The Master ordinarily dissuaded people from living in a monastery.
“To profit from books you don’t have to live in a library,” he would say.
Or, even more forcefully, “You can read books without ever stepping into a library; and practice spirituality without ever going to a temple.”
Anthony de Mello
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Anthony de Mello (1931-1987) was an Indian Jesuit priest and psychotherapist. A spiritual teacher, writer and public speaker, De Mello wrote several books on spirituality and hosted numerous spiritual retreats and conferences. He continues to be known for his storytelling, which drew from the various mystical traditions of both East and West.
Image: A postage stamp issued by China in 2013 depicts a gilt-bronze Sakyamuni Buddha of the Ming dynasty (1368 to 1644 AD). Courtesy https://www.buddhiststamp.com/