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.


A Beacon of Light and Love   April 14, 2004
 35 out of 36 found this review helpful

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


ARGH!!   July 23, 2001
 26 out of 47 found this review helpful

I'm so TIRED of this "cling to the light and put away the dark" stuff, with us since Zoroaster.

The two stars I gave this book reflect that it's well-written, as all her books are, and that the prayerful upliftments might be useful for really down people.

But let's put aside the manic defenses and strained optimism long enough to ask (as this book does not): aren't there some sadnesses, angers, and depressions that ought to be LISTENED to instead of worked through? If your boss searches your desk and your husband is a nag and the news convinces you that nobody cares whether the Earth overheats or not, isn't the appropriate, sane, healthy reaction to feel: UGHHH!

Sure, we don't want to stay there. But that's the beauty of an emotionality which, like Shakespeare's, was open to everything, dark as well as light, unpleasant as well as pleasant: the emotions move themselves on after a time.

Frankly, telling people who are down that they should try harder to be up--whether overtly or by implication--is about the most UNspiritual ministry imaginable. Please, let our joy and light be founded on our wholeness, however risky or painful, and not our defenses against it!


What did I do before I found this book?   April 23, 2000
 21 out of 21 found this review helpful

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.


A book of prayers . . .   July 12, 1999
 17 out of 17 found this review helpful

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.