About this title: Based on the teachings of "A Course in Miracles", a self-study program of spiritual psychotherapy, "A Return to Love" is about the practice of love as a daily answer to the problems that confront us.
Note: This is a general synopsis. Each listing is described below.
Binding: Paperback
Publisher: Thorsons Publishing Group Ltd.
Date Published: 1992
ISBN-13:9780722532997ISBN:0722532997
Description: Vg. 0722532997 the practical application of love as a daily answer to the problems that confront us, whether relationships, career or health. 1996, 308pp. read more
Description: Good. Spine is smooth. Covers show wear at the edges and corners. Good reading copy. Binding is Trade Paperback. Pages tanning. Used books may have price stickers. Most orders ship on the next business day. read more
Description: Fair. No dust jacket as issued. Highlighting/underlining. stain on first page on book. some wear of book. Trade paperback (US). Glued binding. Audience: General/trade. read more
Binding: Hardcover
Publisher: Harpercollins
Date Published: 1992
ISBN-13:9780060163747ISBN:0060163747
Description: Acceptable. MAY HAVE COVER WEAR, SPINE CREASES, HIGHLIGHTING, UNDERLINING & PAGES YELLOWED FROM AGE. FASTER SERVICE FROM US! ! ! read 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 talking to me and we're having a conversation where I'm getting know a little bit more about her with every book I read, rather than me just reading words on a page.
So back to "A Return to Love". I'm actually glad I didn't know anything about "A Course in Miracles" before reading this because I believe it would have tainted my reactions to Williamson's points; I have experienced reading a book and reading someone else's reaction to it and being completely turned off because that was not how I interpreted it. Reading "A Return to Love" with a clean slate helped me stay open to her version of the Course's principles.
Initially I thought I would be inundated with Christian references - Williamson explains that a lot of the terminology in the Course relates to Christianity - and while there were numerous instances of theological ideas, especially Christianity, I didn't feel overwhelmed by them. Williamson presented them in a way that, if I didn't already know they were Christian, I wouldn't have known they were related to a particular religion at all. And I never felt as though she was pushing religion at all; everything was kept very open and she acknowledged the fact that not everyone will see things eye-to-eye with her.
I can't evaluate the actual principles suggested in the book, since they are not Williamson's own ideas, but I can comment on her extrapolations. The majority of the time I found her insight thoughtful, truthful and refreshing; however, there were definitely times (particularly in the last chapter) where I felt she was stretching it a bit. I had a hard time grasping how she was relating Easter and Christmas to every day life choices; though in hindsight, I guess I should just accept those ideas since I had no problem with the concept of crucification and resurrection as it relates to our lives.
The one thing I took away from this book is that a strong faith and truly believing that you will never be handed anything that can't make you a better, stronger, wiser person is the foundation for a happier life. It's not going to be easy and I'm still resisting the idea of giving up control of my life but I think it's worth exploring; my desire to control everything hasn't worked out for the best, maybe this is a better solution."
"I liked this book because it reinforced beliefs I already held, plus gave me some areas in which to expand. Reading it straight through was a mistake; it's better, I think, to dip in when and where needed. I found the writing style to be simple to the point of being tedious, although that probably works well in presentations. God will not love you less if you use a subjunctive clause, Marianne!"
"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 understanding is God is Love.
While the book starts with an overview of how desperately self-loathing humanity has become, and how we are our own self-abusers; she quickly shifts to how these universal principles can heal the spirit which can lift you through many life situations. It is very beautiful, and suggestive, and I never felt it was authoritative. It felt complimentary to any other work a person is doing on their lives' journey."
"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? You are a child of God. Your playing small doesn't serve the world. There's nothing enlightened about shrinking so that other people won't feel insecure around you. We are all meant to shine, as children do. We are 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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