A Return to Love Book Group Discussion Questions – Session 3

Return to Love

"Our internal state determines our experience of our lives; our experiences do not determine our internal state."

This post is Part 3 in a series of posts on A Return to Love by Marianne Williamson. You can read the last post and discussion questions for Chapters 3 and 4 here.

In this third session, our book group discussed Chapter 5, Miracles. My absolute favorite part of this Chapter is in the Resurrection section and begins on the bottom of Page 75 of my printing. "We're all assigned a piece of the garden, a corner of the universe that is ours to transform. Our corner of the universe is our own life - our relationships, our homes, our work, our current circumstances - exactly as they are. Every situation we find ourselves in is an opportunity, perfectly planned by Spirit, to teach love instead of fear. Whatever energy system we find ourselves a part of, it's our job to heal it - to purify the thought forms by purifying our own. It's never really a circumstance that needs to change - it's we who need to change. The payer isn't for God to change our lives, but rather for Him to change us." LOVE IT!

Now let's get down to the discussion questions.

Session 3: Chapter 5 (Miracles)

CHAPTER 5:1.

Forgiveness is a crucial part of loving and creating miracles (Pg. 65-70). I've talked before about the power of forgiveness, and I have seen the transformational abilities of that immense power in my own life. Are you able to forgive in your own life? In what situations do you find it most difficult to forgive? Think of a person you have been unable to forgive. Follow the forgiveness practice outlined in my previous post. Repeat the process as often as possible to fully forgive and release your fear. Pray for guidance.

2. "The only meaning of anything in our past is that it got us here, and should be honored as such. All that is real in our past is the love we gave and the love we received." (Pg. 71) "The ego bases its perception of reality on what has happened in the past, carries those perceptions into the present and thus creates a future like the past." (Pg. 73) Ugh, none of us want to repeat our past. We all want something bigger and brighter for our futures, and yet we tread on the grounds of the past, reliving old situations in our mind and perpetuating the same experiences for our future. We must learn to be in the present moment, to let go of the past and create a new future.

Start a mindful present moment practice. When you start thinking of the past bring yourself back to the present moment. What are you doing right now? Focus on how you fee now. From there, you can focus on how you want to feel in the future. If you need to forgive someone or something to release the past, do so (see #1 above). Make positive, affirming statements. Turn your thinking around. If you think, "I have been rejected in the past and no one loves me." Turn it around into, "I am loved and am attracting people who love me through my kind and loving actions." Positive thoughts in the present moment lead to a positive future. A miracle occurs when we shift our perception and view situations differently.

3. "We will learn to love one another, but whether we learn it painfully or peacefully is entirely up to us." (Pg. 82) "Denying love is the only problem, and embracing it is the only answer." (Pg. 84) These statements ring so true. When I live in fear I suffer. When I live in love I am joyous. It is that simple. Anytime we make our decisions from a mindset of love, the world becomes a better place. In your day-to-day interactions begin to notice where you approach situations with fear and with love. How does it impact others around you? How does the change in your perception change the scene? If you have a negative experience, go back to the root of your emotions and how you felt when you were making choices that led to where you are now. Were you feeling guarded, judged, skeptical? Or were you feeling light, open and trusting? Start to notice how your mindset changes the circumstance of your life. Alter it in positive ways gradually over time. Continue to be mindful.

Please share any other questions and topics you would like to talk about or discuss in the comments, I'd love to host sharing of thoughts in this space. Happy reading and bright blessings to you and yours!