I recently read The Power of Now by Eckhart Tolle, and let me just say, this book has transformed the way I live and think on a daily basis. I’ve always been a very self-aware person, but this book goes beyond self-awareness of thought and describes a state of being in constant meditation.
Introduction to Eckhart Tolle and His Journey
The book begins with Eckhart’s background and how he unlocked the power of now during his lowest moment in life. After his experience with becoming enlightened he looked at the world differently like it was his first time every laying eyes on earth. He spoke of the joy and peace he felt and how he no longer felt trapped in the societal norms that so many of us struggle with today.
He transitions from simply experiencing this new found life to wanting others to reach that same state so he dove in on his spiritual journey and is now recognized today as a spiritual teacher with over 16 million copies of The Power of Now sold.
Key Concepts of the Book
Eckhart first chapter explaining how we are not our minds. Many of us get so caught up in our thoughts that we can no longer distinguish ourselves from our minds. Our mind is our ego, and our true self is our being—the presence you feel when you are in the moment. Many people experience this presence while meditating, and artists often feel it when they are creating.
This book dives even deeper by giving practical steps to help you unleash this part of yourself and live a life always in the now, or presence. The first step is to become self-aware and simply observe your thoughts. But, do not judge the thoughts that come to mind because judging is still your ego. Instead, simply be the presence watching your thoughts come and go.
Eckhart explains how most human pain is self-created by our constant overthinking. Sadness and regrets come from the mind constantly dwelling on the past, while anxiety stems from constantly worrying about the future. But the only thing that is real is the present.
Practical Applications
One of the most impactful parts of the book for me was the practical applications Eckhart provides. He discusses how to transmute our emotions into positive energy so we can reach our enlightened selves, also known as the Now. This involves simple practices like focusing on your breath, being present in your daily activities, meditation, and recognizing when your mind starts to drift into past regrets or future anxieties.
Personal Experience and Reflection
When I initially bought this book, I was a bit skeptical. However, one thing I love about this book is its Q&A format, featuring real questions from individuals at his seminars. I found myself questioning certain parts, only to have those questions answered later on.
For me, this book resonated a lot because I am a visual artist who constantly overthinks in everything I do. I would go on countless art breaks for months on end because I would overthink every creative idea instead of just creating. I was trapped in my mind and I did not even realize it.
After reading this book I have a different outlook on life. I went from always being upset that I am not were I want to be in life, to enjoying the mundane. I found myself unplugging more and falling in love the process and presence of creating.
I think anyone on their spiritual journey and every artists who struggles with getting out of their head would benefit from this book because it is truly transformative. I’ve never been a huge reader, but this was the first book I picked up when I starting my reading journey, and I completed it within days.
Broader Impact and Reception
This book made me jump to by Eckhart’s second book, A New Earth. I learned so much to incorporate in my daily life that I wanted to learn more. This set my on a mindfulness search as I began to find other practical ways to stay present and enjoy the simple beauties of life.
The Power of Now is definitely a book I would pick up again and again, probably because I have a bad memory lol, but mainly because it’s worth the read.
Conclusion and Recommendation
So, if you have had this book on your reading list, I definitely recommend it. If you have already read it, I would love to hear your thoughts below. The insights from this book can be a game-changer for anyone looking to deepen their spiritual practice and live a more present, fulfilling life.
See you in the next post!
Love,
Elle