The Way to Love by Anthony De Mello
This was a book with 31 meditations that I have been reading daily. Even after going through it for the second time, I still find myself feeling that there's still a lot more for me to glean from further reflection.
At this point in my life, my favorite meditation was the one called, Profit and Loss. In it, Mr. De Mello reiterated Saint Mathew's words,“For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world and forfeits his life?” Mr. De Mello gave some great examples, such as discerning the qualitative difference in feeling when I see a sunrise contrasted with the feeling when I am recognized or applauded. He felt the former feeling was true self-fulfillment, whereas the latter had to do with self-glorification. He went on to explain that the majority of us chase that feeling of self-glorification and self-promotion, which only leads to emptiness, and the loss of our souls, which I can definitely see in my own life.
The challenge for me is to recognize that I can find my fulfillment on a daily basis, even if I am still in prison. It can be found in appreciating the beauty of the sunset over the nearby hills, sharing a laugh or some tears in an AVP workshop, emotionally connecting with someone in a conversation, or thoroughly enjoying the 15-minute phone call I have with my mother by just listening, and letting her do all the talking. And it makes me realize, this is how I am to live in the moment, every day of my life, and find my true sense of contentment, satisfaction, and happiness.
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