The Power of Now: A Guide to Spiritual Enlightenment

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The Power of Now: A Guide to Spiritual Enlightenment

4.02 of 5 stars 4.02 · rating details · 42,025 ratings · 2,612 reviews

Ekhart Tolle's message is simple: living in the now is the truest path to happiness and enlightenment. And while this message may not seem stunningly original or fresh, Tolle's clear writing, supportive voice and enthusiasm make this an excellent manual for anyone who's ever wondered what exactly "living in the now" means. Foremost, Tolle is a world-class teacher, able to...more

Paperback, 224 pages

Published August 19th 2004 by New World Library (first published 1997)

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Mar 01, 2013 Michael rated it 1 of 5 stars Recommends it for: no one

Also on my bookshelf is a review of Tolle's THE NEW EARTH. I read it because of the recommendation from Oprah. In that review I said he used 300 pages to say what he could have said in a 10 page essay. I read this book because someone I know said it was great. I think it's just another bunch of psycho-babble bullshit this rich con-man threw together. Really people....if you have issues, go get help without throwing your money away on this kind of crap. No, I did not buy it....the book is a loane...more

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Apr 23, 2008 Sean O'Neil rated it 1 of 5 stars 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 original her...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)

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Jul 16, 2007 Stacy rated it 5 of 5 stars 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 reigns of his...more

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Jul 28, 2008 Erin rated it 1 of 5 stars 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 don't understand what I'...more

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Jul 02, 2008 Kristoffer rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: 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 was w...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)

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May 08, 2008 Jeff rated it 4 of 5 stars

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 conscious...more

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Oct 08, 2007 Edwin B rated it 5 of 5 stars Recommends it for: everyone!

Upon 2nd reading of this book, I realized that any form of negativity I may have in the moment actually reflects a resistance to the present moment - a refusal to accept the here and now (which is the only reality).

Previous to this, I had thought that negativity simply is - and therefore should simply be noticed and accepted as part of the current reality, and not struggled against.

True, negativity shouldn't be railed at nor struggled against - but should instead be simply noticed. However, noti...more

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Oct 28, 2009 Jillian rated it 5 of 5 stars Recommends it for: Tracy Baptista

Recommended to Jillian by: Oprah

Shelves: philosophy, self-help-how-to-s, favorites, spirituality

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 Tolle and Oprah from the May article in O magazine since I think it sums u...more

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Sep 23, 2007 Laura rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: witchynonfiction

Another one of those awesome, life-changing books!

13 likes · like · see review

Dec 11, 2008 Natali rated it 5 of 5 stars

I passed this book dozens of times in my yoga studio back in 2003. It was so popular and its praises so well sung by my yoga teacher, Steve Ross, that I thought it must be a bunch of new age mumbo jumbo. I didn't want to read it because I thought that it would entail jumping on some Los Angeles hippy bandwagon.

I opened myself up to Eckhart Tolle after watching him on Oprah's Spirit Channel and I'm so glad that I did. This book is really great. It contains such simple philosophy that is so hard...more

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Jul 26, 2008 Jason rated it 3 of 5 stars

(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 th...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)

14 likes · like · see review

Mar 13, 2008 Bell rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: religion-spirituality-magical

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...more

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Mar 05, 2011 Stephanie rated it 2 of 5 stars

I was excited to read this book. I am drawn to the power of thought, the law of attraction mixed with letting go of the past and living in the moment. I thought this book would further teach about how living in the now is so important, as present moment really is all we have. However the way this book was constructed was poor. The Q & A weren't very helpful as the questions posted weren't even any questions I would have asked and oftentimes his answers were rude... say things like "you don't...more

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Jul 05, 2012 Anna rated it 1 of 5 stars

Shelves: owned-ebook

First of all, I must say I'm very much into all kinds of self-help books as well as new age stuff. I'm a believer! I read avidly all about OBE, reincarnations, karma, mindfulness, meditation practices and I try to make use of what I read in my everyday life. So, of course, I was looking forward to this book, especially as it was recommended to me by people whose opinion I value.

And my oh my, wasn't it total deception. I made it until about half of the book when I realized I really could take no...more First of all, I must say I'm very much into all kinds of self-help books as well as new age stuff. I'm a believer! I read avidly all about OBE, reincarnations, karma, mindfulness, meditation practices and I try to make use of what I read in my everyday life. So, of course, I was looking forward to this book, especially as it was recommended to me by people whose opinion I value.

And my oh my, wasn't it total deception. I made it until about half of the book when I realized I really could take no more of this rubbish. Mr Tolle preaches his "wisdom" (which is not actually his at all) with a condescending, "I-know-it-all" attitude. He is the only one enlightened (of course). We are all only to listen to his truths and follow on a "as is" basis. No thinking of your own is allowed. Actually, thinking is bad for you, so should be used sparingly anyway. If you disagree with any of his points, he just haughtily replies that "you don't understand", "this cannot be accessed with your mind" etc etc. He regularly reminds you that you are the one belonging to the horrible human species that kill millions of others. I agree with that - but I wonder why he thinks of himself as someone who is above those ugly humans? What, is he so much of a "Being" now that his ancestor's sins don't concern him? The next step will be to call him God and bring him your money because it's too materialistic for you anyway :) And actually it's not a joke - when you see how many people aggressively defend his "great teachings" and attack anyone who does not agree about the "incredible spiritual value" of this book... well, does that remind you of something?

The basic ideas of this book - being in the now, not dwelling too much on your past and future, not giving too much power to your thoughts - are of course all highly relevant. But there are plenty of other books delivering the same message in much better style. Tolle is repeating the same things over and over again, mixing them up with bits and pieces of various religions and teachings. All that he had to say could be said in a couple of pages. But then again, writing a whole book is much better because you get to sell it to a lot of people. And although time may be an illusion, money for sure isn't ;)

Do yourself a favour and read something else if you want to learn the power of now. A collection of simple meditations made me feel much more present and at peace than this boring mumbo-jumbo.(less)

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Feb 10, 2012 Xavier Guillaume rated it 4 of 5 stars Recommends it for: Everyone, seriously Everyone should read this book

Shelves: metaphysics-and-philosophy

The suggestions in this book are similar to suggestions I've heard from someone I know who is in psychic school. He told me about root chakras and staying grounded while being in the center of your head. Reading this book, I believe being present is similar to these teachings.

When you are grounded, no negativity can enter your space. You are connected to the Earth, no harm can come to you, it only takes a little focus. Similarly, when you are present, no negativity can enter your space. The book...more The suggestions in this book are similar to suggestions I've heard from someone I know who is in psychic school. He told me about root chakras and staying grounded while being in the center of your head. Reading this book, I believe being present is similar to these teachings.

When you are grounded, no negativity can enter your space. You are connected to the Earth, no harm can come to you, it only takes a little focus. Similarly, when you are present, no negativity can enter your space. The book even mentions that you can diffuse other people's negativity by being present, similar to psychic healing! The book also talks about listening to your mind as a separate entity. Hear your thoughts, laugh at your thoughts, try to understand your thoughts, but don't let your thoughts rule you. By doing so, your mind will eventually become calm. The spaces between thoughts will lengthen, and you will automatically become present in the process.

This act of being present, without thought, only feeling, not focusing on things or noise, but paying attention to absence and silence, is what allows you to achieve enlightenment. The book also makes it a point of enlightenment not being something difficult to seek out. It's already inside you, you just have to look inside to find it. The only problem is your mind gets in your way. Your mind creates fear and pain to prevent you from letting go of the mind-created fear and pain. It's a never-ending process if you allow your mind to rule you, but all it takes is taking a step back and saying to yourself, hey, my mind is creating problems out of nothing. There are no problems. As long as I am present my only concern is that I'm happy to be alive. No problems or worries can enter my space as long as I am only living this moment. It's when you linger in the past or future that worries and problems start to creep up. It's the Power of the Now that lets you overcome basically any problem that you may encounter.

This is some pretty powerful stuff. I'm sure a lot of people find it hogwash. I'm sure a lot of people get turned away once it starts talking about God being inside you. But the parts where it talks about anger and depression and all the negative emotions that seem to control your life, those are the parts that speak truth. And this book gives you the tools to overcome those emotions. One way is to work through pain, by focusing on it, not thinking about it, but just feeling it. Eventually the pain goes away once you are present. This book really is a marvelous tool.

I definitely recommend this book to people who are interested in evoking change in their life. Some people aren't ready for that sort of change, however. But to those that are ready, read the book, and try to do what it says. It won't hurt for sure. And if you do what it says, you'll start to feel, hey! this really works! But it's a process, and the change can't happen overnight. It takes a great deal of concentration and practice to take effect. But practice makes permanent, as one of my good high school teachers said. :)(less)

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Jun 10, 2010 Amy Almarri rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition

صاحبني هذا الكتاب اسبوعا كاملا .. على رغم انشغالي الهائل .. كان تفكيري منصب حول ماهية الآن ..
ربما التجربة التي مررت بها كانت قاسيه لتجعلني افكر بحلول "الآن" .. وهذا الكتاب كان بمثابة هدية من الله ان وهبني اياه بهذا الوقت

طريقك للخلاص من الافكار والأنا التي تتماثل مع العقل لتتعسنا لترجعنا للماضي لتثبت اننا لانعيش إلا من بقاياه او بالمستقبل وكان السعادة ستأتي من خلال كذا وكذا .. او من خلال الماديات او ماسيأتي في المستقبل ..

الكتاب بال 200 صفحة يحومون حول الفكرة التي مفادها كيف تعيش اللحظة وتنسجم م...more

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Dec 17, 2008 Steph rated it 1 of 5 stars Recommends it for: Someone at the bottom of the hole with no way out

Shelves: not-worth-it

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...more

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Jun 27, 2008 Karen Mcintyre rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: spirituality

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 ga...more

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Jul 03, 2008 Fred rated it 3 of 5 stars Recommends it for: most everyone

Recommended to Fred by: friend

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 som...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)

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Jan 02, 2013 Ruxandra rated it 4 of 5 stars Recommends it for: All my friends :)

Even though self development literature is not my favourite genre, this one is great. I have read only a part of it before giving it as a present to my friend who recommended it to me in the first place. It was quite effective at that time (6 months ago) in making me a person both more relaxed and more aware of what happens around me. It confirmed my theory that there is no time to be bored, to despair, to hate, etc. It succeeds in making you look at and enjoy the really important things in live...more

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May 01, 2007 Andi rated it 5 of 5 stars Recommends it for: People with busy minds that need to slow down

This book is an excellent guide to shutting of your brain noise. We let our brains run us mad most of the time, and never really stop to enjoy the space we are in. Always dwelling over the past, or fretting about the future. This book points out that the future is 100% unpredictable (so stop making up stories about what is going to happen when you have absolutely NO IDEA) and to stop worrying about the past because no amount of energy devoted to the past will change it. Instead, be in the now; b...more

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Mar 07, 2012 Carrie Mason added it

I chose to read this book, because my life’s mission is to live in the present and to not take the little moments in life for granted. This is a philosophical/ psychology self help book, written in a question and answer type dialogue. I chose to read this in an ebook format because I was able to borrow it through the Amazon Prime program.

The observation of the mind (our ego) is the focus of the book. The author explains, in a very confusing manner, how to become the observer of the mind and how...more

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May 19, 2013 Jane Guyton rated it 4 of 5 stars

I don't agree that this book is psycho-babble. It's certainly true that the bases for Tolle's ideas are ancient, and come mostly from Eastern philosophy (though he mentions Jesus and the Bible often in his talks), but spiritual traditions have consistently been replete with people who re-interpret or re-frame ideas for their own time. I have no problem with that.

I find Eckart Tolle's personal story slightly hard to take, because everyone would love to have that kind of sudden awakening, going f...more

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Apr 30, 2013 Suehay rated it 3 of 5 stars

This book shows how to recognize that you are your own cause of stress, pain and negativity in life. In order to free ourselves from all that is negative, is to live the present moment to the fullest with no holds bar... Much can be learned by letting go of restrictions and bad energy. We the people, should search deep within ourselves and let go of petty thought and heart felt emotions in order to brake free and live the present moment without thought. It also talks about the Chi and the cycle...more

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Apr 16, 2013 Blazingyogi rated it 5 of 5 stars

I see a lot of 5 stars and then again many 1 stars saying how aweful and completely useless this book is.

Well, for all the 1 stars, don't worry about it. You'll probably not ready for this kind of material. However, could you ask youselves why you don't like his book? What is it that YOU believe that makes you clench your jaw or fist? What experiences in your life make this book so hard to appreciate or understand?

I ask you these questions for I am positive that you have no clue whatsoever wha...more

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Apr 15, 2013 Billie Pritchett rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: favorites

Despite being regarded as New Age or another of the self help books, I think Eckhart Tolle's Power of Now is a very important book. The message is as old as time, but no matter, and it's this: By being fully aware and appreciative of this moment, right now, in your life, being aware of how the world is to you in contact with your senses, you can learn to control your emotions and become positively indifferent or at peace with being in your own skin and dealing with your own ego or problems. A pe...more

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Mar 02, 2013 André Silva rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: self-help

O livro fala sobre a importância de estar presente, estar consciente, iluminado; libertar-me dos fantasmas do passado e não me perder nas fantasias do futuro. O importante, segundo o autor é viver o presente. Para isso ele transporta-nos numa viagem espiritual ao seio de nós mesmos. Muitas vezes senti alguma relutância em aceitar as suas mensagens, mas à medida que a leitura prosseguia a mensagem fundamental do livro começou a fazer sentido e poderá a meu ver tornar-se uma pedra fulcral na base...more O livro fala sobre a importância de estar presente, estar consciente, iluminado; libertar-me dos fantasmas do passado e não me perder nas fantasias do futuro. O importante, segundo o autor é viver o presente. Para isso ele transporta-nos numa viagem espiritual ao seio de nós mesmos. Muitas vezes senti alguma relutância em aceitar as suas mensagens, mas à medida que a leitura prosseguia a mensagem fundamental do livro começou a fazer sentido e poderá a meu ver tornar-se uma pedra fulcral na base onde assenta a minha vida.
As duas mensagens mais importantes que retirei do mesmo após esta primeira leitura foram; O significado do conceito presença e a importância do mesmo. O conceito de redenção e a importância do mesmo.
Tanto um conceito como o outro são explorados ainda que inconscientemente por outros autores que tenho acompanhado em áreas, por vezes, completamente distintas. David Allen no seu sistema de gestão do tempo e produtividade pessoal, GTD, acredita que a nossa mente deve estar vazia de modo a que o processo criativo possa ocorrer. Este desenvolveu toda uma metodologia para, segundo ele, "get all things out of your head". Pratico esta metodologia à praticamente três anos, e após a leitura do livro The Power of Now, esta metodologia ganhou um novo significado e uma nova força. Juntando as técnicas da metodologia com o conceito de "presença", onde estou num realm of no mind, no space/time where all things can be created" vou potenciar a minha energia criativa.
Fiquei, no entanto apreensivo quando o livro "The Power of Now" explorou o conceito de que a nossa mente é muitas vezes apenas um entrave ao nosso verdadeiro ser, e que esta na maioria dos seres humanos, actualmente, é capaz até de ser a principal força motora dos nossos actos e decisões. Não considero que o conceito esteja de todo errado. No entanto, pareceu-me inicialmente que o autor estava a defender que esta não deveria ser utilizada, ou pelo menos a sua utilização fosse reduzida ao máximo. Apesar de concordar com as suas palavras, no que se refere à capacidade que esta tem para se impor quando a nossa presença é fraca, inconsciente a total ausência da mesma parecia-me sinónimo de não existência, de inconsciência. Foi apenas quase no final do livro que este aparente paradoxo foi para mim dissolvido e a mensagem que existia no livro chegou a mim como que de uma luz se tratasse.
Estar presente implica, estar consciente, alerta, em paz e aceitar sem julgar. Neste estado de espírito a mente não tem poder, não existe um passado nem um futuro onde esta possa contar uma história, crescer, existir. Neste estado iluminado onde temos uma "mind like water", posso tomar decisões de um lugar muito mais inteiro, sou mais eu, e não estou apenas a reagir ao que me é chega do exterior, estou focado. Tenho agora uma escolha, posso e devo utilizar agora esta poderosa ferramenta, que é a minha mente, para decidir e se necessário criar uma nova solução para o que se me apresenta. Esta é portanto, uma ferramenta, de capacidade impressionante que ganha ainda mais força com o conhecimento crescente existente em cada um de nós. A sua capacidade de criar é proporcional ao conhecimento existente, logo hoje mais do que nunca o uso da mesma deve ser cada vez mais consciente e não o oposto, como, regra geral tem sido observado nos últimos anos. O uso inconsciente da mesma pode levar à destruição de ecossistemas, de civilizações, do planeta, e por último à sua autodestruição, por aniquilar a forma que tornava possível a sua existência. Em jeito de conclusão, a nossa mente é a melhor ferramenta que temos, para levar a cabo decisões práticas sobre como mudar determinada situação e não deve ser utilizada para recriar uma situação vezes sem conta e experiênciar a vida por intermédio dessa.

Existe ainda a segunda grande lição que retirei da primeira leitura deste livro, que mais uma vez já tinha sido abordado por outros autores. A importância da redenção é também aqui intensamente explorada, por forma a libertar-me do que já não é e apenas existe na forma de uma memória, de uma história recriada na minha mente, criando muitas vezes desejos e medos distorcidos e viciosos que conduzem e atraem situações para a minha existência de forma continua, de modo a alimentar essa história, esse passado, essa identidade que tem medo de se extinguir.
O Tony Robbins, autor de muitos programas para crescimento pessoal, tem um profundo conhecimento da força que tem este conceito e utiliza-o vezes sem conta de forma a mudar comportamentos e identidades a que muitas pessoas estão ligadas intensamente e que não conseguem muitas vezes largar. Num novo programa que é apresentado na BBC este leva os concorrentes que querem sofrer uma transformação para uma ilha tropical, mudando o ambiente e os seus velhos padrões. Isto permite quebrar a rotina, parte da identidade e torna-se mais fácil quebrar a ligação com a realidade à qual se está ligado. Com compromisso e acções este demonstra ao ego existente, por meio de experiências intensas e opostas ao que o indivíduo espera conseguir, que o ego que está a ser senhor da palavra na vida do indíviduo não é mais do que uma limitação, de uma história criada pela sua mente. Ao tomar consciência disso por experiência própria, não existe maneira do ego conseguir existir. A consciencia da existência do ego, torna-o mais fraco, a presença é por si só uma forma de nos redimir. Com este processo a pessoa em causa, volta a ter confiança em si, pode se libertar do passado, e pode e deve por fim utilizar a sua mente para desenhar um futuro brilhante! No livro "The Power of Now" este processo encontra-se simplificado, sendo que o individuo pelo poder da "presença" consegue sem ter que experienciar mais experiências (boas ou más), redimir-se e libertar-se do passado, do futuro, do seu ego. Para isso basta que o indíviduo pratique a arte de estar no consciente de si, de estar presente, de ser inteiro.(less)

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Jan 30, 2013 Teresa rated it 4 of 5 stars

a friend of mine called me specifically to recommend this book, and i was hesitant because this is not at all my genre. i don't know if anything could scare me off more than the words "spiritual self-help book." however, at the time i was not in a good place and really was seeking to find more joy and peace in the moment, so i gave it a shot.

i'm SO glad i read it, especially when i did. a lot of what Tolle says in it really rang true to me. i want to go through the book again, write down some qu...more

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Jan 07, 2013 Moad rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: self-help, spirituality

Even though I started with a bit of "resistance" to this book, however, it turns out to be what I needed the most - peace within. What you couldn't grasp at the beginning will all make sense at the end. The author writes in a profound and eloquent style, providing necessary examples of our everyday life with a seasoning of eastern/Sufi philosophy. The Power of Now is a powerful book of answers to the main and maybe only problems we're having in life. Whatever you would feel to have a grab at: ad...more

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Dec 17, 2012 Carlie rated it 5 of 5 stars

This book was amazing. I felt like it cracked my head right open and I can now see and feel the wide world whistling past in a raw, vibrant way I never could before.

I don't agree with Tolle about everything...for instance, the specific nature of God as more energy than actual being. I think God has more personhood than that. I think some of his big picture ideas might be slightly overblown...etc. But man!!!! This guy is onto something!

So many of his ideas are a clear distillation of spiritual t...more This book was amazing. I felt like it cracked my head right open and I can now see and feel the wide world whistling past in a raw, vibrant way I never could before.

I don't agree with Tolle about everything...for instance, the specific nature of God as more energy than actual being. I think God has more personhood than that. I think some of his big picture ideas might be slightly overblown...etc. But man!!!! This guy is onto something!

So many of his ideas are a clear distillation of spiritual thought through the ages, carefully defined and explained in ways that are succinct and unpacked the concepts as never before (for me). I think Tolle is practical as well philosophic, he is realistic and yet optimistic. He has great insight sometimes miraculously so. I thought often through the book of what Ghandi said when some westerner came to him, ardent to convert to Hinduism....his response was something to the effect of, "Don't come looking for my spirituality. All that is different is authentic, rightness...go home and practice your spirituality authentically. Truth is truth." Its hard to tell what Tolle "is" in the traditional manner of religious labels...agnostic/intellectual? I'm not there. I'm Christian but I can firmly say that what I mean by that has truly been shaken and enlivened by Tolle's ideas and his principles. I think practicing love, letting go of mind and learning to be truly conscious are things that are astoundingly helpful and practical ways to live like Jesus. The stunning thing is how much farther it moves me from the traditional, divisive Christian perspective.

I should also add that this book is a slow starter. I think it took me at least one chapter before I felt solidly intrigued. I listened to this book in audio format and I think that was key. While Tolle can come off as arrogant in print the aural element helps you understand his tone and also really highlights the question/answer format through the use of other readers. I also super love the meditation chime used in between sections as a call to inner quiet and soaking.(less)

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About Eckhart Tolle

Eckhart Tolle , born Ulrich Leonard Tolle, February 16, 1948, is a German-born writer, public speaker, and spiritual teacher. The New York Times has called him "the most popular spiritual author in the nation". He is the author of the bestsellers "The Power of Now" and "A New Earth".
Tolle had an unhappy childhood in Germany and Spain. His depression reached its peak during early adulthood in Engla...more

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Books by Eckhart Tolle

A New Earth: Awakening to Your Life's Purpose

Practicing the Power of Now: Essential Teachings, Meditations, and Exercises from the Power of Now

Eckhart Tolle's Findhorn Retreat: Stillness Amidst the World

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“Realize deeply that the present moment is all you have. Make the NOW the primary focus of your life.” — 332 people liked it

“Time isn’t precious at all, because it is an illusion. What you perceive as precious is not time but the one point that is out of time: the Now. That is precious indeed. The more you are focused on time—past and future—the more you miss the Now, the most precious thing there is.” — 191 people liked it

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