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

Eckhart Tolle’s The Power of Now should be on everybody’s bookshelf

I still remember the day when I saw this quirky spiritual teacher and self-help author being introduced to us on Oprah’s show in 2000. Winfrey was so impressed with Tolle that she recommended The Power of Now in her magazine O. Two years later, the book reached number one on the New York Times Best Seller list. By 2008 it was translated into 33 languages.

But before I get into the book review, did you know that Eckhart Tolle was homeless for two years?

From Park Bench to Prophet 

Eckhart Tolle lived a life that could only be described as extraordinary. Born in Germany, he wandered through Spain, and studied in England before finding himself as a researcher at Cambridge University. Despite battling with suicide obsession, depression, and anxiety, he eventually found spiritual enlightenment.

At one point, he found himself isolated from society, homeless and jobless. But instead of despair, he embraced the simplicity of his new life. For two years, he roamed the streets, finding solace in park benches and the beauty of the world around him. People were intrigued by his inner peace and sought to learn his secrets.

And so, Eckhart Tolle emerged as a prominent spiritual teacher, spreading his message of mindfulness and living in the present moment to people all over the world. 

In The Power of Now, Tolle challenges us to break free from the voices in our heads- our egos. Instead, he reminds us to stay in the present -the here and now because he stresses the present is all we really have. 

Tolle basically says that there is no use worrying about the past or the future because events only happen in the ‘now’. The past and future only occur during a constant stream of ‘now’ moments.  

It is not uncommon for people to spend their whole life waiting to start living. ~Eckhart Tolle 

Are you constantly living in the past or the future?

So, let’s talk about why living in the present moment is so crucial. Think about it – the past is already done and dusted, and the future hasn’t even happened yet. The only time we truly have control over is right now, at this very moment. By focusing on the present and being fully engaged in what’s happening around us, we can make the most of our experiences and truly appreciate everything life has to offer. 

Tolle describes the damage and waste of time that we do to our thoughts by thinking either too much about the past or the future. 

He says when we think too much about the past and not enough about the present- we create guilt, regret, resentment, grievances, sadness, bitterness and all forms of non-forgiveness in our thoughts. 

He also says when we think too much about the future, we create fear in the form of unease, anxiety, tension, stress and worry in our thoughts. 

Leggo my Ego 

Tolle highlights the importance of understanding the role of the ego in our lives, and how it can prevent us from experiencing true happiness and contentment. By recognizing the ego for what it is – a fabrication of our minds that often leads us astray – we can start to detach from its influence and live more authentically.

Throughout the book, Tolle offers practical advice and exercises for how readers can cultivate mindfulness and presence in their daily lives. From breathing techniques to meditation practices, he provides readers with the tools they need to break free!

One of my favourite exercises that he describes is trying to stay in a state of permanent alertness or active waiting.

This technique is like being on high alert, knowing that something big could happen at any time. In this state, your focus is entirely on the present moment.

For example, if you were practicing active waiting while you were writing an exam, you would have no time to drift off, be distracted or even start worrying about your answers. Instead, you would be fully focused and present while you were writing the exam. 

By embracing active waiting before and during the exam, it can also help you stay in ‘the zone’.

During active waiting, it is also important to stay tuned into your body. In other words, stay in a state of preparedness for whatever comes your way. Practicing active waiting with your body and your mind is the key to living in the moment Tolle says. 

Another example of active waiting that Tolle gives is an exercise that the Zen masters used to do with their students. As the students were practicing active waiting with their eyes closed, the Zen masters would sneak up behind them and hit them -trying to catch them off guard. This forced the students to focus entirely on their bodies, allowing them to sense the approaching masters and dodge their “attacks.” So, next time you find yourself waiting, embrace the active waiting mindset and see where it takes you.

In conclusion

The Power of Now by Eckhart Tolle is a long-time bestseller that challenges readers to break free from the constant chatter in their heads and embrace the power of living in the present moment. Through practical exercises and insights, Tolle guides readers on a journey towards greater peace, fulfillment, and authenticity. 

However, some readers may find Tolle’s ideas challenging or difficult to grasp at first, especially if they are new to the concept of mindfulness or spiritual growth. Personally, I loved Tolle’s concepts. I read this book a long time ago and re-read it for this book review. But I can sympathize with a first-time reader. Also, if you look up Tolle in countless videos and talk shows, he is not the most dynamic personality but he is genuine and he is incredibly insightful. 

I think The Power of Now is a must-read for anyone seeking to deepen their understanding of mindfulness and spiritual growth, and I highly recommend it to readers of all backgrounds and beliefs.

Two closing quotes.

Finally, I would like to close with two Eckhart Tolle quotes. 

This one is for procrastinators. 

Any action is often better than no action, especially if you have been stuck in an unhappy situation for a long time. If it is a mistake, at least you learn something, in which case it’s no longer a mistake. If you remain stuck, you learn nothing. ~Eckhart Tolle

The second one is especially, for pet lovers, like myself. 

I have lived with several Zen masters — all of them cats.  ~Eckhart Tolle

Until next time folks laugh long and prosper.