Posted by dj on January 28, 2000, at 17:17:44
In reply to Re: Religion and Depression, posted by John on January 28, 2000, at 16:26:37
Marianne Williamson's book starts with some comments on her experience of depression and how it is a refection of our society and times. Very interesting book and she is a much clearer interpreter of the text than many. The textof the Course in Miracles, like the bible (which has lots of barbarism in it if one bothers to read beyond the usual pious quotes) is a bit thick going when it comes to making heads or tales of it.
Williamson, interestingly was brought up Jewish (as was the disciple Paul & many in that time) and is considered one of the foremost interpreters of this at times byzantine text. I've heard at least two Catholic priests (forward looking ones) speak approvingly of the theology of the Course.
The following quote is often falsely attributed to Nelson Mandela's inaugral address, which is a nice thought but a blatant falsehood as a check of his speeches will soon show you, if you care to verify that from any of the many on-line sources for them.
This is from page 188-9 of the 1994 paperback edition of, "A Return to Love":
"As I interpret the Course, '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, fabulous? Actually, who are you not to be? You are a child of God. Your playing small doesn't serve the world. There's nothing enlightened about shrinking so that other people won't feel insecure around you. We were born to make manifest the glory of God that is within us. It's not just in some of us; it's in everyone. And as we let our light shine, we unconsciouly give other people permission to do the same. As we are liberated from our own fear, our prescence automatically liberates others."My mother who is deeply Christian/Catholic in deed and word resonated with this quote when I sent her a copy.
More on MW can be found at http://www.marianne.com
For therepeutically based programs, which are informed by ACIM one source is:
http://www.clearmind.ca
> Shortly after recovering from my depression a friend introduced me to Marianne Williamson's book "A Return to Love" Reflections on A Course in Miracles, that blew me out of the water. It was the teachings of Jesus presented in a totally new manner. It changed my life and I would highly recommend the book to anyone looking for spiritual meaning to their life without the burden of organized religion and it's dogma. Unfortunately to many Christian zealot's the book >is heresy. Make your own opinion.
poster:dj
thread:19818
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20000128/msgs/19911.html