Our deepest fear
You might know Marianne from the famous quote that begins: “Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate, but that we are powerful beyond measure…”
This quote is usually attributed to Nelson Mandela, but it is actually taken from Marianne’s New York Times best-selling book “A Return To Love”.
Marianne is a heavy hitter, and her success as a spiritual teacher comes from her breadth of knowledge and ability to articulate complex ideas simply. This combination of a highly articulate political thinker and badass Texan preacher makes her a powerhouse to contend with.
A true Texan, Marianne does not hold back from addressing difficult topics. We tackle everything from the crimes of institutionalized religions, to the “legalized bribery” of our political systems. From Ayahuasca to her thoughts on Donald Trump and even about her feelings on death, there’s nothing she steers clear of. Marianne’s also incredibly versed in a range of issues, including the recent history of American politics, the killing of Robert Kennedy and the invasion of Iraq.
At the time we filmed this interview, the Paris attacks had only just happened, and Marianne said some moving things about the need for atonement and forgiveness after such horrifying events.
Forgiveness is the Key
In her writings, she is known for her thoughts on forgiveness. But Marianne doesn’t just talk abstractly about it, she makes the best effort possible to actually live the wisdom of her messages. Forgiveness for Marianne is not just a pretty idea. It is the fundamental work of being human and she insists she is like everyone else, like you and me – reactive and easily hurt.
This is why I found Marianne incredibly inspiring because her ideas really resonated with me. She believes that we are going to have to evolve as individuals if we are going to rise to meet the challenges we face today in our current political climate. Meaning we have to communicate and have difficult conversations with each other. If we are not prepared to go to the hard places in ourselves and our relationships, then we are not ready to evolve. As Marianne, herself says, dialogue, communication and difficult conversations are exactly what the world needs right now, and they are exactly what starts the healing process.
What’s more is that she once held a ministry, and actually ran for Congress in the last election, a period which she says was the most exciting and humbling of her life.
I love talking with Marianne, she’s always extremely present with me and what she has to say is vitally important for the future of the free world.
Join us as we discuss:
- Speaking at Harvard Divinity School, American citizenship, and the Paris Attack
- Weapons of mass destruction, Iraq, and Hitler
- Atonement, forgiveness, and illusions
- Abraham Lincoln, Donald Trump, and Oprah
- Gandhi, Franklin Roosevelt, and growing up in Texas
- Pope Francis, the Dalai Lama, and Bernie Sanders
- Running for Congress, Carl Jung, and enlightenment
- Ayahuasca, Bobby Kennedy, and Martin Luther King