Welcome to Inspired by the Inspired, a series of articles, each of which will focus on the work of a single inspired individual. If we are to see further, and know more of the Truth, God and the Infinite, then standing on the shoulders of others that have been before us will allow us to see further.
Every piece in this collection takes an extract of a current or past author and intends to create different angles to view the material, to provide a differing perspective that perhaps will make the work more accessible, or explore it in the context of our current reality creating alternative inspirations. Our intent is not to critique or dissect in a malicious way, for all paths lead to the truth, and in this effort we endeavour only to stand on the shoulders of giants, and offer you our glimpse from there.
In our first piece, we take what has become a classic in no time. Marianne Williamson wrote this piece in her book "A Return To Love: Reflections on the Principles of A Course in Miracles", Nelson Mandela used this piece in his inauguration speech of 1994, that led from his freedom to the freedom of all peoples in the country of my birth, South Africa. This speaks so clearly to the conscious and lights the way for those on the path, yet I will write on my relation to it before I discovered my Truth and how I now see it. Blessings to Marianne, and here it is:
Our Deepest Fear
“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.”
What a glorious statement. Indeed, our deepest fear does not serve the world. The first time I read this piece it had been credited to Nelson Mandela and I'd certainly never heard of Marianne Williamson at that time. In fact when I heard the name, I wondered that this must be written by someone from hundreds of years ago, then again, perhaps I knew her in a lifetime then. Why not?
How could you read this paragraph, and not feel lighter? I remember I did, although at first I still chose to be weighed down by material life around me, bills to pay, careers to work and so on. My attention was less on shining as Marianne says, and more concerned with how I was perceived by the world around me, although I knew inwardly that somehow this piece of writing spoke to my conscience and purpose. All I knew was that I sure didn't know what that purpose was at the time, and I was definitely concerned with how those around me were judging me. What sense was there in suddenly talking about spiritual inspiration, or life purpose; heck the guys at the water cooler were more interested in how short the secretaries' skirts were or the latest football score. What purpose was there in causing these people to think me weird? What purpose indeed.
The deepest relation I have to Marianne's words, is to take stock of who you keep counsel with, who you choose to surround yourself with. Your choice to follow a more enlightened and conscious path will be made more productive by admitting to yourself finally that you know who those people are that are holding you back or keeping you from thinking your highest thought. My suggestion is not to walk away from family, to disconnect friends, but simply to lower your guard, lift the blinds on your light that you may shine on those around you. Those who truly love you will still be there, and those that were never quite committed to your relationship will take something away from it, a piece of you that may light their path, and perhaps that was the purpose of you knowing them in the first place.
A good place to start, in my experience, is simply to think your highest thought. Do it once, do it again, and consciously continue as often as you remember. You will still be the same person, no halo will suddenly pop into existence above your head, but over time you will notice the change in you. To others it will be more subtle. There are many ways to realize your purpose and more ways still to live it, as with all journeys this one begins with the first thought.
Imagine if all your bills were guaranteed paid, if you no longer were required to work for a living, if your children were taken care of and your partner was agreeable, imagine what you might be doing to further the cause of humanity? What is that thing that you have been wondering about all these years, why are you here? Where are you going with this? "Your playing small does not serve the world". And, you know it.
As I read Marianne's words these days, they continue to be a wellspring of inspiration, they do not fade. Truth cannot fade, it's always there, as a constant reminder, when we choose to look upon it. As a father to my children, I would urge them to heed the advice this piece has to offer, and see it as my responsibility to do so, that they may realize their destiny and role in our Oneness and further the cause of humanity. Since paternalism is not a popular way to reach people in our days, I can simply offer to you that Marianne's words are a shining light, beckoning you to take notice. You will get the message, either through her words, mine or another’s. In closing, an excerpt from the above:
"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."
Thank you Marianne.
Thank you and Peace to all.
-Mikel
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