When the sage points at the moon, all that the idiot sees is the finger.
Anthony De MelloRead
Both what you run from-_x000D_ and what you yearn for -_x000D_ are within you.
Interpretation
This quote suggests that our fears and desires are reflections of our inner selves.
Anthony De Mello's quote emphasizes that both our aversions and aspirations stem from within us. It encourages self-reflection, implying that the things we tend to avoid and the things we strive for are deeply rooted in our own psyche. By acknowledging that these feelings are part of ourselves, we can begin to understand our true motivations and develop a healthier relationship with our inner experiences.
In practice
In a personal development seminar, this quote can highlight the importance of self-discovery.
When the sage points at the moon, all that the idiot sees is the finger.
Perfect love casts out fear. Where there is love there are no demands, no expectations, no dependency. I do not demand that you make me happy; my happiness does not lie in you. If you were to leave me, I will not feel sorry for myself; I enjoy your company immensely, but I do not cling.
The master never seemed to have his fill of gazing at his firstborn child. "What do you want him to be when he grows up?" someone asked. "Outrageously happy," said the master.
The genius of a composer is found in the notes of his music; but analyzing the notes will not reveal his genius. The poet's greatness is contained in his words; yet the study of his words will not disclose his inspiration. God reveals himself in creation; but scrutinize creation as minutely as you wish, you will not find God, any more than you will find the soul through careful examination of your body.
What is a loving heart? A loving heart is sensitive to the whole of life, to all persons; a loving heart doesn't harden itself to any persons or things.
Problems only exist in the human mind.
Thirty millions, mostly fools.
Forget the failures. Keep the lessons.
Half of my library are old books because I like seeing how people thought about their world at their time. So that I don't get bigheaded about something we just discovered and I can be humble about where we might go next. Because you can see who got stuff right and most of the people who got stuff wrong.
View the past as your enemy, and it will be an albatross. _x000D_ View it as your friend, and it will give you wings.
Words people say not only have a shelf life but have the ability to shape life.
Suffering isn't ennobling, recovery is.
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