Anthony De Mello: A Biography Of A Spiritual Mentor

Anthony de Mello was an Indian priest of the Jesuit order, spiritual guide and psychotherapist. He became famous for his books, lectures and his unique personality. Although he was an awkward figure to many, he was an inspiration to others.

In his books, such as A Rediscovery of Life , which is his latest work, he talks about people coming into the world happy. But little by little, people stop being aware of their potential by spending time in their personal cages of suffering. He believes that our thoughts are our worst enemies.

On the other hand, de Mello believed in the need for acceptance in our spiritual nature. He accepted all religious beliefs. Specifically, he felt comfortable with all of them, and saw them as their home. Therefore, his approach was often pantheistic, something that the Catholic Church did not like. In fact, Pope Benedict XVI banned his teachings during his time in the Vatican.

Anthony de Mello’s influence

Anthony de Mello is one of the authors who has sold the most books on spirituality. Their messages are an invitation to personal development. But they are also very inspiring and revolutionary.

His greatest influence was the Buddhist master Ajahn Chah and the philosopher Jiddu Krishnamurti. Although more than 30 years have passed since his death, his books are still sold and inspire new generations. He has taught us to resolve conflicts and to work for our freedom and happiness.

Biography of Anthony de Mello

Anthony de Mello was born on September 4, 1931, in Bombay, India. He belonged to a middle-class Catholic family. His father, Frank, and his mother, Louisa, were both natives of a Portuguese territory called Goa, and expected their eldest son to do well on the railroad, or get a college education.

Anthony de Mello nevertheless knew that he would become a Catholic priest in the Jesuit order. In July 1947, he finally decided to join the Societas Jesu  in Vinalaya on the outskirts of Bombay. Later, in 1952, he began his academic education. He spent three years in Barcelona, ​​Spain, studying philosophy. 

He later traveled to Loyola University in Chicago to study psychology. He was influenced and inspired by Carl Rogers, the famous American psychologist who initiated the humanities, along with Abraham Maslow. Through their academic journey, de Mello was able to learn from different cultures. He even learned Spanish, French, Portuguese and Marathi.

Anthony de Mello and his search for spirituality in all religions

During the 70’s, de Mello opened his mind and heart to the practice of vipassana meditation and Buddhist spirituality.

In his opinion, all religions can offer healing perspectives to all people. Therefore, he accepted them all and everyone inspired him. In his view, the spiritual doctrine of Jesus Christ was as valid as that of Confucius, Laozi, and Buddha. In books such as The Song of the Bird , published in 1982, Anthony de Mello therefore defined spirituality as:

Another well-known aspect of this Indian Jesuit priest and psychotherapist was his ability to perform spiritual excursions where he guided and inspired others. He had a lot of charisma and a personality that many defined as irresistible. But to others, he was nothing more than a heretic.

He dared to consider ideas and defined positions that traditional Catholics did not understand. Thus, he was an interfaith teacher who equally valued and defended Hinduism, Judaism, Buddhism, and Catholicism. In short, all religions inspired him. His charisma always made him very convincing, which is why he attracted thousands of followers of his teachings.

A spiritual master in the United States

In the 70’s he founded the Sadhana Institute in India. He devoted the rest of his life to introducing Eastern spirituality through stories and exercises in the United States. He was a spiritual healer and psychologist who traveled the world teaching people different types of prayer based on vipassana meditation.

Some of his lectures aimed to help people focus on the present and become more aware of their feelings, thoughts and needs. He wrote a total of 18 books that inspired millions of people around the world. 

Unfortunately, Anthony de Mello died in 1987 at the age of 55 from an acute, fatal heart attack. After his death, his spiritual and theoretical legacy has lived on, and in some ways fulfilled many of his purposes. He taught us to be more aware of our self-worth. In addition, above all, he invited us to ‘wake up’ and get in touch with ourselves and our surroundings.