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The Mystic Jesus: The Mind of Love
Returning to the topic of her beloved classic bestseller Return to Love , spiritual guide Marianne Williamson builds on the ideas introduced in that book to lead us toward the light through the inspiring guidance of the mystic Jesus. In Return to Reflections on the Principles of A Course in Miracles , Marianne Williamson revealed how we each become miracle-workers when expressing love and forgiveness in our everyday lives. With The Mystic Jesus , Williamson reveals the role of Jesus in the teachings of the Course . For many, Jesus has become a precious relic, revered yet lacking the immediacy of authentic spiritual force. In The Mystic Jesus, Williamson writes of a Jesus who transcends both glib imagery and outdated religious dogma. She writes not only of an historical Messiah but of a spirit alive in all of us today. Williamson brings to The Mystic Jesus her talent at making the densest theological theories relevant to our everyday lives. She merges psychological and religious understanding, presenting Jesus as a guide to another way of thinking, therefore the builder of another kind of world. The Jesus in The Mystic Jesus truly is, in the words of St. Augustine, “ever ancient, ever new.” The Jesus presented here is a radical love, an ever-present teacher, an evolutionary elder brother, and a savior from the fear-based, twisted thinking that dominates our world. The Mystic Jesus is both theological and practical, signature Williamson in both its intellectual clarity and emotional impact.
240 pages, Hardcover
Published May 7, 2024
240 people are currently reading
324 people want to read
About the author
Marianne Williamson
454 books2,327 followersMarianne Williamson is an internationally acclaimed lecturer, activist, and author with six New York Times bestsellers. Her books include Tears to Triumph, A Return to Love, A Year of Miracles, The Law of Divine Compensation, The Gift of Change, The Age of Miracles, Everyday Grace, A Woman's Worth, Illuminata, and A Course in Weight Loss. She has been a popular guest on television programs such as Oprah and Good Morning America.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 37 reviews
August 2, 2024
The Mystic Jesus provides an explanation of Jesus through the lens of the teachings of A Course in Miracles. The result is an interpretation of the Christ story that transcends the more literal and focuses on its implications for recognizing the divine in human experience. The focus is what the figure of Jesus tells us about our own spirituality. Williamson's insights are often profound and thought-provoking. Those expecting to find a traditional exploration of the Gospels will likely be disappointed, however. Thank you to NetGalley for providing me with an advance copy of this book. My review is voluntary and reflects my honest opinion.
January 31, 2025
Absolute garbage! New age pseudo intellectual nonsense wrapped in self-help jargon.
May 21, 2024
Anyone on any sort of spiritual path will find something thought-provoking and useful in these pages. I found myself rereading sentences and paragraphs and even an entire chapter in order to fully digest what was being said. Not because the words were difficult to understand but because I wanted to remember them, plant them in good soil and let them sprout. The Mystic Jesus by Marianne Williamson presents Jesus as taught in a Course in Miracles - Jesus as inspiration and example. I find it helpful to read alternative narratives to my own about Jesus. It allows me to question, reflect on, and refine my own thoughts and beliefs on the subject. There are nuggets of compassionate wisdom scattered throughout the book, making it well worth a careful read. Thank you to the author, HarperOne, and NetGalley for the eARC.
I have two major concerns about the book. First, it is soaked in patriarchal language. I understand the source material uses patriarchal language, however it was a style choice to continue to use it throughout the book, not just for direct quotes. Due to this unfortunate style choice, the book feels a bit stale and dated, as if it was published in 1974 instead of 2024. Second, although the book is titled The Mystic Jesus, there is not much room left for mystery. Again, this is a style choice. Insights are provided as facts. For example, Williamson and I have different ideas about the body - which is fine. I learn by hearing other people's opinions and experiences. However, the choice was made to present the author's views about the body as authoritative and not as ideas for the reader to chew on. This is complicated by the fact the author is writing from a place of relative privilege (and I am reading from that same place) - these "truths" might not be true for people with other lived experiences. These two style choices do not take away from the many insights and ideas I took away from the book, but they did make getting to those nuggets of gold less pleasant.
I have two major concerns about the book. First, it is soaked in patriarchal language. I understand the source material uses patriarchal language, however it was a style choice to continue to use it throughout the book, not just for direct quotes. Due to this unfortunate style choice, the book feels a bit stale and dated, as if it was published in 1974 instead of 2024. Second, although the book is titled The Mystic Jesus, there is not much room left for mystery. Again, this is a style choice. Insights are provided as facts. For example, Williamson and I have different ideas about the body - which is fine. I learn by hearing other people's opinions and experiences. However, the choice was made to present the author's views about the body as authoritative and not as ideas for the reader to chew on. This is complicated by the fact the author is writing from a place of relative privilege (and I am reading from that same place) - these "truths" might not be true for people with other lived experiences. These two style choices do not take away from the many insights and ideas I took away from the book, but they did make getting to those nuggets of gold less pleasant.
May 20, 2024
Personally, a very interesting topic at this time in my life. I would say the central topic of the book is the power of love over fear, going so far as to make the bold claim that there is nothing besides love that is real. Many of the chapters are somewhat repetitive, however, this was not a problem for me as it helped the material sink in. Definitely recommend!
June 2, 2024
Don’t let the title and the name “Jesus” dissuade you in reading this book. Ms. Williamson describes the metaphysical meaning of Jesus (or any enlightened being) which is very simply that we all have that light whatever we call it in us. And, that it is our choice whether we let it out. She is a genius in explaining the complex in a way that is relatable and profound. There is no doctrine or dogma. There is no right or wrong. There is only a simple but not simplistic way of introducing us to the guide that we all have inside of us. Amazing.
July 28, 2025
Marianne Williamson’s books are like exotic fruits: designed by God when He was having a particularly psychedelic day, something I like to pick up when I’m feeling sad, just absurd enough to always put a smile on my face. Also everyone gives you a bizarre look if they see you carrying one around in public
October 1, 2024
Read and pass it on!!
I read this little book in snippets. Wrote down certain passages and have tried to live them out. It is life-changing if we embrace it. Highly recommend this book and the wisdom Williamson has to offer. If more folks listen, we certainly would have a better world!
I read this little book in snippets. Wrote down certain passages and have tried to live them out. It is life-changing if we embrace it. Highly recommend this book and the wisdom Williamson has to offer. If more folks listen, we certainly would have a better world!
July 12, 2024
As a reader of a variety of wisdom literature, I enjoyed Williamson's first book A Return to Love: Reflections on the Principles of "A Course in Miracles" which introduced me to A Course in Miracles: Combined Volume - Volume I : Text, Volume II: Workbook for Students, Volume III: Manual for Teachers (ACIM). While many would label these as part of "progressive Christian" literature, tagging them as such brings in mental baggage that obscures any potential insights that a reader may gain. The same is true with this work.
At its core this book represents Williamson's further reflections on the principles of ACIM seen through a lens of what she calls the "mystic" nature of Jesus. Perhaps this is simply stripping away the accretion of formal religion and mental interpretation of the actions and significance of a historical figure. Williamson clearly states that she is "not a Christian scholar, nor am I a Christian." and so allows a reader to feel comfortable that they do not have to abandon the principles of their own faith to hear her out. This in fact is not a new path. Many texts and viewpoints fall outside the realm of the ecclesiastical Church such as the Gnostic gospels or the writings of Pierre Teilhard de Chardin.
She offers many examples of the universality of Christ. In fact some of her ideas (they are presented as such but I do not know how much they are repetitive of those in ACIM) broadened my understanding of some of the lessons to be found within the Christian tradition. For example, "The Second Coming isn't the reappearance of someone who left and will return; it's a remembrance of what has never left but has been obscured." Or that the Incarnation occurs whenever anyone, not just Mary, accepts Jesus:
and,
Be forewarned, Williamson includes a hefty dose of "we are at an inflection point in human history" type of language. Given that she also has run a U.S. presidential campaign in 2024, the year of the publication of this book, many will surmise her allusions are political and cultural in nature. But then again haven't all the prophets done the same throughout history?
In short, if any of those ideas interest you, this is a worthy read.
At its core this book represents Williamson's further reflections on the principles of ACIM seen through a lens of what she calls the "mystic" nature of Jesus. Perhaps this is simply stripping away the accretion of formal religion and mental interpretation of the actions and significance of a historical figure. Williamson clearly states that she is "not a Christian scholar, nor am I a Christian." and so allows a reader to feel comfortable that they do not have to abandon the principles of their own faith to hear her out. This in fact is not a new path. Many texts and viewpoints fall outside the realm of the ecclesiastical Church such as the Gnostic gospels or the writings of Pierre Teilhard de Chardin.
She offers many examples of the universality of Christ. In fact some of her ideas (they are presented as such but I do not know how much they are repetitive of those in ACIM) broadened my understanding of some of the lessons to be found within the Christian tradition. For example, "The Second Coming isn't the reappearance of someone who left and will return; it's a remembrance of what has never left but has been obscured." Or that the Incarnation occurs whenever anyone, not just Mary, accepts Jesus:
"Mary is the feminine yin to God's masculine yang. God impregnates the human heart. What is born from that divine conception is the Christ, a new sense of self that we carry into t hue world. This newborn self is fathered by God and mothered by our humanness, the truth of who we are, both human and divine....You, like Mary, give birth to the Christ - anytime you enter the present free of the past and with nothing in your heart but love",
and,
"The star pointing to the manger where Christ was born is a star that shines within everyone's consciousness, signaling to the mortal mind that there is someplace else to go. We've lingered long enough in the regions of darkness, thinking we are separate from God and from each other."
Be forewarned, Williamson includes a hefty dose of "we are at an inflection point in human history" type of language. Given that she also has run a U.S. presidential campaign in 2024, the year of the publication of this book, many will surmise her allusions are political and cultural in nature. But then again haven't all the prophets done the same throughout history?
In short, if any of those ideas interest you, this is a worthy read.
March 5, 2025
Note: I had no idea upon picking this book up, but it was about A Course in Miracles. I’ve never read any other books by this author or A Course in Miracles and don’t plan to, but as someone who spent decades of my life immersed in occult/witchcraft/paganism, I was definitely feeling red flags in the first pages.
As someone who had a visceral experience of Jesus personally coming in my darkest hour, her story about a “figure at the foot of her bed” and thinking this might be Jesus, I have to say, you will absolutely know when it is Jesus - there is no mistake, accept no imitation! Where was the peace that passes all understanding in that experience? The overwhelming feeling of being loved and cared for? She didn’t describe an entity that sounds like Jesus at all. A mysterious figure she sees later and also believes to be Jesus, says to her “I thought we had a deal” which sounds threatening and sinister. Definitely doesn’t sound like Jesus, it sounds like the devil (the one you make a deal with).
While I understand her feeling that Jesus should be for everyone, and he is ready for any and all that open their hearts to him, she is very esoteric and on the fence. If you had a personal experience with the real Jesus, you would give your whole life for him, you would not be proud that you are ‘not now or ever will be a Christian’. I know her target audience is people that need Jesus but don’t know it/don’t want him, but by putting Jesus‘ name in the title she completely closed the ears of those exact people! Then in another breath she says we don’t need to believe in God or Jesus, just each other (uhhh - pretty sure that’s what the world has been trying to do this entire post-Christian era and it’s not really working that well.) It’s like she doesn’t want to be pigeonholed by her faith, but the whole book is about the miraculous way Jesus can restore your life and she speaks a lot about the ego as evil incarnate.
She does get it right that Jesus is tenderness and power in infinite degrees.
While I balked at parts, I’m happy I stuck in there, because there are a lot of good nuggets here that I think could help people that need more love/mercy/grace/forgiveness in their life. It’s just very sad to me that her basic premise is you don’t need to embrace Jesus as God to have your life transformed. Personally, that was not the case for me. The last couple chapters were pretty repetitive but I enjoyed the middle. 2.5 for me.
As someone who had a visceral experience of Jesus personally coming in my darkest hour, her story about a “figure at the foot of her bed” and thinking this might be Jesus, I have to say, you will absolutely know when it is Jesus - there is no mistake, accept no imitation! Where was the peace that passes all understanding in that experience? The overwhelming feeling of being loved and cared for? She didn’t describe an entity that sounds like Jesus at all. A mysterious figure she sees later and also believes to be Jesus, says to her “I thought we had a deal” which sounds threatening and sinister. Definitely doesn’t sound like Jesus, it sounds like the devil (the one you make a deal with).
While I understand her feeling that Jesus should be for everyone, and he is ready for any and all that open their hearts to him, she is very esoteric and on the fence. If you had a personal experience with the real Jesus, you would give your whole life for him, you would not be proud that you are ‘not now or ever will be a Christian’. I know her target audience is people that need Jesus but don’t know it/don’t want him, but by putting Jesus‘ name in the title she completely closed the ears of those exact people! Then in another breath she says we don’t need to believe in God or Jesus, just each other (uhhh - pretty sure that’s what the world has been trying to do this entire post-Christian era and it’s not really working that well.) It’s like she doesn’t want to be pigeonholed by her faith, but the whole book is about the miraculous way Jesus can restore your life and she speaks a lot about the ego as evil incarnate.
She does get it right that Jesus is tenderness and power in infinite degrees.
While I balked at parts, I’m happy I stuck in there, because there are a lot of good nuggets here that I think could help people that need more love/mercy/grace/forgiveness in their life. It’s just very sad to me that her basic premise is you don’t need to embrace Jesus as God to have your life transformed. Personally, that was not the case for me. The last couple chapters were pretty repetitive but I enjoyed the middle. 2.5 for me.
September 19, 2025
Marianne Williamson once again demonstrates her gift for making profound spiritual ideas both accessible and relevant. In The Mystic Jesus, she explores the role of Jesus within the framework of A Course in Miracles, moving beyond traditional dogma to reveal a presence that is both intimate and universal.
What stands out most is Williamson’s ability to merge psychology and spirituality in language that resonates with modern readers. She portrays Jesus not only as a historical figure but as a living guide — an elder brother, teacher, and embodiment of radical love. Her insights are both theological and practical, pointing toward how we can shift from fear to love in our daily thinking and actions.
While the book covers deep and sometimes complex concepts, Williamson’s clarity of expression and emotional warmth keep the material grounded. Readers who appreciated A Return to Love will find this a natural and enriching continuation. My only reservation is that some sections tread familiar ground, but even then, the reiteration serves as a helpful reminder.
Overall, The Mystic Jesus is a powerful invitation to encounter Jesus as “ever ancient, ever new” — a source of wisdom and love that can transform both our minds and our world.
What stands out most is Williamson’s ability to merge psychology and spirituality in language that resonates with modern readers. She portrays Jesus not only as a historical figure but as a living guide — an elder brother, teacher, and embodiment of radical love. Her insights are both theological and practical, pointing toward how we can shift from fear to love in our daily thinking and actions.
While the book covers deep and sometimes complex concepts, Williamson’s clarity of expression and emotional warmth keep the material grounded. Readers who appreciated A Return to Love will find this a natural and enriching continuation. My only reservation is that some sections tread familiar ground, but even then, the reiteration serves as a helpful reminder.
Overall, The Mystic Jesus is a powerful invitation to encounter Jesus as “ever ancient, ever new” — a source of wisdom and love that can transform both our minds and our world.
April 28, 2024
I was somewhat familiar with Marianne Williamson as a former presidential candidate and a "new-age" speaker. As a conservative Christian I decided to read this book because the subject was Jesus, and I wanted to see what she would say. She does not read the Bible in anything approaching a traditional way. This is one example: "While traditionalist believe that the suffering of Jesus ransomed a sinful humanity, esoteric teachings argue otherwise. The crucifixion was not a punishment for anything or anyone. A loving God would not have Jesus die because you were bad." This is the opposite of orthodox Christianity.
This book could be interesting to understand the thinking and philosophy of a well-known new-age celebrity. I do not recommend it for any spiritual or religious purposes. Three stars for the quality of the writing. No stars for the ideas in the book. I received an advanced copy from the publisher via NetGalley.
This book could be interesting to understand the thinking and philosophy of a well-known new-age celebrity. I do not recommend it for any spiritual or religious purposes. Three stars for the quality of the writing. No stars for the ideas in the book. I received an advanced copy from the publisher via NetGalley.
January 19, 2025
So many nuggets of wisdom and light to be taken from Marianne’s latest. I love reading about Jesus - specifically the figure of Jesus as a bridge. A bridge the connects our broken human egos to that of Christ Consciousness. Or ‘loved based thinking’ as taught in The Course of Miracles, which Marianne is a devout student.
I actually was able to see her speak about this book before reading it. Unlike ‘A Return to Love’, this book feels like a deep call to action to get our minds in order and spirits online. This might be the only balm to heal the realities of the world we’ve created and are living in. The Mystic Jesus, teaches us healing to do this.
Really loved it and would recommend to anyone who is open to bringing Christ Consciousness into the forefront of their way of being.
“The question isn’t simply what we need to do; the question is what quality of personhood we must embody in order to do what we are asked to do.”
I actually was able to see her speak about this book before reading it. Unlike ‘A Return to Love’, this book feels like a deep call to action to get our minds in order and spirits online. This might be the only balm to heal the realities of the world we’ve created and are living in. The Mystic Jesus, teaches us healing to do this.
Really loved it and would recommend to anyone who is open to bringing Christ Consciousness into the forefront of their way of being.
“The question isn’t simply what we need to do; the question is what quality of personhood we must embody in order to do what we are asked to do.”
January 24, 2025
70%
This is just a cool book because Marianna Williamson is cool. Why is she cool? Because she talks and she teaches from the heart. And she doesn't make it into a big religious thing. Well, there's obviously religious connotations in it. It's not like, hey, go to church. No, it's much more spiritual than that. Talks about good things. Talks about Yeshua. Using the silly Americanized English version of his name. Putting out good positivity in the world following Jesus' practices, the way he lived his life. Spreading goodness. Spreading positivity. Communicating to people. Being true to yourself. All really good messages.
Spiritual, not religious.
This is just a cool book because Marianna Williamson is cool. Why is she cool? Because she talks and she teaches from the heart. And she doesn't make it into a big religious thing. Well, there's obviously religious connotations in it. It's not like, hey, go to church. No, it's much more spiritual than that. Talks about good things. Talks about Yeshua. Using the silly Americanized English version of his name. Putting out good positivity in the world following Jesus' practices, the way he lived his life. Spreading goodness. Spreading positivity. Communicating to people. Being true to yourself. All really good messages.
Spiritual, not religious.
December 29, 2024
The Mystic Jesus: The Mind of Love was written by Marianne Williamson who brought the metaphysical book A Course in Miracles to larger attention. It's always interesting to learn more about various views and beliefs, and this I found this book thought-provoking.
Christians should note that though this book is about Jesus, it is not based on Christianity; it is more metaphysical in nature.
My thanks to Harper One for granting me access to a DRC of the book via NetGalley. All opinions expressed in this review are my own and are freely given.
Christians should note that though this book is about Jesus, it is not based on Christianity; it is more metaphysical in nature.
My thanks to Harper One for granting me access to a DRC of the book via NetGalley. All opinions expressed in this review are my own and are freely given.
March 6, 2025
Marianne Williamson changed my life - and Love vs. Fear became the crux of my spiritual beliefs - 30 years ago with "A Return to Love." I read half of this book a few months ago, but I was glad to find it again this week (so i could finish it). Ironically, today is Ash Wednesday and the world is on fire; in that context, "Resurrection is a choice" is a pretty good theme . ☺️
March 24, 2025
A must for anyone with an interest in their spiritual practice. I started this book as a skeptic and after a few sections got totally hooked. The concepts are not new - at all. The way she presents spiritual concepts is clear and inspiring. I’ve been struggling with prayer for quite some time and her direct suggestions were just what I needed.
January 3, 2026
“ The Messiah is a state of mind”
Mystical Christianity has always looked and felt like spiritual bypassing to me. This book was an interesting insight into how Christian mysticism can lead you to engage more in life if you’re willing to let it take you there. Mysticism isn’t for me but I enjoyed this read.
Mystical Christianity has always looked and felt like spiritual bypassing to me. This book was an interesting insight into how Christian mysticism can lead you to engage more in life if you’re willing to let it take you there. Mysticism isn’t for me but I enjoyed this read.
February 12, 2025
This book is a regurgitation of everything Marianne Williamson has already said with the name "Jesus" inserted every few paragraphs. It adds nothing new to the conversation or to Williamson's body of work.
July 28, 2025
A helpful take on A Course in Miracles and a mystical perspective of Jesus. 4 stars and not 5 because the author fell into cultural bias (ex constructing false binaries, the patriarchal hero’s journey etc), and I found those moments of bias distracting and diluting to the message of the book
May 13, 2024
This book is a little too theoretical for my personal tastes. Perhaps I should've known that based on the title. It has really good information and insights. It just wasn't for me personally.
July 5, 2024
Gave 10% of this a serious shot... then skipped around a bit.
ALL ASSERTIONS with NO EVIDENCE/ARGUMENT! utter garbage. i wish i could give it negative stars.
ALL ASSERTIONS with NO EVIDENCE/ARGUMENT! utter garbage. i wish i could give it negative stars.
July 25, 2024
Though heavily religious Marianne is an excellent writer with powerful insights. This book is about oneness and empowerment.
December 12, 2024
Quite good and meaningful. Marianne has a gentle kindness most welcome in today’s world.
January 8, 2025
Classic Marianne; love her and love her return to ACIM principles and the message of finding the mystic Jesus within
Read
March 1, 2025I could read a million more books from her repeating the same sentence in different ways. I love god cause I love love and I love to love and love is everyone and everything because it’s god.
March 24, 2025
Some of the writing lost me a bit, but there are some points she made that I can reflect on and embrace.
April 5, 2025
This was excellent. To Follow your Heart and Not Your Ego. ( Hard in this stressful world for sure ) But A Beautiful Read.
I want to read more from Marianne now.
I want to read more from Marianne now.
May 21, 2025
Interesting
August 6, 2025
Enjoyed the first 3 quarters then felt was redundant
August 17, 2025
I enjoyed the book. My Sunday School class used this book for a book study over a period of several weeks.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 37 reviews