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

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 is a book that I need to read again and again. The spiritual truths and guidance are not engrained upon the first read but the lids of my eyes are slowly opening to the truth of true spiritual practice. We all must return to love and leave fear and anger behind.

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.

It's an easy read. I'm not sure if I agree with it all. I don't like the fact that it constantly refers to another book? I'm not sure if I would recommend reading. 🤔

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 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.

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 normally don’t write reviews but I felt I HAD to. Where do I start, I just received this book 2 hours ago and started reading it. At first I thought it was going to be one of those overly religious books that suffocate you with “the word”. However, as I am currently on page 38, it’s not like that at all. Marianne explains that we are all love. We are all beings of divine creation. We often get so caught up in worldly matters or the physically realm and forget who we are. She explains that anything other than love is an illusion that many of us inherit from our caregivers which then manifest into something greater (anxiety, fear, pessimism etc.) as we grow. Marianne provides the most perfect guide on well, how to return to the love we all were created from.