Discovering Awareness: A Guide to Peace, Strength and Freedom

Tony D Souza rose from a childhood of subsistence farming in rural India to a career as an international lecturer, spiritual guide, activist for the poor, clinical psychologist and Jesuit priest. He was pastor of one of the largest and poorest parishes in Bombay, where he created innovative programs for feeding and educating the poorest of the poor. After the death of his mentor and friend, Tony de Mello, D Souza was asked to join de Mello s Sadhana Institute and he eventually received a doctorate in Clinical Psychology from Wright State University, Dayton, Ohio. D Souza s work is an original extension of De Mello s thinking both from a practical and a theoretical point of view. It also builds on the work of the late Thomas Merton and Gerald May.Using his unique combination of clinical experience, hands-on grass roots activism, and intimate knowledge of Christian and Eastern mystical traditions, D Souza has developed a much sought after approach to spiritual development. Thousands of many faiths have attended his lectures and seminars in India and the U.S., finding there great clarity, strength and peace. Discovering Awareness is based on a ten-day retreat D Souza conducted from the Jesuit Retreat House in Bandra, a suburb of Bombay (Mumbai), India. D Souza also serves as a commentator on Asian affairs for Vatican Radio.Bud Wonsiewicz collaborated with Tony to organize and write this book. Profoundly influenced by the writings of De Mello and Thomas Merton, he sought out Tony D Souza in an effort to continue the conversations De Mello had begun in the U.S. Wonsiewicz s contributions are those of a student attempting to practice these skills in everyday life. He is a former senior technical executive in the telecommunications industry, faculty member at MIT and board member of several high-tech and charitable organizations.