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s.m. k.
What Tolle is talking about are the practices of mindfulness and disidentifying with your thoughts (both of which are now being massively taken up in one form or another in Western cognitive-behavioral therapy). The book is another way of talking about what Buddhists and yogis have been saying for a very long time. As these are basic Buddhist and Yogic principles/practices, you could do a search on any of these terms (mindfulness may be the best term to use) for possible alternatives. It is difficult to make a specific recommendation because, as Dean has suggested, it depends on your own preferences/interests and background in Eastern psychology/philosophy.
One alternative book that is very narrative and combines yogic ideas with personal stories is The Wisdom of Yoga by Stephen Cope. It is written for Westerners and is not 'heavy' reading, which may be good or bad depending on your preference. But there are many books out there addressing these topics. I do think Tolle has done a good job of explaining these ideas/practices in a way that is accessible to many--and that is a good thing. Good luck on your search!
One alternative book that is very narrative and combines yogic ideas with personal stories is The Wisdom of Yoga by Stephen Cope. It is written for Westerners and is not 'heavy' reading, which may be good or bad depending on your preference. But there are many books out there addressing these topics. I do think Tolle has done a good job of explaining these ideas/practices in a way that is accessible to many--and that is a good thing. Good luck on your search!
Becky
I can suggest 2 that were very easy to read and straightforward books.
1) "Cutting Through Spiritual Materialism" by Chogyam Trungpa - https://amzn.to/2IKu82r This was a banger for me it explains why following "steps" and "guides" uses spirituality for your own gain and in the wrong way. It's kind of similar to this book except it talks more about accepting you for yourself. I.e you don't have to be 'calm' 'collected' 'quiet' in order to be enlightened. You are just yourself because I mean I'm HELLA crazy. So it gave me hope LOL. It's set in a similar way where the author answers questions. It's not the same book so I highly recommended it. I only read it because i saw it was on Steve Job's reading list (although it could have been a marketing scam) I wanted to see what kind of books this genius reads and was pleasantly surprised!
2) Siddhartha: An Indian Tale by Hermann Hesse - https://amzn.to/2UEhl4u
I loved this book mainly because the spiritual journey was told in the form of a story. It had all the struggles of humanity and how Siddhartha waved through life searching for something in the end he realises his journey and who he is was all that he needed. It also meant his experiences all do mean something. They are non-existant but he had to go through them in order to find out that he didn't need to in the first place. That's my take on it anyways :)
Both of these books highlight Buddhism briefly but not in a preachy way. It talks about teachings of other religions too and how spirituality is set aside from that. The main message is we don't go searching for it it's a part of all of us there is no end goal we reach because it is just as we are now.
Despite reading all of these books I am still not "spiritually" awakened. I'm still on my journey/path of life which I love! I still think about things, I'm still anxious, fearful and not living in the 'now' but at least I understand what it all means. This is what happens when I read I don't understand it and I don't enjoy it then a point in my life happens and then I can relate and suddenly it becomes clear and it sticks!
1) "Cutting Through Spiritual Materialism" by Chogyam Trungpa - https://amzn.to/2IKu82r This was a banger for me it explains why following "steps" and "guides" uses spirituality for your own gain and in the wrong way. It's kind of similar to this book except it talks more about accepting you for yourself. I.e you don't have to be 'calm' 'collected' 'quiet' in order to be enlightened. You are just yourself because I mean I'm HELLA crazy. So it gave me hope LOL. It's set in a similar way where the author answers questions. It's not the same book so I highly recommended it. I only read it because i saw it was on Steve Job's reading list (although it could have been a marketing scam) I wanted to see what kind of books this genius reads and was pleasantly surprised!
2) Siddhartha: An Indian Tale by Hermann Hesse - https://amzn.to/2UEhl4u
I loved this book mainly because the spiritual journey was told in the form of a story. It had all the struggles of humanity and how Siddhartha waved through life searching for something in the end he realises his journey and who he is was all that he needed. It also meant his experiences all do mean something. They are non-existant but he had to go through them in order to find out that he didn't need to in the first place. That's my take on it anyways :)
Both of these books highlight Buddhism briefly but not in a preachy way. It talks about teachings of other religions too and how spirituality is set aside from that. The main message is we don't go searching for it it's a part of all of us there is no end goal we reach because it is just as we are now.
Despite reading all of these books I am still not "spiritually" awakened. I'm still on my journey/path of life which I love! I still think about things, I'm still anxious, fearful and not living in the 'now' but at least I understand what it all means. This is what happens when I read I don't understand it and I don't enjoy it then a point in my life happens and then I can relate and suddenly it becomes clear and it sticks!
Rose Blum
The Power of Now is one of the best books of its kind. A kinder, gentler alternative is the Autobiography of a Yogi by Paramahansa Yogananda.
Dean Paradiso
Depending on your interest, you might look along the lines of Theravada Buddhism (esp mindfulness practices), or in the direction of Vedanta (awareness teachings). It is a little hard to recommend something 'better', since it largely depends on your interests, and preferred means for approaching the journey of awakening from the dream of thought-identification.
Sašo Kovačič
I know this is really old question but maybe my response will help someone. The book is great and really practical. You just have to be ready to read it. People that don't get it, need to progressively level up to this book. This applies to any book of this kind. If people don't get this book, they'll also not get Yogi and Buddhist books that are suggested in other responses. I think many bad reviews happened because people were not able to digest abstract thinking in the book. I've read a lot of other books before I was able to read this one. Most of these books were about stoicism. What also helped me was some really challenging life experiences. Before that, I was not conscious enough to understand why I would even need this kind of knowledge.
Fotis
Hi Lemon-Ada
This book has taken a lot of information and teachings from this one https://searchingwithinbybelsebuub.co...
I would suggest reading the new edition of it that just came up for more in-depth and practical information.
Here is a research about my sayings
https://www.researchgate.net/publicat...
Good luck and all the strength for your jourey!
This book has taken a lot of information and teachings from this one https://searchingwithinbybelsebuub.co...
I would suggest reading the new edition of it that just came up for more in-depth and practical information.
Here is a research about my sayings
https://www.researchgate.net/publicat...
Good luck and all the strength for your jourey!
R
There are many books similar to this. This book particularly focuses on the present moment, but there are many others which in part describe the importance of living in the present, though not in as much depth as this one. I've found Osho's books to be quite interesting, but they are not exactly like this.
Amol
I do find the message provided in the book is one of the best. This is based on my reading of several spiritual books. While it may not be the best, but it surely is near that somewhere.
Paula
The Untethered Soul by M. Singer is similar. But really, Eckart's message and book are exceptional!
Sašo Kovačič
I know this is really old question but maybe my response will help someone. The book is great and really practical. You just have to be ready to read it. People that don't get it, need to progressively level up to this book. This applies to any book of this kind. If people don't get this book, they'll also not get Yogi and Buddhist books that are suggested in other responses. I think many bad reviews happened because people were not able to digest abstract thinking in the book. I've read a lot of other books before I was able to read this one. Most of these books were about stoicism. What also helped me was some really challenging life experiences. Before that, I was not conscious enough to understand why I would even need this kind of knowledge.
Russell
I will add my vote-this concept is better approached through the study of Buddhism. I might suggest adding helping of evolutionary psychology and a pinch of brain science. I found myself explaining bits of what Tolle refers to as being from outside the mind, as being easily explained by neuroscience for dummies.
Another sort of picky thing (not everyone will share this one) is that he implies that H. Sapien's ability to think sets it apart from the remainder of the animal kingdom. Any author of science or matters of thought and cognition that dismiss out of hand the cognitive ability of other animal species fatally injures credibility on other subjects. Daniel Dennett fell into that same trap, I cannot read him as objectively as many.
Tolle's book is interesting but if this is the road you're on, there are better roadmaps.
Another sort of picky thing (not everyone will share this one) is that he implies that H. Sapien's ability to think sets it apart from the remainder of the animal kingdom. Any author of science or matters of thought and cognition that dismiss out of hand the cognitive ability of other animal species fatally injures credibility on other subjects. Daniel Dennett fell into that same trap, I cannot read him as objectively as many.
Tolle's book is interesting but if this is the road you're on, there are better roadmaps.
Aideen G
While I won't add to the negative reviews, I found it hard to gel with this book. Something are just not for some people. I did love Tara Brach's Radical Acceptance and found it much easier to get into :)
Mark Summers
On a temporal level, I'd recommend a piece titled the Hatchet Man's Playbook. It will at least help you keep your job - which has a lot to do with keeping you happy. On a spiritual level, check out a guy on the net named Chuck Missler. He's an excellent Bible teacher and a fascinating speaker. And his stuff is free. Definitely works wonders for me.
Patti
This is an interesting place to ask that question. I'd say Liberation Is. by Salvadore Poe.
Ana
Hi, Lemon-Ada. I am just starting to read this book, but I've already found that I much prefer the writing of Leo Babauta on the subject of mindfulness. You cantry the free version of his book "Focus" (here:http://focusmanifesto.s3.amazonaws.co...) and if you like it, you can search for his several other books on similar issues.
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Mar 06, 2018 08:12PM · flag