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Return to Love
Based on A Course in Miracles, this self-study program teaches the practice of love as an answer to life's daily problems and fears. Williamson is a proven winner who has gained national appeal from speaking to sold-out lectures to appearing on Oprah. Don't miss out as the excitement builds with the paperback release of this New York Times bestseller.
Hardcover, 352 pages
Published
March 21st 1996
by HarperCollins Publishers
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Recommends it for:
those grappling with spiritual identity
This book changed my life, but I NEVER recommend it to anyone because it found me at a time that it could provide answers to my own personal questions. It has, of course, a huge following and the backing of its own sizeable foundation, so obviously I am not the only one who was able to gain from it. Anyhow, if it finds you, may it find you lost and leave you found, as it did for me.
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There is something peculiar and paradoxical about New Age spirituality and that is fully embodied and exemplified by the personality of Marianne Williamson. Who is this famous Marianne of www.marianne.com? Daughter of a successful Texan physician, she went to the Claremont colleges in California but apparently did not graduate with a degree. Instead, she experimented with sex, drugs, rock 'n' roll. Rather than getting a regular professional career in law or medicine, she became a single mothe...more
This book is the source of the famous quote which is often misattributed to Nelson Mandela, "'Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our light, not our darkness, that most frightens us'....." I mostly read the book because it was the source of this famous quote. Overall it was a good book--there were some interesting ideas and engaging anecdotes to illustrate them. However, I didn't give it five stars because ...more
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Shelves:
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I have to admit that I didn't know too much about A Course In Miracles until just recently when I "inherited" a congregation of Science of Mind followers for my Interfaith Church that I pastor. Science of Mind (not to be confused with Christian Science & Scientology) is a way of approaching strength and struggle by framing ones mindset to see results. Like most theology and spiritual ways, it is subject to debate and validity depending on who is reading it and their own personal agen...more
Oh my goodness!
This is by far the most inspirational book i have ever read.
There are times...wait..not times...for my entire life, i haven't understood myself. This book has borrowed my intelligence, and just give me one reason to add more to it.
LOVE. I never had that totally in my life. It was all affection from family. Love is undefined, but this woman defined it for me. She taught me to be a little more than just Taymara, the fake mentor to myself.
I now am ready to ba...more
This is by far the most inspirational book i have ever read.
There are times...wait..not times...for my entire life, i haven't understood myself. This book has borrowed my intelligence, and just give me one reason to add more to it.
LOVE. I never had that totally in my life. It was all affection from family. Love is undefined, but this woman defined it for me. She taught me to be a little more than just Taymara, the fake mentor to myself.
I now am ready to ba...more
There are a handful of good tidbits in here ~ learn to forgive people, for example. Always a useful tip. God is love ~ also useful, especially for people who have trouble with the concept of God.
The rest of the book is an egotistical tromp through Ms. Williamson's philosophies. This is not A Course in Miracles. This is her interpretation of ACIM, which is something completely different. She comes across as hugely impressed with her own "wit," without actually providing solid...more
The rest of the book is an egotistical tromp through Ms. Williamson's philosophies. This is not A Course in Miracles. This is her interpretation of ACIM, which is something completely different. She comes across as hugely impressed with her own "wit," without actually providing solid...more
This is my "go-to" book for hope in life... If this quote from the book doesn't get you, then it isn't for you (Although I first read it 20-odd years ago, it still gives me a smile on a cloudy day)....
“Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our light, not our darkness, that most frightens us. We ask ourselves, who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented, and fabulous? Actually, who are you not to be? ...more
“Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our light, not our darkness, that most frightens us. We ask ourselves, who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented, and fabulous? Actually, who are you not to be? ...more
This book was very inspiring to me at a time in my life when I really struggled with the idea of a God I could believe in...
That being said, Marianne Williamson uses this forum to reflect on her understandings of the principles of the Course in Miracles. As a Jewish woman herself, she wasn't entirely sure a course based on "Christian" language was for her. What she found was a set of universal principles which apply across all the religions. Paraphrased, her understandin...more
That being said, Marianne Williamson uses this forum to reflect on her understandings of the principles of the Course in Miracles. As a Jewish woman herself, she wasn't entirely sure a course based on "Christian" language was for her. What she found was a set of universal principles which apply across all the religions. Paraphrased, her understandin...more
read for a friends spiritual book club she is hosting.
I was unimpressed for a couple of reasons.
1. I think this book is a little too "this is what God is". I'm always uncomfortable with anyone who attempts to define God to me ~ especially Marianne what's her name?! Exactly! Who is this person? Someone who read another set of books and course stuff and is writing about what she experienced. I'm glad God means something to her, I just don't really feel like she's the au...more
I was unimpressed for a couple of reasons.
1. I think this book is a little too "this is what God is". I'm always uncomfortable with anyone who attempts to define God to me ~ especially Marianne what's her name?! Exactly! Who is this person? Someone who read another set of books and course stuff and is writing about what she experienced. I'm glad God means something to her, I just don't really feel like she's the au...more
One of the best books I have ever read! One of my favorite quotes is in this book...
"Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our light, not our darkness that most frightens us. We ask ourselves, Who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented, fabulous? Actually, who are you not to be? You are a child of God. Your playing small does not serve the world. There is nothing enlightened about shrinking so that other p...more
"Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our light, not our darkness that most frightens us. We ask ourselves, Who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented, fabulous? Actually, who are you not to be? You are a child of God. Your playing small does not serve the world. There is nothing enlightened about shrinking so that other p...more
This book is based on A Course in Miracles. Given the essentially Christian culture in which the book was written, it takes a Christian viewpoint, but uses the usual Christian touchstones as symbols, so God, the Holy Spirit, Jesus, the resurrection and the crucifixion are common terms scattered throughout the book but their meaning is not the conventional Christian meaning – for example, God is used interchangeably with love, joy and the light.
The basic premise is that the ego has cau...more
The basic premise is that the ego has cau...more
"The spiritual path, then, is simply the journey of living our lives. Everyone is on a spiritual path; most people just don't know it. The Holy Spirit is a force in our minds that knows us in our perfectly loving, natural state - which we've forgotten - but enters into the world of fear and illusion with us, and uses our experiences here to remind us who we are." p. 41
"When you meet anyone, remember it is a holy encounter. As you see him, you will see yourself. As you ...more
"When you meet anyone, remember it is a holy encounter. As you see him, you will see yourself. As you ...more
When people come to our Course in Miracles study group inevitably they say that they were drawn to the Course after reading "A RETURN TO LOVE".
My husband and I had a prison ministry for just a short while [until the Christian minister there thought we were Buddhists and asked us to leave. ;-) While we were there we introduced this book to the men and women in the local county jail.
We believe this book is responsible for bringing many, many people to A COURSE IN ...more
My husband and I had a prison ministry for just a short while [until the Christian minister there thought we were Buddhists and asked us to leave. ;-) While we were there we introduced this book to the men and women in the local county jail.
We believe this book is responsible for bringing many, many people to A COURSE IN ...more
Before I get into the review of this particular book, I'd just like to reiterate how much I enjoy Marianne Williamson's style of writing. Honestly, the only reason I picked up this book (before reading it I had no idea what "A Course in Miracles" was, so why would I bother reading reflections on the principles of it) was because of the way her book, "Everday Grace", was written. I love her thoughful asides and allusions to experiences in her own life; it's as though she's tal...more
This book was like a gate for me to enter into other religions and understand more their compassion. It was enlightening, and all chapters are fascinating and very relevant to daily life for humans on earth. The author is very beautiful in the inside...i am lucky to try to see through that beauty.
Islam "which means (surrender) the name given to chapter 4" embraces the magnificent ideas presented to us in this book it was very difficult for me but draw powerful similarities. With...more
Islam "which means (surrender) the name given to chapter 4" embraces the magnificent ideas presented to us in this book it was very difficult for me but draw powerful similarities. With...more
I'm only 1/4 into this book but it really resonates with me. With all of the guru types I've been reading lately, this book speaks to me on a faith and spirituality level and from the standpoint of really wanting to do good things with the talents I've been given. It isn't the kind of book that comes with steps and methods. I'm really getting bored with all of that lately. The message is clear, surrender to love and all will work itself out. I'm being brief but I have to say that for me thi...more
This book saved my faith at a very dark time and helped me to make sense of some of what I was going through. It changed who I was becoming and it remains part of who I am. I will always cherish it and be grateful for its existence.
I can't love and feel gratitude for the book without also feeling love and gratitude for its author, so I have a deep love and enduring gratitude for Marianne Williamson as well. I have ready most of her books, but this was the one that stands out, and it...more
I can't love and feel gratitude for the book without also feeling love and gratitude for its author, so I have a deep love and enduring gratitude for Marianne Williamson as well. I have ready most of her books, but this was the one that stands out, and it...more
Feeling a strong pull to re-read this. Not sure why - just going to go with it.
*********** Second Review, September 2009 ***********************
In August I felt compelled to go back and re-read this book. I think it was because of all the books we read for yoga teacher training, this was the one I found the most challenging. This time around I stuck with it and made a conscious and dedicated effort to read Williamson's message in the spirit in which it was intended. ...more
*********** Second Review, September 2009 ***********************
In August I felt compelled to go back and re-read this book. I think it was because of all the books we read for yoga teacher training, this was the one I found the most challenging. This time around I stuck with it and made a conscious and dedicated effort to read Williamson's message in the spirit in which it was intended. ...more
Ok, this book is what every confused cristian needs to read! LOL This book is too amazing to write a short review so I will try to sum it up. We all are born into a certain religion but sometimes we don't know exactly what to believe. We follow certain rules our belief system has set up but not enough to be considered a good cristian, or a faithful catholic, etc. So I think that a lot of us end up giving up on religion and God. Big mistake! God is Love, that is what I learned through this ...more
I read this book when it first came out. I gave it a 5 star rating because over 20 years years later the cover still makes me smile. I remember a particular lesson where Marianne teaches us how to see tragedy as a challenge to love more deeply. That really stuck with me. The book is sincere, based on her love for A Course in Miracles and her own experience. You don't have to be A Course in Miracles practitioner to understand and benefit from reading the book. I would like to read it again.
I read this book long before it was on Oprah's book list.
It is an easily accessible way to learn about some of the principles discussed in A Course in Miracles.
A miracle occurs when we are able to view some situations in a different way - a shift in our perception.
I have used this book over the years when I have needed such a shift. I will pick it up and open to a random page, and read what it has to say. I have always found something that has helped me along ...more
It is an easily accessible way to learn about some of the principles discussed in A Course in Miracles.
A miracle occurs when we are able to view some situations in a different way - a shift in our perception.
I have used this book over the years when I have needed such a shift. I will pick it up and open to a random page, and read what it has to say. I have always found something that has helped me along ...more
Listening to the Marianne on the radio gets a tedious 2 stars for sounding like a holy roller-however, her books, especially the early ones get 5 big fat stars. A Return to Love (I think) was her first...there are several others that I am not listing only because I am tired of typing. You can find them. Go see her in person, read her book, but forget Mariannelive daily on satellite radio.
Ya know, I don't like Marianne Williamson ... or maybe I just don't understand her.
That being said, I read it a million years ago when I was in a very different place ... maybe I'd think differently about it today.
I feel this way about "self-help" books ... hold them in your hands, read the descriptions, and decide for yourself if it feels like one that you need to read.
That being said, I read it a million years ago when I was in a very different place ... maybe I'd think differently about it today.
I feel this way about "self-help" books ... hold them in your hands, read the descriptions, and decide for yourself if it feels like one that you need to read.
I have always been daunted by the giant volumes of Course in Miracles. Williamson is a great teacher, with clear explanations and offers key teachings that make Course in Miracles seem accessible. It is very religious-sounding. But since it is a Jewish woman teaching about Jesus and the Holy Spirit, it doesn't feel preachy, but quite spiritual.
11 years ago, a friend recommended this book to me and it has been a must-have in my library since. It can change the way you think about love -- the love you receive and the love you have to give -- if you let it. As one of the reviewers said, the book has a way of finding you...wherever you are. Figuratively and literally.
"God is merely the love within us" (p.52). I read this book with a great deal of skepticism.
There were nuggets that were meaningful.
"Your playing small doesn't serve the world" (p. 165). and
"The ego seeks intimacy through control and guilt, the Holy Spirit seeks intimacy through acceptance and release" (p. 103).
There were nuggets that were meaningful.
"Your playing small doesn't serve the world" (p. 165). and
"The ego seeks intimacy through control and guilt, the Holy Spirit seeks intimacy through acceptance and release" (p. 103).
This book had a profound effect on my life. I was visiting with friends in another state and one of the girls was reading this book. I happened to pick it up (does anything really just "happen"?) and start reading it. I was hooked immediately. This book gives a philosophy on life, on God, and on what our relationship should be with God in order to get the most out of life. Nothing too shocking for me based on previous reads, but it confirmed a lot of things I already believed, and...more
wanted to add a review to this book because although many parts were good and very interesting; Marianne denies the sinful nature of man, which I believe, biblically, and from life experience, is the actual reality. Man is a fallen being that needs redemption, not just a inner awareness of his current higher self.
This book is a must read. It has something for everyone. I would love to take the Course in Miracles but it is pretty in depth. Maryanne Williamson has taken many of the choice nuggets from the Course and put them into lay terms. I read this the first time about 15 years ago, and I have read it several times since.
Just finished re-reading this book (3rd time). Radical, challenging, honest, funny, and authentic. One of the very first books based on the principles of A Course in Miracles - and more relevant now than ever. The author, Marianne Williamson is also a great speaker, (www.alternatives.org.uk) and hearing (www.mariannewilliamson.com and look up her mp3s on relationships at http://www.miracles.org.uk/). She has written several other books - I especially like 'The Gift of Change'.
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Marianne Williamson is a spiritual activist, author, lecturer and founder of The Peace Alliance, a grass roots campaign supporting legislation currently before Congress to establish a United States Department of Peace. She is also the founder of Project Angel Food, a meals-on-wheels program that serves homebound people with AIDS in the Los Angeles area.[2] She has published nine books, including f...more
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“Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our light, not our darkness that most frightens us. We ask ourselves, 'Who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented, fabulous?' Actually, who are you not to be? You are a child of God. Your playing small does not serve the world. There is nothing enlightened about shrinking so that other people won't feel insecure around you. We are all meant to shine, as children do. We were born to make manifest the glory of God that is within us. It's not just in some of us; it's in everyone. And as we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same. As we are liberated from our own fear, our presence automatically liberates others.”
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“It takes courage...to endure the sharp pains of self discovery rather than choose to take the dull pain of unconsciousness that would last the rest of our lives.”
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