E-Book Content
PRATING NAKE D Boston Public Library bosion, iviA UZ H6 PRAISE FOR Praying Naked: The Spirituality of Anthony de Mello, S.J. “Praying Naked is about awakening. Awakening to the treasures within you. Father Stroud says he’s not trying to change your life, simply pointing to the treasures inside you. But, of course, if you constantly realize how rich you are within, your life will change of itself. This book should carry a health warning: it could change your life—for the better.” —Peter de Rosa, author of Rebels: The Irish Rising of 1916 “Vast numbers of people have already benefited from Father Stroud’s teaching of the spirituality developed by Reverend Tony de Mello; and vastly more can benefit from reading Father Stroud’s new book.” —Sir John M. Templeton, spiritual philanthropist and founder of the Templeton Fund “This fascinating book is an excellent choice for those who yearn for spiritual happiness, self-discovery, and self-awareness.” —Thomas Murphy, former president of Capital Cities ABC, Inc. “This enlightening book captures Tony de Mello’s wit together with his spiritual insights. Reading it will enhance your life. It is an owner’s manual for the spiritual human being.” —Peter O’Malley, former owner of the Los Angeles Dodgers “I loved Praying Naked. Father Stroud’s reflections on the spirituality of Anthony de Mello are filled with humor and wisdom. He shows us how to be calm, to be accepting, and to be loving, but more important, he just shows us how ‘to be.’ Father Stroud enhances his insights with excellent anecdotes, quotations, and exercises. If you enjoy this book as much as I do, you’ll be quoting from it often.” —Carmen Finestra, producer of ABC’s Home Improvement and president of Wind Dancer Production Group “At some point in every life it’s only the inner path to growth that matters. Father Francis Stroud’s Praying Naked provides all the mapping you will need along that path.” —Norman Lear, executive producer of All in the Family and seventeen other major TV productions IMAGE BOOKS DOUBLEDAY New York London Toronto Sydney Auckland j. Francis Stroud, S.J. AN IMAGE BOOK PUBLISHED BY DOUBLEDAY a division of Random House, Inc. IMAGE, DOUBLEDAY, and the portrayal of a deer drinking from a stream are registered trademarks of Random House, Inc. Book design by Caroline Cunningham Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data Stroud, J. Francis. Praying naked : the spirituality of Anthony de Mello, S.J. / J. Francis Stroud. p. cm. Includes bibliographical references. 1. Spiritual life—Catholic Church. 2. De Mello, Anthony, 1931— I. Title. BX 2350.3.S77 2005 248.4'82—dc22 2004064940 ISBN 0-385-51314-3 Copyright © 2005 by J. Francis Stroud, S.J. All Rights Reserved PRINTED IN THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA October 2005 First Image Books Edition 13579 10 8642 This book is the result of years of study of the work of Anthony de Mello, S.J. My own association with him, my reading of his books, listening to his presentations, producing television programs and tape recordings with him have all contributed to what is contained herein. However, if there is one person who has made Tony’s approach to spirituality come alive in my own life, I would have to say that I am indebted to—more than anyone else—Tony’s dearest and closest friend, Dick McHugh, S.J. Dick confronted Tony with his own clay feet and probably more than anyone else made him the fine spiritual teacher he was. Dick has relentlessly done the same for me. As much as I resented this at the time of its happening, I stand today ever grateful to him for his honesty and abiding friendship. It is hard for me to dis- v tinguish between the values imparted to me by To