A Return to Love: Reflections on the Principles of "A Course in Miracles"

Rating:
Summary: A warm fuzzy false feeling: she is NOT a therapist
Review: Marianne Williamson is NOT a therapist. She is a former child of the 60's who dabbled in nightclub singing whilst going through man after man, city after city, and job after job. The Course in Miracles certainly helped her but most of her success is based on being the unofficial interpreter of the material. Williamson has lectured that there is no such thing as illness and death because they are an illusion. Back in the late 80's she declared a cure for AIDS would happen soon. Let's see ... amidst her double speak and ocassional references to Werner Erhard (of est fame) it seems like she didn't know what she was talking about. If illness and death aren't real and only manifestations of fear ... then Williamson's sister is not dead and there is no such thing as AIDS. Who appointed her interpretations the gold standard of Course in Miracles teachings? If you buy what Marianne is selling you may just get the exact results in your life that she has in hers: single motherhood, men leaving her, romantic break-ups, and writings consumed with with Marianne talking about her core issues that still plague her. Her books and lectures are one big shared therapy insight session of a neurotic woman who seemed emotionally love-starved and is using psuedo-spirituality to palliate her angst.

If you want to read some really helpful books ... pick up Cheryl Richardson (at least she is certified to coach people and is happily married for the past 13 years), Debbie Ford (an actual trained counselling professional), or Laura Berman Fortgang (another certified coach, married for several years, and mother of three). All these women authors have the result of an enduring love and qualifications to prove it. Life is not about degrees, diplomas, or cetificates but results. Look at Williamsons' results compared to other self-growth writers. Choose lesson carefully.

Rating:
Summary: A time of awakening
Review: Marianne Williamson is one of the great authors and teachers of our day. She is a part of a great awakening where people turn their backs on old religious doctrine for a more progressive spirituality. The time is here now, where we are awakening to Love. She joins other great teachers like Dr. Buscaglia, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., and Mahatma Gandhi in reminding us of the great power that is within us and the great power of love and compassion. Thank you for this wonderful book.

Rating:
Summary: An insightful read
Review: This is a wonderful book. Marianne explains that love is our natural state, and that by aligning our thoughts with principles of love, we can achieve better inner peace and harmony. Love is our divine heritage and the nature of our Source, and we will always return to love, regardless of the time we spend railing against it.

Rating:
Summary: so what?
Review: We've heard all this information enough. It's just another new age book about love, which is unnecessary and dreadfully boring. I kept waiting for a good morsel to come my way, but it was a yawnfest. At page 70, I began reading faster and faster-I skimmed up to page 130 amd stopped--couldn't take it anymore. The Conversations with God books are much more interesting (although book 2 is filled with useless info). Good spiritual books are hard to find.

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Summary: HOW TO DISSOLVE FEAR AND WE ALL HAVE IT!
Review: MARIANNE WILLIAMSON ROCKS! PERIOD! IF YOU HAVEN'T LISTENED TO HER AUDIO TAPES I HIGHLY SUGGEST THEM.

FALLING ASLEEP TO HER WIT, INTELLIGENCE AND SENSE OF HUMOR MAKES THE NEXT DAY FEEL LIKE HEAVEN ON EARTH.

Rating:
Summary: Brilliant!!
Review: This is one of those books that I wish would go on and on. Marianne's writing style is very to-the-point and she presents her ideas in a very practical manner, using personal life experiences and observations to illusrate her message. What I love most about this book is the explanation of the 'ego' as the root of all our problems. Marianne explains how the selfish and separate ego beliefs lead away from love and unity, towards self-destruction and darkness. The book has a very encouraging and motivating feel to it and the author offers various short prayers that the reader may use. I was also surprised that a paragraph from this book has been wrongly attributed to Nelson Mandela.... the quote about 'what we fear most is not that we are weak, but that we are powerful beyond belief...' those are Marianne's words.

I would recommend this book to anyone and everyone looking for practical ways to deal with life. Marianne's style has a conversational quality to it... I never got the idea that she is claiming to be an expert or bragging in any way (like some authors do). She simply explains what works for her and what she believes can work for everyone.

Rating:
Summary: Wow !
Review: Praise to this book! I was just not expecting to have it change my life! I walked into the bookstore looking for something to help me with my ocassional destructive behavior and prayed to be led to the right one. I picked this edition up, sat on the floor, and was totally taken aback with just the introduction! I devoured the book in a short time and have decided to take a second run at a much slower pace. This book helped me to put "my purpose" and my self destructive behavior in a much clearer light. My husbands tells me he has definately seen a change in my personality. I know I've changed - I feel it - I feel wonderful!