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Our Deepest Fear Is Not That We Are Inadequate...
This widely acclaimed poem is actually not a poem at all, but an excerpt from A Return To Love, a book by motivational speaker and author Marianne Williamson. The passage has such inspirational power that it is now a stand-alone mantra for a generation of exceptional individuals who wish to motivate themselves and others to live up to their fullest potential.
The words "deepest" is often replaced with "greatest" in reprints of the passage, although the original uses "deepest", as seen below. "Our Deepest Fear", as it is best known, is a cultural phenomenon as it is quickly becoming one of today's most well known sagacious quotes from an author who is still living.
The words "deepest" is often replaced with "greatest" in reprints of the passage, although the original uses "deepest", as seen below. "Our Deepest Fear", as it is best known, is a cultural phenomenon as it is quickly becoming one of today's most well known sagacious quotes from an author who is still living.
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, handsome, talented and fabulous?
Actually, who are you not to be?
You are a child of God.
Your playing small does not serve the world.
There is nothing enlightened about shrinking
so that other people won't feel insecure around you.
We are all meant to shine, as children do.
We were born to make manifest the glory of God within us.
It is not just in some; it is in everyone.
And, as we let our own light shine, we consciously give
other people permission to do the same.
As we are liberated from our fear,
our presence automatically liberates others.
Reader Poll: Has "Our Deepest Fear" Helped Change Your Self-Image?
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More On "Our Deepest Fear"
- A Return To Love
- More Books By Marianne Williamson
- Search For More Inspiration
- Our Deepest Fear Featured In "Coach Carter"
- Our Deepest Fear In American Sign Language (ASL)
- Learn American Sign Language
- How Powerful Is "Our Deepest Fear"?
- Quote Mistakenly Attributed To Nelson Mandela
- More On Marianne Williamson
- How Has This Poem Inspired YOU?
- Other Lenses By I.C. Jackson You Might Enjoy
- Other Helpful Links
A Return To Love
Get the book that started it all! With "Our Greatest Fear" in it's original context and much more from motivational guru Marianne Williamson.
A Return to Love: Reflections on the Principles of "A Course in Miracles"
Amazon Price: $10.79 (as of 02/09/2010)
More Books By Marianne Williamson
Search For More Inspiration
Our Deepest Fear Featured In "Coach Carter"
In the movie Coach Carter (2005), the story of of Richmond High School (Richmond, California) basketball coach Kenneth Carter who made local headlines for benching his undefeated team due for poor academic performance, Rick Gonzalez who plays student athlete Timo Cruz quotes "Our Greatest Fear". Cruz quotes the passage in response to a question by Coach Carter - he asks the team what their greatest fear is.This recitation of "Our Greatest Fear" was very powerful, and brought widespread attention to and interest in Marianne Williamson and her work.
Own the Movie - Coach Carter
If you've seen it, you know how powerful this movie is. If you're a sports movie buff, you know that this is a must-have addition to your library!
A truly inspirational film!
A truly inspirational film!
Coach Carter (Full Screen Edition)
Amazon Price: $11.49 (as of 02/09/2010)
Our Deepest Fear In American Sign Language (ASL)
Learn American Sign Language
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Teach Yourself American Sign Language - Basic Sign Language Studies Online
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American Sign Language (ASL) is an experience, and arguably the most beautiful language in the world. It is also the third most widely spoken language in the United States (after English and Spanish, respectively). If for no other reason than to be p...
How Powerful Is "Our Deepest Fear"?
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Quote Mistakenly Attributed To Nelson Mandela
Many internet sources erroneously credit Nelson Mandela as quoting "Our Deepest Fear" in one of his speeches. However, the African National Congress (ANC) explicitly states that none of Nelson Mandela's speeches contain the quote.
Read more about this misconception HERE, in the comments at the conclusion of the article.
More On Marianne Williamson
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Great selection of Forgiveness Quotes by Gandhi, Marianne Williamson and more.
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Marianne Williamson - Superhero, Spiritual Activist
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Marianne Williamson is a best-selling author, lecturer, a Spiritual Activist and the Founder of the Peace Alliance, a citizen action organization representing a growing constituency for peace. For spearheading the Campaign for a Department of Peace...
What Others Have To Say About "Our Deepest Fear"
- Church of the Resurrection, Eugene: February 7, 2010, 5th Sunday ...
- It was a very small pool for me! But beyond that I couldn't go. It was deep down there and I had nothing to hold onto, nothing to make me secure with what I was comfortable with. If someone had tossed me in the deep end to teach me to .... Perhaps one way to think of this is in the words of Marianne Williamson made famous by Nelson Mandela: 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 ...
- Shiller Reviews and some other stuff...: Introduction to my book ...
- 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. Marianne Williamson Believe nothing, no matter where you read it, or who said it, ... They had not seen me since before the surgery. For me, watching this show was synchronistic. I made it personal, and it worked for me. I think awareness is key. Anyhow, I have food in my belly and shelter over my head. ...
- What would you give up for Peyton Manning? - Oakland Raiders Forum ...
- My wife made a comment during the superbowl that got me thinking. She stated too bad you guys dont have Peyton, how many guys would Al trade to get. ... 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. --Marianne Williamson "Whenever you feel like giving up, remember that your an inspiration to somebody whether you know it or not" Jesse Ventura ...
How Has This Poem Inspired YOU?
"Our Deepest Fear" is a motivational work that has inspired thousands of people. What's YOUR story?
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- Ebreaux2nd Ebreaux2nd Jul 12, 2009 @ 4:28 pm
- To me this is a summation of Romans chapter 8. The creation waits in eager expectation for the sons of GOD to be revealed
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- Jim Jim Jun 9, 2009 @ 11:11 am
- I find it true and inspiriational. If you look at those around you especially the ones who have the "No Fear" attitude ie young "tough guys" I think you will find that they are ultimitely paralyzed by fear. Mainly the fear of failure so they don't even try. They engage in destructive behavior to run away from the fear that they could be great and just don't know how. We all need help in facing these fears, God, family, friends, coaches, teachers and mentors, exhaust them all.
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- bobo bobo May 13, 2009 @ 1:11 am
- it is awesome
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- Suko Suko Jan 11, 2009 @ 11:29 pm
- It is a very inspirational poem. I raed Marianne Williamson's work many years ago and loved it. It's refreshing to reread it.
Terrific, inspirational lens (the best kind)! 5 star!!
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- JudyDunn JudyDunn Nov 27, 2008 @ 9:17 pm
- I have it hanging in my studio. I want to be reminded regularly of these words.
- Load More
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I'm a minister and a debt help and interest rate blogger. Interests: Health care, lace wigs, baby sweaters, Indonesia furniture, men's rings, buy la m... (more)
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