Reviews

“A beautiful offering, a jewel in the worthy tradition of Father Anthony de Mello that makes the practice of awareness (mindfulness) accessible in its universal, commonsensical, and compassionate simplicity. Reading this book can open up a new world and re-introduce you to one of its most wondrous inhabitants -- yourself.”

—Jon Kabat-Zinn, author of Coming to Our Senses and Arriving At Your Own Door.

“This is a valuable book for the awakening of our true nature. Here is the cultivation of clarity as passageway to the boundless heart. This is true soul work, the clearing of obstacles to our enormity. A clear practice guide, a call to ourselves to enter wholly the inborne gift of quiet and the peace that unfolds throughout.”

—Stephen Levine, poet, author, spiritual teacher, author of Embracing the Beloved, Who Dies?, Meetings on the Edge, Healing into Life and Death, and Grist for the Mill.

“I was delighted to read and use Discovering Awareness by D’Souza and Wonsiewicz. If you valued Tony DeMello’s Awareness and The Way to Love, I encourage you to get a copy of this little book and start using it as soon as possible.  It puts into practice in a very easy and readable way what you found so helpful in DeMello’s work.”

—Rev. J. Francis Stroud, S.J., Director of the DeMello Spirituality Center

"In a world of fear, mistrust and seemingly insoluble problems, a deeper awareness of our daily lives is the most direct contribution each of us can make to a society based on trust, peace and mutual respect.  The partnership of Tony D’Souza, a spiritual teacher, and Bud Wonsiewicz, an accomplished business executive, is emblematic of the synthesis of inner and outer awareness that is our best hope for the future.”

—Peter Senge, author of The Fifth Discipline: the Art and Practice of the Learning Organization. The Journal of Business Strategy named Dr. Senge as one of the 24 people who have had the greatest influence on business strategy over the last 100 years.

“This is foundational spiritual teaching! Plus, it is presented in a very clear, concise, and theologically sound way.  It could change your life--for good!”

—Fr. Richard Rohr, O.F.M., author of Simplicity, Everything Belongs and Adam's Return: The Five Promises of Male Initiation, and numerous other books and audio books, founder of the Center for Action and Contemplation, Albuquerque, New Mexico

"Discovering Awareness provides readers with a logical frame of practice to produce more truth and simplicity in their lives. Having a learning partner greatly enhances the value of the practices at the end of each chapter."

—Andy Bryner, author of An Unused Intelligence, musician and lecturer

Reviews from Amazon.com:

“Awareness is not easy ... and it can be filled with conflicting emotions ... this book and CD set gives the reader comfortable confidence, a feeling of can-do optimism that whatever we recognize about ourselves is OK and part of a pattern, to be learned and known, not feared. It's a refreshing and hopeful approach. Very welcome.“

—M.A.S. Brown, Writer & Reader

“Discovering Awareness is an important book, not just for those familiar with Tony D'Souza's masterful program of spiritual guidance, but for all who are embarked on the journey toward spiritual wholeness. The organization of the book is excellent. Co-authored by Bud Wonsiewicz, it is designed in a way that is "user friendly." The book guides the reader into a clear understanding of the principles behind one's spiritual quest. It then provides meditative exercises based on those principles and designed to open the person's awareness of her or his spiritual reality.
“One is cautioned to be patient in the practice of these exercises; they are intended to be used in an ongoing, repetitive way. The quest for spiritual growth is, after all, a life-long task. In this book one has been given a guide; the practice is up to the individual. Particularly enlightening are the topics of Truth and Fear. For me, it gave a new understanding; one which has stoked the fire of my efforts. I would especially recommend that the reader purchase, along with the book, the accompanying CD collection of Tony's guided meditations. In any case, both the book and the guided meditations will be used over and over again. They should be treated as ongoing and beloved resources in one's ongoing quest for awareness.

—Mary Ann Surges Parker, CO, Educator

“A valuable guide for individuals and couples. The chapters are short and the concepts are simply expressed but there is great wisdom on almost every page. My wife and I found the book to be helpful for ourselves and our relationship and we plan to use it as a basis for ongoing interpersonal discussion.”

—A. S. Danson, "More Aware"

“I read through the book quickly and then went back and did each chapter and exercise. The first tries were challenging, but by the time I got to the end, it was wonderful. I have a new awareness about myself. Every day something comes up that causes me to reflect on this book. I am now working on the meditations. I have never meditated before and this CD makes its easier. This is a process and worth the effort to do it.”

—Vail Reader