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Summary of The Power of Now: A Guide to Spiritual Enlightenment by Eckhart Tolle
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68 pages, Kindle Edition
Published July 30, 2017
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Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews
June 30, 2023
I have heard SO much about this book and Eckhart's teachings for SO long. It was one of those I'd been meaning to get to and I finally got to a point of being done 'meaning' to do things and just doing them.
I started by watching two YouTube videos of Eckhart speaking on the topics of negative thinking and another on excessive thinking, both of which I knew I personally needed to hear. It awakened something in me. There was a shift in my mind, realizing the possibility for change and a new way of living was available for me. So I dove right into 'The Power of Now.'
He started the book off explaining how he lived his life, always anxious, often depressed and experiencing thoughts of suicidal ideation. Knowing that, knowing I was where he was and seeing now how present and truly enlightened he is blew the door off of the roof of possibilities for me. I could change. I could be change. So much is possible, a whole new perspective.
To prevent this review from being too all over the place, as it already is, let me highlight some random bits I got so much value from:
-I learned what it really means to be present. Being present is to be, not thinking about everything, not thinking about anything, not judging, just letting it be and observing it as it is, whatever it is. I have been so much more present and it has allowed me to see just how beautiful everything is, how grateful I am to be alive in this world and have what I have. I am so excited, as I learn more, meditate more, practice mindfulness in my yoga routine, all the wonderful growth of mind and spirit I can and will have. I am so excited for the now.
-I have learned how unimportant the past is, how arbitrary time is, and that all we ever have is now. There is no future either, the only thing that ever exists is now.
-I have learned the difference between the ego and self-confidence. Knowing that, so many things fell into a place of understanding why I had no confidence and the things I was doing and saying that fed my ego without realizing it because I wasn't aware.
-I understand now that excessive thought is an addiction, and may be one of the greatest addictions of society today. When we become truly aware of our thoughts and learn to let be what is, do we regain the power over out thought and non thought.
-I have learned that I am not my thoughts and identifying with them as who I am is a greater part of the issue. I always identified as an anxious person, etc. Doing so is saying I am my thoughts, which removes all control, makes me the victim, removes my ability to be open to being anything other than that - as I've resolved that that's just what I am. Just as I believe you can be a person who always left a mess everywhere and identified as a 'messy person,' to one day start building healthy habits to put stuff away all the time and are suddenly a 'clean person.' That shift is possible. You are not one thing unless you identify yourself to being that. The mind is no different.
-I have learned just how much (in my mind and action) has been the result of fear. I recently listened to a podcast with Leann Rimes who said she believes every action we take comes either out of fear or love. I truly believe that and believe that doing things out of love really is the most rewarding, fulfilling, and enlightening way of living this one and only life we have.
Honestly, I could go on and on. There is no better time than now to have such a transformation of self, as I approach this new year ready for a new and better version of myself. It has practically been an overnight shift, beyond what I thought possible. I am no longer as reactionary, am more calm and am so present that I could be moved to tears at any moment because I see so much beauty in everything. I just want to give all of myself to every moment and everyone. I no longer look for carrots in life or things to 'look forward to' because that means I'm not present and fully in the now, enjoying the only moment I know I do have..now.
Recently I learned of some science sharing that there are two ways humans choose to think. One in which believes in change in one self and one in which a person just believes they are who the are. One will get you to places unimaginable and the latter the 'same old, same old.' If you fall into the latter, then you may get nothing of this book. If you really believe in profound change and possibility, then I highly recommend!
I started by watching two YouTube videos of Eckhart speaking on the topics of negative thinking and another on excessive thinking, both of which I knew I personally needed to hear. It awakened something in me. There was a shift in my mind, realizing the possibility for change and a new way of living was available for me. So I dove right into 'The Power of Now.'
He started the book off explaining how he lived his life, always anxious, often depressed and experiencing thoughts of suicidal ideation. Knowing that, knowing I was where he was and seeing now how present and truly enlightened he is blew the door off of the roof of possibilities for me. I could change. I could be change. So much is possible, a whole new perspective.
To prevent this review from being too all over the place, as it already is, let me highlight some random bits I got so much value from:
-I learned what it really means to be present. Being present is to be, not thinking about everything, not thinking about anything, not judging, just letting it be and observing it as it is, whatever it is. I have been so much more present and it has allowed me to see just how beautiful everything is, how grateful I am to be alive in this world and have what I have. I am so excited, as I learn more, meditate more, practice mindfulness in my yoga routine, all the wonderful growth of mind and spirit I can and will have. I am so excited for the now.
-I have learned how unimportant the past is, how arbitrary time is, and that all we ever have is now. There is no future either, the only thing that ever exists is now.
-I have learned the difference between the ego and self-confidence. Knowing that, so many things fell into a place of understanding why I had no confidence and the things I was doing and saying that fed my ego without realizing it because I wasn't aware.
-I understand now that excessive thought is an addiction, and may be one of the greatest addictions of society today. When we become truly aware of our thoughts and learn to let be what is, do we regain the power over out thought and non thought.
-I have learned that I am not my thoughts and identifying with them as who I am is a greater part of the issue. I always identified as an anxious person, etc. Doing so is saying I am my thoughts, which removes all control, makes me the victim, removes my ability to be open to being anything other than that - as I've resolved that that's just what I am. Just as I believe you can be a person who always left a mess everywhere and identified as a 'messy person,' to one day start building healthy habits to put stuff away all the time and are suddenly a 'clean person.' That shift is possible. You are not one thing unless you identify yourself to being that. The mind is no different.
-I have learned just how much (in my mind and action) has been the result of fear. I recently listened to a podcast with Leann Rimes who said she believes every action we take comes either out of fear or love. I truly believe that and believe that doing things out of love really is the most rewarding, fulfilling, and enlightening way of living this one and only life we have.
Honestly, I could go on and on. There is no better time than now to have such a transformation of self, as I approach this new year ready for a new and better version of myself. It has practically been an overnight shift, beyond what I thought possible. I am no longer as reactionary, am more calm and am so present that I could be moved to tears at any moment because I see so much beauty in everything. I just want to give all of myself to every moment and everyone. I no longer look for carrots in life or things to 'look forward to' because that means I'm not present and fully in the now, enjoying the only moment I know I do have..now.
Recently I learned of some science sharing that there are two ways humans choose to think. One in which believes in change in one self and one in which a person just believes they are who the are. One will get you to places unimaginable and the latter the 'same old, same old.' If you fall into the latter, then you may get nothing of this book. If you really believe in profound change and possibility, then I highly recommend!
August 2, 2017
The Power of Now is an important, timeless book deserving reading, rereading and reflection. CompanionBooks summary of the book is going to be so helpful to readers and rereaders. Why? The ten chapters have hot links in the kindle edition to take you to the specific topic within that chapter. Information is clearly summarized. The fourteen discussion questions at the end are excellent for group discussion but also can be seen as personal reflection questions. This reviewer received a copy for review from LibraryThing's giveaway program. I read the book when it came out in either 1999 or 2000 and this summary makes me aware I need to read it again, as with aging and life experiences, I need to seriously reflect on the content again. This CompanionReads kindle copy will be at my side, especially as I will be able to highlight and comment.
August 3, 2017
This is a summary to the guide that is helpful. Many readers will find the concept and message within this book helpful. It is nice to read and learn about different ways of handling things. Thoughts throughout the book help readers learn how to deal with today and find their happiness. It is designed as a quick read in a way that provides some information which could prove useful.
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews