Awareness (Book Review)

Anthony de Mello, Awareness, edited by J. Francis Stroud, London: Fount Paperbacks, 1990, ISBN 000627519, pp. 184, ₤5.99.

This book is a compilation of Anthony’s conferences, thoughts and reflections on spiritual life. It could be called his Guidebook to Wholesome Living. It is decorated with priceless insights, ideas and experiences that bring home lessons that guarantee to make life worthwhile and meaningful. I have read a good deal of spiritual and even motivational literature but none touched me the way this one did.

The book has 57 chapters. Well, actually they aren’t chapters but themes. They are short and precise. The language of the book is colloquial and even the tone is very direct and one-to-one. I thoroughly enjoyed reading the book and listening to some new and most old wisdom presented in a pretty novel and heart-touching way. What I liked best about the book is that Anthony is a no nonsense guy and that attitude comes across as one reads the pages. He is also a convinced person, rooted in his consecrated identity and firm in his faith. The editor claims that the contents of this book formed part of one of his last courses, given before his untimely death.

This is a great book, one I highly recommend that everyone read. I suggest this as a great gift to teenagers but also adults can benefit immensely from the wisdom flowing through this book. The content is highly readable and universally relevant. Don’t sit around after reading this review, hurry up and find a copy for yourself.