Rediscovering Life Quotes

“So, we were born happy. We lost it. We were born with the gift of life. We lost it. We’ve got to rediscover it. Why did we lose it? Because we were working actively. They taught us to work actively, to make ourselves miserable. How did they do that? By teaching us to become attached. By teaching us to have desires so intense that we would refuse to be happy unless they were fulfilled.”
― Anthony de Mello, Rediscovering Life: Awaken to Reality

“You will never live until you stop clinging to life. Let go. When you cling, happiness dies. If your happiness depends on anyone or anything, that’s not happiness.”
― Anthony de Mello, Rediscovering Life: Awaken to Reality

“You want the little things that society has falsely taught you are essential for happiness. You want that.”
― Anthony de Mello, Rediscovering Life: Awaken to Reality

“The more occupied we are in the things of God, the more likely we priests are to forget what God is all about—and the more complacent we’re likely to become. That’s the story of Jesus. Who do you think got rid of Jesus? The priests—who else? The religious people. That’s the terror of the Gospel, see?”
― Anthony de Mello, Rediscovering Life: Awaken to Reality

“You’re not fighting it, you’re not upset about it, you’re not irritated about it. You’re serene. That’s the difference.”
― Anthony de Mello, Rediscovering Life: Awaken to Reality

“no one joins in the human enterprise of human dreams and visions and goals so marvelously and so creatively as the person who is unattached”
― Anthony de Mello, Rediscovering Life: Awaken to Reality

“The great Chinese sage Tranxu puts it marvelously: “When the archer shoots for nothing, he has all his skill. When he shoots for a brass buckle, he is already nervous. When he shoots for a prize of gold, he goes blind. He’s out of his mind. He sees two targets. His skill has not changed. But the prize divides him. He cares. He thinks more of winning than of shooting. And the need to win drains him of power.”
― Anthony de Mello, Rediscovering Life: Awaken to Reality

“Did you hear about the Jesuit superior who was a great success? People would ask him, “How come you’re such a great success as a superior?” He would reply, “Very simple. The formula is simple: I agree with everyone. I just agree with everyone.” They would say, “Don’t be absurd. How can you be a successful superior, agreeing with everybody?” He would reply, “That’s right. How could I be a successful superior, agreeing with everybody?” So,”
― Anthony de Mello, Rediscovering Life: Awaken to Reality

“The biggest enemy of love is attachments. Desire, in the sense of attachment. You know why? Because if I desire you, I want to possess you. I can’t leave you free. I’ve got to get you. I’ve got to manipulate you so that I can get you, if I desire you in this way. I’m going to manipulate myself, so that I can hoodwink you into allowing me to get you. Are you following what I’m saying? Clear enough? There’s no fear in perfect love. You know why? Because there’s no desire.”
― Anthony de Mello, Rediscovering Life: Awaken to Reality