Ask Marianne Williamson: How Is Sickness a Defense Against Truth?

Q: Marianne, I want to start by saying A Course in Miracles and your interpretative books have really made a positive difference in my life. Where before I was floundering reactively, I'm now actively seeking ways to spread the love of God to everyone I come into contact with. What a blessing! Thank you from the bottom of my heart. I'm on Lesson 149 in The Course and am having difficulty with the concept that sickness is a defense against the truth. I think I intellectually understand what is being said, but to carry that over into my personal experience is proving difficult. I keep thinking that babies get sick and their egos aren't out to prove themselves separate. Am I missing the point? Any suggestions/insights would be truly appreciated. Thank you.

— Jill G., Sevierville, Tennessee

Dear Jill,
I admit that that concept in A Course in Miracles (ACIM) is one of the most difficult to integrate into our thinking. But let's look at what it's actually saying…God's universe is perfect, and we are one with God's universe. When our mind is aligned with the love of God, His love extends into every aspect of our being. What extends through our consciousness then makes up our mortal world.

ACIM says that our overidentification with the body, rather than the spirit, puts a stress on the body that it was never meant to carry, and that this is the source of illness. Just think about it! The number one root of all illness, as we know, is stress. As we learn to identify more and more with the things of spirit, we find ourselves dwelling more lightly within the body, thus reducing stress.

Regarding babies, let us remember this. How many carcinogens do we know are pouring into our water, our ground and our air each day? How much are we willing to put money before the health of our children, allowing businesses to literally poison our environment? As much sickness as we absolutely know is created by this, we continue to allow it—or more specifically, we allow our politicians to allow it. And what does this represent? A willingness to put money before love.

In ACIM, it says that we think we have many different problems, but we really only have one: our separation from God.

Marianne

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Marianne Williamson is an internationally acclaimed author and lecturer who has published several books, including New York Times best-sellers A Return to Love and Everyday Grace. A popular guest on numerous television programs such as The Oprah Winfrey Show and ABC's Good Morning America, Marianne has lectured professionally since 1983. For more information, visit her official website.

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