Book Review: A Return to Love (Marianne Williamson) freedomiseverything.com /2016/06/04/book-review-a-return-to-love-marianne-williamson/
My Review of A Return to Love I recently re-read A Return to Love by Marianne Williamson, having skimmed it somewhat the first time around. After reading the book for a second time, I also listened to the audiobook to cement what I’d read in my mind. I read a lot (usually 2 or 3 books per week) and I am also an audio-book junkie (there are lots of us around now!). I believe that if I pick up one good idea or one piece of useful knowledge then the book was a worthwhile read. I decided to review A Return to Love because it had quite a profound effect on my thinking. Writing about it helps me to make sense of what I read.
What is A Return to Love About? A Return to Love (ARTL) is Marianne Williamson’s reflections on the principles set fourth in the book A Course in Miracles, written between 1965 and 1972 by Helen Schucman. Essentially, the book is about love and forgiveness. The premise is that only love is real, because love is God. Everything else is merely an illusion. Williamson says that we have become separated from God and from love and forgiveness, and instead lead lives of fear and despair. She says that many of our relationships – to others, work, money, sex etc – have become characterised by fear, due to a small separate ‘ego’ mind which prevents us from overcoming our self-enforced limitations. The book is beautifully written and benefits from Marianne’s brutal honestly about her own personal experiences and struggles.
Is it a religious book? Having now read the book twice and listened to the audio book 3 times, I still find it difficult to call ARTL a religious book. Whenever God is mentioned I tend to switch off, having been completely atheist since the age of 10. However, ARTL speaks of God and of Love in a way which is non-religious, and this piqued my interest. The book is more spiritual than religious, and the messages contained within actually resonated with me. The basic message is that we should lead with love in every aspect of our lives and it is very hard to argue with this viewpoint. In some ways it doesn’t matter whether you view the book as religious or not, you can still apply the lessons of love and forgiveness in your own life.
What was my experience? The truth is, despite my staunchly practical and non-religious beliefs, I loved this book.
1/4