The Master is not concerned with what we believe — only with what we s — Anthony de Mello

"The Master would frequently assert that holiness was less a matter of what one did than of what one allowed to happen."

"Why is everyone here so happy except me?" "Because they have learned to see goodness and beauty everywhere," said the Master. "Why dont I see goodness and beauty everywhere?" "Because you cannot see outside of you what you fail to see inside."

"People who want a cure, provided they can have it without pain, are like those who favour progress, provided they can have it without change."

"Spirituality means waking up. Most people, even though they dont know it, are asleep. Theyre born asleep, they live asleep, they marry in their sleep, they breed children in their sleep, they die in their sleep without ever waking up. They never understand the loveliness and the beauty of this thing that we call human existence. You know — all mystics — Catholic, Christian, non-Christian, no matter what their theology, no matter what their religion — are unanimous on one thing: that all is well, all is well. Though everything is a mess, all is well. Strange paradox, to be sure. But, tragically, most people never get to see that all is well because they are asleep. They are having a nightmare."

"This is what Wisdom means: To be changed without the slightest effort on your part, to be transformed, believe it or not, merely by waking to the reality that is not words, that lies beyond the reach of words. If you are fortunate enough to be Awakened thus, you will know why the finest language is the one that is not spoken, the finest action is the one that is not done and the finest change is the one that is not willed."

"What, concretely, is Enlightenment?" "Seeing Reality as it is," said the Master. "Doesnt everyone see Reality as it is?" "Oh, no! Most people see it as they believe it is." "Whats the difference?" "The difference between thinking you are drowning in a stormy sea and knowing you cannot drown because there isnt any water in sight for miles around."