Back in 2018 I had the blessing and privilege to meet one of my idols, Marianne Williamson. Marianne is a famous author and spiritual teacher whom I have learnt a lot from and admire greatly.

To be honest, it wasn’t what I expected and I was shaken up.

Firstly, Marianne didn’t do anything wrong.

So what happened…

Before the event I had images of meeting this ethereal presence that floated around the church as she lead a sermon for Christmas.

Instead what I saw was a really vulnerable human being. I got to see her light and her darkness. Her human side in other words.

It was my own projections of the situation that was the actually the issue and I took some time to process the experience.

Which brings me to you.

If you are reading this you are likely someone who has been on the spiritual path for some time and you do not shy away from those darker parts of yourself. Congratulations. This requires courage.

There’s a large proportion of the population who don’t take the time to self reflect, to look at some of their darker parts and how they are showing up in the world. They are in auto mode.

Being on the spiritual path requires a peeling back of the layers of ourselves, just as you would with an onion. Sometimes this means uncovering dark and uncomfortable parts that need to be healed. This is also called shadow work.

Like you I am also peeling back the layers. Sometimes this is liberating and feels amazing and I am in love with the process. Other times it sends me spiralling into some dark places. But I do come out the other side fuller and stronger and brighter for having been there and done the work.

Through all this it’s important to remember that we are human, idols included. And being human means we are a beautiful mixture of light and dark. Because without the dark, you can’t have the light right?

In short, my experience in 2018 was a gorgeous reminder that even someone like Marianne Williamson is still human. That we are all human and learning. That we all have those darker, deeper parts. I am so grateful and humbled to be able to see her in both of those shades.

I want to leave you with one of my favourite quotes from Marianne. These are opening stanzas of her poem, ‘Our Deepest Fear’.

Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate.
Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure.
It is our light, not our darkness
That most frightens us.

We ask ourselves
Who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented, fabulous?
Actually, who are you not to be?
You are a child of God.

Big love and blessings,

Deb x