Marianne Williamson is a star in the galaxy in the increasingly common and re-birthing of the human consciousness movement. Throughout recorded human history, recovered texts and narrative myths have pointed to experiences beyond the "common sense" material world.
From the first civilizations in the Nile Valley and on every continent since then, belief systems pointing to levels of existence enveloped in various philosophical perspectives have evolved. Perhaps to be human is to seek eternally some "sense" of meaning?
Regardless of one's perspective regarding the validity of this extensive linguistic historical body of mind journeys, Marianne Williamson is well known. Readers may be familiar with her in the context of the " A Course in Miracles." She is part of an impressive cadre of fellow well known proponents of the increasingly popular and perhaps over commercialized body-mind-spirit movement.
In a workshop held on May 10th in New York City, presented by Hay House,this New York Times best-selling author and spiritual activist explored the life-affirming principles she first examined in A Course in Miracles. Williamson also revisited the provocative themes in her new book, The Age of Miracles- Embracing the New Midlife."
In "The Age of Miracles: Embracing the New Midlife" Williamson cajoles the reader that
before you run away screaming about your "lost" youth, consider that this might be the time to discover that this mid-life time of crisis, is when you can have more fun, more meaning, more passion, and more miracles than you could ever imagine.
In this workshop she witnessed to the "reality" that midlife and beyond can be something to celebrate and cherish, if you have the courage to take the reins of consciousness and create something new for yourself and the world. With interjected references to the Course of Miracles Williamson coached the audience in how to navigate through pain and challenges to ultimately uncover the path to a fulfilling individual and collective spiritual journey.
The workshop opens with a prayer. Such a beginning might be of-putting to those who are not especially religious, but beginning in this way establishes her perspective that faith is a tangible element in her life. The workshop proceeds with story telling, narrative and questions from the audience stimulating insightful dialoque. Sound bites and extended reflections, thoughtful yet challenging and loving in their delivery fill the room for digestion, rejection or rumination.
Statements such as the"presence of fear substantiates that you are trusting in your own strength, healing has to be a detox not a topical solution, you have to bring darkness to light, do not live a life of quiet desperation and we have to get to the psychic wound are introduced into the communal conversation.
She references the fact that suicide among those aged 45- 54 has increased significantly to capture the audience's attention to establish the reference point that midlife is a transition period not unlike the transition from puberty to adolescence. In fact it is suggested that all of the turmoil , biological changes and emotional conflict associated with growing from a child into a a teenager occurs again in midlife so that this new phase of emergence is one where where the spirit is asking have you learned from past experience? Are you ready to embark upon the exhilarating trans formative voyage? Can you plumb the depths of your deep subconscious mind, abandon your ego, begin the healing process and recognize the shadow side and dark side?
This mental medicine is more than a stiff drink for according to Williamson
all thought creates form on some level. It is embedded into the cells. The spirit asks have you learned from the experience. There is no time anymore for a five year detour. We must get in touch with our grief and our self sabotage tendencies.
The night has its own lesson to be faced with ourselves in order to redeem our wounds. Spiritual medicine will save your live. You come to realize that your crisis is your initiation. You carry the sacred fire. You must face your personal hell to enjoy the fire of your victory. Every problem contains an un-forgiveness
The rest you seek is found not in sleeping but in awakening!
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