Summary
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.” – Amazon.com
Review
We at Third Minds advocate a good dose of goal setting and other such actions in a person’s life. The only problem I see with this approach is the possibility of choosing to be unhappy in the present moment in the hopes of achieving some future goal. Ekhart Tolle does a masterful job of breaking down his philosophy and showing that your outside circumstances do not determine your inner peace. This is an incredibly complex and multifaceted problem which Tolle has managed to condense in a book. His clear writing and structure of the book allows you to follow him easily. While you will be able to follow him, the questions he poses will cause you to rethink your life. You will start to act differently the moment after reading the first chapter. Your life will change and that is the mark of a great book.
My favorite aspect of the book: I particularly liked that he places symbols throughout the book telling you to close the book and meditate. It forces you to not fly through it and makes you treat it differently from other books.
My least favorite aspect of the book: Some readers may find it too spiritual and abstract. Tolle’s many references to Buddha and Jesus could make some believe this is a religious book. He addresses this issue specifically and states that there is no religious intent. His stories just help to make his point in a more vivid way.
Nikolai’s Rating: 5 stars