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

I feared religion, feared succumbing to the opiate of the masses. The word "God" troubled me, even while I sought a deeper spirituality. Jesus Christ, the Holy Spirit... I blindly closed my mind to anything in Christian terms. But I was fortunate enough to pick up this book at a time in my life when I was beginning to shed many of my judgements, and consider faith not by how others may abuse it or be shackled by it, but how it might empower me to find a deeper happiness. It all started with me re-stumbling upon a quote I read five years ago on how we feared not our inadequacy, but our strength. And it ended up with me finishing this book minutes ago and my mind screeching to a halt, "What? It's over? I need more!" Only the whole point of the book was telling me I don't need to read more, I just need to act on what resonated with me from the words so recently imbibed. I rather doubt I'll ever consider myself Christian. But when you translate the concept of God from a bearded Old Testament crotchety and vengeful powerhouse to the raw and unadulterated purity of love... I don't need to read the Bible to find answers. When the idea of Jesus isn't so much the one and only Son of God, but a state of grace each and everyone of us can become through the shedding of fear... I can relate. When the word Christ is us used to speak to the fact that all of us are connected, rather than a fixation on crucifixion... I can open my mind a crack more. And the concept of the Holy Spirit as the guiding force that allows us to replace fear and its derivatives with love for ourselves and one another... alright, finally Christianity makes at least a lick of sense. Does everything in these pages resonate to me? I'm not sure, but it doesn't need to. The whole point as there is no single right answer, beyond the fact that love is always the right answer. But going to church on Sunday, believing in Jesus, living a life of abstaining from all physical joys or looking upon others or ourselves with judgement and shame... not a prerequisite to finding wisdom in these pages. I would finish a chapter, and the whole world would seem to make more sense. Colors looked better, and I would sink into a feeling of peace is never felt before. The book calls my shift in perception a miracle. I don't think I'm capable of disagreeing on that point. As the author says, this is only the beginning, not the destination. I don't know if I'll read or undertake A Course in Miracles, but I do know that this companion, this interpretation, has changed my world for the better.

I read this years ago after an abusive marriage. Now years later I retread it after dating a man who couldn't love. Not only could he not love, he was unaware of the love present in his life. We had a great love and watching him deny it and the need for live in his life nearly changed me back to the old me. I read it again with the same determination I did the first time: to find faith and love and to reaffirm that love is real and all that matters. I had to constantly monitor my emotions with him and the break from that and the freedom to feel what I feel , to trust in love, came back to me after the first chapter. The relationship for two years had slowly created fear in my way of loving and i started to notice it in all areas of my life. His fear was killing my way of loving and living. Not only is this book Is the reason I love my students. I read this the first time during my third year of teaching college and it played a large part in the pedagogy I teach with. Love the students first and the subject second. That alone I believe made me the incredible teacher I am. Students feel it and I connect with them...then they want to learn the material. We become a force with their well being as a center focus. In addition I am at a low point in my health diagnosed with lupus and my career and I was reminded of reasons love plays first on in my healing in these areas as well . This book changed my life...twice. It confirms for me that the only future is now. Love is a choice. The only choice that brings peace.

One cannot say enough about Ms. Williamson. ACIM (A Course in Miracles) aside - I don't know that I've read many as profound as she. Her words to me like velvet. Her concepts, could change this world - her thinking so beautiful. If we could but procure her ideals, and set them to practice - this world would not be where it is. Love is the answer to all of it - and she explains HOW in this book - beautifully. If you're looking for a book to help you with your conceptual ideals about life - this would be the place to start. Her introduction to love being the answer is not insolent - it contains a depth of thought inside gracious ideas. It lead me to forgiveness when nothing else could. It opened my heart to see things, and feel things, that nothing else could have. Her presentation, so eloquent - her thought process so evolved. I felt honored to have glimpsed her world - honored and excited that I too might be able to live a life of love. No matter how small, it matters. We all must begin somewhere. I've shared this book with 5 of my friends, and will share it with more -- I'd buy a case if I had the money -- we belabor about life's problems... and there is an answer. There is an answer - and it's within our capabilities. It's not new - it's what Jesus taught. Yet in this world, we need it (Him) now, more than ever. Buy this book - if your struggling to forgive, looking for a reason to live, or just frustrated with life. She'll transport you too.

This book is just a very important work, especially for those who are in the early-middle stages of self discovery through spirituality. Although written in 1992 the concepts are still fresh today. If I had to give a friend or a relative one item that had the potential to become critically important in their life, I would give them this book (and in fact I have to both my children and recommended it many times to others). Although as the author states, the book uses some traditional Christian language, I found that when I read it as a non-theist, all I had to do was substitute a few key words for the Christian ones used and after a while, I wasn't even bothered by it. I do believe this little trick allowed me to get through it. At the time, I was triggered by religious terms and I'm glad I took my time and believed it was necessary not to give up on it. Like most people I have spoken with who have read it, I needed to highlight about 50% of the book. It was that meaningful to me. It took me a long time to get through it, partially because I really wanted to absorb the concepts but also because of those few words that kept cropping up. I also bought it from the Amazon Kindle store so I could always have it with me on my Smartphone. I belong to 2 spirituality meetup groups and I find myself constantly referring to it for those discussions but even more importantly, as my nightstand book of choice just before I go to sleep. My advice, just buy it. Although the book isn't written as a step-by-step How To book, I used it to help me get out of my confusion and into a head space where I could take action.

I hesitate to review and summarize a book in which I find myself somewhat in awe. This is a thoughtful and respectful book of advice for living in control and awareness of yourself and in respect and regard for those around you. It is not stuffy and cold but warm and sometimes a little funny, and certainly avoids judgement but encourages acceptance and peace. It is an engaging book to read. This book is a little like a toolbox and is organized as such. You don't necesarily need every tool in the box at any given time, but you probably need a certain one. So you may need a thoughtful lesson or discussion of a certain topic. The section on relationships is my favorite, and is no less than a revelation to me. I have re-read it several times and still enjoy absorbing new details when I read it. And so this book in its entirety may not appeal to everyone, but I think most everyone could find a portion that speaks to them and their situation at that particular moment. We aren't all going through the same stages of life at the same time. I have been a Christian for all of my life. I have not found any portion of this book in particular conflict with my faith, but it has helped me think about and understand my faith better and I feel a closer connection to others, and I think I understand the human condition and our relationships to each other better. I understand my responsibility to myself and others better. It's certainly a lesson worth learning. So pick up a copy and thoughtfully read it. I think you will find that it is accessible and interesting and useful. It is also encouraging.

I bought the CD so that I could listen while I drive to and from work. I'm so glad that I did. I don't think that seeing the words would have done this book justice. Hearing the passion and love in Marianne's voice set the tone of what I felt she was trying to express and teach. I am very pleased with the examples that she gave during some of the lessons. It made it easy to translate the lessons to things going on in my life and how I can respond in love as opposed to fear and hate. Even after finishing this book, it has stayed in my mind as if I had never turned it off. It has given me so much to think about and is helping to reshape my perspective on things that I have looked at as challenging, disgusting, and even evil at times. I'm learning to relax as she put it and it's more than ok. I feel better about life and things to come. Thank you for writing this book Ms. Williamson. It is changing my life.

I have read this book several times and will read it again when I feel called to do so. This book provided such beautiful insights. I read it first when I gave up alcohol in the beginning of 2024 which helped me to give myself love and grace and then again around November 2024 where it reminded me to give grace and love to others. There is a religious aspect to this book, I dont follow one religion or another but I do believe in a higher power. The references to the Christian religion did not bother me and did not give the tone of being holier than though or the only way to do things.

One of my favorite books with one of my favorite quotes. If you’re looking for motivation or just doing self healing, do yourself a favor and purchase a copy of this. Our biggest fear is not that we are in adequate, but that we are powerful beyond measure.

This book really makes you look at your self and your life. I first read this book many years ago, but I wasn’t really ready to understand the content and I must have given my original copy to a friend to read. More recently, events in my life led me to wanting to re-read this book and so I bought this new copy and I am working my way through it again. It now makes total sense to me and is a great source of help and comfort. I have bought many books to help me through this difficult period in my life, but only this one seems to offer me the answers and practical solutions I have been searching for. Thank you.

El mejor libro que puedes comprar.

So useful and clear.

für meine amerikanische Freundin zum 75. Geburtstag - sie hat sich sehr darüber gefreut. Ich habe es auf deutsch und wir wollen uns austauschen.

The book is well written, just like Marci, fluent and articulate. Just like her program Love and above, this further validates her thoughts and views. Love definitely vibrates higher and her 7- step process can be imbibed if we put our hearts to it.