Awareness: Conversations with the Masters Paperback – 1 Jun. 1990

I bought this from Amazon many years ago, and have just re-read it. Some past comments question the compatibility of de Mello's views with Christianity; and indeed the Church published a warning (but not disapproval).If you are a Christian within a particular culture, you may find it unsettling. For example, de Mello refers with approval to some ideas and attitudes of Eastern non-Christian mysticism.For myself the answer is:(1) it is wrong - and contrary to the teachings of the Church - to consider that all other religions lack insight or truth. The critical difference is in the question "Is Jesus Christ God?". If you believe Yes, and hold that in mind while reading the book, you will be alright.(2) The book is not an exposition of Christianity; but it does revive concepts which the Church in practice has neglected, but we're very much alive in other times e.g. the Desert Fathers.I suggest you read the book and apply the concepts to your own relationship with God. You will find that they are enriching and revealing. If you come across something with which you do not agree, simply reject it and read on.

Over the years l have collected so many books, and this one in my opinion, stands out from the crowd. It doesn't disapoint, unlike so many, that promise so much and yet deliver so little.I have recently sold most of my books as they don't speak to me in the same way and no longer serve me. Most just repeat same old, but this one is for keeps. Not so keen on his other books, apart from Rediscovering life which is also excellent.

This is the only book I have read maybe four even five times over the years. Not only that, many years ago I bought my father a copy. The next time I visited him he had all of the De Mello's books. Not only that, I must have bought this book at least five or six times, and I keep giving it away. Hahaha and I have just purchased two new copies for my two sons for Christmas. I think this review says more than I ever could. Many blessings to All.

This book changed my life forever. It will make you realise how social programming changes you and how you are not yourself. It also shows you a real meaning of religion and spirituality, how fake all religions are these and how we misinterpreted the gospel. This book should be a must read in every school. I also recommend his audiobook which I listen at least every 6 months. It helps you to get rid of a programming you get from the tv, radio and society around you. Must read!

One of the first book I've read where I actually learned and understood the meaning of inner peace and how to attain it.Beautifully written with humour and love.I would definitely recommend reading Anthony de Mello again and again.

This book has followed me around for 20 years. I'm not religious but it really does help during the tough times we all go through. Easy to dip in and out of. Could change your life, if you let it.

We read this for our book club.Half the group thought it was outstanding. The other half, including me, thought it was largely a waste of time and didn't get it. It seems to be a transcript of a seminar in the '80s, but it's completely unstructured and comes across like the random thoughts of a drunk, meandering with no direction.There were a handful of gems of wisdom, but on the whole having finished reading it I'm still not sure what it was about or what I was supposed to learn.Each to their own, but this one wasn't for me.

This book wasn't written by Tony de Mello as a book. It is edited from one of his spirituality conferences, hence the very direct conversational style. Some regard the tone as a bit hectoring but it just sounds mischievous in the original conference footage (which can be found on Youtube).I say it is a book to keep coming back to because although it trips along most readably it actually contains profundities that bear revisiting. It's a bit like the lad who complimented his dad on how much he seemed to have learnt during the time his son was at college. This book seems to get smarter in that way too. When I first read it I was all excitement, and kept seeing Gurdjieff in it. Later I concluded that it was essentially Buddhism. Now I bracket it with Advaita/Non-duality. It is all these things and lots more besides.Apparently Tony de Mello had the same view of much of this stuff, and was in the habit of repeating the Chinese Farmer story rather often, to people he must have known he'd told it too often enough, as if to say "Have you REALLY squeezed all the juice out of this one yet? Or is there more? Have you maybe still missed the main point?"So if you love this book, and reckon you've got its message, return to it and maybe get even more, and more...Recommend? Well yes, clearly!