Power of Now 2009 Wall Calendar by Eckhart Tolle Summary and Reviews
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Book Reviews of Power of Now 2009 Wall Calendar
Book Review: A great roadmap for personal growth
Summary: 5 Stars
I love this book, and it came along at the right time. If you have gotten significant spiritual guidance from books in the past, but often find that the messages repeat themselves, then try this book. Eckhart Tolle's advice builds upon Buddhist-oriented teachings I have read before, however, he has definitely helped me break new ground. His teachings have helped me find a new contentment in my life.Book Review: and Now...
Summary: 5 Stars
I picked up "The Power of Now" in the "New Age" section of the bookstore. I was determined to make the reading about "spirituality" a short episode in my life... and I was probably right, as far as the reading goes, that is.I got the book and continued reading at home, and, as I often do with study guides and textbooks, started underlining what seemed most important. Soon it became harder to separate the important from the unimportant, because it all seemed important! Then, I stopped, put down the pencil and said: "Wow!"
Where did this book come from? Why aren't we hearing about it on CNN? Reading it felt strange at first, as it demanded my total attention: either I was drawn deep into it, or not at all. Do you like to eat while reading? Well, this book will make you feel ridiculous if you try to eat and read at the same time!
The book showed me that I have a pretty thick mold of the mind to break through, and it took me very far on the first day, even farther after that. The message went beyond what I would probably recognize on my own. After all, I was (and still am but to a lesser degree) one of those constant thinkers who mistakenly believe that it's good to think all the time but almost never stop to see, hear and feel the essence of being. Although the message in the book seems familiar and simple, in the end it provided exhaustive answers to the few questions that I had and also those that I wouldn't have thought of before. Amazingly, it also managed not to raise new ones. What it did was grab me by lapels and put me into the present moment. Over and over again, it told me what it means, how to enter it, offered a few different methods, and suggested that with practice many opportunities exist to enter it.
Another point is that once I finished the book, its message lingered (may I say "in my mind" here?). The author's obvious and at the same time subtly effective, repetitive approach somehow kept reassuring me that I was absorbing and remembering the material. The text never strayed far from the core of the message, which seemed to stick with vivid clarity.
I soon began to practice shifting myself into this state of intense concentration, and it feels strange and alluring at the same time, this detachment from the mind. At first, I could only do it while being completely relaxed, just before falling asleep. Later, it became easier to do along with other daily activities. Don't worry; you will not get hit by a truck while crossing the street and trying to focus into the Now! Also, the people at work will not laugh at you because you look weird trying to focus, but they may notice a difference in you: that you are relaxed, focused and less confrontational (because you are surrendered to the present moment). The most immediate effect for me was that focusing into the present moment helped me communicate better. I began to listen more intensely, meaningfully and less judgmentally than before.
However, I feel that this is only the tip of an iceberg. Trying to be in the Now has inspired me more than any miracle. At the same time, it's clear that learning to live in the Now is a skill, and like any skill it can be enhanced with practice. The more you work at it, the better and more natural you get doing it.
In short, I don't need to search for the truth anymore. I got lucky on the first try, by becoming a little curious with the book that seemed unassuming and light in physical weight. Thank you, Eckhart. NOW, I can be at peace, knowing how much I can look forward to in this life, and beyond.
Book Review: Well read, strange accent or recording
Summary: 4 Stars
The book, "The Power of Now" is one of the most important books I have read (see my review of it) and I purchased these CDs to allow me to listen to it in the car.This recording is true to the book (read by the author, word-for-word), but his accent or the digital mastering make the first listen of it difficult. In time, one becomes used to it and it works well.
Personally I prefer the reading the book, but I have lent the CDs to friends who have already read the book, and they have enjoyed the CDs more.
If you've read the book and like the idea of having it in audio format, buy the CDs. If you haven't read the book and are wondering which version to get, get the book. If you won't read the book...but might listen to the CDs, then consider buying the CDs.
Book Review: Strange But... True????
Summary: 5 Stars
Let me start by saying that I struggled with the vast majority of the information in this book, or at least the way it was presented. It was well written, don't get me wrong, but I'm not very interested in fuzzy, mystical concepts.So why did I give it 5 stars? Aside from being well organized and written (and read, since I got the audio version), this book saved my marriage. It was actually this book as well as Pema Chodron's excellent 'When Things Fall Apart'... but I digress. I've been mean and driven and judgemental for a long time now, and about 2 weeks ago I just decided it needed to stop. This book helped me stop. The affect was almost immediate certainly dramatic, as my wife started asking me what happened. Why was I suddenly so happy? I told her I just made a decision. She told me that she wants to have sex with me all the time now. Thanks Eckhart!
I can't argue with results, but let me comment on some things that people like me may struggle with.
1) The first chapter is titled 'You Are Not Your Mind.' His point is that you shouldn't identify with your thoughts. The conflict with some people is that, if you take it too literally, you may develop a distrust for your mind and your thinking ability. This may not be good if you are a 'knowledge worker' who depends on reason and problem solving to earn your living.
2) Like much of eastern philosphy, he places blame for human suffering on 'The EGO'. I find it interesting that eastern traditions use this Latin word for 'self' so frequently to refer to the opposite of your true self... your false self. Perhaps a better term for the false self would be 'super ego', which is the image we project to the outside world... if I remember my Freud at all.
3) Some sections get a little murky and even, to my tastes, silly. For instance, he says that some of his greatest teachers have been cats and ducks. I can appreciate a good zen-like metaphor, but he goes on to say something like 'To watch a duck swimming in a pond you can observe the pure presence that only a mindless creature can have.' I don't have the text in front of me, but that was the jist. So I should strive to be mindless like a DUCK? That metaphor goes a little far for me.
4) The introduction reads like a 'spiritual get rich quick' scheme. He was totally depressed and suicidal when all of the sudden he realizes that he is not his mind, has a swirling hallucination, and wakes up the next morning completely enlightened. (But if he can do it, you can too! But wait there's more. If you order now...) That's not how enlightenment happens for the vast majority of us, including the Buddha.
But overall it's a great book. The other reviews praise it enough so that I can save the space here. If you can just get a partial grasp of the most important point, which is being completely present and accepting unconditionally the reality of the present moment, it's well worth the price.
And maybe you'll become sexually irresistable like me ;)
Book Review: Will a book give you freedom?
Summary: 5 Stars
I approached this book with skepticism, as I do most in the category of new age teachers. After reading his writings and hearing him in person, I'm almost convinced he's the real thing. There is a most definite, profound wisdom in his message. And his story is so compelling --to be suicidal and then having an awakening. An example of grace? He does't explain. Can you talk yourself into a clear mind or do you have to be at the end of your rope? And how much good do books do? Some one tell me...