The Power of Now
by Eckhart Tolle
The Power of Now
by
Eckhart Tolle
|
|
| published
|
2000
by Hodder Headline Australia
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| binding
| Paperback |
| isbn
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0733613764
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| ebook |
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| date added
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03-20-08
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Read in July, 2004
Tolle's book is an important one, a much needed reminder that is too easy to forget. All too often people can pass entire lifetimes 'missing the moment.' One can, like the worst type of junkie, become so comfortable with-and so used to-anxiety, worry, and procrastination that to simply experience tranquility in the present becomes an impossibility. For such people, the simple and inspirational teachings that The Power of Now details can incite a revolution in one's experience of being alive. Tha...more
Tolle's book is an important one, a much needed reminder that is too easy to forget. All too often people can pass entire lifetimes 'missing the moment.' One can, like the worst type of junkie, become so comfortable with-and so used to-anxiety, worry, and procrastination that to simply experience tranquility in the present becomes an impossibility. For such people, the simple and inspirational teachings that The Power of Now details can incite a revolution in one's experience of being alive. That being said, though, this book possesses flaws and confusions that must be sifted through using a keen sense of criticism (yes, this too, is an important faculty of the healthy human being).
First of all, becoming present is a practice-not a realization. I'm not sure Tolle makes this clear. Like any 'new thing' the appreciation of the present moment can seem novel and exciting but if one doesn't make it a practice and use discipline to habitualize the practice, then one will have merely another gimmick, a spiritual toy to play with for a while and then put aside. The reason why all the schools of enlightenment require masters and students and instills its practitioners with discipline and a set of methods is because nothing in life comes all at once but must be cultivated with care over a period of time. Because of this truth, I genuinely doubt Tolle's claim that after his midnight awakening he was 'all-at-once' transformed, never to require further training or practice. The experience he describes at the beginning of the book might just as well be labeled a psychotic break as a religious experience. Either way, the genuine appreciation of the moment can neither be totally 'on' nor totally 'off.' It is a variable experience that can be developed but will always remain part of the organic experience of being alive. Be wary of those who seem to show no anger, no sadness, no flaw-such people are usually very good actors and nothing more. Spend time with such people, in different types of contexts, to reveal the true human being. No unidimensional personality can exist in reality. We are always part of our context and environment and no matter our training or character can be expected to occasionally fall short of others' expectations.
A guide to enlightenment, then, should teach us that enlightenment is neither a great distance away nor too near. It is thoughtful experience revealed through action and word. I have seen car mechanics who are enlightened beings when they work on cars but atrocious when with their families. I have met novelists who convey all the wisdom in the world through a pen but seem haughty and fractured in normal human conversation. And I have met spiritual 'masters' who secretly creep away to have sex for the sixth time in a day or to check their stocks on the internet. Enlightenment is a myth, and some people treat it like a commodity to purchase or sell. To live well requires the experience of the present-often-but not all the time and in all situations.
Joseph Campbell once expressed the opinion that the type of enlightenment we have become familiar with is unique to a conception of self that was once fairly common in Asia. The type of self most moderns live by, especially we very 'special' Westerners with our love for 'Individuality' and 'Self-Expression,' excludes the possibility of such an experience. Perhaps it is time, then, we drop this idea and redefine what enlightenment should mean now, and to people like us.
Use this book as a pointer and compass, not as a map. The Buddha said it best, Be Lamps Unto Yourselves. I would add-and don't hide from the dark when it comes.
...less
Has a copy to sell/swap
recommends it for:
fools and idiots
What a pompous fraud this guy is, this Eckhart Tolle. He steals the classic works of Eastern cultures and repackages them in a poorly-written and impossibly stupid manner. He talks about rocks being alive. But he doesn't say what makes them alive, what gives them that metaphoric quality.
This is metaphysics presented in a Naked Emperor fashion, packaged for those who are ill-educated and cloistered in a materialistic Judeo-Christian (read: American, British, Israeli) mindset. Nothing orig...more
What a pompous fraud this guy is, this Eckhart Tolle. He steals the classic works of Eastern cultures and repackages them in a poorly-written and impossibly stupid manner. He talks about rocks being alive. But he doesn't say what makes them alive, what gives them that metaphoric quality.
This is metaphysics presented in a Naked Emperor fashion, packaged for those who are ill-educated and cloistered in a materialistic Judeo-Christian (read: American, British, Israeli) mindset. Nothing original here. Nothing personal or meaningful shared. Just another confidence scam in the bunko career of Meister Eckhart.
Look, the problem with his thesis is massive: he wants us all to live in the moment, for the moment. He wants us to free our minds of those negative cycles of thought related to past and future events. He says that our state of mental health depends on living in the present moment.
What he has done is bastardized and made utterly toxic one of the central themes of Buddhism. He corrupts it by suggesting that the past and future are irrelevant, and we should ignore negative thoughts.
Negative thoughts about the past are what make up the thing we call our "conscience," the thing that directs our sense of propriety, of ethical behavior, of moral relationships. I don't mean as "moral" that shit Jerry Falwell preached. I mean principles put into action. I mean this: god damn it, we Americans _should be_ anguished and guilt-ridden about Hiroshima and Nagasaki. We murdered Japanese innocents by the millions. We should be haunted by Bush/Cheney's slaughter of innocent Iraqis. Over a million have been murdered just to secure access to oil and create a geopolitical stronghold in the Middle East for future incursions into other oil-producing nations.
And as to the future: we should be worried about the future effects of present thoughts and present courses of action. Focusing only on the present moment means we aren't responsible for what happens outside this immediate present moment. That's pure bullshit! Pure, utter, unadulterated bullshit!
The only valid point Tolle has is this: it is mentally unhealthy to obsess endlessly over things that we didn't cause in the past, and over things we can't control in the present, and over things that have no likelihood in the future.
He doesn't need 220 pages to make that point. He doesn't need a book. He doesn't even need a whole page within a book.
Tolle is a fraud at best. At worst, he is a force for excusing immorality. Joseph Goebbels would love Eckhart Tolle if Goebbels were alive today. I'm sure Karl Rove loves Tolle....less
bookshelves:
non-fiction
There is a point in our lives when we say enough is enough. This is what this book is about. In one of his greatest works Eckhart Tolle teaches us the real meaning of spirituality. He teaches us the importance of the present moment. Through the recognition of the ego he makes us aware of how it destroys our lives. I would recommend this to anyone who is looking for the real meaning of their lives and to anyone who is sick and tired of the usual thing.
The first time I encountered this book wa...more
There is a point in our lives when we say enough is enough. This is what this book is about. In one of his greatest works Eckhart Tolle teaches us the real meaning of spirituality. He teaches us the importance of the present moment. Through the recognition of the ego he makes us aware of how it destroys our lives. I would recommend this to anyone who is looking for the real meaning of their lives and to anyone who is sick and tired of the usual thing.
The first time I encountered this book was when Oprah was introducing her book club selection, a new earth. I heard her mention this and while I was searching in the online catalog of our school library here in the Philippines I found it available for borrowing. So I immediately read it in the course of five days. After reading it the first time I understood its message intellectually. This was the reason why I didn't apply it in my life. But a few days ago I started having panic attacks and I was on the verge of suicide. I was so frustrated because I made a wrong decision in shifting my courses here in my school. I was so depressed because I didn't really know what I wanted with my life. It seems that the world is so full of shit. When this became worse I consulted our school counselor. However it seems that it is not enough. So without any real reason at all I started watching Oprah's videos about A New Earth and I remembered this book. I borrowed it again yesterday and just awhile ago I finished reading it. Then I began to understand it not on the level of the mind but at the level of the spirit. And without incident I became enlightened. I am still starting to feel its benefits at this moment. I started accepting what is rather than identifying myself with the ego. I can't say that I'm happy after reading this book like some "self-help" books would like you to be. But I can say that I am at peace because I aware of the workings of the ego and not identified with it.
So if you've had enough of the madness of this world I definitely recommend this book. But don't just understand it, apply it.
...less
Read in December, 2006
(orignally written in 2006)
Books were a major part of my gift giving this year and, being slightly amazon.com obsessive, I used their gift guides to inform my purchases. The guides provided by magazine editors were especially helpful and despite myself, I bought a hell of a lot of the suggestions from O. When I received the box in the mail, I realized that all of the items I had purchased had intended recipients except for one: The Power of Now.
I cracked the binding and read the first li...more
(orignally written in 2006)
Books were a major part of my gift giving this year and, being slightly amazon.com obsessive, I used their gift guides to inform my purchases. The guides provided by magazine editors were especially helpful and despite myself, I bought a hell of a lot of the suggestions from O. When I received the box in the mail, I realized that all of the items I had purchased had intended recipients except for one: The Power of Now.
I cracked the binding and read the first line of the introduction:
I have little use for the past and rarely think about it.
Whoa. In most conversations I have that are about life and how to live it, my lack of interest in the past is a common theme. Matter of factly, I thought to myself, "Hmmm, I guess I bought this for me." I don't consider myself new age-y at all and struggle with the terminology Tolle uses -- it's hard for me to get down with the "pain-body" and "portals" -- but I do understand the interconnectedness of all things. That this book about the Now found it's way to me now didn't seem "special". It just was.
The book itself is okay. It's significance for me has been in it's ability to get me to focus more on the spiritual concepts I already believe in even if I don't cotton to the namby pamby language. It affirmed some things. It provided some tools for staying in the moment which, as my work life has changed and become more challenging this year, has been a struggle. I'm not usually one for stress but have found myself stressing more as I adjust to new demands. The Power of Now (and my vacation) have helped calm those tendencies.
I'm not a self-help guy and I doubt you will find me grabbing up tomes of spiritual enlightenment often in the future but for the serenity I felt as I closed this book today, I'm grateful.
I recommend this if you're willing to check your cynicism at the door. I know. It was difficult for me, too. But, just for this following "Eureka!" quote, it is worth it:
...change the situation by taking action or by speaking out if necessary or possible; leave the situation or accept it. All else is madness.
Namaste. ...less
Has a copy to sell/swap
—
Read in June, 2008
recommended to Fred by:
friend
recommends it for:
most everyone
This is a hard one for me. I have it in audio book and am letting it rest.
Now I have finished it and rated it now. This is a good book because it has a lot of wisdom in it and meshes very well with other great spiritual teachings that are at the top of my list. It also meshes well with my own experience and common sense - a guideline that Buddha gave.
Bottom line, religious organizations from the major lines (Catholic, Protestant, or even evangelical or any other kind) have basically ...more
This is a hard one for me. I have it in audio book and am letting it rest.
Now I have finished it and rated it now. This is a good book because it has a lot of wisdom in it and meshes very well with other great spiritual teachings that are at the top of my list. It also meshes well with my own experience and common sense - a guideline that Buddha gave.
Bottom line, religious organizations from the major lines (Catholic, Protestant, or even evangelical or any other kind) have basically taken some spiritual teachings (ex. by Jesus) and kept the parts that fit in with their goals of having power over people and keeping them under control through guilt and fear. But they add to the few kernels of original teaching that they kept and then added their own ideas which were attributed to some ancient times and places. They use these "doctrines" in getting "the people" to do their dirty work (from Crusades to selling pardon from sin to obtain money to build Rome to more recent wars in Iraq or Viet Nam).
But Tolle, like 'A Course in Miracles' and Buddha and other sacred teachings that haven't been "revised", even the new scientific directions of quantum physics, teach that we are ALL children of the creative power, and that power is within us all, even though we may not be aware of it (we are not awake) to see that there is oneness and unity and connection one with all.
We have had our unified mind "stolen" or borrowed by the divisive ego mind, which teaches us that we are separate, lacking, sinful, and should judge ourselves and others; keep for ourselves and find ways to identify tne "me" as Tolle calls it: we create definitions based on color, sex, age, intelligence, and a myriad of other factors that our ego creates and then comes up with ways to measure, apply and define.
The more complicated we can make it the farther away from truth we get (from our own truth). It leaves us sleeping rather than awake. But Tolle has some simple ideas, not complicated, and they can help us to awaken and undo this maze of ego contamination. ...less
Read in April, 2008
recommends it for:
spiritual seekers, folks dealing with negative emotions
I finally finished this book for the second time! Its the type of book you should revisit every now and then - probably best to read sections rather than the entire thing as the book is somewhat redundant and the format can get tiresome. Redundancy can also be a good teacher! Picking up this book every now and then is a good reminder to be present, and to work on applying some of the teachings. In fact, a lot of the content of this book will be "reminders" for folks who spend a dece...more
I finally finished this book for the second time! Its the type of book you should revisit every now and then - probably best to read sections rather than the entire thing as the book is somewhat redundant and the format can get tiresome. Redundancy can also be a good teacher! Picking up this book every now and then is a good reminder to be present, and to work on applying some of the teachings. In fact, a lot of the content of this book will be "reminders" for folks who spend a decent amount of time studying Buddhism, mindfulness, yoga, etc.
I especially enjoyed Tolle's discussion of "psychological time" vs. "clock time," and ch. 8 on relationships. In general, I liked the second half of the book better than the first. Even though I don't agree with everything in the book, it did reinforce some ideas that have resonated with me from other things I've read - the transformative power of acceptance and conscious presence, the wasted energy spent in past and the future, the impact of negative emotions, etc. The book basically espouses a spiritual worldview (although the ideas in the book are not "beliefs" per se, according to Tolle), which is a difficult worldview for my intellect to get around sometimes. I am probably too identified with my mind and ego (the source of most of our troubles according to the book!).
Tolle's new book A New Earth: Awakening to Your Life's Purpose is extremely popular at the moment. It is in all the bookstores, all copies out at the public libraries, AND Oprah selected it for her book club. She is actually doing a live webcast class with Tolle, which is an easier and more interesting way (in my opinion) to get a grasp on his teachings. Folks can call in or email questions, so the online class deals with real issues that real people are facing.
One of my favorite lines out of ch. 9 - "I have lived with several Zen masters - all of them cats" (p. 157). Perhaps all I have to do to get closer to enlightenment is spend more time with my cat? ...less
bookshelves:
spirituality
Read in June, 2008
If you can get past the initial assumptions like--
"If I cannot live with myself there must be two of me" nonesense --- there is much worthy of thought --- OH dear there I go thinking and according to Tolle the mind is not my friend! He suggests that the mind uses us for its own purposes rather than our using it to analyze -- in fact part of his formula is not to overthink things! I personally am glad that not everyone buys this idea! A little thought goes a long way to help us see...more
If you can get past the initial assumptions like--
"If I cannot live with myself there must be two of me" nonesense --- there is much worthy of thought --- OH dear there I go thinking and according to Tolle the mind is not my friend! He suggests that the mind uses us for its own purposes rather than our using it to analyze -- in fact part of his formula is not to overthink things! I personally am glad that not everyone buys this idea! A little thought goes a long way to help us see through the garbage we are being sold over the airwaves!
A Hundred years from now people will pick this up and wonder what it was that we saw worthy of spending hours with Oprah
logged-on discussing and listening to others. Still the basic concept -- that we must be present to appreciate all that is merits our full attention. As he points out it is the message of many of the worlds great religions.
His concept that pain is behind all the hatred, guilt, anger, depression,(dare I say evil) and all negitive feelings resonated with me. Jesus says it by saying that we can live out of two things --- fear or love. By suggesting that we live in the now --- accept the present and act on it --- he has a truly empowering thought.
His statement "Because we live in such a mind-dominated culture, most modern art, architecture, music, and literature are devoid of beauty, of inner essence, with very few exceptions." seems a good explanation to me of why so much modern art is so repulsive!
Read it so you will know what everyone is talking about!!
As long as we read everything critically---it is all to the good. ...less
Read in August, 2008
Tolle's message in this book is very clear. He states that "our drifting awareness, our tendency to take the path of least resistance by being less than fully awake to the present moment creates a void".
The book explains the nature of human unconsciousness/dysfunction and common behavioral manifestations. These explanations were quite helpful at observing my own mental process and emotions.
While Tolle stresses being completely present in the here & now he also does not fa...more
Tolle's message in this book is very clear. He states that "our drifting awareness, our tendency to take the path of least resistance by being less than fully awake to the present moment creates a void".
The book explains the nature of human unconsciousness/dysfunction and common behavioral manifestations. These explanations were quite helpful at observing my own mental process and emotions.
While Tolle stresses being completely present in the here & now he also does not fail to mention practical aspects. The idea that the mind is simply a tool and should be used for practical things and then put away seemed novel to me. His idea of being more focused on the method than on the goal, which he describes as a sort of "non-attachment to the fruit of your labor", is something that I will be attempting to use in my everyday life, along with his idea of observing the mind and body and making sure that the Ego is not running your life.
To anybody who enjoyed this book, I would highly recommend Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance, which draws many parallels to this book. It is much more philosophical, but easier to understand than most other texts on the subject.
Negatives:
Very repetitive(I personally found that a few sections of the book didn't do anything for me because they were just re-stating what had previously been said. Overall not a huge problem though)
"New Age"(Definitely some terms in the book that i personally could not associate with, and made me feel a little ridiculous for reading it. I won't provide any examples because there are already quite a few in other reviews. I managed to get past this pretty easily)...less
bookshelves:
currently-reading
Read in June, 2007
recommends it for:
anyone interested in evolving spiritually
Mr. Tolle spent two years sitting on park benches and simply "living in the moment" prior to writing this book. I doubt whether I will ever take the time in my life to do such a thing, however the suggestion he offers that we all spend a ridiculous amount of time either worrying about the future, or dwelling on the past has impacted me in a huge way. Until I read this book, I never noticed how in sane my mind can make me if I choose to let it. Tolle implores the reader to take the re...more
Mr. Tolle spent two years sitting on park benches and simply "living in the moment" prior to writing this book. I doubt whether I will ever take the time in my life to do such a thing, however the suggestion he offers that we all spend a ridiculous amount of time either worrying about the future, or dwelling on the past has impacted me in a huge way. Until I read this book, I never noticed how in sane my mind can make me if I choose to let it. Tolle implores the reader to take the reigns of his own mind, focus on the beauty and love around him, just like we all did when we were children and the world was full of wonder. We are still in that same world, but our vision has been clouded by meetings, appointments, paperwork, debt, clocks ticking, deadlines approaching, past frustrations and dissapointments, the list goes on and on and on if you let it. Tolle suggest that we have the power to focus on this very moment, as it is the only one we really have. The past is past and the future is not here, and may not ever come. A very enlightening book. I highly recomdend it to anyone who would like to improve the quality of this moment of their life....less
Read in February, 2008
This book is a little scary. First of all, it has that "I know you're just reading this on the bus or subway so you're going to forget what I said in the previous chapters, so I'm going to repeat, er I mean, reiterate what was previously said" phenomenon that Aaron and I have been discovering lately in some new non-fiction books we've been reading. Secondly, all this repetition can come off as a freakish brainswashing experiment.
All that being said, I like old Eckart's premise that...more
This book is a little scary. First of all, it has that "I know you're just reading this on the bus or subway so you're going to forget what I said in the previous chapters, so I'm going to repeat, er I mean, reiterate what was previously said" phenomenon that Aaron and I have been discovering lately in some new non-fiction books we've been reading. Secondly, all this repetition can come off as a freakish brainswashing experiment.
All that being said, I like old Eckart's premise that most stress is self-created - the guilt or regrets of the past that we cannot change, or the worries of an uncertain and unpredictable future. Basically, if you want peace of mind, dwell on this moment only and find some joy or inspiration from it, because you're not going to get it back- kind of my "I could get hit by a bus tomorrow" logic that I stole from Aaron. I also appreciate his thoughts on how people get their identities so wrapped up in their horrible pasts or physical pains that they let it overcome their true personalities (and so continue to create unhappiness) - and I think I've seen that in several poor souls.
I'm curious what he would have to say about people with psychological disorders, truly brain damaged or poorly developed minds and how (or if) they can/(or should in the case of sociopaths) live in "the now".
My recommendation, if you're curious about looking into another avenue to meditation or are seeking a little advice on stress control or anger management, this book could be of interest to you. If you think sprituality and looking into the "soul" is a bunch of hoo-ha, avoid....less
I like Echkart Tolle. I recommend this book if you are into new age spirituality or not. Even if you aren't into spirituality at all, check it out. I mean, jeez, spiritual enlightenment for less than $20, how could you go wrong?
I sometimes struggle with doubts about him, but I do this with all spiritual teachers. Another reviewer described him as a "pompous fraud" who "steals the classic works of Eastern cultures and repackages them in a poorly-written and impossibly stupi...more
I like Echkart Tolle. I recommend this book if you are into new age spirituality or not. Even if you aren't into spirituality at all, check it out. I mean, jeez, spiritual enlightenment for less than $20, how could you go wrong?
I sometimes struggle with doubts about him, but I do this with all spiritual teachers. Another reviewer described him as a "pompous fraud" who "steals the classic works of Eastern cultures and repackages them in a poorly-written and impossibly stupid manner." My consciousness isn't evolved enough to know absolutely for sure one way or the other.
There are some very useful concepts in this book for me, presented in a very useful way. None of them are new, and E. Tolle says as much. The more I learn about the great wisdom teachings the more they seem to me to be the same, harmonious with each other. So, he is just adding his voice to the harmony.
The way Tolle presents the teachings make intuitive sense to me and helps me make use of them. Your mind wants you to think it is in charge, don't be fooled. Be aware of your emotions, they provide interesting guidance and input. There is no reality but the present moment, everything else is either a memory about the past or a fantasy about the future.
I would hang out with Eckhart Tolle, and reading his books might be as close as I'll ever get. I think hanging out with the little sprite is cool....less
Read in August, 2008
This book definitely wasn't what I expected it to be. Before I read knew anything but the title, I thought maybe it would be on non-procrastination or getting things done or maybe even a business book. Once I found out that Oprah recommended it and that Dr. Phil recommended it I almost decided not to read it--I'm not a fan of either. It turns out that it probably could be considered new-age (I haven't read any other new-age books so I'm not sure) but at the same time it is a simple and straightf...more
This book definitely wasn't what I expected it to be. Before I read knew anything but the title, I thought maybe it would be on non-procrastination or getting things done or maybe even a business book. Once I found out that Oprah recommended it and that Dr. Phil recommended it I almost decided not to read it--I'm not a fan of either. It turns out that it probably could be considered new-age (I haven't read any other new-age books so I'm not sure) but at the same time it is a simple and straightforward book that has powerful concepts that I think could be life changing if they're applied.
It's about the accepting the present moment for what it is, becoming non-resistant and fully conscious. I've read about this concept in association with Christianity ("take no thought for the morrow") and in Buddhism (mindfulness) and as the basis for meditation in general but never with the clarity that I found in The Power of Now. I think that some of the ideas could easily be misinterpreted--at times it sounds as if he's saying there is no place for history or planning or ambition or pain or pleasure, but especially in the latter chapters he clarifies how those things are all important, but in context of the present and not the other way around.
So far I haven't reached the enlightened state he describes but I think I've felt glimpses of it. It seems worth pursuing....less
bookshelves:
religion-sprituality-magical
Read in March, 2008
It's ait. Actually, I picked up the wrong book. (or, did I?) I meant to pick up Oprah's book club selection "A New Earth" also by Tolle.
I wasn't paying attention when I took this one. (or, was I?) JK
It's better than most self-help, spiritual books. It's more thorough and its question-answer format is helpful for the most common questions Tolle has been asked over the years. It's clearly and simply written so that the depth of his message is understandable, but not diminishe...more
It's ait. Actually, I picked up the wrong book. (or, did I?) I meant to pick up Oprah's book club selection "A New Earth" also by Tolle.
I wasn't paying attention when I took this one. (or, was I?) JK
It's better than most self-help, spiritual books. It's more thorough and its question-answer format is helpful for the most common questions Tolle has been asked over the years. It's clearly and simply written so that the depth of his message is understandable, but not diminished.
A person has to be in the mood to read this type of book, though. It's also better to have a teacher or group to practice with (whether it's meditation, or just studying this book) so that there's constant practice involved and so that communication can occur when an obstacle arises.
I've learned a lot of what he's mentioned in previous religious studies, though he doesn't want to relay his message as a religious one. He believes that all religions contain these teachings, but humanity has moved away from the crux of enlightenment and moved towards more divisive religiosity, superiority.
"A New Earth" is next...
...less
bookshelves:
audiblecom-listens,
self-help-philosophy-religion
Read in October, 2004
I love this book, but it is an acquired taste. It's definitely not for everyone. It is very "new agey" and cerebral. I actually have never read it in book form, but have listened to it as an Audible.com book several times, which brings an additional "acquired taste" factor because it's read by the author who has an odd, hard-to-pin-down accent. Sometimes you feel like Sigmund Freud is talking to you. It can be hard to stay focused on it, but you reap great rewards when you ...more
I love this book, but it is an acquired taste. It's definitely not for everyone. It is very "new agey" and cerebral. I actually have never read it in book form, but have listened to it as an Audible.com book several times, which brings an additional "acquired taste" factor because it's read by the author who has an odd, hard-to-pin-down accent. Sometimes you feel like Sigmund Freud is talking to you. It can be hard to stay focused on it, but you reap great rewards when you do.
It's a very significant book about how important it is to live in the NOW. The past doesn't matter, and the future is completely unpredictable, and the only thing that is truly real is this exact moment. I definitely have a disease in which I spend too much of my time somewhere else-- either rehashing something in the past or having anxiety anticipating something in the future. It takes a lot of practice to live in the Now.
I particularly like how he is able to tie all of the major world religious writings back to these concepts and show that they are universal.
I think I would like to listen to this again soon...I could use a reminder of these concepts. I will probably write more about this here later after listening again....less
Read in July, 2008
recommends it for:
No One
There is no nice way to say this. I hated this book with a fiery passion. It did not make me feel at peace. Rather, it made me want to chew off my arm. I bet if we asked Eckhart Tolle why I felt that way, he'd say that I wasn't really listening to his message.
My problems with the book were as follows. First off, the tone of the book was extremely condescending. Written in a question/answer format, many of the answers started out with "You're not really listening" or "You...more
There is no nice way to say this. I hated this book with a fiery passion. It did not make me feel at peace. Rather, it made me want to chew off my arm. I bet if we asked Eckhart Tolle why I felt that way, he'd say that I wasn't really listening to his message.
My problems with the book were as follows. First off, the tone of the book was extremely condescending. Written in a question/answer format, many of the answers started out with "You're not really listening" or "You don't understand what I'm saying." Way to kick someone when they're down, dude. Secondly, I felt that he frequently took philosophy and other spiritual messages and twisted them to fit his needs.
Basically, he wants people to stop thinking so much. I get the idea that as a culture we over-analyze and whatnot, but his message was basically to stop thinking all together. Sorry Eckhart, but not all of us can wander around for years at a time, sleeping on park benches in a state of euphoria.
Also, have you seen his picture on the back of the book? He looks like just the sort of guy who is plotting to take over the world. He wants us to stop thinking for ourselves so that he can think for us!
Sorry, back to reality. Basically, I didn't feel like this book offered any real direction or advice to those who seek it. ...less
bookshelves:
favorites,
philosophy,
self-help-how-to-s
Read in May, 2008
recommended to Jillian by:
Oprah
recommends it for:
Tracy Baptista
I was skeptical of this book at first since I can't stand Dr. Phil and this guy is like Oprah's spiritual guru and sometimes as much as I love her-she's got some strange ideas about who is enlightened and who is not...but I loved this book. I've read a few books with similar messages-about living in the present, being mindful, and grateful-it's a very zen-like message-but this book was different. Tolle explains that we are not our thoughts.
"The very fact that we can objectively obser...more
I was skeptical of this book at first since I can't stand Dr. Phil and this guy is like Oprah's spiritual guru and sometimes as much as I love her-she's got some strange ideas about who is enlightened and who is not...but I loved this book. I've read a few books with similar messages-about living in the present, being mindful, and grateful-it's a very zen-like message-but this book was different. Tolle explains that we are not our thoughts.
"The very fact that we can objectively observe our thinking, he reasoned, suggests that the constant and often negative dialogue in our heads is separate from who we are."
That's a quote I took from the interview between him and Oprah from the May article in O magazine since I think it sums up the powerful message of this book the best. I liked his explanation of being still, and the question and answer form of the book where he explains how it helps people refocus on what matters. It was a very strange book, and it took me a while to get into it, but once I left myself open to it and took it in and thought about it I spent all day looking at the world and my mind in a different way. It's rare when that happens-and pretty amazing....less
Read in April, 2008
i wish i could give 1/2 stars. this book would get a 2.5.
it was informative and closed a few gaps for me. ultimately, i think it could have been written in a much better fashion. the q&a format jumps around and the generic tone of the questions makes me feel as if i should be reading a book "for dummies". i highly encourage others who are interested in seeking answers to the same nagging questions which prompted me to read this book start first by reading Charles Haanel's Th...more
i wish i could give 1/2 stars. this book would get a 2.5.
it was informative and closed a few gaps for me. ultimately, i think it could have been written in a much better fashion. the q&a format jumps around and the generic tone of the questions makes me feel as if i should be reading a book "for dummies". i highly encourage others who are interested in seeking answers to the same nagging questions which prompted me to read this book start first by reading Charles Haanel's The Master Key System. That is a book that will take the reader back to the foundation of really how we are living the life we are living. i don't think you can get from "here to there" by reading this book first. ultimately, this book is written as a means of putting a band-aid on a wound that won't heal. you really have to figure out what brought you to the point that you discovered a desire to read this book in the first place, and that begins somewhere else. another great reference is any book written by jerry and esther hicks and the teachings of abraham. these books are much, much better and written in such a way that the content is easy to follow. this book doesn't follow a clear and logical format. start with one of these other books and read this one later. ...less
How much of your day is actually spent completely focused in the here and now? When you are working, how often do you find your mind wandering? How much of your time is spent thinking about what you are going to do next weekend or wishing you’d handled a particular situation differently?
The majority of us spend most of our life fixated on the past or worrying about the future. The present is just something that we gloss over until we realize that we missed out on something. Then, we yearn...more
How much of your day is actually spent completely focused in the here and now? When you are working, how often do you find your mind wandering? How much of your time is spent thinking about what you are going to do next weekend or wishing you’d handled a particular situation differently?
The majority of us spend most of our life fixated on the past or worrying about the future. The present is just something that we gloss over until we realize that we missed out on something. Then, we yearn to have that day back.
What we tend to forget is that all we really have is now. The past is gone it no longer exists, except in memory. These experiences can’t be changed in any way. Dream or worry about the future as much as you want but no one is promised these things, good or bad. This moment that’s all. Make it count and really experience it.
It’s a bit scary and freeing all at the same time to know that all we have is right now. More and more, I find myself feeling the here and now and listening to my intuition. I understand quality rather than quantity in my daily life. When I get off balance or upset, I see the fear scenarios playing and I re-center myself. ...less
Read in December, 2007
recommends it for:
Someone at the bottom of the hole with no way out
If you are looking for a self-help book, then go a head and read this one - it may actually help you. Otherwise, don't give it to someone else unless they are already actively seeking self-help/enlightenment advice.
Honestly, I couldn't get past the first chapter of this book. An acquaintance gave it to me; apparently he was worried that I wasn't a happy camper. It's closer to the truth to say that he has a bad tendency to try to change people when they don't fit he pre-determined picture of ho...more
If you are looking for a self-help book, then go a head and read this one - it may actually help you. Otherwise, don't give it to someone else unless they are already actively seeking self-help/enlightenment advice.
Honestly, I couldn't get past the first chapter of this book. An acquaintance gave it to me; apparently he was worried that I wasn't a happy camper. It's closer to the truth to say that he has a bad tendency to try to change people when they don't fit he pre-determined picture of how someone should think, act, and feel. I put it off several times when he asked if I had gotten to read it, but finally broke down after a few months.
The book basically reads, to me, as a religious tome, written by the man who plays the Messiah of an atypical religious group - no second coming or new god here, just a set of ideals and beliefs that you should adhere to. He tells you in the first few paragraphs that regardless of who you are or what your situation is, 'your life is terrible and you must change it... and by the way, listen to me, 'cause I have all the answers.' I couldn't give the book much serious thought after that, but I did try. Not my cup of tea in the least....less
Has a copy to sell/swap
—
Read in August, 2005
recommends it for:
Any 1 who's looking for some real stuff in their life.
This book has the power to transform ur thougths into a universal life force. It explains how ego creates the mental/intellectual prison ...MAYA and how we remain trapped in it by living in our past or future but never in this very moment which is NOW...the only moment that exists. It's not that Ekhart tole is the first one to point all this stuff in his book....hell it's even in Astavakra Gita...book which was written more then 12000 years back , but what separates this book frm rest is that it...more
This book has the power to transform ur thougths into a universal life force. It explains how ego creates the mental/intellectual prison ...MAYA and how we remain trapped in it by living in our past or future but never in this very moment which is NOW...the only moment that exists. It's not that Ekhart tole is the first one to point all this stuff in his book....hell it's even in Astavakra Gita...book which was written more then 12000 years back , but what separates this book frm rest is that it's not writen by any sage but a normal human being, an engg. who lived in canada till 29 years of his age before turning into a spiritual guru , plus the language is very simple.
After reading this book their remains one confussion which ekhart didn't explains :- "We were seperated frm ourself in past....something went wrong" , I mean where he says that as a soul we were not born with ego, it entered into us by some accident. Well it took me one full year to figure out what ekhart might be saying indirectly due to controversy of the subject-->Aliens and Atlantis and we being genetically modified offsprings of Homo Atlantians.....but still it just my belief though....less
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