8 Anthony de Mello Quotes on Perception

Anthony de Mello quotes on perception

2. A thought is a screen, not a mirror; that is why you live in a thought envelope, untouched by Reality.

16. Johnny goes to modeling class in his school for special children and he gets his piece of putty and he's modeling it. He takes a little lump of putty and goes to a corner of the room and he's playing with it. The teacher comes up to him and says, 'Hi, Johnny.' And Johnny says, 'Hi.' And the teacher says, 'What's that you've got in your hand?' And Johnny says, 'This is a lump of cow dung.' The teacher asks, 'What are you making out of it?' He says, 'I'm making a teacher.' The teacher thought, 'Little Johnny has regressed.' So she calls out to the principal, who was passing by the door at that moment, and says, 'Johnny has regressed.' So the principal goes up to Johnny and says, 'Hi, son.' And Johnny says, 'Hi.' And the principal says, 'What do you have in your hand?' And he says, 'A lump of cow dung.' 'What are you making out of it?' And he says, 'A principal.' The principal thinks that this is a case for the school psychologist. 'Send for the psychologist!' The psychologist is a clever guy. He goes up and says, 'Hi.' And Johnny says, 'Hi.' And the psychologist says, 'I know what you've got in your hand.' 'What?' 'A lump cow dung.' Johnny says, 'Right.' 'And I know what you're making out of it.' 'What?' 'You're making a psychologist.' 'Wrong. Not enough cow dung!'

21. Spirituality means waking up. Most people, even though they don't know it, are asleep. They're born asleep, they live asleep, they marry in their sleep, they breed children in their sleep, they die in their sleep without ever waking up. They never understand the loveliness and the beauty of this thing that we call human existence. You know- all mystics- Catholic, Christian, non-Christian, no matter what their theology, no matter what their religion- are unanimous on one thing: that all is well, all is well. Though everything is a mess, all is well. Strange paradox, to be sure. But, tragically, most people never get to see that all is well because they are asleep. They are having a nightmare.

24. The genius of a composer is found in the notes of his music; but analyzing the notes will not reveal his genius. The poet's greatness is contained in his words; yet the study of his words will not disclose his inspiration. God reveals himself in creation; but scrutinize creation as minutely as you wish, you will not find God, any more than you will find the soul through careful examination of your body.

34. Thought can organize the world so well that you are no longer able to see it.

39. 'What, concretely, is Enlightenment?' 'Seeing Reality as it is,' said the Master. 'Doesn't everyone see Reality as it is?' 'Oh, no! Most people see it as they think it is.' 'What's the difference?' 'The difference between thinking you are drowning in a stormy sea and knowing you cannot drown because there isn't any water in sight for miles around.'

43. 'Why is everyone here so happy except me?' 'Because they have learned to see goodness and beauty everywhere,' said the Master. 'Why don't I see goodness and beauty everywhere?' 'Because you cannot see outside of you what you fail to see inside.'

45. 'You are only a disciple because your eyes are closed. The day you open them you will see there is nothing you can learn from me or anyone.' 'What then is a Master for?' 'To make you see the uselessness of having one.'