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DANCING IN THE LIGHT

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Now, at a turning point in her life, comes her  most revealing and exciting book yet. Outspoken,  controversial, talented, and perceptive Shirley  MacLaine now takes us on an intimate and fascinating  personal odyssey. In 1984 she won an Oscar, starred  on Broadway, wrote the best-selling Out on  a Limb -- and turned fifty years old. At  this special time, in this special year, she was  now ready to resume the spiritual journey she had  begun in her early forties. In Dancing in  the Light, Shirley MacLaine bares her  innermost self and explores the lives, both past and  present, which touched and affected her own. She  sheds new light on her loves, her losses, her  childhood, her passions, and her inner drives and  ambitions. She asks poignant questions and finds  surprising answers. She asks poignant questions and  finds surprising answers. She challenges her beliefs  and confronts her conflicts. Ultimately, she takes  us with her through a life-altering experience  that provides a stunning new vision of herself, her  future... and the fate of our world.

418 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 1, 1985

47 people are currently reading
505 people want to read

About the author

Shirley MacLaine

114 books326 followers
Shirley MacLaine is an actress, author, and former dancer. Known for her portrayals of quirky, strong-willed, and eccentric women, she has received numerous accolades over her seven-decade career, including an Academy Award, an Emmy Award, six Golden Globes, and a Lifetime Achievement Award. Apart from acting, MacLaine has written numerous books regarding the subjects of metaphysics, spirituality, and reincarnation, as well as a New York Times bestselling memoir, Out On a Limb.

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5 stars
820 (36%)
4 stars
771 (34%)
3 stars
515 (23%)
2 stars
108 (4%)
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25 (1%)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 46 reviews
Profile Image for Dustin .
122 reviews2 followers
May 18, 2024
My all-time favorite Shirley MacLaine book. I recently reread this book and its entirety and it did not disappoint.
Profile Image for Dave.
798 reviews7 followers
January 3, 2025
Again, this is a re-read of a book written in 1985.
MacLaine is a remarkable woman who has had amazing experiences which she shares clearly. There is something to reincarnation. She mentions the 5th Ecumenical council of Constantinople in 553 C.E. which is where The Church edited reincarnation out of its doctrine and books. I think she got that from one of Edgar Cayce’s books. Another book I am reading now about Cayce does not make a very strong case for this argument. I’m not sure what to make of it all. I need to find a book that clearly explains what happened at that council.

2025 re-read
This time around I was more aware of her claim that ALL living things: plant, animal, human are part of god. It is much like the Native American belief in the great spirit. Unless we can learn to live together in harmony with everything we will continue to experience troubles. Our abuse of the natural world has been terrible.
Profile Image for Jean Marie Angelo.
548 reviews22 followers
April 7, 2013
For a time in her career, Shirley McClain was more known for her spiritual beliefs and experiences than for her fabulous acting. She is one great actress, you must admit. I received this book as a perk for attending a publishing convention in the 1980s. She was one of the keynote speakers and her mission was to drum up interest so that the distributors would give her prominent promotion. It was quite a sight watching her lead a bunch of magazine and book wholesalers through a guided chakra meditation. They were certainly more interested in playing golf. "Sure, let's meditate, but make it quick." Even better -- she signed my copy.
Profile Image for Köksal KÖK .
662 reviews74 followers
January 3, 2015
Sevginin Sonsuz Dansı

Shirley Maclaine, 1985.

Çeviren: Fatoş Dilber
Orjinal Adı: Dancing in the light

Akaşa Yayınları,
448 s.
İstanbul, 2002.
ISBN : 9756793466


deneyinmlerini bizlerle paylaştığı ve küresel bilincin, kollektif bilincin yükselmesine yardım ve katkı yaptığı için, yazara binlerce teşekkür.
Profile Image for Eva.
1,559 reviews26 followers
April 17, 2022
Viktig när jag först läste den som nyutgiven, närmast en uttömmande manual över mänsklig andlig utveckling, jag ser på mina markeringar att jag tog till mig en hel del men ännu inte förstod allt. Men när jag läser om den idag, är hela texten självklar, har blivit betydligt mer allmängods än när den var ny. Shirleys erfarenheter var en viktig upplysningsgärning.
14 reviews
January 22, 2011
I got through about twenty pages of this book before throwing it in the trash in disgust. If it weren't for all of the gushiness and pompous name-dropping, I might have continued slogging through this nearly 400 page tome. This is the first time that I've actually thrown a book in the garbage.
59 reviews3 followers
March 28, 2015
I did not finish the book. I read 123 pages and gave up. Same subject over and over. I 've always been a fan of Shirley, so gave the book a longer read to get better--------- it did not.
1 review1 follower
January 9, 2020
Fascinating

I loved this book! The discussion of pass lives was incredible as I felt like we were experiencing through her. I learned so much and I feel everything I've read is here truth. At resonates with me and every level of my soul. It is the truth I been seeking. It inspires me to seek even further and I will continue. I hope to actually have a session with Kevin soon. I am gonna continue reading the rest of her books.
Profile Image for Natalie Peterson.
173 reviews1 follower
January 1, 2025
I remember liking this book more years ago when I first read it but rereading it now (it had been so long I mostly forgot what it was about) I didn't enjoy it as much. The saga with Vassy was not all that intriguing. I did enjoy the end of the book more when she explored her past lives and I liked the sections with her parents. I just did not get the pull that she felt towards this Vassy guy but I guess that's her story!
Profile Image for Kate.
5 reviews1 follower
July 9, 2025
Since staying in New Mexico last year, my higher self said I ought to revisit Shirley’s books. I’ve bought nearly all of them. My husband and I enjoy her honesty, exploration of reincarnation, family influences and her need to dive deep into life’s biggest questions. Shirley validates our belief system with regard to the ‘unproven’ phenomenon of life that actually give it its meaning.
2 reviews
March 16, 2024
Another Winner

I always enjoy Shirley’s books. Her message is about human enlightenment and our soul’s search for the truth of who we really are and how to find and experience our higher selves. Anyway interesting in this journey will find this book helpful.
Profile Image for Mary.
76 reviews
March 19, 2023
The book seemed to drag on however it was interesting to see her thoughts and opinions.
Profile Image for Ratratrat.
611 reviews7 followers
May 10, 2023
ho resistito fino alla fine, ma speravo di saperne di più di lei, della sua carriera, e non delle sue esperienze extrasensoriali, per cui concordo con tanti altri che hanno dato un punteggio basso.
Profile Image for Todd R.
290 reviews21 followers
November 19, 2024
I enjoyed Out on a Limb and thought I'd try this one, as it is next in the publication order.
Where Out on a Limb is about a personal struggle to find Truth, Dancing in the Light is Shirley trying to maintain a grasp on what she thinks that Truth is. It's filled with the struggle of convincing herself that her experiences and feelings mean something.
Many times I was just saddened by Shirley's gullibility - I understand that this auto-bio takes place during the Pop New Age era of the late 80's and early 90's when people/groups were exploring new ideas - but Shirley at this time seems to be burdened with the weight of her discoveries, trying to force them into being real. I'm sure that much of her philosophy has been ratified since this book, but some of it is still difficult to read. Her Ramtha experience is just one that is hard to get through...as is her attempt to make every relationship a past life connection.
Her conversations in this book, with family and friends, are a bit like the airplane conversation with the dude in the set next to you who has a theory on everything and you're too polite to end the conversation. What's worse is that Shirley tries to convince everyone around her that her explanations are what's true - she has seen the light and everything must fit her experience.
When her family treats he mother like sh*t it's not because everyone's in a nasty mood, it's because the mother chose this life to be hard and wanted her family to take advantage of her. Her father doesn't respect anyone because he chose to live the life of an arrogant ape this time around....it all gets very sad and the excuses get worse and worse as the book goes on.

15 reviews9 followers
no-plan-to-read
February 29, 2016
is it fair to say that this is just another ex star wanting more five seconds of fame?! :'(like farrah Fawcett and ass cancer on 24/7 making a personal diary of her loser extra husband and her fame hungry best friend lana Stewart? on camera feeling her head with false endearments.I feel for her sort of,farrah Fawcett I mean and her son.But Ryan is a happy bum.And leathery looking.So to say the least,I hope the book is well written,I should read it so I can give an actual review.I like being proved wrong.It's so old,think maybe she could do a follow up to let people know her opinion of that written work could have meant.cause far as I can tell she was just another money hungry star who had her picture on the book and that was her only contribution to the book.1985,gimme a break.At least follow it up with truth.How much did you believe in that reincarnation?$$$$ is what it comes down to.Stick with Edgar Cayce and this lady needs to prove herself.
Profile Image for Victoria.
256 reviews8 followers
May 19, 2015
This is Shirley's 4th book that she has written.

The first part is Shirley turning 50 and conversations with her mother and father about her new found spirituality/New Age beliefs. This part was slow going and I guess I found it boring because a lot of the information is something I have know about for years.

The 2nd part of the book and for me the most interesting is Shirley telling her parents about how she met and began a love affair with a Russian named Vassey. Turns out he was a producer/director who had made films in Russia and all of his leading ladies looked like Shirley.

The 3rd part of the book is Shirley in New Mexico with a past life regression teach names Chris Grissom. By using gold and silver acupuncture needles, Chris is able to stimulate cellular memory and show Shirley different past lives and what she needs to work on in this incarnation to help clear her karma.
19 reviews1 follower
April 10, 2009
A new memoir, a new love-affair - this time with a tormented but visionary Russian film director. The themes of Out on a Limb deepen in this further volume. The book is most notable for chronicling first sessions with Chris Griscom in New Mexico at the Light Institute of Galisteo - the intention being to connect with the 'higher self' (the inner wisdom that our emotions usually block out). This highlight arrives after 300 pages or so, but is very worth the wait. It inspired me on my own visit to Galisteo . . . No, I didn't come away believing I was Jesus or Cleopatra in a past life, but I did learn an awful lot! To know more about that, you would have to know me in person, however :o)
Profile Image for Herb.
240 reviews
Read
July 26, 2017
I am re-reading the books of Shirley MacLaine ...I have already re-read "Don't Fall off the Mountain," "You Can Get There from Here," and "Out on a Limb" and am looking forward to reading this again. Her books are so interesting and well-written, even if you don't always agree with her philosophies. It's her involvement in life that I find fascinating and I feel sometimes like I'm travelling along with her.
Profile Image for Arja Salafranca.
190 reviews10 followers
June 7, 2017
A further series of karmic adventures from MacLaine - another one I read in my teens, and have felt compelled to return to lately. Her description of a tumultuous relationship with a Russian lover, Vassy, with its resonances from past lives was fascinating to read - as was her "regression" sessions with Chris Griscom, and the descriptions of her parents' karmic patterns. A thoughtful, interesting read that's certainly stood the test of the years.
Profile Image for Bridgette.
3 reviews
February 3, 2011
I truly enjoyed this book. She had me thinking outside of the box and introduced a belief that I was unfamiliar with. This book was also very special to me because my friend that gave it to me passed away while I was reading it. The talk about reincarnation comforted me through that tough time of loss.
Profile Image for Mary.
847 reviews13 followers
April 1, 2013
Very interesting and thought provoking read. Glad I picked it up. But a lot of the first two parts could be left out, it was the last part that made it for me. Her visits to the medium/sensitive who uses acupuncture to help her contact and/or lean about past lives. Thank you Shirley for having the courage to write this book.
Profile Image for Caro foellmer.
3 reviews
February 5, 2008
Beautiful how she questions everything spiritual and brings you closer than ever to all of these enormous things. It's written so light and easy, seams like a child could comprehend. Good work Shirley, I'm excited for her new book...
Profile Image for Nancy.
160 reviews1 follower
January 31, 2015
I have always been fascinated with Shirley. Even tho I'm reading them out of sequence, I really doesn't matter. They can stand alone about what subject or time of life she is in. Very interesting read...
Profile Image for Katie Brown.
15 reviews7 followers
May 5, 2011
Very similar to the other book of hers that I read. Was on board until the end when it got weird. Still liked it, though.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 46 reviews

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