Book Review: The Power of Now by Eckhart Tolle

After trying to find anything I could scattered across the Web on The Power of Now by Eckhart Tolle (which was recommended by this fellow), I came across a bunch of excerpts, quotes, and reviews. While reading, I immediately felt brilliant energy swirling much deeper than my veins, so I finally ventured out into the real world to find it. Normally, I go to thrift stores, especially Goodwill since their selection of books is quite large at a decent price, but instead, I went off to Barnes and Noble. Eyes glazing over hundreds of different colored bindings, of all different sizes, my eyes peeled over to The Power of Now, I bought it, and immediately dove into the book.

I’m assuming that the people who pick up this book are people who are searching for their spiritual side, people who want to learn more about their spiritual enlightenment, or people who are simply curious on the topic of spirituality. Personally, I’m reading it as an aid to assist the discovery of my spiritual (or True) Self and to vibrate on higher frequencies. Also, I have a tendency to feed my ego which causes destruction, overpower, greed, jealousy, and overall – negativity.

With that being said, let me tell you a little bit about the book. It’s a well-structured guide, one that actually guides you through explanations with grace, and doesn’t leave you hanging with questions. The message it sends is simple – you must refocus yourself into the Now (the present) rather than living in the past and the future. By living in the now, you release all negative energy and you reconnect with happiness, bliss and love.

“Realize deeply that the present moment is all you have. Make the NOW the primary focus of your life.”

If you are searching for the Truth, I will say, do not go to this book to find it. You must understand that the Truth is already within you, and no one can get you there except yourself. If you are looking to see where your Truth lies and what steps and understandings you can take to get there, I suggest you read this book with an open mind and an open heart. You should also understand that there are only perspectives. Some words might ring Truth to you and others might not. Make sure you do not go in one-sided or with one perspective.

Furthermore, Tolle sets up his book in an easy-to-read fashion. He sets his book in an FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions) structure, something you have all seen on various websites, even brochures and magazines have them. I found this quite useful during the reading. Also, he sets up indications where he thinks you should sit back, look upon what he said, make your own judgements, meditate on his words, be in silence and absorb everything and he insists, even if those indications aren’t present, you do it once you feel necessary.

Tolle emphasizes that real joy comes from within, from being in the present moment and truly embracing that which is your presence. We all wear masks – whether it be at work, at school, at home, and even when we are left alone we wear a mask – the ego. The ego feeds off your suffering, depression, anxiety, all negative energy. He also explains the pain-body. To clarify this phenomenon, here is a quote from part of the book -

“The pain-body wants to survive, just like every other entity in existence, and it can only survive if it gets you to unconsciously identify with it. It can then rise up, take you over, “become you,” and live through you. It needs to get its “food” through you. It will feed on any experience that resonates with its own kind of energy, anything that creates further pain in whatever form: anger, destructiveness, hatred, grief, emotional drama, violence, and even illness. So the pain-body, when it has taken you over, will create a situation in your life that reflects back its own energy frequency for it to feed on. Pain can only feed on pain. Pain cannot feed on joy. It finds it quite indigestible.”

The pain-body comes from past experiences, the continuous life-span of negative energy until you find your ability to let it go, your realization, your enlightenment. When you know you are the reason for your own suffering, no blame, person, or material possession will bring you into peace or happiness.

If you are having relationship problems, he covers this as well, quickly and efficiently with what makes sense. Explaining love/hate relationships and how the ego enjoys every moment of it. Feel like the both of you are spiraling downwards? Arguments and back to ‘loving’ and a cycle of anger and aggression, then sensitivity and compassion. He explains how to rid yourself of these, how to stay conscious in those moments rather than let yourself be taken a hold of like a leech that feeds on your blood. With teachings of how to listen and actually listen to your partner, you can take his words with a grain a salt and put his teachings to the test. If you are looking for an enlightened relationship with your current partner, or a more ‘stable’ relationship, he helps you on how to achieve happiness with your loved one where it is beneficial to both of you, and opens up a whole new world of love.

After reading a decent amount of reviews, there were mentions of how it’s in your face, grabby, and aggressive at times. I must admit, I can see where they are coming from. He speaks with such eloquence and such purity where it could seem as ‘in your face’ but further on, Tolle states that you should put his teachings to the test and not just take his word for it. It is best to realize you are reading printed words (unless you are listening to it on audio), therefore you feel his words and they become how you perceive them. Without negative connotation, you see the love throughout his words and his desire to help you root yourself, with yourself.

If I were stranded on a deserted island, with only one book in my possession, it would be The Power of Now (either that or Harry Potter of course!). Anytime you feel like you are losing control lest it be anger, jealousy, hate, anxiety, or sadness – pick this book up, open up to a random page, start reading, and you’ll already feel the divine energy inside and around you!

I could write continuously about this book, I can already feel words forming from the tips of my fingers, and inspiration I could throw at you to read this book but I will simply state that if you are feeling uneasy, anxious, depressed, having any sort of negative energy in your life – pick this book up straight away! Genuine, refreshing, pragmatic, unselfish, and written with pure grace, I would really like to encourage you to give the book a chance. Pick it up, begin reading it, let the words flow into you, listen to the words and the silence beneath the words, read it with an open mind. Do not read with your analytical mind, read with more depth, with your Self, with your feelings, and most importantly, read it with love.

Live in the moment – completely, fearlessly, lovingly.