A Woman Doing Her Dharma

Reflections upon meeting Marianne Williamson.

It’s not every day you get to meet an author who made a huge impact on the course of your life, on the way you orient yourself in the world as a spiritual, soul-centered person. No, it’s not every day this happens.

Author, speaker, activist Marianne Williamson.

And it’s not every day you get to, some thirty years later, gift that same author with your own book, labor of love, spiritual memoir. That’s just icing on a yummy cake. A cherry on top.

Lucky for me, I had that opportunity just this week. Out of nowhere, my husband sent me a photo of a flyer he saw – Marianne Williamson was coming through town, to the city closest to our rural area, to speak at a church on January 2^nd. Surely, she would be focused on her presidential campaign; yet, regardless of where I stand politically (for this is not a political essay nor ad), I knew I had to be there, to see Marianne in person, to get to know her a little. To pay respects.

Paying respects is a big thing for me. Pilgrimages to see musicians, painters, poets. Saints’ places of rest. Sages and teachers. Holy mountains. Those who have touched my life, moved my heart in significant ways – I find it worthy, meaningful, purpose-full, to get off my duff and make a sincere effort to be in presence with these humans, these beings.

See and potentially meet Marianne Williamson, who introduced me to A Course in Miracles some thirty years prior? I was in.

Morning of said event, I checked the website to see if I’d need to RSVP or reserve a spot for myself – surely there would be a big turnout, and I would be driving a long way to get there. In fact, I saw Marianne would be speaking at a sacred arts gallery even earlier that morning. In just an hour and a half! I barely had time to shower and shove off!

I got to the gallery early, sat down in the front row, on the end. Encountered a lovely gathering of citizens, artists, crones, mystics, locals. Marianne entered ten minutes before her scheduled time to speak, set her attaché case down next to me.

Classy lady. My first thought.

Classy lady. My first impression.

Classy dress, shoes. Subtle eau de parfum, spectacles. Lipstick, hair.

Smart, elegant, pretty 71-year-old. Serious and feminine. Soft and strong. A helluva combo, in my opinion.

Marianne proceeded to the back of the gallery for a short, live TV station interview. The cameras rolled as I heard the reporter inquire about the Democrat race in the primaries. The name RFK Jr was mentioned. I heard the words “economy” and “Biden.” I tuned out the rest, quieted my mind to prepare for her presentation.

Not to mention, I was screwing up my own courage. I’m working on overcoming shyness, believe it or not. I had brought my copy of Marianne’s breakout book, A Return to Love: Reflections on the Principles of A Course in Miracles (1992) for her to sign. And, even braver – I had a signed copy of my own book “for Marianne” in tow. I’d have to just do it, talk to her. I’d have to.

When Marianne spoke to the audience, to use the current generation’s parlance, she slayed.

Clarity. Authenticity. Integrity. Conviction. Healthy Inspiration. To me, Marianne stands for traditional values of our old left, of real liberals – before the hijacking of our political parties by corporate interests and the decimation of a thriving middle class. (Again, this is not a political article – just the facts, ma’am.)

When Marianne spoke, I teared up as I am wont to do in the presence of pure, imbued, illuminated expression. I tear up when Truth is present. I tear up when the Goddess is present. When God is with us, as it were.

“Pray in the morning. Kick ass in the afternoon.”

– Marianne Williamson

During the political discussion I followed my principles of “Keep an open mind” and “Listen and learn.” There was no hard sell. Marianne is doing her dharma, playing her part, speaking her truth and standing up for that which she holds as true and right and good in the world.

After she fielded a few questions, I asked her about polarization and the great divide in this country, as well as her decision to run as a Democrat (vs. Independent) and anything she might like to weigh in on there. In the short amount of time she had left, her answer pointed to how we must move beyond party identification, beyond left and right identification. And, of course, to focus on being the light in this time of great darkness and corruption.

Marianne’s talk closed and she moved to the back of the room to wrap things up, meet with her team. I bucked up and brought my two books – mine and hers – to where she stood. I opened up:

“Hello Marianne, thank you so very much for being here and for all you’ve contributed over the years. Will you sign my book?”

“Oh sure!” she replied.

I pulled out my pen and continued. “It had a great impact on me as a young woman, as well as for my family. It brought me to A Course in Miracles. I also loved your book A Woman’s Worth and your Prayer for Healing America [in Illuminata: A Return to Prayer].”

As she finished signing, I asked, “May I give you a copy of my own book? I’ve been on the spiritual journey a very long time. It’s about my time in India. I know your daughter’s name is India.”

“Yes, it is!” she exclaimed.

I handed her my book, Truth Seeker: A Spiritual Adventure of Love, Loss, and Liberation. She appeared somewhat taken aback upon seeing it, the photo on the cover, the theme – I’m really not sure what moved her, but her “Oh!” was akin to a “Wow!” At least to my senses.

She turned the book over and read the back. There, she read aloud the New York Times mention of my first book, Bindi Girl.

“The New York Times mentioned your book. That’s not nothing!” Marianne exclaimed. “When did this come out?” she asked.

 “2021,” I answered. “It’s part of a trilogy. I’ve written three books.”

“Thank you so much,” she said, giving me a big hug. “God bless you.”

“Thank you so much for the incredible work you do in the world, and your incredible courage. And Goddess bless you,” I replied.

COMING FULL CIRCLE

Being a writer is hard work. Being a public figure is hard work. Being a spiritual person, being a woman. Being a human… is hard work.

Living in integrity can be painful. Standing up for that which we value can be very difficult, indeed.

Again and again, I face my life. I look in the mirror and, to the best of my ability – without self-deprecation, without being punitive – I do the work of honest self-appraisal. I do the work of facing shadow in the self. And the hard work of facing collective shadow.

And, boy-oh-boy, there is a lot of it. To see. To not look away. Whew.

So, for me, to meet Marianne Williamson… Someone who has inspired so many of us and continues to do so… A master orator, a courageous activist, a woman of God… Someone who is most definitely walking the walk, not looking away…

That is an honor. That is a gift.

Thank you, Marianne.

Amen.

“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 does not serve the world. There is nothing enlightened about shrinking so that other people won't feel insecure around you. We are all meant to shine, as children do. 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 own light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same. As we are liberated from our own fear, our presence automatically liberates others.”

- Marianne Williamson