The return to love

 Rediscovering A Return to Love

I recently picked up A Return to Love by Marianne Williamson again, and it felt like coming home. I read it years ago, probably when I was in my twenties, but the words struck me differently this time. Sometimes, books have a way of finding you at just the right moments, and this one found me now, in a phase of my life where the idea of love as a guiding force feels both deeply challenging and essential.

Williamson’s message is simple but profound: love is our natural state, and everything else—fear, doubt, anger—derives from our disconnect from it. This concept isn’t foreign to me; it resonates with what I’ve learned from my father’s teachings, from yoga, and even from the shamanic paths I’ve walked. But A Return to Love goes deeper into how we block ourselves from love and what we can do to let it back in. It’s like a blueprint for the heart, especially in a world that’s becoming increasingly driven by fear.

In one passage that really hit home, she writes, “Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure.” I’ve probably heard this quote a thousand times over the years—it’s one of those things you see on posters, on Instagram, in the self-help corners of bookstores. But this time, I felt the words crack something open in me. I’ve been working on a book that explores my father’s teachings, yoga, and spirituality, and let’s just say, that project has pushed me to question a lot about myself and my purpose. Revisiting this quote now made me realize how much I’ve been holding myself back. It’s not fear of failure, really. It’s fear of stepping fully into my own light.

As I read on, Williamson offers a call to action: to actively choose love in each moment. To make it a conscious practice, like yoga or meditation. And when I think about it, love isn’t always an emotion; it’s a choice and sometimes a difficult one. I’ve been choosing love more deliberately—whether it’s in my relationships, my creative work, or even in something as simple as how I react to a stressful moment. It’s been surprising to see how the small choices to stay open and kind add up, creating a sense of peace I wasn’t expecting.

Return to Love doesn’t preach perfection; Williamson herself is transparent about her struggles with living a love-centered life. I found comfort in her vulnerability. If anything, it made me realize that none of us have it all figured out, and the path to love is never linear. Some days, fear will have a louder voice. But knowing we have the tools, the choice to realign ourselves with love—that’s where the power lies.

So, here I am, trying once again to return to love. It feels different this time, deeper, more intentional. I’m grateful for this book and for the reminders it offers. It’s less about some grand, unattainable ideal and more about daily acts of courage and compassion. If you’ve never read it, or if it’s been a while, maybe it’s time to pick it up again.

~Shanti Freedom Das