Since its first release in 1997, The Power of Now has made its way into several essential self-help book lists. Even topping a few. Eckhart Tolle is placed number one on Watkins Review’s list of “The 100 Most Spiritually Influential Living People”. Media Mogul Oprah Winfrey highly recommended The Power of Now to her audiences and the book has sold more than 3 million copies to date.
According to the introduction by the author, he suffered serious depression in his youth but awakened one day to find that his entire mental paradigm had shifted. Everything looked clearer and his depression, gone. He began to form philosophical and spiritual deductions, as if taking dictations from a higher power. Not being affiliated with any religion, the author explained this gift would come to anyone who has made a connection with his true Being, a greater Self; and attain Consciousness.
One can see some of the book’s inspirations do come from existing religious teachings. However, most spiritual teachings do point in the same direction in general. A large portion of the book deals with identifications with one’s mind and ego, resulting in much suffering; which is quite similar to Buddhism or Zen teachings. Readers will find The Power of Now relatively easy to read and understand but the book’s biggest strength lies in the fact that it offers wisdom that is rather new and different from most other self-help books. It does provide groundbreaking knowledge without dispensing cliché advice.
The title of the book may mislead readers that it is about seizing the present opportunities. As explained in the third chapter, gathering presence in the present comes from not living in the past due to regret nor projecting false future scenarios by worrying. The practice will become easier once an individual realizes that the mind can play tricks and should be viewed separately as just another powerful tool. Self mastery does begin with mind mastery.
Certain concepts may be too abstract and vague for the average reader. Terms like Being and Unmanifested appear frequently throughout the book. This will not reduce the lessons offered and for many, full comprehension is likely to be deferred and attained only after hours of contemplations and ruminations.
In conclusion, The Power of Now is a true gift to self-help aficionados. Eckhart Tolle had also written a follow up, A New Earth, which had taken the world by storm. For those who have yet to acquaint themselves with Eckhart Tolle, now would be a good time to pick up the book that started it all. Below is a video clip of the author talking about the subject matter with Oprah.
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