58 of 58 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
To understand, rather than be understood., September 30, 2003
The book is perfectly titled. Mother Teresa's biographical information is minimal and the book does not canonize her. Apart from introducing the thoughts of volunteers who work with the Missionaries of Charity, her own words are few. What we find are simple views of a simple path, and beauty in simplicity. This is not the story of a famous nun, it is the story of a way of seeing ones world and of living without self-focus. Mother Teresa, and those who work in the missions that she and others have established and conducted, convey an attractive invitation to service to others. The path has been set before us in the Gospels of Matthew (25:34-40) and Luke (10:30-37). This small volume contains no rancorous sectarian, philosophical, or theological arguments. The themes are peace, love, joy, and fearless devotion to the welfare of others. The simple path is well summarized in the words of St Francis of Assisi:
"Lord grant that I seek rather to comfort than to be comforted,
To understand than to be understood;
To love than to be loved . . ."
The book makes little mention of the opposing worldview, but I briefly will. The opposite worldview is the ever-popular celebration of slavery to self. There are, of course, many variations on this theme. One notices how offended, even angered, the culture of self can be when it is rejected, in this case by Mother Teresa. Articles and books have been published which denigrate her, and she has been called a hypocrite. I doubt she terribly cared. A sign on the wall of Shishu Bhavan children's home in Calcutta reads in part:
"People are unreasonable, illogical, and self-centered,
Love them anyway
If you do good, people will accuse you of selfish, ulterior motives,
Do good anyway . . .
The good you do will be forgotten tomorrow,
Do good anyway . . ."
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30 of 30 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
This book changed my life., February 5, 2000
By A Customer
I read this book at a time when I was very broke and feeling very sorry for myself about it. It made me realize how much I really did have - my health, my education, my personal, political and religious freedom - and totally changed my attitude forever about what is important in life. I have since recovered from my economic crisis and have dedicated my life to understanding poverty and doing whatever I can to help the poor break the cycle of poverty in their lives. I am continuously challenged by the example Mother Theresa set with her relationship with God. This book is so easy to read, so uplifting, so inspiring, so much about what's real and true, you've just got to read it. You can't read it and not be affected in a positive way.
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31 of 33 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
This is a 5 + star book., May 21, 2001
I have read a few of Mother Teresa's books. This is the best. I read it cover to cover all in one sitting...as soon as I got the book. Mother Teresa made me humble. It is a shame how most of us are frantically running around, to find happiness (which we think is in how much money we make, what big house we built, what type of car we drive around)and yet at the end of the day, we are still not there yet. This book reveals how we can find that happiness by following a very simple path. If all of us can follow that simple path, the world would be lot more peaceful. But can we?? This question makes me think, that this woman, Mother Teresa, is no ordinary human, she is beyond human. Reading this book time and time again daily, may help us all to bring peace and happiness to the world! It is a wonderful book, very meaningful and thought-provoking. If only we can follow her path - a very simple path.
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