The heart of Anthony de Mello’s bestselling spiritual message is awareness. Mixing Christian spirituality, Buddhist parables, Hindu breathing exercises, and psychological insight, de Mello’s words of hope come together in “Awareness” in a grand synthesis.

In short chapters perfect for reading in quiet moments at home or at the office, he cajoles and challenges: We must leave this go-go-go world of illusion and become aware. And this only happens, he insists, by becoming alive to our most submerged and darkest feelings. We need to identify them, accept them as our own, not let them rule us – and allow this new awareness to change us. This, de Mello says, is the key to courage, to taking risks, to becoming alive to the needs and potential of others, whether at home or in the workplace.

Here, then, is a masterful book of the spirit, challenging us to wake up in every aspect of our lives.