Hi there members of Ascent! Please read below for some important announcements to help make this book reading the best ever! Tomorrow, Sunday, March 6th at 7 - 8:30 pm is the first session of The Power of Now: A Guide to Spiritual Enlightenment, by Eckhart Tolle (
Hi Friends. Reese Harper, here. I enjoyed Faith After Doubt and I’m looking forward to the discussions here. I’m Dad of 4 kids (16, 13, 10, 8) and love to learn from contemporary and ancient wisdom. Books are amazing gifts to the world and I’m grateful for what I learn from them.
I’ll take up Kajsa’s invitation to share an insight I had from the book as well as a little framing of how it touches my life.
First, I’m often critical of myself. I've struggled to cope with anxiety, and some depression. For me, these feelings have surfaced more in my adult life, and were definitely intensified during my faith transition from Mormon orthodoxy. As an example, my first thoughts in the morning are usually of incomplete projects, self-actualization, worries about my children, and financial concerns (sometimes warranted, sometimes not) just to name a few of the regulars.
This book helped me learn to understand my mental health much better. The introduction to this book (Page 1, Paragraph 3) introduces the "self" (ego) and the ever-present "I am"—or what Tolle, among others, might call the consciousness. He says he had this realization after a spiritual experience:
"Am I one or two? If I cannot live with myself, there must be two of me: the "I" and the 'self' that 'I' cannot live with." "Maybe," I thought, "only one of them is real."
I feel this dynamic in my life. Much of my life has been controlled by that Ego—my ego isn’t my deepest, truest self. My ego isn’t “real.” My job, my physical appearance, my sports teams, my birth place, my loved experience - these are just a small part of who I really am (ego). The internal self, the “I am”, or the consciousness is a much more primitive, elemental part of me.
I love that this text begins, and ends with bringing awareness to that dynamic. It's been an incredibly powerful part of my personal evolution and something I believe is worth contemplating on the regular.
Looking forward to hearing what you’re learning as well!
Hello friends! I am thrilled with how the universe as pulled us all together to share in the wisdom of Tolle's lived experience. I am currently in a place, spiritually, of what I would call "expanding"; I am opening myself up to any and all truth that would incorporate more fully every living being (I'm a universalist, can you tell?!) while at the same time, seeking to master specific virtues that better aid my dedication to love, correct thought, and right action. My personal background is engaged orthodox LDS, with numerous callings, a mission to NY Rochester, and 5 years with Ancient Scripture at BYU. I also have an MA in Biblical Studies and hope to return for a PhD if and when timing is right for that. Blessings and namaste!
Hi cool people :). Mer Monson here. So grateful to be in this circle with you. I've always loved reading books that entice me to dive deep, beyond words and concepts, and into the realm of truth/life itself.
This is my second time with The Power of Now and I feel like I'm reading a whole new book. I've lived with frequent physical pain for many years and Tolle's pointing has dropped me deep into this truth....that the answer to pain is not to think about it or fight it, not to dig into the past and decipher how it got created or figure out what I need to do in the future to make it go away, it's to show up to it right here, right now, with as much spaciousness and allowance and awareness and love available to me. Every answer to the pain is in the now and will arise from the now, from an orientation toward my state of mind more than anything else. I can see, more clearly than ever before, that this is the actual space of healing, no matter the presence or intensity of pain. Feeling grateful.
This really struck me today---I'm here in the sunny lands of Phoenix for a short retreat and as I was reviewing some of the book, I caught this and decided to underline it. It spoke to me today and perhaps will to you as well: "So don't seek to become free of desire or "achieve" enlightenment. Become present." Descartes is famous for, "I think, therefore I am" but before that, Jesus simply said, "I AM". Enjoy this beautiful day and may you catch vision of your greater self and at the same time, your nothingness. There is power in the fluctuation :) Namaste
Just love all these posts! I know that reading is hard, and it takes a lot of time. We all have such busy lives and so much competing for our time. But finding a few minutes to digest what has taken an author often a decade or more to compile can make a huge difference in how we evolve as humans. In times like these, where humans are killing other humans, I wonder how many lives could be spared if we simply had encouraged more adults to read, and integrate wisdom from previous generations. Excited about what we might be able to do together by integrating wisdom into our lives. Keep sharing!
For me, life often feels like a blur, moving from one important thing to the next. From a business objective, to a service project, or even planning for a vacation. I can relate to these words from chapter 8: “When I obtain this or am free of that — then I will be okay.” …”This is the unconscious mind-set that creates the illusion of salvation in the future.” From the title page throughout every chapter, this book is a reminder that there is no better place to rest than the “now.”
Glad to be here! For those of you familiar with the Mormon Cred Scale developed by some of the Infants on Thrones podcasters a few years ago, let’s just say I scored really high, so my Mormon upbringing and orthodoxy and orthopraxy was well-cemented. I mentally left the Mormon faith over a period of years and though there is no definitive date (like the restoring of the Melchizedek Priesthood) I fully severed my beliefs in the truth claims related to the Mormon church sometime around 2018, if not before. The full breaking of my religious shelf has been the cause of my struggle to find a spiritual base. But I consider my self a seeker and willing to check my biases and stand corrected. I’m excited to be part of Ascent and hope I can add a little value because I have already received more in return than I feel I have given. Oh yeah…I’m Barb’s oldest brother and Reese’s “favorite” brother in law. Excited to be present for The Power of Now!
I've enjoyed reading these first two books. This book club came around the perfect time in my life. I feel like I have been obsessed with Mormon history for the past 12 years and I was starting to get burned out by it all. This has been a much-needed break from the pile of books I have yet to read. My wife and I have 4 children (16, 15, 13, 11). I served a mission in Brazil and finished a finance degree at Idaho State University. I now farm in southern Idaho 30 miles east of Twin Falls.
The thing that has most stood out to me in these first few chapters is this idea of being "addicted to thinking". I can very much relate to this as I find it very difficult to shut my brain down. I am always worried about things. I try to tell myself to only worry about things that I can control, but this is more difficult than it sounds for me. My job allows me to have countless hours where I am by myself and just wrestle with my own thoughts. The gift of a faith transition for me is that I have an old way of looking at things and a new way of looking at things. I often find myself having debates and arguments in my head. I can detach from these two personas and just spectate the debate. I will find myself being an apologist, a bitter exmormon, an athiest, and a TBM all in the same conversation in my head. He mentioned that we notice crazy people walking down the street talking to themselves and we just don't realize those people are only verbalizing the conversation in their heads while most of us have learned how to mute them.
Learning how to enjoy the now, not worry about the past, not focus on the future goes against my nature. In Mormonism, we focus a lot on what happened in the past and what is going to happen in the future. We have diagrams and flow charts that map out where we have been and where we are going. As I have detached from orthodoxy, I have felt a peace that I never knew was possible. I no longer worry about Satan or Hell. I no longer squint at the scriptures trying to find hidden meanings. I have been able to do as he says, just marvel at the small things that are happening in the world around me every day.
Thanks for the invitation to comment. My name is Jon Ogden, and I'm a cofounder at UpliftKids.org, a lesson library and curriculum that helps families explore spirituality together. I'm also a father alongside my spouse to two kids (ages 11 and 7).
I first read The Power of Now more than five years ago and enjoyed it despite also having a few lingering questions including, "Did Tolle *really* just sit on a park bench for two years?" and "Was Tolle really permanently enlightened after a single transformative experience? Is that possible? And if so, what does it look like in the day-to-day experience of his life after becoming a celebrity?" and so on.
Reading it through this time, I'm reminded of the book's power. Tolle writes with a conviction and authority that I hope to embody, and I like the Q&A format.
In terms of sheer practicality, one takeaway for me is to catch myself in repetitive thought patterns and let them go. "The good news," Tolle writes, "is that you *can* free yourself from your mind. This is the only true liberation. You can take the first step right now. Start listening to the voice in your head as often as you can. Pay particular attention to any repetitive thought patterns, those old gramophone records that have been playing in your head perhaps for many years."
When I watch my thoughts this way — and this re-reading is perfect reminder to do it — I find certain "records" that have been on endless loops.
Hello! I’m thrilled to be among so many great minds. I love the peace and direction I feel as I contemplate the things we’ve discussed.
Together with my husband Matt, we have three kids (ages 24, 22, and 18). Our oldest is married and lives in FL where we happen to be visiting right now! I grew up in an active, orthodox LDS family and was always proud of the faith of my fathers. I saw no problems at all and loved serving in my callings until my youngest came out as gay in 2019 and later as trans. This experience threw everything I knew on its head and has provided the opportunity to pick apart my beliefs and decide what to keep and what to discard. Although this has brought much pain and loss in my life, it has expanded my mind and I have a curiosity I never allowed myself to experience before. It is both terrifying and exhilarating.
As we were leaving town, I grabbed Tolle’s book at the library thinking it would be perfect to read on the plane. It wasn’t until our second leg that I pulled it out realizing I had the book entitled “Practicing the Power of Now”— a follow up book Tolle released for the practical application of the ideas discussed in his other book. Whoops. Turns out it was exactly what I needed! Applying the practices in the book most definitely has improved my mindset and enhanced the experiences we’re having together as a family. I’m anxious to find the original book and plan to read both in their entirety.
Hey, I’m Courtney. Like Kajsa, I view myself more as a universalist. I come from engaged orthodox LDS as well. Graduate from BYU, held numerous callings but currently in the YWP (my favorite ever Primary Music Chorister), and I’ve been expanding my faith, more fully, over the last 5 years. I’m the mother of 4 (19,18,16,7). I’m a former English teacher, and now I’m a Realtor. I’m in the MRED program at the U, and I consider myself a life-long learner. I love books, and I’m excited to dive into Tolle’s work.
What would Eckhart Tolle say about "A Christmas Carol" by Charles Dickens, a story I personally find meaningful?
Ebenezer Scrooge experiences a profound inner transformation — perhaps enlightenment itself. But it happens because he spends time in the past, the present, *and* the future.
Something about what Dickens is saying in the text rings true to me. Transformation requires all three types of time.
Is this at odd with what Tolle is saying?
Specifically, Tolle writes, "All negativity is caused by an accumulation of psychological time and denial of the present. Unease, anxiety, tension, stress, worry - all forms of fear - are caused by too much future, and not enough presence. Guilt, regret, resentment, grievances, sadness, bitterness, and all forms of nonforgiveness are caused by too much past, and not enough presence."
But for Scrooge, confronting the past and future was a blessing not a curse.
Great paradox! Scrooge's vision of past and future seem so instrumental to his healing. But Dickens only provides a very brief a glimpse of Scrooge living in the present. We assume that Scrooge lives his remaining years as "enlightened", but that hasn't been my personal experience. I assume that Scrooge will continue to struggle with more visions of emotional pain, both past and future. It's unlikely he will be able to rest in the now after such a brief period of "enlightenment." Especially given how "unconscious" Scrooge was for the vast majority of his life. Those brain pathways run deep :)
I'm not sure whether Tolle's perspective is at odds with Dickens, but I also feel the tension that you're highlighting. Tolle seems to be omitting a an important chapter where he acknowledges how "past" and "future" visions assist our transition towards the now. My past and future visions are agonizing, and persistent, even if I am more present than I was in previous years. In video interviews of Tolle, I've noticed he doesn't acknowledge recent experience with emotional pain. I try to take him at face value, but feel like his experience is quite unique and that he might be projecting a bit on readers.
If we could only get both Dickens and Tolle in the same room! My sense is that they are exploring two sides of the same coin. Thanks for sharing, you're so great at finding paradox.
These chapters are so rich that I'm really disappointed to have to miss tonight's discussion.
I feel like I'm becoming more conscious just by reading the book. I'm more aware of my thoughts and the degree to which I identify thoughts with self. Then I'm able to step back and observe the show my monkey mind puts on. I find that observing my thoughts dissipates their energy.
I'm also more aware of my ego identity and again, by observing it, can drain it of some of its power.
It still drives me crazy, though, to get behind a driver doing 30 in a 40 MPH zone. Maybe I have a ways to go yet. :)
Happy to be part of this group! I'm looking forward to reading this book, I've heard many good things about it especially from my husband.
I also grew up in an orthodox LDS home. I appreciate the spiritual foundation it gave me but I am learning how to reframe my learned black and white interpretation of this very colorful world. Not an easy thing!
I'll have to miss tonight's discussion but look forward to reading your comments on this first section.
Hello, everyone. I'm looking forward to our discussions on Tolle. Good books in great company--what could be better? My wife and I have 5 kids (2 still at home: 18 and 16), and 7 grandkids. Sometime if we meet in person, I might be that guy who foists pics of his grandkids on perfectly nice people who have done nothing wrong! Sorry in advance.
I was very orthodox LDS until about 1996, when post-grad education brought ideas that cracked that worldview wide open for me, and I have been transitioning ever since. I encountered Tolle about 8 years ago thanks to Oprah's promotion of him. I read The Power of Now then as both a seeker of spiritual truth and as someone desperate for something to help with treatment-resistant depression. Turns out he's right: there's no pain (or depression) in the Now. I'm trying to get better at remaining conscious and am intrigued by the book Heather mentioned, "Practicing the Power of Now." Maybe I'll add it to my list.
I've gravitated toward the mystical teaching about oneness with God, and The Power of Now has played an important part in that interest and movement. This time 'round, I look forward to learning from your experiences and insights into the book and am grateful for such awesome fellow travelers.
Hi Friends. Reese Harper, here. I enjoyed Faith After Doubt and I’m looking forward to the discussions here. I’m Dad of 4 kids (16, 13, 10, 8) and love to learn from contemporary and ancient wisdom. Books are amazing gifts to the world and I’m grateful for what I learn from them.
I’ll take up Kajsa’s invitation to share an insight I had from the book as well as a little framing of how it touches my life.
First, I’m often critical of myself. I've struggled to cope with anxiety, and some depression. For me, these feelings have surfaced more in my adult life, and were definitely intensified during my faith transition from Mormon orthodoxy. As an example, my first thoughts in the morning are usually of incomplete projects, self-actualization, worries about my children, and financial concerns (sometimes warranted, sometimes not) just to name a few of the regulars.
This book helped me learn to understand my mental health much better. The introduction to this book (Page 1, Paragraph 3) introduces the "self" (ego) and the ever-present "I am"—or what Tolle, among others, might call the consciousness. He says he had this realization after a spiritual experience:
"Am I one or two? If I cannot live with myself, there must be two of me: the "I" and the 'self' that 'I' cannot live with." "Maybe," I thought, "only one of them is real."
I feel this dynamic in my life. Much of my life has been controlled by that Ego—my ego isn’t my deepest, truest self. My ego isn’t “real.” My job, my physical appearance, my sports teams, my birth place, my loved experience - these are just a small part of who I really am (ego). The internal self, the “I am”, or the consciousness is a much more primitive, elemental part of me.
I love that this text begins, and ends with bringing awareness to that dynamic. It's been an incredibly powerful part of my personal evolution and something I believe is worth contemplating on the regular.
Looking forward to hearing what you’re learning as well!
Hello friends! I am thrilled with how the universe as pulled us all together to share in the wisdom of Tolle's lived experience. I am currently in a place, spiritually, of what I would call "expanding"; I am opening myself up to any and all truth that would incorporate more fully every living being (I'm a universalist, can you tell?!) while at the same time, seeking to master specific virtues that better aid my dedication to love, correct thought, and right action. My personal background is engaged orthodox LDS, with numerous callings, a mission to NY Rochester, and 5 years with Ancient Scripture at BYU. I also have an MA in Biblical Studies and hope to return for a PhD if and when timing is right for that. Blessings and namaste!
Hi cool people :). Mer Monson here. So grateful to be in this circle with you. I've always loved reading books that entice me to dive deep, beyond words and concepts, and into the realm of truth/life itself.
This is my second time with The Power of Now and I feel like I'm reading a whole new book. I've lived with frequent physical pain for many years and Tolle's pointing has dropped me deep into this truth....that the answer to pain is not to think about it or fight it, not to dig into the past and decipher how it got created or figure out what I need to do in the future to make it go away, it's to show up to it right here, right now, with as much spaciousness and allowance and awareness and love available to me. Every answer to the pain is in the now and will arise from the now, from an orientation toward my state of mind more than anything else. I can see, more clearly than ever before, that this is the actual space of healing, no matter the presence or intensity of pain. Feeling grateful.
This really struck me today---I'm here in the sunny lands of Phoenix for a short retreat and as I was reviewing some of the book, I caught this and decided to underline it. It spoke to me today and perhaps will to you as well: "So don't seek to become free of desire or "achieve" enlightenment. Become present." Descartes is famous for, "I think, therefore I am" but before that, Jesus simply said, "I AM". Enjoy this beautiful day and may you catch vision of your greater self and at the same time, your nothingness. There is power in the fluctuation :) Namaste
Just love all these posts! I know that reading is hard, and it takes a lot of time. We all have such busy lives and so much competing for our time. But finding a few minutes to digest what has taken an author often a decade or more to compile can make a huge difference in how we evolve as humans. In times like these, where humans are killing other humans, I wonder how many lives could be spared if we simply had encouraged more adults to read, and integrate wisdom from previous generations. Excited about what we might be able to do together by integrating wisdom into our lives. Keep sharing!
For me, life often feels like a blur, moving from one important thing to the next. From a business objective, to a service project, or even planning for a vacation. I can relate to these words from chapter 8: “When I obtain this or am free of that — then I will be okay.” …”This is the unconscious mind-set that creates the illusion of salvation in the future.” From the title page throughout every chapter, this book is a reminder that there is no better place to rest than the “now.”
Glad to be here! For those of you familiar with the Mormon Cred Scale developed by some of the Infants on Thrones podcasters a few years ago, let’s just say I scored really high, so my Mormon upbringing and orthodoxy and orthopraxy was well-cemented. I mentally left the Mormon faith over a period of years and though there is no definitive date (like the restoring of the Melchizedek Priesthood) I fully severed my beliefs in the truth claims related to the Mormon church sometime around 2018, if not before. The full breaking of my religious shelf has been the cause of my struggle to find a spiritual base. But I consider my self a seeker and willing to check my biases and stand corrected. I’m excited to be part of Ascent and hope I can add a little value because I have already received more in return than I feel I have given. Oh yeah…I’m Barb’s oldest brother and Reese’s “favorite” brother in law. Excited to be present for The Power of Now!
Hello everyone!
I've enjoyed reading these first two books. This book club came around the perfect time in my life. I feel like I have been obsessed with Mormon history for the past 12 years and I was starting to get burned out by it all. This has been a much-needed break from the pile of books I have yet to read. My wife and I have 4 children (16, 15, 13, 11). I served a mission in Brazil and finished a finance degree at Idaho State University. I now farm in southern Idaho 30 miles east of Twin Falls.
The thing that has most stood out to me in these first few chapters is this idea of being "addicted to thinking". I can very much relate to this as I find it very difficult to shut my brain down. I am always worried about things. I try to tell myself to only worry about things that I can control, but this is more difficult than it sounds for me. My job allows me to have countless hours where I am by myself and just wrestle with my own thoughts. The gift of a faith transition for me is that I have an old way of looking at things and a new way of looking at things. I often find myself having debates and arguments in my head. I can detach from these two personas and just spectate the debate. I will find myself being an apologist, a bitter exmormon, an athiest, and a TBM all in the same conversation in my head. He mentioned that we notice crazy people walking down the street talking to themselves and we just don't realize those people are only verbalizing the conversation in their heads while most of us have learned how to mute them.
Learning how to enjoy the now, not worry about the past, not focus on the future goes against my nature. In Mormonism, we focus a lot on what happened in the past and what is going to happen in the future. We have diagrams and flow charts that map out where we have been and where we are going. As I have detached from orthodoxy, I have felt a peace that I never knew was possible. I no longer worry about Satan or Hell. I no longer squint at the scriptures trying to find hidden meanings. I have been able to do as he says, just marvel at the small things that are happening in the world around me every day.
Hello, all!
Thanks for the invitation to comment. My name is Jon Ogden, and I'm a cofounder at UpliftKids.org, a lesson library and curriculum that helps families explore spirituality together. I'm also a father alongside my spouse to two kids (ages 11 and 7).
I first read The Power of Now more than five years ago and enjoyed it despite also having a few lingering questions including, "Did Tolle *really* just sit on a park bench for two years?" and "Was Tolle really permanently enlightened after a single transformative experience? Is that possible? And if so, what does it look like in the day-to-day experience of his life after becoming a celebrity?" and so on.
Reading it through this time, I'm reminded of the book's power. Tolle writes with a conviction and authority that I hope to embody, and I like the Q&A format.
In terms of sheer practicality, one takeaway for me is to catch myself in repetitive thought patterns and let them go. "The good news," Tolle writes, "is that you *can* free yourself from your mind. This is the only true liberation. You can take the first step right now. Start listening to the voice in your head as often as you can. Pay particular attention to any repetitive thought patterns, those old gramophone records that have been playing in your head perhaps for many years."
When I watch my thoughts this way — and this re-reading is perfect reminder to do it — I find certain "records" that have been on endless loops.
Hello! I’m thrilled to be among so many great minds. I love the peace and direction I feel as I contemplate the things we’ve discussed.
Together with my husband Matt, we have three kids (ages 24, 22, and 18). Our oldest is married and lives in FL where we happen to be visiting right now! I grew up in an active, orthodox LDS family and was always proud of the faith of my fathers. I saw no problems at all and loved serving in my callings until my youngest came out as gay in 2019 and later as trans. This experience threw everything I knew on its head and has provided the opportunity to pick apart my beliefs and decide what to keep and what to discard. Although this has brought much pain and loss in my life, it has expanded my mind and I have a curiosity I never allowed myself to experience before. It is both terrifying and exhilarating.
As we were leaving town, I grabbed Tolle’s book at the library thinking it would be perfect to read on the plane. It wasn’t until our second leg that I pulled it out realizing I had the book entitled “Practicing the Power of Now”— a follow up book Tolle released for the practical application of the ideas discussed in his other book. Whoops. Turns out it was exactly what I needed! Applying the practices in the book most definitely has improved my mindset and enhanced the experiences we’re having together as a family. I’m anxious to find the original book and plan to read both in their entirety.
Hey, I’m Courtney. Like Kajsa, I view myself more as a universalist. I come from engaged orthodox LDS as well. Graduate from BYU, held numerous callings but currently in the YWP (my favorite ever Primary Music Chorister), and I’ve been expanding my faith, more fully, over the last 5 years. I’m the mother of 4 (19,18,16,7). I’m a former English teacher, and now I’m a Realtor. I’m in the MRED program at the U, and I consider myself a life-long learner. I love books, and I’m excited to dive into Tolle’s work.
Welcome 🙏, Fellow U of U Finance department (did my masters in Finance and took some classes from MREd faculty). Great program!
Primary chorister was also my favorite calling!
One question I've asked as I've read:
What would Eckhart Tolle say about "A Christmas Carol" by Charles Dickens, a story I personally find meaningful?
Ebenezer Scrooge experiences a profound inner transformation — perhaps enlightenment itself. But it happens because he spends time in the past, the present, *and* the future.
Something about what Dickens is saying in the text rings true to me. Transformation requires all three types of time.
Is this at odd with what Tolle is saying?
Specifically, Tolle writes, "All negativity is caused by an accumulation of psychological time and denial of the present. Unease, anxiety, tension, stress, worry - all forms of fear - are caused by too much future, and not enough presence. Guilt, regret, resentment, grievances, sadness, bitterness, and all forms of nonforgiveness are caused by too much past, and not enough presence."
But for Scrooge, confronting the past and future was a blessing not a curse.
Great paradox! Scrooge's vision of past and future seem so instrumental to his healing. But Dickens only provides a very brief a glimpse of Scrooge living in the present. We assume that Scrooge lives his remaining years as "enlightened", but that hasn't been my personal experience. I assume that Scrooge will continue to struggle with more visions of emotional pain, both past and future. It's unlikely he will be able to rest in the now after such a brief period of "enlightenment." Especially given how "unconscious" Scrooge was for the vast majority of his life. Those brain pathways run deep :)
I'm not sure whether Tolle's perspective is at odds with Dickens, but I also feel the tension that you're highlighting. Tolle seems to be omitting a an important chapter where he acknowledges how "past" and "future" visions assist our transition towards the now. My past and future visions are agonizing, and persistent, even if I am more present than I was in previous years. In video interviews of Tolle, I've noticed he doesn't acknowledge recent experience with emotional pain. I try to take him at face value, but feel like his experience is quite unique and that he might be projecting a bit on readers.
If we could only get both Dickens and Tolle in the same room! My sense is that they are exploring two sides of the same coin. Thanks for sharing, you're so great at finding paradox.
Thanks, Reese! I love what you're saying here and what you said in response to my thoughts at book club tonight.
These chapters are so rich that I'm really disappointed to have to miss tonight's discussion.
I feel like I'm becoming more conscious just by reading the book. I'm more aware of my thoughts and the degree to which I identify thoughts with self. Then I'm able to step back and observe the show my monkey mind puts on. I find that observing my thoughts dissipates their energy.
I'm also more aware of my ego identity and again, by observing it, can drain it of some of its power.
It still drives me crazy, though, to get behind a driver doing 30 in a 40 MPH zone. Maybe I have a ways to go yet. :)
I've sure enjoyed reading your thoughts Joe. We'll look forward to seeing you when we can! Thanks for participating through your insights.
I read this section in the Katha Upanishad this morning that reflects Tolle's enlightenment experience:
"There are two selves, the separate ego
And the indivisible Atman. When
One rises above "I" and "me" and "mine,"
The Atman is revealed as one's real Self."
Happy to be part of this group! I'm looking forward to reading this book, I've heard many good things about it especially from my husband.
I also grew up in an orthodox LDS home. I appreciate the spiritual foundation it gave me but I am learning how to reframe my learned black and white interpretation of this very colorful world. Not an easy thing!
I'll have to miss tonight's discussion but look forward to reading your comments on this first section.
Hello, everyone. I'm looking forward to our discussions on Tolle. Good books in great company--what could be better? My wife and I have 5 kids (2 still at home: 18 and 16), and 7 grandkids. Sometime if we meet in person, I might be that guy who foists pics of his grandkids on perfectly nice people who have done nothing wrong! Sorry in advance.
I was very orthodox LDS until about 1996, when post-grad education brought ideas that cracked that worldview wide open for me, and I have been transitioning ever since. I encountered Tolle about 8 years ago thanks to Oprah's promotion of him. I read The Power of Now then as both a seeker of spiritual truth and as someone desperate for something to help with treatment-resistant depression. Turns out he's right: there's no pain (or depression) in the Now. I'm trying to get better at remaining conscious and am intrigued by the book Heather mentioned, "Practicing the Power of Now." Maybe I'll add it to my list.
I've gravitated toward the mystical teaching about oneness with God, and The Power of Now has played an important part in that interest and movement. This time 'round, I look forward to learning from your experiences and insights into the book and am grateful for such awesome fellow travelers.