Practicing the Power of Now: Essential Teachings, Meditations, and Exercises From The Power of Now
by Eckhart Tolle
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Book Summary Information
Author: Eckhart TolleEdition: Hardcover
Audio: English (Unknown); English (Original Language); English (Published)
Published: 2001-09
ISBN: 1577311957
Number of pages: 128
Publisher: New World Library
Book Reviews of Practicing the Power of Now: Essential Teachings, Meditations, and Exercises From The Power of Now
Book Review: Good principles, but less than perfect
Summary: 3 Stars
The reviews on this book, along with Oprah's comments, and my own personal interest in Zen Buddhism made me excited to get my hands on it. I expected to really enjoy it. I had a hard time with it though, which was really disappointing.
Essentially, Eckhart Tolle is a man who had a great spiritual experience/awakening at 29 years old he. He went on to study eastern religions and practices and then build his own philosophy, much of which is based on Zen Buddhism.
The idea of living in the `Now' is a super powerful one. Tolle does a good job of explaining it and his Q&A format is easy to understand. For someone who has never experienced meditation or the teachings of Zen Buddhism, this book can be thought provoking. However, there were a number of things that made me suspicious of Tolle's `philosophy'.
First, at the end of the book I asked myself what I'd learned. The answer was not much. I felt like he'd gone round and round and round his central ideas. It became tiring rather than enlightening, and I kept having to force myself not to skim.
Second, he used the words of historical religious leaders a little too loosely for me. The only religion I know enough about to comment on is Christianity. It was very clear to me that he was taking the teachings of the New Testament way out of context. And if Tolle's teachings are eternal in nature, why wouldn't he use the scriptures as they are?
And okay it really bugged me that he said, "Never personalize Christ. Don't make Christ into a form identity." Isn't the whole message of Jesus Christ about him being the son of God raised to immortality through resurrection after the cross? How do you take the person of Christ out of Him paying the price for mankind's sins? I'm not trying to do promote Christianity by saying that. My point is that he uses the New Testament, but then remakes Jesus into something that fits Tolle's philosophy rather than what is actually taught in the scriptures.
Makes me wonder if he does the same with the other religions.
Third, if Tolle lives what he preaches, I would expect him to be humble, truthful, salt-of-the-earth type person who gives what he has as a gift to mankind. When I looked up his really snazzy, expensive website and see all the products for sale, his touring schedule, testimonials, etc. I'm left with a bad taste in my mouth - tastes like high-end marketing campaign actually. Why is that necessary if he is only in it for helping humanity? I'd expect a true spiritual leader to offer his wisdom with no expectation for compensation (monetary of fame).
Overall, I guess I'd say that Tolle's book is worth taking a look at. It is based on some wonderful truths. But go into reading it with you eyes open. There are some definite clues that Tolle might be promoting his own personal philosophy rather than teaching the wisdom of the ages.
(I'd actually recommend Robert Jackson's podcasts at www.aquietmind.com - He puts the same ideas into practice in a simpler way. And although he takes donations if you feel inclined, it is otherwise free.)
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Summary of Practicing the Power of Now: Essential Teachings, Meditations, and Exercises From The Power of Now
Eckhart Tolle is rapidly emerging as one of the world?s most inspiring spiritual teachers, sharing the enlightenment he himself experienced after a startling personal transformation. His views go beyond any particular religion, doctrine, or guru. This book extracts the essence from his teachings in The Power of Now, showing us how to free ourselves from “enslavement to the mind.? The aim is to be able to enter into and sustain an awakened state of consciousness throughout everyday life. Through meditations and simple techniques, Eckhart shows us how to quiet our thoughts, see the world in the present moment, and find a path to “a life of grace, ease, and lightness.?
This manual-style book instantly dives into Eckhart Tolle's principles of "living in the moment," which could be a jarring experience for readers who haven't read his preceding book, The Power of Now. For the initiated, though, this makes an excellent companion guide--rich in exercises and meditations to help readers get out of their minds so they can live more peacefully in their bodies. Sometimes it's hard to fathom what on earth Tolle is talking about: "To regain awareness of Being and to abide in that state of 'feeling-realization' is enlightenment." Be patient. All concepts will be revealed (or at least more carefully explained). Ultimately, Tolle leads readers into a new form of thinking (or actually not thinking) that erases the consuming habits of waiting, worrying, and being in fear. The first step is ending the "delusion of time." He asks, "Are you always trying to get somewhere other than where you are? ... Is most of your doing just a means to an end?" If so, Tolle has a book full of advice for you. As simplistic as this may sound, Tolle's work has spiritual merit and depth, especially for frantic Westerners who find their lives diminished by packed schedules and busy-ness. --Gail Hudson
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