Eckhart Tolle's books

[Brutha]

I want to read one of his books. With book would you recommend to read first?

[Angela]

I'm glad I started with The Power of Now, because it gave me a very immediate sense of being Present, which I found to be a great foundation for A New Earth -- I'm not sure I would have loved A New Earth quite so much if I hadn't actually *gotten* what he gave me in The Power of Now. A New Earth felt like sort of the Advanced Course, in a way.

[impaul99]

I would say the opposite.

The Power of Now is way to confusing for me. It leaves so many questions unanswered and it doesn't progress in a logical way.

A New Earth, on the other hand, was easy to read from start to finish and made total sense.

Then, after reading it, The Power of Now made more sense... although I still haven't finished reading it.

However, I am not surprised considering the publisher (Marc Allen - New World Library) still hasn't finished the book either. He's stuck on page 158 or something... I haven't met anyone in person that finished the book and "got it". I know a few people that finished the book, but if I ask them questions about it, they have no clue, they just read it but didn't really try to understand the concepts inside. My brain doesn't work that way, I have to understand what I'm reading or I have to stop and re-read.

My vote would be to read A New Earth first.

[abcZen]

I have both of the books, and I've always been told to read power of now first, like impaul I'm finding it very difficult to follow so I think I'm going to get the audio version.

He also has a free video series you can download on oprah.com although each file is over 1gb so might not be easy to download for everyone.

[Acting Like Godot]

Originally Posted by impaul99

... it doesn't progress in a logical way.

It wasn't supposed to.

Remember the S-shaped squiggle that Tolle used throughout the book? And what he said you're supposed to do, whenever you encounter it on a page?

The book is supposed to talk to your right brain, at least as much as your left.

[Brown]

I agree with Angela. The Power of Now is a great intro to A New Earth, which I am currently re-reading. I found it all a bit heavy going the first time around, but this time around a month later, I have found it makes much more sense as I have given myself time to mull it all over.

[impaul99]

Originally Posted by Acting Like Godot

It wasn't supposed to.

Remember the S-shaped squiggle that Tolle used throughout the book? And what he said you're supposed to do, whenever you encounter it on a page?

The book is supposed to talk to your right brain, at least as much as your left.

I think I started reading that book much too early, before I was ready.

Also, I don't think it offered any "answers" I was looking for at the time, but just raised a whole bunch of questions that I didn't know I even had.

It's kind of like going to the doctor to ask him about a rash on your arm, and he doesn't answer that question but he asks you if your hair has been thinning, or if you've noticed any kind of strange sensations in your ears, or if you've had trouble urinating. When you say "No! Why?" and he says "No reason, just asking... well, bye now."

So you go home, confused, no clue what the rash is on your arm and wondering what all that talk about urination was all about.

I should probably try re-reading the book.

A New Earth is an easy read for anyone though. A few friends of mine who also had trouble with The Power of Now, had no problems reading "A New Earth".

[munish]

Originally Posted by Brutha

I want to read one of his books. With book would you recommend to read first?

I have not read any one of ET books.

But based on the feedback,like this one. I think he only talks about ,watching your mind and the thought ends.

About that, many SR writers have written in the past.

I find SR to be more empowering than just watching your thoughts.

For watching your thoughts, you could read this article of SP.

The Joy of Sadness

Originally Posted by Steve Pavlina

Tolle is totally off base in that respect. You can stop the thinking mind and experience a deeper sense of peace if you'd like, but trying to make that state into the central focus of your life ultimately misses the point of human existence.

[Brutha]

But based on the feedback,like this one. I think he only talks about ,watching your mind and the thought ends.

About that, many SR writers have written in the past.

I find SR to be more empowering than just watching your thoughts.

For watching your thoughts, you could read this article of SP.

What do you actually want to say?
That Tolle is bad because Steve Pavlina wrote that he is off on one point? And that you shouldn't read him because of it?

[Dharma]

I agree with what others are saying, A New Earth is an easier read, but I still gotta say read Power of Now first. I was disappointed with A New Earth because I was expecting something deeper than the Power of Now. My expectation was that I'd get deeper, new material, but really, he says it all in Power of Now. Maybe that's why I've listened to Power of Now many times, and A New Earth, once.

I DO recommend the book on CD for either book. Seems there's something relaxing if you don't have to use your eyes to take in the information.

If you want the Oprah-Tolle vidcast series on A New Earth that abcZen mentioned, there are small versions of each video 250-300MB available via bittorrent. Communi_Tea - TPB

[Rose of Cairo]

Originally Posted by Dharma

I agree with what others are saying, A New Earth is an easier read, but I still gotta say read Power of Now first.

I agree. It's the basement.

[PerDev]

Originally Posted by Angela

I'm glad I started with The Power of Now, because it gave me a very immediate sense of being Present, which I found to be a great foundation for A New Earth -- I'm not sure I would have loved A New Earth quite so much if I hadn't actually *gotten* what he gave me in The Power of Now. A New Earth felt like sort of the Advanced Course, in a way.

Do you think we can understand the hidden meaning of the Book "The Power of Now" or like that unless we are on the same level of awareness ?

Wouldn't there be communication Gap as we would be thiking from our perception based on our corrent level of conciousness

[Playlife]

What's the Stillness Speaks about?

[Angela]

Originally Posted by PerDev

Do you think we can understand the hidden meaning of the Book "The Power of Now" or like that unless we are on the same level of awareness ?

Wouldn't there be communication Gap as we would be thiking from our perception based on our corrent level of conciousness

PerDev, my experience was that while reading The Power of Now my awareness actually shifted. Some people write about shifting your perspective, but Tolle has a real talent for actually guiding you into a shift in perspective, right then and there. Or should I say, right here and now.

That said, you still have to be ready and willing to shift your perspective, or you won't shift. (probably. there might be seismic activity that has you shift against your will. )

[Lauxa]

I vote for New Earth first. I started them both at the same time and found that I enjoyed reading New Earth more. I just finished that one and am now trying to finish Power of Now as well. The thing I don't like about Power of Now is that it's set up like Tolle is arguing with you. That is, he pretends that you are asking questions and he is responding to them instead of organizing the book in a way where it flows from one concept to another.

[munish]

Originally Posted by Brutha

What do you actually want to say?
That Tolle is bad because Steve Pavlina wrote that he is off on one point? And that you shouldn't read him because of it?

I think, if you have read what SP has said , then there is no need to read ET.

That is my opinion,based on the study of various spiritual writers.

I no where said that he(ET) is bad,OR that you Should not do something.

What i meant was , none of these writers talk about polarity, why to embrace your thought.And also about the visualization ,as discussed in the previous two articles of SP. :-)

[Parthon]

The main reason why Eckhart Tolle doesn't talk about visualisation, polarity or embracing thought is because he focusses on rising above thought. To become a master of your mind and to stop being it's slave. To do that you have to free yourself first and stay free, then you can regain control. Otherwise it will still be your master. Visualisation is a really useful tool, but it's just a tool. I've found Eckhart Tolle's books are more like changing your toolbox.

I would suggest reading the Power of Now first, not because it's better or worse than A New Earth, but because it shifts your perception allowing you to see the patterns he discusses in A New Earth a lot better.

The main concept of The Power of Now is being present, rising above your thinking and staying in the now. It's this skill that allows you to better see your mind patterns and egoic patterns by being present and in the moment. The mind/ego patterns are the main discussion for A New Earth.

In the end, reading both is a good idea, and also reading them again a while later. It felt to me that the books got more expansive and in depth as they went, as if the first many chapters were dealing with your resistance to the ideas and then later on he really discusses the potential and depth available. On subsequent readings I also found snipits of grand insight that I had missed the first time, the insights that rock you off your feet and really shift your perception.

[Lara]

To view Tolle as anything other than a simple teacher of meditation would be absurd. However, one real teacher of meditation is invaluable to a being seeking inner peace and self knowledge - I believe Tolle is such a teacher.

I heard no ego in his voice as I listened to his books on CD and watched several films and the Tolle/Oprah series for a couple of months. What he teaches about going inside, quieting the inner chatter and releasing inner tensions which use up precious energy and rob us of time and life force, is precisely what is necessary to know to be master of oneself. This method is a good way to get to know yourself.

I chose to listen to his books one chapter at a time rather than read them. I find that reading leaves me too much in my head and makes it hard to include the body in inner study and work. I listened to two of the books, Stillness Speaks and A New Earth, every day as a meditation until there were no more chapters left. I also watched the shows which I downloaded from Oprah's website. When the books and show were done, I sat and listened to the silence and did my outer work. (I am starting a new online business.) My focus was sharper, my purpose was more clear. I felt better about myself and my work. I am surrounded by people who doubt I will succeed. Tolle's work helped me to stay focused on who I am and what I want. It helped (and still helps) tremendously.

I still have the cd's and will listen to them each time I feel the need for a reminder there is another way to live here. I can actually live in the real.

I see each paragraph of each book as a daily meditation. As soon as the book is done turn it off and practice what you have learned. The practice will make you stronger and less influenced by outer illusions. Keep a journal with thoughts about your work and your questions. You will find when working on your own with the audio versions the notes will help you to keep focused on your own inner work. When the book is done, take a long break and see what life is like, how it is different for you. See how connected to yourself you are inside. See how you are connected to the world.

Doing this work is like clearing out the sinuses. You can breathe better

I watched the whole Oprah/Tolle series. I'm glad they did it. At first I was skeptical. But then I saw that it was an introduction to Tolle's teaching - which is not new. I feel the Oprah/Tolle series happend at the perfect time for me. It was serendipitous. I was struggling with whether to actually devote a majority of my time to the new business and was strongly influenced by those around me who were negative about it. Getting quieter inside helped tremendously.

For the world, I believe the Tolle and Oprah series spoke to millions who needed to know they were not alone in wishing for and needing a different approach to living. That's all the series was for - to be an introduction to living outside the box, to give hope -to let people know there was a method or teaching that can help them to achieve their wish to be free internally without having to give anything up and which did not interfere with basic religious belief systems.

Peace,
Lara

[Dharma]

Originally Posted by munish

I have not read any one of ET books.

But based on the feedback,like this one. I think he only talks about ,watching your mind and the thought ends.

He talks about a lot more. Read one of the books and then make up your mind. I bet your library has a copy.

Originally Posted by munish

That is what this article is about.

The Joy of Sadness

But other writers avoid talking about purpose, polarity, visualization. Which they themselves do.

A Famous SR writer used to do Raja Yoga (visulazation) ,but he never spoke regarding that.

The purpose of being here is to let go of the denial that we are not the creator of our experience. Thought has been an evolutionary rollercoaster for humanity, we are so lost in it, we deny ourselves so much with it.... the next step is to move past thought into beingness -- who we really are. It will be a huge evolutionary jump for consciousness itself.

If purpose, polarity, and visualization interest you, go for it. I'm getting away from that because it's all stuff from the mind and takes me away from the moment. Tolle, while he does not spike out certain things we do as denial (I have another teacher for that) his focus on being in the moment teaches how to live without getting caught up in the mind.

[jawillie]

Originally Posted by Angela

PerDev, my experience was that while reading The Power of Now my awareness actually shifted. Some people write about shifting your perspective, but Tolle has a real talent for actually guiding you into a shift in perspective, right then and there. Or should I say, right here and now.

That said, you still have to be ready and willing to shift your perspective, or you won't shift. (probably. there might be seismic activity that has you shift against your will. )

I felt a shift, too, but now after a week of being done with it, I feel... dry. I have to work on practicing it more, I think.

Lara, your post was beautiful!

I voted for ANE. I starte PON but only got a couple chapers in. Then I delved into ANE and watched the Webinars after reading each chapter. I will go back to PON and finish it.

But, you do what makes sense to you and feels right.

[Angela]

Originally Posted by jawillie

I felt a shift, too, but now after a week of being done with it, I feel... dry. I have to work on practicing it more, I think.

I often pick up The Power of Now (or Practicing the Power of Now) and open it at random. It's amazing how just the right page appears and juices me up.

[pianoperformer]

munish,

It is not the ending of thought. He says that our mind is a tool, and only that, but we have identified with it, and so it actually uses it. It is not that we are to try to function here without thought, just that we must realize and feel that we are not that thought, and thereby feel that "being," as he calls it.

What's the point of him talking about visualization and polarization, when he is trying to convey the need to disidentify with the mind? visualization won't help there.

[jawillie]

Originally Posted by Angela

I often pick up The Power of Now (or Practicing the Power of Now) and open it at random. It's amazing how just the right page appears and juices me up.

I just did this and it totally felt relevant and significant to me, or course I know the whole book is.

I do feel peace and calmness again. I was SOOOO "into" defending myself against Radical Christians and it zapped my energy. Page 200 from PoN totally brought me back.

Thanks for the reminder, Angela!

[Brutha]

I no where said that

he(ET) is bad,OR that you Should not do something.
[/quote]I asked the thread to ask about what I should do. By posting in the thread you are answering the question or your post is just off topic.

[Angela]

Jawillie: it's funny, but lately that synchronous appropriate helpful message thing is happening with EVERY book I open at random.

[{aspiring_to_clarity}]

Originally Posted by Angela

Jawillie: it's funny, but lately that synchronous appropriate helpful message thing is happening with EVERY book I open at random.

Yeah, I even get it from bilboards, random people talking near me, snippets of stuff on the radio. It's everywhere...there's nowhere to hide

[Fullcrum]

Brutha - Are you looking for more practical advice on being in the now or the philosophy behind it, or exercises to be in the now?

[Parthon]

Originally Posted by munish

That is what this article is about.
The Joy of Sadness

A very good article. I haven't read it in a while.

That's exactly the type of content that's in Eckhart Tolle's books, but Tolle goes far more into depth on a greater variety of areas. Steve's articles around the same idea are great, fantastic and awesome, but still don't have the depth and breadth that Tolle's books so.

Where Steve's articles are a nice dabble into a strong insight, much like a nice sunday hiking trek, Tolle's books are deep and long, like a marathon.

[Lara]

..or conscious is like building a muscle... to make it strong you must exercise daily

This particular work which Tolle offers, is a daily, hourly practice, eventually becomes walking meditation... practicing it all the time, every moment.

The quieter I get inside, the freer I become, the more I attract what I need in life. Practice makes perfect.

QUOTE: Jawillie: "I felt a shift, too, but now after a week of being done with it, I feel... dry. I have to work on practicing it more, I think.

Lara, your post was beautiful! "

Aww, thank you (((beautiful Jawillie)))


Peace,
Lara

[uberinquisitive]

Personally, I found the Oprah/Tolle webinars to be the most enlightening.