The Song of the Bird [Paperback]

Anthony De Mello (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: August 21, 1984

Anthony de Mello shares 124 stories from a variety of traditions, both ancient and modern, using the age-old medium of parable to illustrate profound contemporary realities about our everyday concerns and our common spiritual quest.

Editorial Reviews

From the Publisher

Anthony de Mello shares 124 stories from a variety of traditions, both ancient and modern, using the age-old medium of parable to illustrate profound contemporary realities about our everyday concerns and our common spiritual quest.

From the Inside Flap

Anthony de Mello shares 124 stories from a variety of traditions, both ancient and modern, using the age-old medium of parable to illustrate profound contemporary realities about our everyday concerns and our common spiritual quest.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 192 pages
• Publisher: Image (August 21, 1984)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0385196156
• ISBN-13: 978-0385196154
• Product Dimensions: 5.2 x 0.5 x 8.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 4.8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (39 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #98,741 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

38 of 40 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Parables - For 'Now' -- For 'Ever', January 7, 2000

By 

austinherzog (Po box 244, Whitehouse Station, NJ 08889; [e-mail]) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Song of the Bird (Paperback)

I first came across this book at the Trinity Church Bookstore in Manhattan about 16 years ago. It's been at or near the top of my 'pile' of books on spirituality ever since. For a number of years now I've been teaching an adult class at a local Methodist church, and once every several months I let the class wrestle with one of these parables for an hour or so. They always prove very provocative, just as many of those used by Jesus centuries ago. One I like has a guy going into a shop to buy 'the truth'. He backs off though when he hears what the price is : "your security." Just the 'message' for our materialist society.. Also: For a number of years (before I discovered audiocassettes!), I loved to 'gift' people I cared about with books. The most frequent one I chose : this de Mello gem. If you care about your own spiritual growth, get this book at once!(Note - this is an extremely personal book, suitable whatever your faith beliefs might be.)

19 of 19 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Parables of Truth, February 26, 2004

By 

Tony Theil (Philadelphia, PA United States) - See all my reviews

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This review is from: The Song of the Bird (Paperback)

deMello has taken 124 ancient and contemporary stories from various religious traditions and recorded them in a sequence that leads the reader to greater spiritual growth. Most stories are followed with a commentary that provide insight for further reflection. In the preface, deMello instructs the reader to read each story three times before moving on to the next, taking time to reflect on its inner depth and meaning.

I followed deMello's instruction and confined my reading to one parable or tale each morning. Throughout the day it would return to me, either to amuse, enlighten or both.. Interestingly, I was already familiar with many of the tales but viewed them differently in the past. deMello has generated a refreshing, sometimes novel, interpretation that always inspires.

Song of the Bird is a book that will be read again and again. The compilation is proof that although Truth has many ways of revealing itsself, it remains consistent and eventually reveals itself to all who seek it.

23 of 24 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Refreshing and Provocative Parables and Stories., February 3, 2002

By 

Xavier Thelakkatt (Dayton, MN United States) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: The Song of the Bird (Paperback)

Anthony de Mello was a religious master of the twentieth century teaching profound spiritual truths through stories and discourses. This book, one of his early works was first published in 1982 in India. The present volume is a reprint edition that targets the American reader. It contains 124 stories, both ancient and modern, from a variety of cultures, countries and religions. The author takes credit only for stringing them together and appending a comment to most of the stories. These comments are often insightful and provocative. The book as a whole is an enjoyable reading, illustrative of profound realities.