Customer Reviews

One Minute Wisdom

5 star:		(13)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(0)
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Anthony de Mello's books generally fall into three groups - guided meditations; cross-cultural, interreligious, traditional teaching tales; and sayings of the Master in context. One Minute Wisdom falls into this latter category using a style related to the saying of the rabbis in the talmudic writings or certain collections of Hindu avatar sayings.

The purpose of the sayings is to provoke a response, to help one to break out of the habitual patterns of thought and action that substitute for rather than express religious beliefs.

An example: "To everyone's surprise the Master seemed unenthusiastic about religious education for the young. When asked why, he said, "Innoculate them when they are young and you prevent them from catching the real thing when they grow up."

The book can be read for amusement or to change one's life. It is only as good as the reader is willing to allow it to be.

For those among us in the hunt for a deliverance of some sort, the late Fr. Anthony de Mello delivers the goods right here. My first exposure to Anthony de Mello was via his book titled Awareness. I don't want to spend time reviewing another book here, but it likewise is a must have. One Minute Wisdom is a book filled to the brim with sharp, charming, and sometimes outright hilarious axioms from all-around the world. De Mello dips into the treasure fields of the Gospels, Eastern and Western mysticism, et cetera. He unabashedly borrows from any spiritually sound tradition, be that a Christian or even Buddhist source. As he once put it rather succinctly in another work of his titled Taking Flight, "Truth only calls for an open mind." And an open mind he most indubitably did have! These parables/allegories cut straight to the heart of spirituality. No commentary by de Mello, no personal interpretations of his own here (though his insights in other works are always very insightful). No, he leaves commentary up to us readers in this one. He literally covers just about anything you can visualize people setting out for a voyage into the spiritual plateau could need. Buy the book. Your going to absolutely love it.

After savoring de Mello's "Song of the Bird" (q. v.)for many years, it was tremendous to come across this volume. The 'pearls' here tend to be a bit longer, but nevertheless very provocative. Get the above one first, but don't hesitate to select this one immediately thereafter.

De Mello provides a treasure map for spriritual seekers. This little book of stories is similar to Noah benShea's Jacob the Baker ... Gentle Wisdom for a Complicated World. Jewels of comfort and direction can be found in the simplicity of the short meditations.

I was unfamiliar with the storytelling style of de Mello, yet bought this book about 8 years ago when a friend recommended it. At the time the stories seemed meaningless and bland. They did not live up to the recommendation.

However, two years ago I was introduced to de Mello's video series entitled "A Way to God for Today" which inspired me to give "One Minute Wisdom" another try. To my delight I found the stories filled with humor, surprise, insight, and potency.

These stories are not bound by any one religious tradition. It seems to me that they enter into the cental Reality of all the great religious traditions of the world. The "spiritual masters" mentioned in the book are never named, but could be Catholic priests, Hindu sages, Buddhist monks, Jewish rabbis, or Islamic mystics.

Give yourself a treat and read "One Minute Wisdom." Then, as de Mello himself says in the book, get rid of it. If yo! u keep it (or any book) too long and come to depend on it, it will become a poison! So wake up! Be free!

For those in the hunt for a deliverance of some sort, the late Fr. Anthony de Mello delivers the goods here for you all. My first exposure to Anthony de Mello was via his book titled Awareness. I don't want to spend time reviewing another book here, but it likewise is a must have. One Minute Wisdom is a book filled to the brim with sharp, charming, and sometimes outright hilarious axioms from all-around the world. De Mello dips into the treasure fields of the Gospels, Eastern and Western mysticism, et cetera. He unabashedly borrows from any spiritually sound tradition, be that a Christian or even Buddhist source. As he once put it rather succinctly in another work of his titled Taking Flight, "Truth only calls for an open mind." And an open mind he most indubitably did have! These parables/allegories cut straight to the heart of spirituality. No commentary by de Mello, no personal interpretations of his own here (though his insights in other works are always very insightful). No, he leaves commentary up to us readers in this one. He literally covers just about anything you can visualize people setting out for a voyage into the spiritual plateau could need. Buy the book. Your going to absolutely love it.

I got this book from a nearby bookstore and was thoroughly impressed. It really made me look within. Some of de Mello's other books seem to be interesting as well. I suggest this book to people of all ages who are seeking to change some tiny flaw of theirs.

"Paradoxical as it seemed, the Master always insisted that the true reformer was one who was able to see that everything is perfect as it is - and able to leave it alone"

(...taken from a page at random, I guess any further review is unnecesary...)

I adore this book. I'm always reading spirituality books, poetry, meditations, calming phrases, etc. I have a bookcase full of books. This is one of my favorites. It's quick...which in my busy world, is a big help. I would highly recommend it for a positive upper!

I keep this book in my car, next to the drivers seat. I read a few segments while waiting at red lights. The light is always green befor I know it, and the wisdom I have acquired from reading this book over the last 4 years, makes me feel like the little old wise man,on the top of some mountain. I originally found this book, in my fathers library of books, and have been hooked on Demello ever since. I tend to drive my friends crazy quoting fables from this book, but they tend to say what could be said to somebody.