Book Review: The Power of Now: A Guide to Spiritual Enlightenment by Eckhart Tolle

It's no wonder that The Power of Now has sold over 2 million copies worldwide and has been translated into over 30 foreign languages. Much more than simple principles and platitudes, the book takes readers on an inspiring spiritual journey to find their true and deepest self and reach the ultimate in personal growth and spirituality: the discovery of truth and light. In the first chapter, Tolle introduces readers to enlightenment and its natural enemy, the mind. He awakens readers to their role as a creator of pain and shows them how to have a pain-free identity by living fully in the present. The journey is thrilling, and along the way, the author shows how to connect to the indestructible essence of our Being, "the eternal, ever-present One Life beyond the myriad forms of life that are subject to birth and death." Featuring a new preface by the author, this paperback shows that only after regaining awareness of Being, liberated from Mind and intensely in the Now, is there Enlightenment.

I had read A new Earth and loved it so much that I just had to read more by this authour. I hate to say it, but I did like this as much as I liked A New Earth. However, this is not to say that I disliked this book. I feel that it offers a lot of good insights. Eckhart Tolle explains that the best way to have happiness and enlightenment is to live in the now. I admit it SOUNDS easy, but it was hard to wrap my head around this concept. I keep thinking of the future and what it will bring etc. Eckhart Tolle says this will bring anxiety and I admit I do feel anxious. Ever since I have read this I have tried to follow this. Every time I catch myself thinking about the past or present I remind myself that there is only now and what I have at this moment is enough.

Eckhart Tolle spent two years living on park benches prior to writing this book living in the now. I wish I could experience such transmittal joy. Maybe if I try hard enough I can. I have no idea. I did not notice how insane my brain could make me before reading this book. I have a habit of going through things over and over in my mind. I was wondering as I read this book if that is why I have anxiety so bad. Cause I keep worrying about stuff that is in the past or future.

The one thing that I did not like about this book was the question and answer format. A New Earth was written like a typical non-fiction book. The Power of now is written in a question and answer format. I felt that it did not go deeply into any one explanation in the book. Other than that thought I felt that it was a good book with a good message.