Customer Reviews

Illuminata: A Return to Prayer

5 star:		(34)
4 star:		(2)
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2 star:		(1)
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She writes: "Ultimately, the choice to love each other is the only choice for a survivable future... every time we open our hearts, we create the space for a global alternative. The opening of the heart is an awesome personal politic, providing us with an internal strength greater than any worldly power. As we receive God's love and impart it to others, we are given the power to repair the world... Personal transformation can and does have global effects. As we go, so goes the world, for the world is us. The revolution that will save the world is ultimately a personal one..."

It is as if Williamson understands, and I suspect she does, how tired my own heart grows at times as it travels its lifelong spiritual journey. Is striving to better oneself really worth it? Is it a good thing to be a good person in a dog-eat-dog society? Or is the harsh reality that the one who plays in mud, who is willing to step on another's back, who plays hard to get, who is a master of manipulation, who never blinks at putting oneself first, is inevitably the one who wins the prize? Perhaps. More times than I care to know. And still.... the lifelong struggle to better oneself is, yes, worth it. If only for that final moment when one faces one's own image in the mirror of self-judgement.

"Illuminata" is a book of prayers. There are prayers to begin the new day - and to end it. There are prayers for strength, for health, for happiness, for the renewal of faith, for forgiveness. There are prayers for friends, for family, for lovers. There are prayers to heal nations. There are prayers to overcome addictions, betrayal, emptiness, obsession, loss, greed. There are prayers to mark moments of routine, of tradition, of ritual, of ceremony. The prayers are separated by Williamson's simple, but insightful meditations.

Like many of us, I don't pray nearly as often as I should. Many of my prayers are spoken not in words, but in the way that I touch someone I love, in the manner with which I greet my morning, in the silence I keep when my heart requires healing. But sometimes we need the words to pray. Although I have rarely used her exact words, Williamson's prayers have taught me... that to speak to God is to simultaneously speak to our deeper and higher selves. It is an exchange that is necessary. It is a part of that lifelong journey that we cannot, must not avoid. And, as Williamson writes, we do indeed change the world... one heart at a time.

Several years ago while watching Oprah I discovered this amazing book. I bought the book and now have it safely by my bedside. I pick it up on a daily basis and read..somthing..I cannot believe how much this book has helped me in my daily life. I have also bought the book and given it to several of my friends as gifts because it truely has something for everybody in it. I have also read all the rest of Marianne's books which are also very good but this one is just too good for words. I have Fibromylgia and live in constent pain each and every day but this book always lets me know that there is hope. All I can say it Thank You Marianne and please keep writing and if you ever come to the state of Washington I would love to hear you speak.

This wonderful book by Marianne Williamson, is full of prayers for every occasion you can think of. Besides these wonderful prayers, there's some uplifting, intelligent, and spiritual thoughts added by Ms. Williamson that add to the theme of the book.

If you're soul searching, if you're looking for that spiritual path, and if you enjoy the voice of Marianne Williamson, this is a book for you.

The prayers in this book are amazing. Ms. Williamson's words are placed in such a way that the prayers are so genuine, innocent and sincere. Truly they flow together. I'm not overtly religious, but this book is truly for everyone.

This book has helped me to develop a closer relationship to my God. It gave me a dialogue to use as a foundation to my prayer work. When I practice these meditations I feel a calm serenity and often a healing. I recommend this book to anyone who is seeking a more gratifying life with their Higher Power.

I love the wording of the prayers. I feel that the book hits very deep and close to home. Williamson wrote several ceremonies in the book, and I used her wedding ceremony, and felt it fit exactly what I was trying to say to my husband. I feel her book helped me to see the light inside myself, making Illuminata to be a very prophetic title.

This is one of the very best prayer books that I have found in bookstores today. Marianne has written prayers for almost every life situation...from birth, death, marriage, divorce, end of relationship, a new job, etc. There are very few situations of change in my life that aren't addressed by one of her beautiful and moving verses. I highly recommend this book for anyone who is looking for a more "spiritual" and less "religious" prayer book.

I was truly moved by Marianne Williamson's words. Her call to connect with our own hearts to pray, and to bring forth love in order to save humanity from destroying ourselves moved me, and I am sure will move you.

We are at a critical point, where many realize that we cannot fight external forces to bring peace to humanity, we have to BE the force by bringing forth love and truth from within our own selves.

No matter what your religion, spiritual preference, ideology, or beliefs, connect in whatever way you feel most comfortable, in whatever way you choose, to bring yourself the indwelling peace you wish to see in others. It is only by doing that that we will see peace on Earth.

The prayers in this book are truly beautiful, and as Marianne says "create your own" if you want to.
I Highly recommend this book for the positive, heartfelt and beautiful influence it will have in your life.

Barbara Rose, Ph.D. author of Know Yourself: A Woman's Guide to Wholeness, Radiance & Supreme Confidence and Stop Being the String Along: A Relationship Guide to Being THE ONE

I was always taught not to "recite" prayers, but that really isn't a problem with this book of prayers. Sometimes I read them for the comfort, or say them aloud to ask them of God. I especially liked the ceremonial prayers in the book. It seems a minister could use this as a reference book. And the "Prayer for Amends to the African American" and "Prayer for Amends to the Native American" are both wonderful prayers that all of us should say. Marianne Williamson is true greatness.

I gave my copy to my mother, Magdalena. Great book for filling your soul up with awesome prayer and enlightenment.

Different prayers for different circumstances. This book is very good as is other Williamson books.