A Return to Love Book Group Discussion Questions - Session 1
Return to Love
I often get together with friends and host spiritually inclined book groups. It is one of my favorite things to do in the new year. It puts me in a positive head space for the good things to come and motivates me to implement change and growth in my life.This year I decided to host a group to discuss A Return to Love by Marianne Williamson. This wonderful book was first published in 1992 and has received extensive accolades since that time.I create discussion questions for my groups and am sharing them here for others to use. For this particular book we meet once every two weeks and generally read 1-2 chapters per session. For each session I post, I'll be sure to identify the corresponding chapters or pages and suggested reading materials for those two weeks.
Please share any other questions and topics your group may discuss in the comments, I'd love to host sharing of thoughts in this space.
Session 1: Preface, Introduction, Chapter 1 (Hell) and Chapter 2 (God)
INTRODUCTION:
1. When you think of love, what images come to your mind? When you think of God, what images come to your mind? How does it feel? What are the differences between your visions and feelings of love and God?
2. Marianne writes that, "(Love) is our ultimate reality and our purpose on earth." When you think of that concept and implementing it into your life, how do you feel (and where do you feel it in your body)? What does it look like? How do you act in that vision?
CHAPTER 1
3.Can you identify your darkness, your fears? What is stopping you "on the inside"? How do you try to mask it?
4. How do you feel about the idea of surrendering to a higher power? Does it create any discomfort? Do you embrace it? Is it believable to you? Where do you feel resistance to the idea, if any?
CHAPTER 2:
5. "...The change we're really looking for is inside our heads." What perceptions can you change about the circumstances of your life? Say them out loud, write them down. Feel the power behind those alterations in thinking. Where can you bring a loving perspective into your own life and to those around you?
6. Take a moment to think about the concept of God as it has existed for you. Bring to mind any religious dogma that you may connotate with the concept of God that may not serve a vision of love. Now, take a deep breath out, and let that all go. Picture those concepts of God leaving your body with your breath. Breathe in thoughts and feelings of love. Let them fill you up with glowing light. Picture God as that feeling of bright, glowing, loving light. Repeat that process until the unkind images recede. "The question we ask now is, What is love?"
Happy reading and bright blessings to you and yours!
