heaven!! I can very well imagine how some atheists will start arguing about how golden eggs cant exist!! :D Its a dig at anti-evolutionists :D
Him being Christian priest and all must have been really inconvenient, pope etc must really hate him ;-)
Loved all the stories I got, I didnt get a lot of them...the stories are not easy to ...more
Him being Christian priest and all must have been really inconvenient, pope etc must really hate him ;-)
Loved all the stories I got, I didnt get a lot of them...the stories are not easy to ...more
Fairly long list of good parables!
Jun 27, 2018
Cindy Jessica
rated it
it was amazing
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
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philosophy
This is my favorite book and will always be my favorite! I really glad Anthony de Mello wrote this...
'a booklover never turns back any of his/her borrowed books' definitely talks about me considering i always 'forget' to turn this book back (sorry, Ndrey). i'm so fucking in love with what de Mello wrote. i've been force to have a deeply contemplative moment right after reading its first story. a well done job by him, built a crossing bridge through many religions around the world.
Found this book on my daughter's shelf when I was cleaning and started reading it. It is an assortment of poems and thoughts and not just a quick read but a great deal of wisdom and food for thought.
the meaning of each stories are great, but the pictures are too standard and the text adaptation--i think--should be better. still, i love the author's wisdom so much! one more great man that inspired me!
This book, written by a Catholic priest, will blow your mind. Includes many short stories from many different faiths. Will be a book i come back to again and again.
Surprisingly, this book talks more about Christianity! Whoa. Well it's a good loose reference I think. Anthony de Mello himself is a Jesuit priest who was loved for his intelligence and his teaching approach.
But in some parts, this book also talk about Islam and that is the time when I have frown on my forehead. For the simple thing is like the illustration accuracy. In the story of Malik bin Dinar, the clothes look modern, while so far as I know, Malik bin Dinar lived around 700's CE. His ...more
But in some parts, this book also talk about Islam and that is the time when I have frown on my forehead. For the simple thing is like the illustration accuracy. In the story of Malik bin Dinar, the clothes look modern, while so far as I know, Malik bin Dinar lived around 700's CE. His ...more
Short wise stories from all the common religions
The most interesting thing about reading this book, beyond the wisdom to be gleaned, is seeing the religions and philosophies together in one place.
The most interesting thing about reading this book, beyond the wisdom to be gleaned, is seeing the religions and philosophies together in one place.
Many of the stories really made me think, pray and have a good long hard look at myself. I love Anthony de Mellos's books and this doesn't disappoint.
A book to be read and savoured again and again.
A book to be read and savoured again and again.
DeMello’s books are both soothing and comforting and told in believable short scenarios.
Wonderful book for comtemplation. Well suited for brief browsing.
Super little book that I will refer to again and again8
Savage. But not for everyone..
Not quite fond of the translation from English to Bahasa.
Not quite fond of the translation from English to Bahasa.
Some authors are capable of enlightening you, which makes them remarkable.
But some authors give you means to enlighten yourself and others, which makes them even more remarkable.
It is not hard to name a few from the first category who have transformed me greatly. However, I have only encountered one that could go into the second category, which is Anthony De Mello. His way of awakening others is so unique, direct, and concise. He only tells good stories, stories that are short but ...more
But some authors give you means to enlighten yourself and others, which makes them even more remarkable.
It is not hard to name a few from the first category who have transformed me greatly. However, I have only encountered one that could go into the second category, which is Anthony De Mello. His way of awakening others is so unique, direct, and concise. He only tells good stories, stories that are short but ...more
This is a bizarre little volume of collected stories, parables, and sayings from mostly Christian, Jewish, and Buddhist cultures. I like several of the stories highlighted here and am happy to be introduced to some of the Eastern wisdom, but de Mello's insistence on interpreting them for me was just awful. They felt like the heavy-handed and didactic explanations often attached to Aesop's "Fables" in kids' books and every bit as constraining. Some of de Mello's additions were also downright
...more
This book is actually a 'summary' version of several books of de Mello, but now it is in a comic version. In the beginning I thought it will be the same with the ones that I have read (I have read ALL Tony's books!), but I found it is so refreshing! With the pictures that so vivid and expressive, I didn't feel bore at all to read it again and again. I think the idea to 're-write' it in visual way is brilliant! Many of the stories in this book are about religions and human relations. However,
...more
This book was recommended to me by an agnostic Iraqi brother. I was so eager to read the book and see how much I can learn from it and apply. To begin with, I I didn't see a correlation between the "parables" of Mello and his commentary on them. They didn't make sense. Everything felt dense and boring. I am astonished. I really wanted to like this book but I can't force-feed myself. The author seems to be "too Hindu" for my taste. Could it be that? But aren't I supposedly an open-minded person
...more
The stories were good, but many of which I've read already. Comments often seemed rather emotional/angry/biased and not what I expected in this type of book. For example, the author seemed to bash organized religion a great deal. Not that I don't agree, but I'd like to think if I had a great enough understanding to interpret these stories I'd be able to let things go better. In the end I skipped all the comments and ended up not understanding the stories particularly well
This book consists a lot of short stories, philosophical ones from all over the world I guess.
One of my favorite is the story of religiosity market. All the sellers say that they offer the best religion among others. The one who will save the followers to a better after-life. The one who will save the followers from suffers. They just keep on shouting each others, to give proofs.
Meanwhile, GOD Himself walks by... And HE feels embarrass with the situation.
One of my favorite is the story of religiosity market. All the sellers say that they offer the best religion among others. The one who will save the followers to a better after-life. The one who will save the followers from suffers. They just keep on shouting each others, to give proofs.
Meanwhile, GOD Himself walks by... And HE feels embarrass with the situation.
Anthony De Mello was a Jesuit priest from continental India, and he wrote and collected spiritual stories. His perspective draws together both the East and the West. His books generally collect fables and parables, and I think this particular collection is my favorite. In his own way, De Mello is very opinionated, and I find his books both challenging and thought-provoking. He remains one of my favorite spiritual writers.
This is one of my favorite collections of De Mellow's stories. He selects stories that cut to the heart. They have a way of dodging our defenses and jerking a tear or delivering a zinger insight like a welcomed gentle slap in the face. The motivation is always awakening from one of the great awakened masters of Christian tradition.
-Amos Smith (author of Healing The Divide: Recovering Christianity's Mystic Roots)
-Amos Smith (author of Healing The Divide: Recovering Christianity's Mystic Roots)
My best friend gave this book to me on my graduation day. Very nice, very inspiring, and many lesson learned, parables and study cases from this book. Deep insight also. Special thanks to W.Ratih Ratnasari who presented this book to me.
The writings of Anthony De Mello fascinated me from the very first time I got a hold of a little book of his, a man who introduce Buddha's teaching into the Catholic Church, truly an enlightened man. A great little book!
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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 ...more
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 ...more
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“EAT YOUR OWN FRUIT A disciple once complained, “You tell us stories, but you never reveal their meaning to us.” Said the master, “How would you like it if someone offered you fruit and masticated it before giving it to you?” No one can find your meaning for you. Not even the master.”
—
3 likes
“O HAPPY FAULT!
The Jewish mystic Baal Shem had a
curious way of praying to God.
“Remember, Lord,” he would say,
“you need me just as much as I
need you. If you did not exist,
whom would I pray to? If I did
not exist, who would do the praying?”
It brought me joy to think that if I had not sinned God would have had no occasion to be forgiving.”
—
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More quotes…
The Jewish mystic Baal Shem had a
curious way of praying to God.
“Remember, Lord,” he would say,
“you need me just as much as I
need you. If you did not exist,
whom would I pray to? If I did
not exist, who would do the praying?”
It brought me joy to think that if I had not sinned God would have had no occasion to be forgiving.”
