_Stillness Speaks_ by Eckhart Tolle

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Aug 312013
 

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_Stillness Speaks_ by Eckhart Tolle

This is the last of the _Power of Now_ series, if that is what they are called. It was not nearly as interesting or ‘helpful’ as the other two were, but it did still remind me of the importance of being quiet. Mostly, the book reiterates what is said in the previous two books about knowing yourself, going beyond the ego, etc.

What I found most thought-provoking for myself was that as an introvert, I naturally do many of the suggestions or tips Tolle mentions. I analyze myself, watch and listen to others intently, ponder everything and constantly crave silence even from the voices in my head. So, I wonder if extroverts need the pointers in this book more than introverts? Would be an enlightening survey, no? πŸ™‚

Anyway, it was okay, but really the best part was that it was short and quick to read!

-T πŸ˜€

_The Power of Now: A Guide to Spiritual Enlightenment by Eckhart Tolle

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Jun 242013
 

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_The Power of Now: Β A Guide to Spiritual Enlightenment by Eckhart Tolle

I think I’m on a bit of a self-help kick these days. Mostly, it’s to avoid doing my dissertation work, I think. However, after reading _A New Earth_ a few months ago, I decided that I wanted to keep exploring this idea of finding peace within oneself and controlling the self in the moment.

While not exactly the same as _A New Earth_, the themes are similar in _The Power of Now_. This one, though, focuses on keeping your mind in the present and not allowing the past or worries of the future affect your responses to the world around you. Tolle speaks about Being and suggests that our concept of God or the spiritual is not to be found in some external energy force, but rather that we are God within ourselves. Now, this is not like a cult following, but rather that we should embrace that we are all part of God’s creation and that our search for heaven/paradise can be found within ourselves when we acknowledge the Now and are present.

Some people might take this as seizing the moment, but that is not at all what the purpose and point is. Rather, if we acknowledge our feelings and responses in the moment, then we can also pause and reflect enough to see how these feelings and responses affect our identity, our relationships, our interactions with the world. Tolle makes an interesting point of how not everyone is willing to embrace this way and that it is okay. Those who do should remain patient and aware that others do not think or feel the same. This awareness can then cause a change in our interactions so that fights do not occur, but understanding can evolve.

I’m sure that I am not explaining it well enough, but I do feel as if this is the spiritual understanding I have always felt was missing in churches and those who are ‘religious’.

Anyway, I highly recommend this for those seeking enlightenment. There is one more in his series and I will probably read that over the summer holidays. πŸ˜‰

-T πŸ˜€

_A New Earth: Awakening to Your Life’s Purpose_ by Eckhart Tolle

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Mar 282013
 

A New Earth: Awakening to Your Life's…

_A New Earth: Β Awakening to Your Life’s Purpose_ by Eckhart Tolle

Some friends of ours had been talking about this book and how it helped them to change their perspectives on dealing with people and most especially within themselves. Apparently, Tolle is more famous for his _The Power of Now_ book, but our friends seemed more moved by this one. Since I always love a good recommended read, I decided to give it a try. Besides, it’s another Oprah’s Book Club recommendation, so how can you go wrong? πŸ˜‰

This book reminded me a great deal of Marcus Aurelius’ _Meditations_, which I read whilst being miserable in Japan a number of years back. Aurelius’ work changed my view of living in Japan and made me more peaceful. Tolle’s work has not quite had the same effect as I felt it was rather ‘commercialized’ if that makes any sense. Rather than it being a strong philosophy, it’s more like a guide book.

Despite this, I definitely am glad that I read it as it has helped put some perspective on how I have been feeling lately towards people. One really poignant point Tolle makes is the idea of the things that make us the most angry in others is probably what we struggle with the most in ourselves. So if I get impatient with people not being totally polite or their attitude towards me, perhaps I should look at my own politeness and attitude towards others.

Another aspect I did enjoy was that he incorporated a variety of religions and beliefs into a common area of what I prefer to call ‘humanity’ or ‘spirituality’. I have always believed that the variation of religions are stem from one spiritual source and like most things with humans we simply are so stubborn in thinking our way of believing is the only way, thus causing religions to form and those whom we can convince to think like us become the followers. Yet, most core beliefs of most religions stem from the same place and share a common desire of spiritual peace. One wonders why we can’t just focus on that….

Anyway, I did enjoy the read and it gave me more than a few bits to chew on, so that’s a successful book to me. Now that it’s about to be spring break, I’m looking forward to some less brain-taxing books and then, of course, I must focus on the academic works… πŸ˜›

That catches me up for now on the books!

More to come,

-T πŸ˜€

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