The Way to Love: The Last Meditations of Anthony de Mello



4/2/24 9:35

The Way to Love: The Last Meditations of Anthony de Mello

Prof. Bakkum gave me this book in November, and I began reading it in January. This book has transformed my faith like nothing ever has before. The author talks about many concepts that go beyond belief systems and encompass a state of surrender in letting go and choosing love. This book has helped me turn negative emotions into forgiveness, for forgiveness only comes when letting go. Every chapter begins with a Bible verse, and the chapters are short but have to do with the verse. I like how it makes the first easier to understand, for he explains the idea not explicitly but implicitly in a way I can grasp. Usually, the Bible is pretty confusing for me, so this is the second time (the first time was in the book The Wisdom Jesus by Cynthia Bourgeault) that I have profoundly understood the message that is trying to be conceived.

An example of this is in the chapter titled “Serpents and Doves.” the Bible verse below is Matthew 10:16: “So be wise as serpents and innocent as doves.”

“every time you strive to improve on Nature by going against it, you will damage yourself, for Nature is your very being. It is as if your right hand were to fight your left hand or your right foot were to stamp on your left foot. Both sides lose and, instead of being creative and alive, you are locked in conflict… In a conflict between Nature and your brain, back Nature; if you fight her, she will eventually destroy you.” (Mello, p.76). This quote helped me understand why, when I was going against nature by my ego trying to control situations, it only caused more harm than good and led to insecurity and confusion. Confusion is God's way of teaching one to surrender to His way. Proverbs 3:5- 6 says, “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.” Going against Nature is going against God and yourself, and it is like (as the quote from the book said) fighting your left hand with your right.

“The secret therefore is to improve on Nature in harmony with Nature. How can you achieve this harmony? First: Think of some change that you wish to bring about in your life or in your personality. Are you attempting to force this change on your nature through effort and through the desire to become something that your ego has planned? That is the serpent fighting the dove. Or are you content to study, observe, understand, be aware of your present state and problems, without pushing, without forcing things that your ego desires, leaving Reality to effect changes according to Nature's plans, not yours? Then you have the perfect blending of the serpent and the dove.” (Mello, p.77). Every time in my life, when I want to change something, if I try to control some sort of outcome, that is my ego and is imperfect and will never lead me to feel whole, for the ego always lies in a state of lack and desire. But, when I simply observe my feelings, sensations, thoughts, emotions, etc. I feel a sense of calm and peace come over me, in a deep knowing that it is truly all okay.

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