Our Deepest Fear Is Not That We Are Inadequate...
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?
More On "Our Deepest Fear"
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- 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
A Return To Love
A Return to Love: Reflections on the Principles of "A Course in Miracles"
Amazon Price: $11.69 (as of 07/10/2009)
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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.
Coach Carter Video Clip - Our Deepest Fear
Own the Movie - Coach Carter
A truly inspirational film!
Coach Carter (Full Screen Edition)
Amazon Price: $11.49 (as of 07/10/2009)
Our Deepest Fear In American Sign Language (ASL)
Our Deepest Fear
Marianne Williamson, from book "A Return to Love" ASL Sign Interpretation by Mark Brudney & Deborah Cole Micek
Runtime: 2:49
27702 views
10 Comments:
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How Powerful Is "Our Deepest Fear"?
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.
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What Others Have To Say About "Our Deepest Fear"
- Randy and Marlon Jackson
- 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? .... The media would have folks to think that Michael Jackson of all people was broke. That's impossible. How can Michael be broke when he was allegedly in debt of around $500 million but you have assets that are worth in the billions (Sly ...
- Michael Jackson did his best to prevent his kids from becoming ...
- My mother was watching some show on MSNBC, and she said that some former house rep or senator (i think senator) said that he knew for a fact that Michael used to set up play dates with his kids to chill with other kids both at his ..... 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? ...
- From Me 2 You Online: My deepest fear...
- Why is that? Well, I think Marianne Williamson said it best and I want to share that insight with you... ?Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our light, ... She actually has been the impetus for ME to "keep going" when it seemed like I just wanted to throw in the towel. She never once made me feel small....I often did that to myself, because I didn't want to come off as "bragging" about myself when ...
How Has This Poem Inspired YOU?
"Our Deepest Fear" is a motivational work that has inspired thousands of people. What's YOUR story?
Jim wrote
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.
Posted June 09, 2009
bobo wrote
it is awesome
Posted May 13, 2009
Suko wrote...
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!!
Posted January 11, 2009
JudyDunn wrote...
I have it hanging in my studio. I want to be reminded regularly of these words.
Posted November 27, 2008
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