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The Power of Now: A Guide to Spiritual Enlightenment
The Power of Now: A Guide to Spiritual Enlightenment
The Power of Now: A Guide to Spiritual Enlightenment
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The Power of Now: A Guide to Spiritual Enlightenment

Rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars

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It's no wonder that The Power of Now has sold over 16 million copies worldwide and has been translated into over 30 foreign languages. Much more than simple principles and platitudes, the book takes readers on an inspiring spiritual journey to find their true and deepest self and reach the ultimate in personal growth and spirituality: the discovery of truth and light. In the first chapter, Tolle introduces readers to enlightenment and its natural enemy, the mind. He awakens readers to their role as a creator of pain and shows them how to have a pain-free identity by living fully in the present. The journey is thrilling, and along the way, the author shows how to connect to the indestructible essence of our Being, "the eternal, ever-present One Life beyond the myriad forms of life that are subject to birth and death." Featuring a new preface by the author, this paperback shows that only after regaining awareness of Being, liberated from Mind and intensely in the Now, is there Enlightenment.

Editor's Note

Contemporary classic…

This beloved book holds the key to ultimate awareness, inner peace and happiness: the present.

LanguageEnglish
Release dateOct 6, 2010
ISBN9781577313113
Author

Eckhart Tolle

Spiritual teacher and author Eckhart Tolle was born in Germany and educated at the Universities of London and Cambridge. At the age of twenty-nine a profound inner transformation radically changed the course of his life. The next few years were devoted to understanding, integrating, and deepening that transformation, which marked the beginning of an intense inward journey. Later, he began to work in London with individuals and small groups as a counselor and spiritual teacher. Since 1995 he has lived in Vancouver, Canada. Eckhart Tolle is the author of the New York Times bestsellers The Power of Now (translated into 33 languages) and A New Earth, which are widely regarded as two of the most influential spiritual books of our time. In 2008, A New Earth became the first spiritual book to be selected for Oprah's Book Club as well as the subject of a ten-week online workshop co-taught by Eckhart and Oprah.

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Rating: 4.336046511627907 out of 5 stars
4.5/5

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  • Rating: 5 out of 5 stars
    5/5
    Great Book for Achieving Enlightenment
  • Rating: 5 out of 5 stars
    5/5
    Realising the importance of living in the present moment and making the present moment my friend was an important breakthrough moment in my life. Even though I had been practicing Zen meditation for some time before reading this book I had never previously been able to say "yes" to what is and to surrender to the present. By focussing more on the present and inviting stillness into my life many things changed for me and I certainly became a lot happier.
  • Rating: 4 out of 5 stars
    4/5
    This book hit me in two very different ways. The message is almost too simple to be able to present in a question and answer format. If the questions didn't seem natural to me, I wanted to skip over the answer. I kept expecting to hear my voice in the questions, and I didn't.At the same time, the message to be present, to think of down moments in your energy as catalysts for determining change and necessary paths, without allowing yourself to get too bogged down in the emotion... well, that was an important reminder.
  • Rating: 5 out of 5 stars
    5/5
    Mindblowing. Absolutely life changing. For you Tibetan Buddhists out there curious about "seeing the nature of the mind" try this...this book brought that moment to me. And Eckhart Tolle is certainly not my root guru ;) I guess it happens like this sometimes.
  • Rating: 3 out of 5 stars
    3/5
    This has been a fantastic book. Through this book I have learned to see myself and where I am in my life in an entirely new light. I'm going to have to read it again. I am certain that there is more to be gleaned.

    "The more you are focused on 'time' past and future the more you miss the now (the present).

    The eternal present is the space in which your whole life unfolds.

    Life is now."

    Eckhart Tolle - The Power of Now

    There are some eternal truths to be learned from these concepts.
  • Rating: 4 out of 5 stars
    4/5
    Lots of good information is contained in this book. The only drawback is that its rather dull after awhile but still provides adequate knowledge. I would recommend this studying a chapter at a time taking good notes, reflect back on the material, and then proceed to the next chapter to be able to really absord what is provided.
  • Rating: 5 out of 5 stars
    5/5
    This is probably the best single book that I’ve ever come across. Although all teachers come to spirituality from their own point of view.
  • Rating: 2 out of 5 stars
    2/5
    There are some decent things in this book, but unfortunatley Tolle seems so taken with his own discoveries that he has little ability to see beyond. As far as it goes, this is good stuff. It just does not go very far. If you like Tolle, I really recommend Richard Ross's The Mandala of Being, which I am halfway through, but which brings new treasures on each page; unlike Tolle, who never said much new past the introduction.
  • Rating: 5 out of 5 stars
    5/5
    I believe this to be one of the most important spiritual works of our time. It sets out a practical guide to transcending many of the psychological difficulties and barriers that people face everywhere today irrespective of culture, age or background. It makes a very convincing argument for placing more emphasis on mindfulness and focusing on the here and now as a means to overcome much of the needless psychological suffering that we unwittingly heap on ourselves.Never has this message been more important than today, in a time when growing materialism and conflict create much havoc and pain.This book is written and delivered in a manner that will appeal to all people of all beliefs. It does not attach itself to any particular religion and could be of equal use to even the most ardent of atheists.Do not make the mistake of viewing it as just another self help book. This book changed my life and offers a common sensical and direct approach to age old spiritual questions that is nothing short of revolutionary. It is such texts that must play an important role in addressing spiritual matters whilst transcending the pitfalls of secularism and religious divide in a world where personal belief is endlessly diverse. Read it today.
  • Rating: 5 out of 5 stars
    5/5
    Somehow, literally every sentence of this book seems to speak the "truth"!!
  • Rating: 4 out of 5 stars
    4/5
    DO NOT get the audio version. Read by the author & it shouldn't have been. Very mono tone, grating voice. Best to get a paper copy and just read it. (We did both & got a lot more out of reading it...)
  • Rating: 5 out of 5 stars
    5/5
    Eckhart Tolle is MISSING a huge bulk of the population, people who have incessant thoughts (or even an occasional wandering thought) but CAN will their mind to empty at will when they're not agitated.Tolle jumped from a lower type of consciousness (inability to empty) to a higher type (no wandering thoughts at all) so he missed the interim type. But check the Yahoo TPON forum, many people there talk about emptying their mind when they try, as a result of reading this book. The book didn't change the consciousness type of these people. It's a 3rd type and Tolle simply missed it.Having said that it's arguably the best book about consciousness ever written. I love it and it influenced my thinking deeply.
  • Rating: 3 out of 5 stars
    3/5
    I think the problem with reading this book was that I read Tolle’s [A New Earth] first. When I got to this book, I knew what he was going to say. He said what I expected. You must learn to live in the present. You must learn to distinguish what is your ego speaking and then look upon your ego as an impediment to living in the “now”. Tolle said this over and over…and over.For someone beginning to learn about Eckhart Tolle’s philosophy (and this is not just his own philosophy, by the way), this may be a good starting point. The book is written in simple language and takes the form of questions and answers. It does try to address different kinds of solutions and has answers for the skeptic. I do know, from hearing Tolle speak on television, that he does not push his philosophy on people and allows people to learn about it from him only when they are ready.For people who say that this book is “too new agey”, I don’t find it that way. There is much about what Tolle speaks with which I agree. There is also, however, quite a bit with which I disagree. The best part of the book, I think, is that it gives readers a new way of handling issues that have occurred or will occur in their lives. If you don’t know anything about “the power of now”, by all means, start learning about it by reading this book.
  • Rating: 5 out of 5 stars
    5/5
    Life changing viewpoints
  • Rating: 5 out of 5 stars
    5/5
    One could quibble, perhaps, with this or that. But when it comes right down to it, it's the simple truth.
  • Rating: 4 out of 5 stars
    4/5
    I didn't really get what the fuss was about with this book. It didn't strike me as anything new, and I don't remember what it was about anymore...
  • Rating: 4 out of 5 stars
    4/5
    I recently finished the audio edition of “The Power of Now,” by Eckhart Tolle. Eckhart’s part of my extended network, so I’ve been hearing about the book for years.

    The most valuable aspect of this books is it’s bluntness. Although it references examples from various traditions, Eckhart isn’t of any lineage. The book is about the supreme importance of the present moment, and practical ways to interact with it.

    It’s formatted in an accessible question-and-answer format derived from his own experiences and challenges and observations from participants on his retreats.

    Applications

    Most of the time we live in the past or the future. The present is the sweet spot.

    An example:

    Right now I’m in the midst of “The Fountainhead.” The protagonist, Roark, is obsessed with the present moment. He gives no thought to the past or the future. He doesn’t plan ahead. He gives everything to the moment. Sometimes he’s wildly successful. Sometimes he’s starving. But he’s always engaged. Roark often applies the practice of self observation, stepping back to witness how he’s feeling without immediately acting on that feeling.

    In contrast, his friend Peter has everything - a partnership at the most respected architectural firm, a ton of money, and lot’s of social standing - and hates his life. He went into architecture because of pressure from his mom. He doesn’t like it, but hasn’t bothered to try to find his true passions. He tries to please, and has no grounding in his intuition. He lives for the future - success and stability - but never experiences it.

    Roark lives in the present. His life is saturated with purpose and contentment. Peter doesn’t. His life is anxious and hollow.

    Another example:

    Often times in relationships we develop patterns. When an emotion is triggered, a habitual action follows. And that habitual pattern might have been set years or decades ago by an unconscious fear or misunderstanding. Another option is to define a threshold between our feelings and our actions. In the first step, we cherish the feeling and allow it to deeply permeate us, rather than trying to brush it off. The feeling is there for a reason, and it can give us insight. Second, we make a conscious choice how to behave, taking that feeling into account, but not blindly reacting to it. Usually these habits take the form of positive or negative feedback loops - we enforce whatever we’re receiving, or resist. Most of the time there’s no need to do either. And by fully experiencing the feeling, we can then move on, keeping our perspective in regard to purpose enact, rather than letting it get swept away.

    Conclusion

    Although this book is by no means a complete guide to the world [there is no discussion of purpose], it’s tips on engaging with the present are invaluably forthright.
  • Rating: 3 out of 5 stars
    3/5
    I didn’t find it as easy to read as was stated. Some concepts I totally agreed with, some I argue are wrong and others I didn’t understand. Since I make these judgments from my mind, I suspect I’ll wait a few months and then read it again.
  • Rating: 5 out of 5 stars
    5/5
    This is one of the best, and most inspirational, books that I have ever read. If I had to choose a favourite book, this may be it!
  • Rating: 2 out of 5 stars
    2/5
    I'm not a huge fan as I think Tolle recycles the wisdom from a lot of other folks. But he can be compelling.
  • Rating: 5 out of 5 stars
    5/5
    This is a stunningly powerful book.I was attracted to the title as my work on organisational change had identified that organisations often chose to chase the illusion of best practice, an illusion created by a misunderstanding of time. I anticipated that the book may also explore this area. The book does this to a degree but has an emphasis on personal change.In the introduction Eckhart Tolle describes the origins of his thinking through a simple but powerful illustration, He talks of waking up with a feeling of deep loathing for the world and a deep sense of dread. The repeated thought that ‘I cannot live with myself’ leads to a sudden awareness of how peculiar this thought is. ‘Am I one or two?’ If I can’t live with myself, there must be two of me, the ‘I’ and the ‘self’.This thought and the impact of pursuing what it means are at the heart of what the book explores; the means to stand outside the thinking-self and observe, to be a watcher. A key thrust of the book is that thinking, the ability to think, represents a key advance for mankind, but like all advances can become a ball and chain preventing further advances. Eckhart proposes that our current thinking represents a level of development which should now be replaced by a more advanced ability. Indeed his frequent references to Buddha, Zen masters and others indicate that this transformation has been signposted for some time and may be long overdue.As Eckhart says, he can tell the reader nothing that they don’t already know. I suspect that five years ago I may not have read beyond the first five pages, if indeed I had ever picked the book up. Now this book is one I’d like to recommend everyone to read. I wouldn’t, simply because as I wasn’t, many may not be ready for it. For some the language may be too ‘new-age’. It is important to recognise that the words are symbols for ideas, even so I found that to some I attached personal meaning and consequently found them grate. The underlying ideas when I was able to see them were however deeply profound.It is impossible to attempt a summary, but to provide a glimpse of the transition beyond current thinking and its applicability to change. Eckhart refers to research identifying that ideas are not the product of thinking, but of some other process. We don’t get ideas by thinking, perhaps walking the dog, taking a bath, through physical exertion, but not by thinking. We actually get ideas when there is no thinking. What we need is not more thinking, but less. Less thinking, but better controlled, focussed use of our minds. He goes on to describe our minds as in uncontrolled overdrive, processing thoughts in a random and ad hoc manner. It’s as if in our mind we each posses a super computer, but the program controlling it is written by chance rather than being written by ourselves as computer programmers. Thus events, situations and experience each form part of the programme and our thinking as a result begins to constrict understanding which in many ways limits, rather than extends what we may achieve. Our thinking builds attachments to our past and restrictions on our future and avoids the present moment, the Now.Eckhart then begins to develop the means by which we can take control of our thinking and rather than be described by behaviours that result from this ad hoc programming, what we do connects with what we are. The consequences of this transformation are wide ranging and dramatic.The book deals with what are extremely challenging ideas in a way that is remarkably accessible and uplifting. The format follows the style of a dialogue between a questioner and Eckhart's responses, which aids the accessibility by allowing the questions the reader may have, to be posed on their behalf.I highly recommend that you read this book. If you find it impenetrable, then put it on the bookshelf with a reminder to return on each anniversary to try again. Once you have read it, you will need a reminder to reread it, as each time you do you will learn more. A remarkable work.
  • Rating: 5 out of 5 stars
    5/5
    I'm sure this book has a lot of amazing reviews and I doubt I could write a praise that has not already been raised about this work. I took a long time to pick this particular book up, but I'm glad I did because the author has a gift in the way e explains what are often difficult concepts to master or understand. I don't know if I agree with or believe everything he states in this book, but I am willing to give some of it a try and see where it takes me. I suppose if you take one thing away from the book it would be to practice the ability to bring yourself fully in the present throughout each day. This is one of those books you can buy and read but won't be particularly meaningful for you unless your at a place in which you are open and ready for it. Anyhow, I cannot recommend it high enough.
  • Rating: 5 out of 5 stars
    5/5
    Just like Deepak Chopra's "Perfect Health" is my book-guru of health, so has this book changed my life in a spiritual sense.
  • Rating: 5 out of 5 stars
    5/5
    On rereading, this book impresses me more than ever. Tolle has taken common therapy/Buddhist issues and given them life in a nondramatic way. His explication of the pain-body is the best ever and makes that part of human psychology accessible. A must-read for any humans.
  • Rating: 5 out of 5 stars
    5/5
    It opened my eyes to a new world, it was my introduction to the Budha way of thinking without to break with my old system of thoughts. After this book was easy to understand another books.
  • Rating: 5 out of 5 stars
    5/5
    The only moment we have is the present, and staying in the now brings peace and happiness. Dwelling in the past and future is illusionary. Lots of tangents emmenating from this premise.
  • Rating: 5 out of 5 stars
    5/5
    This book showed me how to observe my thoughts (my ego) and how to be in the present moment. His teachings are true and by no means a new phenomenon. Tolle just adds to the spiritual readings available. I recommend this book to those who are searching for inner peace.
  • Rating: 5 out of 5 stars
    5/5
    Kind of kooky, but this may be the most important book I've ever read. Not for everyone.
  • Rating: 4 out of 5 stars
    4/5
    I think 10-15 years ago this book would have rocked my world.My ever-evolving search for meaning in this life has push me in different, more-focused directions, and while I am moved by and agree with a lot of what Eckhart Tolle is saying, its transformative power lacks the punch it once would have had for me. His philosophies also drift too much in the realm of pseudoscience for my tastes.That said, I am still seeking a way to incorporate something as simple as meditation into my daily life. I see The Power of Now as more helpful for those lacking stability in their lives. For the practical, ever-questioning, more-stable adult, I recommend Dan Harris' 10% Happier instead. Humorous side-note: Have you seen The Answer Man with Jeff Daniels? I kept thinking of that movie while listening to Tolle.
  • Rating: 5 out of 5 stars
    5/5
    This book was such an eye opening experience for me and I will undoubtedly look back to certain sections throughout my journey. My favorite concept by far noted in this book was that you are not your mind or your thoughts, and that they exhaust solely to try and leach off of your pain. As I stop identifying with the mind and its thoughts, I find myself enjoying life, the now, atleast a little bit more. I highly recommend this book to any and everyone.

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The Power of Now - Eckhart Tolle

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