ANTHONY DE MELLO - a modern mystic and spiritual guide
[from the Introduction] As you read the printed page of ONE MINUTE WISDOM and struggle with the Master̓s cryptic language, it is possible that you will unwittingly chance upon the Silent Teaching that lurks within the book, and be Awakened, and transformed.
This is what Wisdom means: To be changed without the slightest effort on your part, to be transformed, believe it or not, merely by waking to the reality that is not words, that lies beyond the reach of words.
If you are fortunate enough to be Awakened thus, you will know why the finest language is the one that is not spoken, the finest action is the one that is not done and the finest change is the one that is not willed.
Caution: Take the tales in tiny doses—one or two at a time. An overdose will lower their potency.
SENSITIVITY
“How shall I experience my oneness with creation?”
“By listening,” said the Master.
“And how am I to listen?”
“Become an ear that gives heed to every single thing the universe is saying.
The moment you hear something you yourself are saying, stop."
HARMONY
For all his traditional ways, the Master had scant respect for rules and for traditions. A quarrel once broke out between a disciple and his daughter because the man kept insisting that the girl conform to the rules of their religion in the choice of her prospective husband.
The Master openly sided with the girl.
When the disciple expressed his surprise that a holy man would do this, the Master said, “You must understand that life is just like music, which is made more by feeling and by instinct than by rules.”
IDENTITY
“How does one seek union with God?”
“The harder you seek, the more distance you create between Him and you.
So what does one do about the distance?”
“Understand that it isn̓t there.”
“Does that mean that God and I are one?”
“Not one. Not two.”
“How is that possible?”
“The sun and its light, the ocean and the wave, the singer and his song—not one. Not two.
MECHANICAL-NESS
The Master once asked his disciples which was more important: wisdom or action.
The disciples were unanimous: “Action, of course. Of what use is wisdom that does not show itself in action?”
Said the Master, “And of what use is action that proceeds from an unenlightened heart?” [that comes forth from a heart without wisdom]
WORSHIP
To the disciple who was overly respectful the Master said,
“Light is reflected on a wall.
Why venerate the wall?
Be attentive to the light.”
DESTINY
To a woman who complained about her destiny the Master said,
“It is you who make your destiny.”
“But surely I am not responsible for being born a woman?”
“Being born a woman isn̓t destiny. That is fate.
Destiny is how you accept your womanhood and what you make of it.”
REBIRTH
“Make a clean break with your past and you will be Enlightened,” said the Master.
“I am doing that by degrees.”
“Growth is achieved by degrees. Enlightenmentis instantaneous.”
Later he said, “Take the leap! You cannot cross a chasm in little jumps.”
DREAMS
“When will I be Enlightened?”
"When you see,” the Master said.
“See what?”
“Trees and flowers and moon and stars.”
“But I see these every day.”
“No. What you see is paper trees, paper flowers, paper moons and paper stars. For you live not in reality but in your words and thoughts.”
And for good measure, he added gently, “You live a paper life, alas, and will die a paper death.”
ESCAPE
The Master became a legend in his lifetime. It was said that God once sought his advice:
“I want to play a game of hide-and-seek with humankind. I̓ve asked my Angels what the best place is to hide in. Some say the depth of the ocean. Others the top of the highest mountain. Others still the far side of the moon or a distant star. What do you suggest?”
Said the Master, “Hide in the human heart. That̓s the last place they will think of looking for you."
HOMECOMING
“There are three stages in one̓s spiritual development,” said the Master.
“The carnal, the spiritual and the divine."
“What is the carnal stage?” asked the eager disciples.
“That̓s the stage when trees are seen as trees and mountains as mountains.”
“And the spiritual?”
“That̓s when one looks more deeply into things—then trees are no longer trees and mountains no longer mountains."
“And the divine?”
“Ah, that̓s Enlightenment," said the Master with a chuckle, “when trees become trees again and mountains, mountains.”
SIN
One of the disconcerting—and delightful— teachings of the Master was:
“God is closer to sinners than to saints.”
This is how he explained it:
“God in heaven holds each person by a string. When you sin, you cut the string. Then God ties it up again, making a knot—and thereby bringing you a little closer to him. Again and again your sins cut the string—and with each further knot God keeps drawing you closer and closer.”
IDOLATRY
The Master never wearied of warning his disciples about the dangers of religion. He loved to tell the story of the prophet who carried a flaming torch through the streets, saying he was going to set fire to the temple so that people would concern themselves more with the Lord than with the temple. Then he would add:
“Someday I shall carry a flaming torch myself to set fire to both the temple and the Lord!” [that means: the concept we have of the Lord, God]
CREATIVITY
“What is the highest act a person can perform?”
“Sitting in meditation.”
But the Master himself was rarely seen to sit in meditation. He was ceaselessly engaged in housework and fieldwork, in meeting people and writing books. He even took up the bookkeeping chores of the monastery.
“Why, then, do you spend all your time in work?”
“When one works, one need not cease to sit in meditation.”
DESTRUCTION
For all his holiness, the Master seemed vaguely opposed to religion. This never ceased to puzzle the disciples who, unlike the Master, equated religion with spirituality.
“Religion as practiced today deals in punishments and rewards. In other words, it breeds fear and greed - the two things most destructive of spirituality.”
Later he added ruefully,
“It is like tackling a flood with water; or a burning barn with fire.” |
