Some Wisdom is Timeless
This past weekend I attended a training conference in San Jose, California (a beautiful place to spend four days). One of the greatest gifts from the weekend was the opportunity to spend most of Sunday morning with spiritual author and teacher Marianne Williamson.
I remain deeply grateful for her book A Return to Love (1992), as she provided a road-map of understanding and application of the principles of A Course in Miracles (1975) to millions of us who had plowed our way through the dense reading in study and discussion groups. The teachings of A Course of Miracles are a self-study program of spiritual psychotherapy, and her guidance changed countless lives – including mine.
And here she was. At a business conference. Offering another road-map.
One with the power to transform the very way we think about business from one of profits to one of service. With an urgency that calls forth the very best you have to share with the world – because the world needs it NOW.
Like timeless wisdom literature, twenty years later her message is as fresh, relevant and powerful as it was then. If you’re not familiar with Marianne’s work, I hope you’ll check out her website and the other books she has written since A Return to Love. And, if you’re like me, you’ll get the book down from the book shelf, dust it off and read it again. (Believe it or not, when I did this I found out I have a copy that I inscribed and gave to my sister in 1995! I’m sorry sis, I promise to give it back!)
One of the most famous quotes from A Return to Love has often been misquoted as having been penned by Nelson Mandela for his inaugural address of 1994. Many didn’t realize he was quoting Marianne Williamson’s book (chapter 7). This still shows up in movies like Invictus, Akeela and the Bee, and Coach Carter.
And it’s no wonder we quote these words. They have the power to change the very fabric of our world – if we would live them.
Today, I ask you to take a moment to let these words sink into you. Take a deep breath and breathe it out slowly. Take one more. Read the words below out loud if you can.
“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 does not serve the world. There is nothing enlightened about shrinking so that other people will not 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 is not just in some of us; it is in everyone and as we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give others permission to do the same. As we are liberated from our own fear, our presence automatically liberates others.”
Now read it again, substituting “My” and “I” for “Our” and “We.” Say it out loud if you can.
Who do you know who needs to hear these words today – whether as a reminder or for the first time? Who would be uplifted, encouraged, inspired or healed by them? I hope you’ll take a moment to pay it forward and share this with at least 3 people that come to mind. They thank you in advance.
Feel good, live fully and love deeply,
Pam
P.S. I’d love to hear your experience of A Return to Love; please leave a comment to share below.