[The Coronet]

Dear Forum,

Im really confused on some concepts that seem to make sense, yet sort of contradict each other! I would love some help on this if anyone has a suggestion.

Ive read a few books by Eckhart Tolley, the power of now, a new earth etc.

He says that to end suffering we have to live in the now, be fully present and egoless (which you are when you are so involved in the present.)

Secondly according to the secret

To manifest something we have to feel like we have whatever we want now first of all, then it will be drawn to us.

However the very process of manifesting requires us to be considering a future goal. All goal setting requires us to not be fully present cause I am thinking about how I want my future to be. If I truely follow the power of now, I will never set any goals. In fact I would probably stop doing anything because i would just stare into space observing without any judgement quite happily , peacefully observing my body rotting away and i eventually dieing of starvation. It is only future desires and listening to the demands of my body that cause me to move.

I thought about manifesting 'peace in my now' Surely the best thing I could manifest! If I really do this, I will not care to manifest anything because I will be at peace regardles of what I have and dont have. (and in a way isnt the secret saying you have to have this first before you can manifest anything?)

However according to manifesting rules, I should be more specific, (chose what will bring me this peace?) and also chose a date for this to occur. BUt nothing can really occur anytime other than NOW so that in itself is an illusion.

Lastly if Im to be honest what drives me to all these goals is it really ego? For example Id like to be a great breakdancer, but a large part of that is for the element of how cool it would look in front of other people. Does this desire ultimately cause me suffering because....

1. its assuimng that there is an objective reality, or at least that there is separation 2. I am my ego, 3 attention will bring me happiness I dont already have? 4. im doing something for myself????

I suppose what Im asking is this, should i give up on all my goals, forget about all future commitments and just fully commit to being present, or should I keep striving for all my dreams basically meaning that I am not fully present at all and being driven by an ego that wants things! Even if Im doing it to help others, that is also assuming that there are others, that need my help and that something has to happen in the future for us to all be better off! Or is there another solution that is in harmony with all these ideas?.

Sorry if my explanation is a bad, I hope it makes sense!

Thanks again for all your help and kindness

Caz