Status
Available
Call number
Publication
London : Hodder and Stoughton, 2001, c1999.
Description
Religion & Spirituality. Self-Improvement. Nonfiction. To make the journey into the Now we will need to leave our analytical mind and its false created self, the ego, behind. From the very first page of Eckhart Tolle's extraordinary book, we move rapidly into a significantly higher altitude where we breathe a lighter air. We become connected 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." Although the journey is challenging, Eckhart Tolle uses simple language and an easy question and answer format to guide us. A word of mouth phenomenon since its first publication, The Power of Now is one of those rare books with the power to create an experience in readers, one that can radically change their lives for the better.… (more)
User reviews
LibraryThing member SqueakyChu
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
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.
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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.
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LibraryThing member crazycatlady0
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!
LibraryThing member MaxPower2269
Great starting place for those seeking to overcome their mind created hardships. This book served as a stepping stone to a much more spirtual path for me. Prior to this spirtuality was something I felt was for people who needed answers from someone else, this helped me realize that sprituality was
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something I could find inside of myself. Show Less
LibraryThing member SeanjJoyce
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
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.
It makes a very convincing argument for placing
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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.
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LibraryThing member bugeyzz23
This was a wonderful book that can really transform your way of thinking. It just doesn't happen overnight and takes some practice. I'd highly recommend this book to anyone who wants to get the best out of life!
LibraryThing member blognaut
Somehow, literally every sentence of this book seems to speak the "truth"!!
LibraryThing member gschavira
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.
LibraryThing member Clara53
Just like Deepak Chopra's "Perfect Health" is my book-guru of health, so has this book changed my life in a spiritual sense.
LibraryThing member LadyBlossom
If you want to change your life read this book, it will challenge you and make you look at yourself in a new light. Fantasic.
LibraryThing member bordercollie
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.
LibraryThing member tony_landis
Life changing viewpoints
LibraryThing member tgoodson
This book is a wonderful example of the fine line between mental illness and genius.
LibraryThing member kmstock
An excellent book about being present. Tolle discusses how being attached to the past or the future can stop you from experiencing peace and joy, because you are 'in your head', and thus unconsious. You become fully consious by experiencing 'the now'. This is a great book about freedom, release and
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finding a way to be grounded and liberated despite the unavoidable threat of pain that exists in the world. Show Less
LibraryThing member yuvalro
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
Having said that it's arguably the best book about consciousness ever written. I love it and it influenced my thinking deeply.
Tolle jumped from a lower type of consciousness (inability to empty) to a higher type (no wandering
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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.
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LibraryThing member ashutoshk55
Mr Tolle expounds a Timeless Truth realized by many Masters in different ways. It is an excellent book to start you on your Spiritual journey. The timeless NOW is YOU! Now is not to be equated with the present moment. NOW is before the present moment. The present is in Time-as in Past, Present,
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Future. Without NOW (YOU) where is Time! Now is the foundation of Time. He brings it out beautifully, if you manage to understand it. Read the book as often as you can such that its message permeates your way of perceiving the world. Show Less
LibraryThing member Steve55
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
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.
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
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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.
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LibraryThing member nlaurent
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
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.
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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.
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LibraryThing member MarioSantamaria
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.
LibraryThing member daniel2112
The key to joy, and feeling connected to the source. Told in black and white terms by a man who won't coddle you, and will not hear excuses. This is my Bible. It's like a Zep song: With every listen/reading, you learn something new.
LibraryThing member tandah
Whilst tis book does provide an introduction to mindfulness it doesn't answer some of the fundamental challenges one may face in turning off the mind - and adopts a 'just do it' approach. It's bullish call to action is too much of a blunt instrument for me and further I think the book is really
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poorly written. Show Less
LibraryThing member jpsnow
This was hard to read. I can see how it's so popular in certain circles. However, the attraction seems to come from a range of novel ideas that, while sounding authoritative, are without foundations and appeal primarily to our most narcissistic traits. I did find merit in focus on the now, but I
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get a lot more understanding from other sources. Show Less
LibraryThing member JerryColonna
I'm not a huge fan as I think Tolle recycles the wisdom from a lot of other folks. But he can be compelling.
LibraryThing member DavidFerrers
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
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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. Show Less
LibraryThing member willszal
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
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.
The most valuable aspect of this books is it’s bluntness. Although it references examples from various traditions, Eckhart
Show More
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.
Show Less
LibraryThing member jumpingjacks
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.
Subjects
Language
Original publication date
1999-09
Physical description
xv, 191 p.; 20 cm
ISBN
0340733500 / 9780340733509