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Marianne Williamson: Her Life, Her Message, Her Miracles

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Marianne Williamson (born 1952) is a spiritual activist, author, lecturer, and founder of "The Peace Alliance" and "Project Angel Food." She has written a number of bestselling books, such as A Return to Love: Reflections on the Principles of "A Course in Miracles", The Gift of Change: Spiritual Guidance for Living Your Best Life, The Age of Miracles: Embracing the New Midlife, A Woman's Worth, Enchanted Love: The Mystical Power Of Intimate Relationships, etc.

This biography was published in 1992, right after Marianne's book "A Return to Love" was released, so it misses her later events (such as her now-aborted period as Spiritual Director of a Unity Church); but it's still an interesting and revealing portrait from the "point in time" where she first came to fame (when she was known as the 'New Age Guru' who performed Elizabeth Taylor's eighth wedding ceremony at Michael Jackson's Neverland ranch, for example).

Here are some quotations from the book:

"Although it remains to be seen whether or not 'A Return to Love' will lead to a significant growth in the numbers who actually study A Course in Miracles, it is clear that as Williamson's profile soars, the message of the course is being delivered to millions." (Pg. 7)
"There are a lot of children masquerading as grown-ups in our society, and it's endemic in our generation. Unfortunately, the New Thought/New Age movement has contributed a lot to that." (Pg. 67)
"On May 21, 1990, India Emmaline Williamson was born. Though Marianne has been linked with a number of men, she refuses to divulge the name of her daughter's father. Like so many of the women who attend her lectures, Marianne longs to be in a committed relationship; thus far there is no one." (Pg. 181)
"So when people say 'I've loved too much,' what they really mean is they didn't get the return on an investment or demand." (Pg. 188)
"The pregnancy was not planned, but Marianne was happy and quickly adapted to the situation. 'I didn't consider for a moment not having the baby... To me there's nothing sinful about having a child out of wedlock. For me, to have had a child and not be married is many things, but it's not hypocritical." (Pg. 202)
"Finally, it must be noted that behavior praised as assertive and decisive in men is often condemned as strident and bitchy in women, particularly if the woman in question is young, beautiful, fashionable, and candid, as is Marianne Williamson." (Pg. 239)
"Marianne had no reason to give so much to the gay community except that was the community she decided to serve because it was so devastated by AIDS." (Pg. 251)

Marianne Williamson's earlier biography accounting the life of A Course in Miracles High Priestess. An account of Marianne as teacher and guru and how the course impacted her life. Interested to read in retrospect over a dozen years later. Just don't expect Santa Marianne anytime soon.

The book was hard to follow and I must admit I didn't read it all the way through.