Indian-born Anthony de Mello was a psychotherapist and priest who became widely known for his popular speaking and best-selling books on spirituality. Influential first amongst Indian Jesuits and other Religious, de Mello became well-known in the United States by the mid-1970s. He was often invited to present retreats and workshops in America and used often hilarious stories and examples. De Mello was a speaker and wisdom teacher, but much of what he shared has been reconstructed from the notes of those attending his talks.
Sadhana: A Way to God is his best-known work, although The Song of the Bird and Wellsprings have also proven popular. De Mello melded his psychotherapist’s training with Eastern and Western spiritualities. He wanted people to “awaken” and become more fully aware of the reality around them.
De Mello died suddenly in 1987. In 1998, the Congregation of the Doctrine of the Faith issued a notification regarding his writings. Despite this, De Mello’s popularity continues, and his books are still widely sought.
