Illuminata, a book by Marianne Williamson

As the title suggests, this book, when seriously pondered, brings added light! If taken seriously by all who now inhabit the world, it would change the world. But, is that not the promise made by religion? Indeed! But, what if we, as a conglomerated whole, could somehow order the universe and facilitate the shedding forth the purest source of "LIGHT" (irrespective of which religion each individual ascribes to...) to all of earth's inhabitants; would it not be the beginning of the most enlightened age ever known to mankind? Is that not what the Savior, Jesus Christ---the LIGHT of the WORLD taught by example and precept?

As in the child's story, "Horton Hears a Who," Marianne Williamson presents the world with the bold idea that EACH individual on this earth has a mission and DOES matter! (Again, exactly what our Savior taught...) Unlike Dr. Seuss's contribution, though, Illuminata is not a work of fiction, nor is it intended to merely entertain. ( Now, one could argue that Dr. Seuss was just as serious about this topic, and I will not deny that possibility.) Actually, as one sincerely cogitates this literary work, it expands the mind and cognition, until we are led to the conclusion, ultimately, that our actions, our attitudes and our very thoughts alter the course of our earth's life and has a direct impact, for good or ill, on each individuals quality of living. Once amenable to this realization, can ANY of our interactions be the same, can the course of history remain the same? Ms. Williamson claims that whether we wish to acknowledge this vortex of power, light and truth; it has come, and is changing the world as we know it. While some are busily doing their part to prepare for this ultimate Renaissance, there are yet those "asleep" to their own, and the world's possibilities. In Marianne's introduction, she states: "A mass movement is afoot in the world today, spiritual in nature and radical in it's implications. After decades of declining influence on the affairs of the world, there is once again a widespread consideration of spiritual principles as an antidote to the pain of our times. Like flowers growing up through pieces of broken cement, signs of hope and faith appear everywhere. These signs reflect the light of transcendent force at the very center of things, present in our lives in a corrective and even miraculous manner, a light we can reach personally through internal work of devotional nature. We are experiencing now an alteration of collective consciousness, centered not in government or science or religion, per se. It is centered nowhere because it is present, at least, potentially, everywhere. It is the rising up of our true divine nature, a reassertion of God in the consciousness of modern man."

The author then implores the reader to "test" her theory, and become one among thousands of others which have found this portal to true "LIGHT" and its healing Love. This passage requires one to become truly religious, not to merely select membership in an organized religion. She states,"...self-actualized people are hard to manipulate, difficult to control. Genuine religion does not respect the world for it sees right through it. It's goal is to supplant the world with something much more beautiful." Abraham Lincoln was described as being, "so religious that he was beyond religion!" And that is where we must go----forever beyond the confines of the "world's view" of religion. We are at a juncture in History that may very well usher in the greatest enlightenment know to mankind since the world began. Will we do our part to facilitate this emergence? Before we can ever hope to be a positive influence, we must first realize this colossal shift is before us. The author uses the example of those alive during the Renaissance, and their, perhaps, unwitting impact upon all subsequent generations. She writes: "I doubt many people walking down the street turned to each other and said, " This is the Renaissance, don't you think?" "But, looking back, we're clear there was one."

Not only do I wholeheartedly agree with the author on so much of the content, I have witnessed this "shift" for myself and had entertained in my limited consciousness, these very thoughts! It is thrilling to read these familiar thoughts in book form---and with the adornment of superlative articulation! Is this not the time to prepare even more intensively as the Second Coming of our Savior must surely be so very near?

Eighteen years ago, as I embarked on the amazing adventure of Home-schooling, I was awestruck to encounter a massive ground-swelling of parents, Mothers in particular, that no longer were willing to accept the abdication of the past. We, and rightly so, truly are a force to be reckoned with and we will not blindly or blithely follow the past generation's lead. We were entrusted with these precious children, and we have taught them all they know to this point, we are confident we can and should continue to educate and inculcate in the them, the morality that is so sorely lacking now! Home-schooling was my first and most poignant encounter with this "religious" movement that now permeates all areas and disciplines of our world. It encompasses far more than the didactics of children. It is, as Ms. Williamson suggests, " a spiritual quickening; a celestial speed-up through which, although the darkness is getting darker, the light is getting lighter! We have reached a critical mass of spiritual yearning---despite worldly appearances. There is a mass curiosity and openness to spiritual ideas unprecedented in modern western culture. Things we thought were primitive beliefs turn out to be more sophisticated than we are! As our thoughts rise, the world rises. This is the resurrection of the human mind." This also is the resurrection of the family's true and essential role in society, the mother's crucial role. We once again see how vital and indispensable a mother's SELFLESSNESS and DAILY NURTURING of her children must be, we can not be so cavalier about these roles, if society is to endure, let alone excel.

I find that this is, indeed, an awesome time to be alive and nothing is, or ever will be more fulfilling than knowing we contributed to THIS spiritual renaissance; our existence or being, matters!

Yet, I am reminded of C.S. Lewis's masterpiece, "The Chronicles of Narnia" in book seven, "The Last Battle," chapter 13, which is entitled, "How the Dwarfs refused to be taken In," we find the Kings and Queens of Narnia and even Aslan Himself, trying to convince the dwarfs that they are in a paradisaical place with a bounty of sumptuous food and drink. Not only do the dwarfs disbelieve, but they can not "see" who is trying to help them. They respond by stating, "Well, at any rate, there's no Humbug here. We haven't let anyone take us in. The Dwarfs are for the Dwarfs!" Aslan states, "You see, they will not let us help them. They have chosen cunning instead of belief. Their prison is only in their own minds, yet they are in that prison; and so afraid of being taken in that they can not be taken out..." How often has the "world" chosen cunning over belief? How many of our fellow sojourners are refusing to be "taken in" by the message of hope, love and peace made possible through dedicated and sincere prayer to Our Savior, the author of all LIGHT?

Marianne concludes her work with prayers for a variety of occasions, rites of passage and beckons the reader to "Search for God!" That search is a lifestyle decision, she explains that prayer is the time we talk to God, meditation is the time to LISTEN for God's response. She further writes, "Meditation is a time of quiet when the mind is freed from it's attachments to the hysterical ravings of a world gone mad. Nothing is more important to the future of the world then, that millions of people begin daily prolonged meditation and prayer. Prayer is a conduit for miracles. Most of us have more faith in the power of AIDS to kill us than we have faith in GOD to heal us and make us whole. Prayer gives us access to a sweeter, more abundant life...to true and lasting inner peace."

I was so very grateful to a very dear friend who recommended this book to me. I have always trusted her judgment and in this work of art, I was not disappointed. I have always been a prayerful person. But, the attitudinal transformation endorsed by this author on the subjects of prayer, Light, Love and personal accountability were powerful. The Spiritual journey and healing emphasized in this book has far-reaching, even endless implications, limited only by one's own self-imposed limits. This is a book to be savored. It points the way back to Christ, back to our HOME; as do the scriptures, The Holy Bible, The Book of Mormon, The Doctrine and Covenants and the Pearl of Great Price. The Scriptures are THE ultimate SOURCE of LIGHT and TRUTH and I try to daily sup from those pages as I fervently pray to OUR HEAVENLY FATHER for HIS LIGHT. May we all choose to use these sources that will light our path and guide us and provide us with the peace we all need, as we dwell here on this earth.