The Gift of Change: Spiritual Guidance for a Radically New Life (Hardcover)

~ (Author) "Life as we knew it is passing away, and something new is emerging to take its place..." (more)
Key Phrases: divine right order, holy instant, divine potential, Holy Spirit, The Gift of Change, Marianne Williamson (more...)

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

In this relatable, down-to-earth book, Williamson explicates A Course in Miracles, which she describes as "a self-study program of spiritual psychotherapy." Both A Course in Miracles and Williamson's work borrow heavily from the Christian lexicon: she refers to God as "he" and speaks often of the Holy Spirit and Jesus. Her take-home message is that we must submit not to our egos, which tell us we are separate from God, but instead surrender to God, of whom we are all a part. While she does refer to all minds being joined and describes the world we know as a dream from which we must awaken, she differs from other New Thought and New Age thinkers by balancing an assumption that the negative things of this world (especially illness and adversity) are illusory with the fact that they feel real to us and that we must take practical steps to overcome them. She recommends embracing love and eschewing fear, arguing that we will encounter a loving world when we stop assuming it is hostile. She says that while we are not responsible for the bad things that happen to us, the universe is always primed to give us a new beginning, if only we can forgive, atone and trust that our loving attitudes and good works make a profound difference.
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Review

"Marianne Williamson challenges us to dive beneath the slick surface of our everyday life to encounter–and embrace–what frightens us most." -- Body & Soul

"Never has a society needed this wisdom and guidance more than now." -- Caroline Myss, author of Sacred Contracts and Anatomy of the Spirit

"Read this book—you’ll discover you can dance with the luminous mystery of existence, co-creating a new world with God. " -- Deepak Chopra, author of Book of Secrets and Peace is the Way

"Williamson challenges us to live in the present moment … that it can be a portal to the miraculous." -- Spirituality and Health magazine

"Williamson takes her readers seriously enough to ask serious attention of them and to offer them much in return." -- Harold Kushner, author of When Bad Things Happen to Good People

"[From] one of our most profound teachers of transformational wisdom, this book is truly a gift to the world." -- Wayne W. Dyer, author of The Power of Intention

"[Williamson’s] voice is strong medicine for our woundedness, warmth, insistence, good humor, and a little light to see by." -- Anne Lamott, author of Traveling Mercies

Read this book—you’ll discover you can dance with the luminous mystery of existence, co-creating a new world with God. -- Deepak Chopra, author of Book of Secrets and Peace is the Way

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Hardcover: 257 pages
• Publisher: HarperOne; First Edition edition (November 9, 2004)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 006058534X
• ISBN-13: 978-0060585341
• Product Dimensions: 8.3 x 5.6 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 15.2 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (57 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #361,303 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

125 of 138 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Change Your Thoughts, Change Reality, December 12, 2004

By	Janet Boyer "JanetBoyer.com" (Pennsylvania) - See all my reviews (TOP 50 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)

"There's no point in trying to go to Outer Mongolia to escape your issues; they will find you there because they live inside your head." --Marianne Williamson in The Gift Of Change - Spiritual Guidance For A Radically New Life

For over a decade, Marianne Williamson has been teaching principles from A Course In Miracles (ACIM)--a channeled psycho-spiritual self-study work which shows individuals how to create miracles by surrendering to love. Some scoff at the notion that "love is the answer", but Williamson answers them by saying: "It's amazing how much ridicule the topic of love can attract when it does anything other than support the status quo." Make no mistake: Williamson does not advocate what I call "sloppy agape". Rather, she boldly challenges humanity to start getting with the Divine program and begin to change from the inside out.

In her new book The Gift Of Change - Spiritual Guidance For A Radically New Life , Williamson sounds a clarion call that now is the time to begin to look within for change. Attempting to change the external world, she asserts, is akin to trying to change a movie by altering the screen when dealing with the projector is what's needed. Saying "hidden beliefs are dangerous beliefs", the reader is challenged to examine personal beliefs and the attitudes they engender. Tracing defensiveness--a form of "passive violence"--to the root of war, Williamson demonstrates how our resistance to love and vulnerability keep us enslaved to the ego. She writes:

"Whenever our outer world remains stuck, it is incumbent upon us to look, not outward, but inward. It is a call to find the places in ourselves where we are holding on to old ways--places where we blame others rather than taking personal responsibility for our woes; where we judge others instead of blessing them; where we are hard rather than vulnerable and open and kind. These issues hold the hidden keys to unlocking our unsolved personal mysteries."

Williamson outlines ten bridges of transformation that can be crossed when we fix our eyes and hearts on that which is unchanging--an eternal compass of spiritual principles which can guide us on the personal and global path to wholeness:

*From Forgetting Who We Are to Remembering Who We Are
*From Negative Thinking to Positive Love
*From Anxiety to Atonement
*From Asking God to Change the World to Praying That He Changes Us
*From Living in the Past and Future to Living in the Present
*From Focus on Guilt to Focus on Innocence
*From Separation to Relationship
*From Spiritual Death to Rebirth
*From Your Plan to God's Plan
*From Who We Were to Who We Are Becoming

Using personal anecdotes, Williamson delves into various life transitions such as menopause, adolescence, and parenting--and how seasons of change are amazing opportunities for not only growth and change, but also global transformation. Saying that "our greatest contribution to the world at this time is not just what we do but who we are becoming", she shows the reader that no matter where we find ourselves, we can be a conduit for miracles. In fact, she says that sometimes "being about our Father's business" is as much what we're not doing, than what we are. That is, chasing a future dream of spiritual ambition, we ignore life in the Present--which is the only place that "I Am", and miracles, dwell:

"If I had simply allowed myself to enjoy my life more, I would have ended up better off later on. And when I allow myself to simply enjoy my life right now, I'm giving myself the biggest boost for the future. Every point in life's journey is inherently preparing us for our future in ways the rational mind cannot possibly comprehend."

As an example, Williamson poignantly explains that she resisted some aspects of motherhood when her daughter was a baby--often distracting herself from the overwhelming insistent, needy demands of her daughter. Williamson recalls: "I see now that the fact it was happening meant it was exactly what I was supposed to be doing, and I wasn't losing out on anything by giving most of my attention to her." As one who has had a similar experience with motherhood versus aspirations for a "real life" (i.e., a spiritually fulfilling vocation), I resonated with the truth that wherever we find ourselves, that is exactly where we need to be. Our limitless and brightness can shine no matter where we are at; in fact, when we shine, we can literally change the world--for all minds are joined in the Mind of Christ.

The Gift Of Change provides us with a powerful blueprint on transforming our lives--and the world--through transforming our thoughts. Through the spiritual compass of the ten principles, we can at last find our way to inner peace and miracles--which results in a world that is healed and whole.

If you're disheartened at the state of global affairs--including war--this book can show you how to replace thoughtforms of fear with those of love. If you're desperately searching for your soulmate or the perfect job, The Gift of Change lights the path to the miraculous Now. If you're experiencing existential angst--free-floating anxiety that doesn't seem to have a cause-- Williamson says you are not alone...but there is a way through it by choosing love over fear and trusting the Holy Spirit for a miracle.

139 of 163 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Another Review by a Serious Course Student, November 12, 2004

By	30307 "30307" (Atlanta, GA United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Gift of Change CD: Spiritual Guidance for a Radically New Life (Audio CD)

I'm going to be frank: If you are a Course fundamentalist, don't buy this book. Your ego may be tempted to use this book as a means to separate & attack, and none of us want you to hurt like that. Another alternative would be for "letter of the law" Course students to read this book and, if you feel an attack welling up -- merely see it as another illusion to forgive. This always works for me.

When I start feeling taliban-ish about the Course, I am reminded of Tony DeMello, who once said to an Atlanta audience: "Scripture, liturgy, rituals, prayer, mediation -- all are a finger pointing to the moon (God). The problem is that too many people end up sucking on the finger and miss the point." Let go & enjoy. Join. It's all good. We're all going to get There anyway ... well, actually, we're already There.

Everyone else? Read the reviews below. I cannot add anything else except to assure you that you can be a practicing Jew, Muslim, agnostic, Christian, etc., and still benefit from this book. Williamson's work seems to resonate with people from all walks of life.

Newcomers to Williamson? Don't be seduced by the mass media's marginalizing depiction of Williamson as a "New Age guru." I cannot begin to tell you the deceptive press I've read about Williamson. It was the first thing that taught me not to trust the media completely. (The second thing was Noam Chomsky.) I myself bought the media's party line about Williamson for years before I decided to think for myself. (What a concept.) I was so prejudiced toward Williamson that I didn't want to waste my money on her work, so I borrowed one of her tapes from the public library. It blew my mind.

I now own everything by the author. I do not agree with everything she writes (for example, 'playing small,") but I find it easy to take what I need and leave the rest. Williamson's work has helped create the space for radical peace-filled transformation in my life, and for that I will always be grateful.

21 of 23 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars This Book Will Change Your Life, February 9, 2005

By	Lee "Lee" (Ohio) - See all my reviews

Marianne Williamson is a champion of the transformative process, providing us with the springboard from which we may catapult our lives to the next dimension, where love prevails over the fears and guilts and remorse which have kept us chained to lives of limit and lack.

Though it may take courage to strip ourselves free from the patterns which have taken hold over all these many years, integration of Ms. Williamson's concepts into our lives and Spirits truly enables emancipation from the disappointments and limits from which we have claimed we have desperately sought release, yet haven't had the set of tools, nor courage, to construct for ourselves a better way. TGOC provides us with those tools, and coaxes us gently and lovingly, serving as our wellspring of courage, until the new awareness enables our own courage to move us forward toward liberation.

This book is a must read - pick it up and don't put it down till you've turned the last page...it will change your life forever.