The Master was exceedingly gracious to university dons who visited him, but he would never reply to their questions or be drawn into their theological speculations. To his disciples, who marveled at this, he said, 'Can one talk about the ocean to a frog in a well or about the divine to people who are restricted by their concepts?'
About this quote
- What does it mean?
- The Master avoids deep theological debate with scholars, saying it's like trying to explain the ocean to a frog who cannot grasp it.
- In plain terms
- He says you can't explain big ideas to those limited by their concepts.
- What can you take from it?
- Recognize when a audience cannot understand a concept before trying to explain it.
Where it applies
Putting it to work
Questions to consider
- When have you faced an audience that couldn't grasp your point?
- How can you bridge conceptual gaps?
Another view
It may dismiss valuable questioning from scholars.
More from Anthony de Mello
The Master never ceased to attack the notions about God that people entertain.
Permalink to quote #26 The Master would frequently assert that holiness was less a matter of what one did than of what one allowed to happen.
Permalink to quote #28 The important thing is not to know who 'I' is or what 'I' is. You'll never succeed. There are no words for it. The important thing is to drop the labels.
Permalink to quote #25
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