The Power of Now by Eckhart Tolle

I finished reading The Power of Now by Eckhart Tolle a few days ago. The information contained in this book resonated deeply within me as a "truth" I've come to understand in the last few years:

This moment is the only thing we are certain of. Life unfolds right now. Not last week, not in one hour. NOW.

"This moment" is the only real point in our life where we experience life as it happens — as it occurs. The past and future only exists in our minds, filtered through our experiences, distorted thinking, fears, and expectations. This moment, The Now, is the only thing that really is. Perhaps an abstract way of approaching life — but extremely liberating too.

From Amazon.com:

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. ...Within a chapter of reading this book, readers are already holding the world in a different container — more conscious of how thoughts and emotions get in the way of their ability to live in genuine peace and happiness.

I have so many thoughts and feelings I'd like to express as a reaction to reading the book, and will cover a few here. To begin, I haven't experienced any other book like this that has helped initiate a profound shift in my thinking patterns. The book has literally affected me on a level that I have been trying to reach for years, and has started a process of inner "transformation" that I find hard to explain. I feel it, and I understand it, but expressing it on paper to someone who hasn't read the book is difficult, but not impossible.

A great place to start is by knowing a bit about the author, Eckhart Tolle. Some biological information from his Web site:

"Eckhart Tolle is emerging as one of the most original and inspiring spiritual teachers of our time. Eckhart, who is not aligned with any particular religion or tradition, but excludes none, travels and teaches throughout the world. His profound yet simple and practical teachings have helped thousands of people find inner peace and greater fulfillment in their lives."

Much of what I initially appreciated from The Power of Now had a psychological dimension to it. It addressed the thinking patterns of the 'unconscious' mind, which is often identified as our ego. I also enjoyed the discussion around a theme I've noticed in many other meditative/spiritual books: Learning how to quiet the "static noise" that goes on incessantly in our minds, to be able to draw up (listen to) something more intuitive and authentic within us.

It's a powerful book, to say the least. •

On the Web

The Power of Now
Learn more about the book, The Power of Now by Eckhart Tolle from Amazon.com.

Eckhart Tolle
Author of The Power of Now and other books.