WAKING UP TO THE NOW – INSPIRED BY ANTHONY DE MELLO

I used to be stone deaf. I would see people stand up and go through all kinds of gyrations. They called it dancing. It looked absurd to me – until one day I heard the music.

From The Song of the Bird

As Anthony de Mello used to say – he discovered something that turned his life upside down. It revolutionised his life. He became a new man.

This is what I will be sharing with you during this retreat.  Maybe ten days will be enough to see what he saw. After all he claims it is so simple to understand that a seven-year old child could understand. He often was asked: “You’re a priest, aren’t you? How come you discovered this so late? Hadn’t you read the Gospels?”  - And he would answer: “Of course I had read the Gospels but I hadn’t seen it. It was right there, but I hadn’t seen it. Later, having discovered it, I found it in all the major religious writings, and I was amazed. I wished to God I’d found this when I was younger. Oh, what a difference it would have made.”

Will you be open to his guidance and allow yourself to enter into his way of looking at the world? In silence and reflection and contemplative sharing we will explore some of Anthony de Mello’s writings, and in prayer and worship we will deepen our awareness of the One who holds us in loving providence as we venture into the mystery of life.

I look forward to sharing this exciting retreat time with you at the beautiful St. Lucia Center.

Fr Chris Schönenberger is the founder and director of Ha-Phororo retreat centre in Gauteng. He is part of the family of regular retreat leaders here at the centre. His retreats appeal to a broad range of people from many different backgrounds, faiths and spiritual practices.

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