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Go take a look at an animal, most of them act purely based on instinct.Eckhart loves talking about "watching the thinker" too. I'm a very logical person. Although not directly stated, he talks about his ideals as if they are the only way to "enlightenment".This author is trying to "teach us" something we already know. Our "ego" is what allows us humans to suppress our instincts. It may feel like enlightenment to him because he doesn't even know what being happy feels like. Good for him, it doesn't mean his way of thinking applies to everyone. Human evolution isn't only about losing our fur, it's about improving our thinking power. Yeah, we all enjoy "the power of now" doing these activities, we don't need to LEARN that.If you really want to enjoy the power of now, go do stuff you really like.
Or get laid.You don't need to learn how to enjoy "the power of now" to be happy, you need to find activities that make you happy, and the power of now will come naturally.I bought this book hoping to learn something new, and all I got was a reminder of all the good ideas Buddhism holds (which you can get ANYWHERE on the internet or a book devoted to Buddhism itself) and useless ramble about how Eckhart is tripping balls on things humans do naturally, like thinking.Here's my theory on why Eckhart believes he is enlightened:He said he was suicidaly depressed. I can't believe how much (unnecessary) hype this book has. If he calls that getting rid of your ego, I say he's tripping balls. Love someone. First of all, whether you like it or not, it's IMPOSSIBLE to stop thinking. You notice something similar within all of these activities. The act of watching your thoughts is merely just creating a second ego who is watching your original ego. I agree with several of his ideas, though all already stated before, mostly in Buddhism.Apart from the already existing ideas from other religions, this book has nothing to offer other than what this one guy thinks is "the path to enlightenment".
But logically speaking his ideas make no sense at all. That's the stupidest part of the book. Sounds like he didn't have anything in life he was passionate about, how sad for him. Have a hobby for which you are passionate about. According to this book, apparently after you learn how to enjoy the power of now, you'll be happy with your life.Look people, we all know how to enjoy the power of now.
Good for Eckhart, he learned to be happy in his own weird way of "killing his ego" (although it's more than obvious his ego is quite huge). This book makes no sense at all, it just sounds pretty.How can someone become enlightened overnight while passed out. We all find our own ways for being happy. As I read this book I was trying to fit the pieces together logically and it's IMPOSSIBLE. He always talks about "killing your ego".
Being depressed all your life (not knowing how it feels to be happy) then suddenly feeling happiness will be overwhelming, but NOT (I repeat, NOT) enlightenment. Read a book you really like, watch a movie you enjoy, have sex, play some games, eat good food. You want to witness how someone would look like without thinking. Watching the thinker is as close to thinking as thinking itself.This guy tries to teach us how to be enlightened and enjoy the Power of Now.
It sometimes takes you over when you try to end suffering.Despite the concept being relatively simple, you will need to know a few ways to think. But your mind wants you to believe that problems exist, because they define yourself. And the book provides this. This book will challenge your 'thinking' and provide you with all the insight into enlightenment I think you will ever need. Although enlightenment seems like something unattainable, it's really quite simple after you read the book.It also explains Jesus's teachings in a way that shows their relationship to the Buddha's teachings- without the pressure and misconception of 'God', sin, or giving everything up to be 'good', expressing simple truths.Enlightenment is the end of suffering, and you can choose not to suffer.
In fact, it centers on practicality almost as a mantra.If you ever wondered how to break out of destructive cycles or habits, how to improve relationships, how to release stress and anger. Living in the NOW is liberating. Learn how by reading this simple book. live in the now. The author enumerates the benefits of living in the now and gives practical expertise on how to achieve this seemingly easy goal but one which is surprisingly elusive.The book while speaking of spiritual enlightenment, is really a take it or leave it type of spirituality, so don't get put off by that if you aren't into it. It's more philosophical than anything else, but without losing sense of practicality.
I find that quite arrogant. One thing that disturbs me is that so many Christians seem to take offense at his words.
Have they really read the book, or is it just a knee jerk reaction to anything that isn't biblical. I'm wondering if they are threatened by his logic.
I'm almost afraid to write what I really think because I've found that Eckart Tolle readers tend to be a bit on the rabid side. Yeah, I know Oprah loves him but that doesn't mean everyone has to.
In any case, some people may really enjoy and be inspired by this work, I just wasn't one of them. One of the things he teaches is that if you don't buy into his philosophies it is just because you are "not ready" as if he and everyone else is so much wiser and more mature than you.
While there are many things to praise in this book (certainly living in the now is a noble endeavor) I just couldn't get past this all knowing superiority complex the man seems to have.
Whether you come from a Buddhist, Christian or just a spritual journey perspective, this book will help you get rid of fears and past and future preoccupations so that you can live fully in the present and enjoy your life more peacefully and completely. It brought together many other spritual writings in a way that was new for me. It has become my most important book to share with others. This book had been sitting on my bookshelf for a number of years. I finally started reading it.
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