“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/
The concept of household practice (householder yoga): Across major Eastern traditions—including Zen, Advaita Vedanta, and Bhakti movements—teachers have frequently emphasized that the lay life (Grihastha) provides a complete arena for spiritual development. Famous figures like Kabir, Vimalakirti, and various Zen masters cautioned against fleeing to monasteries solely as an escape from worldly duty.
Universalism in modern thought: The idea that true spiritual awareness transcends institutional boundaries gained significant prominence during the 19th and 20th centuries through universalist philosophical movements. By asserting that direct experience is independent of specific buildings or dogmas, thinkers reinforced the principle that daily conduct and quiet mindfulness form the real sanctuary.