The Power of Now by Tolle Eckhart (Paperback)

After reading happiness books like "Finding Happiness in a Frustrating World", I felt like I had a good handle on what science had uncovered about how to live a happy life and have to say that I am MUCH happier for having read them. But, while the field of positive psychology has made some great contributions to my happiness levels, it's books like "The Power of Now" that come along and let you know there's STILL more you can learn...........A key concept of the book (if I'm explaining it right) is that you will start to experience a certain kind of enlightenment when you learn to leave your analytical mind behind. In other words, instead of "thinking" try just "observing your thinking." And when you do this, you also need to realize that all this "thinking noise" that goes on in your head all day long is not really who you are- an enlightening concept indeed!..........To that end, the book is set up in a question and answer format to help you get to understand these kinds of concepts. While it might seem ridiculous to some, it really isn't. Case in point, we all talk to ourselves or have witnessed others talking to themselves at times (maybe during a sporting event perhaps). If you ask someone who they are talking to, they will usually say "I'm talking to myself." And this, by definition, means that there have to be two "selves", an "I" talking to "myself"- and so justifies the idea of two selves (a "you" and a "thinking you" in the book)..........Well, if these seem to be the kind of concepts you're ready to explore, this is your book. It raises some good questions and certainly brings up one that you can't argue with: all we have is the here and now. As the book so astutely points out, "Nothing ever happened in the past; it happened in the Now. Nothing ever happened in the future, it will happen in the Now." And learning to live in the now IS the point of the whole book.

After reading happiness books like "Finding Happiness in a Frustrating World", I felt like I had a good handle on what science had uncovered about how to live a happy life and have to say that I am MUCH happier for having read them. But, while the field of positive psychology has made some great contributions to my happiness levels, it's books like "The Power of Now" that come along and let you know there's STILL more you can learn...........A key concept of the book (if I'm explaining it right) is that you will start to experience a certain kind of enlightenment when you learn to leave your analytical mind behind. In other words, instead of "thinking" try just "observing your thinking." And when you do this, you also need to realize that all this "thinking noise" that goes on in your head all day long is not really who you are- an enlightening concept indeed!..........To that end, the book is set up in a question and answer format to help you get to understand these kinds of concepts. While it might seem ridiculous to some, it really isn't. Case in point, we all talk to ourselves or have witnessed others talking to themselves at times (maybe during a sporting event perhaps). If you ask someone who they are talking to, they will usually say "I'm talking to myself." And this, by definition, means that there have to be two "selves", an "I" talking to "myself"- and so justifies the idea of two selves (a "you" and a "thinking you" in the book)..........Well, if these seem to be the kind of concepts you're ready to explore, this is your book. It raises some good questions and certainly brings up one that you can't argue with: all we have is the here and now. As the book so astutely points out, "Nothing ever happened in the past; it happened in the Now. Nothing ever happened in the future, it will happen in the Now." And learning to live in the now IS the point of the whole book.

I purchased this book because it was recommended along with another book that I had previosly purchased and I was purchasing again as a gift. Well, I have already purchased 4 additional copies of A New Earth to give to very dear friends. I wish it was translated into Spanish so that I can give it to some of my relatives. Anyway, I have to say that the book has transformed my life in the sense that it has brought peace to my life. The book helped me become conscience about the importance of the present moment and it's content, which I did not have before. In addition, I have always struggled with understanding what forgiveness is about. I have said that I've forgiven people who hurt me but really haven't felt forgiveness. The book tought me that it's OK to not feel something that we are conditioned to "feel." It thought me that in fact, when I am ready the feeling will come. It kind of explained to me that I am normal while relieving from the guilt that I was feeling for not being able to feel the things I said. The most important take for me is that it's OK to be who I am now, yet giving me the hope that I will evolve into what ever I want to evolve to when I'm ready. Therefore, I should enjoy, and appreciate now for what it is: "the only thing I truly have, which is the present moment."

This is a really good start for people asking questions, i personally prefer things written in a little heavier matter, but appreciate the directions that the writer takes, very basic honest thought behind it all. I was somewhat underwhelmed by the topics and discussion, but impressed with the simplicity of the thought behind it, i prefer another writers method on similar subjects, but if you enjoy this writer's method, you will not be let down in the amount of other works that he has done, enjoy