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Showing reviews 1-5 of 59
 Change Your Thoughts, Change Reality December 13, 2004
Janet Boyer (Pennsylvania)
129 out of 142 found this review helpful
"There's no point in trying to go to Outer Mongolia to escape your issues; they will find you there because they live inside your head." --Marianne Williamson in The Gift Of Change - Spiritual Guidance For A Radically New Life
For over a decade, Marianne Williamson has been teaching principles from A Course In Miracles (ACIM)--a channeled psycho-spiritual self-study work which shows individuals how to create miracles by surrendering to love. Some scoff at the notion that "love is the answer", but Williamson answers them by saying: "It's amazing how much ridicule the topic of love can attract when it does anything other than support the status quo." Make no mistake: Williamson does not advocate what I call "sloppy agape". Rather, she boldly challenges humanity to start getting with the Divine program and begin to change from the inside out.
In her new book The Gift Of Change - Spiritual Guidance For A Radically New Life , Williamson sounds a clarion call that now is the time to begin to look within for change. Attempting to change the external world, she asserts, is akin to trying to change a movie by altering the screen when dealing with the projector is what's needed. Saying "hidden beliefs are dangerous beliefs", the reader is challenged to examine personal beliefs and the attitudes they engender. Tracing defensiveness--a form of "passive violence"--to the root of war, Williamson demonstrates how our resistance to love and vulnerability keep us enslaved to the ego. She writes:
"Whenever our outer world remains stuck, it is incumbent upon us to look, not outward, but inward. It is a call to find the places in ourselves where we are holding on to old ways--places where we blame others rather than taking personal responsibility for our woes; where we judge others instead of blessing them; where we are hard rather than vulnerable and open and kind. These issues hold the hidden keys to unlocking our unsolved personal mysteries."
Williamson outlines ten bridges of transformation that can be crossed when we fix our eyes and hearts on that which is unchanging--an eternal compass of spiritual principles which can guide us on the personal and global path to wholeness:
*From Forgetting Who We Are to Remembering Who We Are
*From Negative Thinking to Positive Love
*From Anxiety to Atonement
*From Asking God to Change the World to Praying That He Changes Us
*From Living in the Past and Future to Living in the Present
*From Focus on Guilt to Focus on Innocence
*From Separation to Relationship
*From Spiritual Death to Rebirth
*From Your Plan to God's Plan
*From Who We Were to Who We Are Becoming
Using personal anecdotes, Williamson delves into various life transitions such as menopause, adolescence, and parenting--and how seasons of change are amazing opportunities for not only growth and change, but also global transformation. Saying that "our greatest contribution to the world at this time is not just what we do but who we are becoming", she shows the reader that no matter where we find ourselves, we can be a conduit for miracles. In fact, she says that sometimes "being about our Father's business" is as much what we're not doing, than what we are. That is, chasing a future dream of spiritual ambition, we ignore life in the Present--which is the only place that "I Am", and miracles, dwell:
"If I had simply allowed myself to enjoy my life more, I would have ended up better off later on. And when I allow myself to simply enjoy my life right now, I'm giving myself the biggest boost for the future. Every point in life's journey is inherently preparing us for our future in ways the rational mind cannot possibly comprehend."
As an example, Williamson poignantly explains that she resisted some aspects of motherhood when her daughter was a baby--often distracting herself from the overwhelming insistent, needy demands of her daughter. Williamson recalls: "I see now that the fact it was happening meant it was exactly what I was supposed to be doing, and I wasn't losing out on anything by giving most of my attention to her." As one who has had a similar experience with motherhood versus aspirations for a "real life" (i.e., a spiritually fulfilling vocation), I resonated with the truth that wherever we find ourselves, that is exactly where we need to be. Our limitless and brightness can shine no matter where we are at; in fact, when we shine, we can literally change the world--for all minds are joined in the Mind of Christ.
The Gift Of Change provides us with a powerful blueprint on transforming our lives--and the world--through transforming our thoughts. Through the spiritual compass of the ten principles, we can at last find our way to inner peace and miracles--which results in a world that is healed and whole.
If you're disheartened at the state of global affairs--including war--this book can show you how to replace thoughtforms of fear with those of love. If you're desperately searching for your soulmate or the perfect job, The Gift of Change lights the path to the miraculous Now. If you're experiencing existential angst--free-floating anxiety that doesn't seem to have a cause-- Williamson says you are not alone...but there is a way through it by choosing love over fear and trusting the Holy Spirit for a miracle.
Another Review by a Serious Course Student November 13, 2004
30307 (Atlanta, GA United States)
139 out of 164 found this review helpful
I'm going to be frank: If you are a Course fundamentalist, don't buy this book. Your ego may be tempted to use this book as a means to separate & attack, and none of us want you to hurt like that. Another alternative would be for "letter of the law" Course students to read this book and, if you feel an attack welling up -- merely see it as another illusion to forgive. This always works for me.
When I start feeling taliban-ish about the Course, I am reminded of Tony DeMello, who once said to an Atlanta audience: "Scripture, liturgy, rituals, prayer, mediation -- all are a finger pointing to the moon (God). The problem is that too many people end up sucking on the finger and miss the point." Let go & enjoy. Join. It's all good. We're all going to get There anyway ... well, actually, we're already There.
Everyone else? Read the reviews below. I cannot add anything else except to assure you that you can be a practicing Jew, Muslim, agnostic, Christian, etc., and still benefit from this book. Williamson's work seems to resonate with people from all walks of life.
Newcomers to Williamson? Don't be seduced by the mass media's marginalizing depiction of Williamson as a "New Age guru." I cannot begin to tell you the deceptive press I've read about Williamson. It was the first thing that taught me not to trust the media completely. (The second thing was Noam Chomsky.) I myself bought the media's party line about Williamson for years before I decided to think for myself. (What a concept.) I was so prejudiced toward Williamson that I didn't want to waste my money on her work, so I borrowed one of her tapes from the public library. It blew my mind.
I now own everything by the author. I do not agree with everything she writes (for example, 'playing small,") but I find it easy to take what I need and leave the rest. Williamson's work has helped create the space for radical peace-filled transformation in my life, and for that I will always be grateful.
This Book Will Change Your Life February 9, 2005
Lee (Ohio)
21 out of 23 found this review helpful
Marianne Williamson is a champion of the transformative process, providing us with the springboard from which we may catapult our lives to the next dimension, where love prevails over the fears and guilts and remorse which have kept us chained to lives of limit and lack.
Though it may take courage to strip ourselves free from the patterns which have taken hold over all these many years, integration of Ms. Williamson's concepts into our lives and Spirits truly enables emancipation from the disappointments and limits from which we have claimed we have desperately sought release, yet haven't had the set of tools, nor courage, to construct for ourselves a better way. TGOC provides us with those tools, and coaxes us gently and lovingly, serving as our wellspring of courage, until the new awareness enables our own courage to move us forward toward liberation.
This book is a must read - pick it up and don't put it down till you've turned the last page...it will change your life forever.
marianne williamson March 21, 2005
anonymous (los Angeles, CA)
15 out of 16 found this review helpful
I feel that Marianne Williamson is one of the best inspirational authors and thinkers of our time. Her eloquence in her writing and her insight is amazing and it has changed my life in more ways than one. I want to thank her for her work and for this book, which is just one more gift on top of everything she has done for me. This book can chage your life.
A thinking person's guide April 21, 2005
Karen L. Hopson (Portland, Oregon United States)
13 out of 14 found this review helpful
This book has made me think about everything: my relationships with friends and family, my relationship with God (which basically has been non-existent over the years) and my relationship with the English language and how I communicate. For someone who is struggling with God issues: who is God? etc. this is an excellent book to crack open and travel down the road of revelation. I highlighted the heck out of this book. Almost every sentence packs a wallop. One night while reading a page, I was overwhelmed with the message. Got chills, tears....it was so inspiring. When a book does that, it deserves five stars.
Showing reviews 1-5 of 59
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