A New Earth: Awakening to Your Life's Purpose (Oprah's Book Club, Selection 61)

Read the book and you tell me what you think. The proof is in the reading but more so the acts of doing what is called for to reach the presence that is within you. Yes, like Einstein has been quoted as saying
"Great spirits have often encountered violent opposition from weak minds."
I am referring of course to Richard Abane's book opposing Tolle's as new age. Funny though Hindu and Buddhist thought have been around a long time. Teachers of all faiths with great merit have come forward to expound the wisdom and life of the texts they study.
Perhaps those who dislike the idea of people reading this book should let us who enjoyed and believe this book go on our merry way to Hell. The "God" I serve does not punish the seeker for his desire for "God's" companionship regardless of the avenue taken. But reading this book is not the answer. Acting on the book is the answer. Like the teacher's finger who points toward the moon. The teacher is not the point, nor is it his finger, the moon is the point. This mind has been starving for insight and in reading this book I know Tolle is right. I feel it inside, I don't have to think. The Presence in me, the Holy Spirit knows the truth when it is presented. To disregard the truths that are in this book is like denying the Holy Spirit. The ego wants to win the race first by itself. The Presence wants everyone to win. "God" wants all to be saved-not just Christians, Jews, Muslims, etc. but everyone.
If you have ever read All Truth is God's Truth by Arthur Holmes you will not fret about reading and accepting this book as the truth too.

Although Tolle put his finger on something important, namely that our ego has too much influence over our lives, he pushes this to an extreme where our ego becomes our worst enemy.

Living an egoless awaken life may be an interesting goal for an introverted childless man battling depression, as Tolle admitted he was, but it is not realistic for a parent with three children.

Read the Book of Secrets by Deepak Chopra instead. With Chopra, spirituality is not a quick fix to all personal and global problems but a layered process where you don't have to wage a holy war within yourself to deny a fundamental part of who you are, your ego.

The book itself is an excellent read. Shame on Amazon for sending me such a damaged copy. The shipping box wasn't damaged at all, Amazon shipped it that way.

It's just possible that Eckhart Tolle may speak to you in a way few spiritual teachers can. It's also possible that he will strike you as egotistical and out-of-touch with the realities of life (see some of the other reviews here).

The Power of Now: A Guide to Spiritual Enlightenment was an incredibly important book at one point of my journey. (Please note that I say "journey" but, as Alan Watts teaches, I do not see life as all about "getting somewhere" - it's really a dance, not a journey. To really understand that, Google "Alan Watts music and life" and watch the video.) But back to my point: Tolle was very influential for me at a certain point in my spiritual growth. His writing explained Buddhism to my Western mind better than traditional Buddhist authors. Then I discovered Alan Watts, and explored his writings in depth. That kept me engaged for a time, but then I discovered Jiddu Krishnamurti.

That changed everything. It became clear to me that Tolle was simply repackaged Krishnamurti, not just repackaged Buddhism. (You can find entire phrases from Krishnamurti - uncredited, I might add - in Tolle's works.) It became clear to me that Watts (and all Buddhist/Hindu teachers) miss the very point that Krishnamurti teaches: truth is a pathless land. There is no guru, teacher, system, method, practice, religion, etc. "out there" to save you.

Admittedly, not everyone can connect with Krishnamurti. Some find Tolle more accessible. Books are tools for learning. Some work better than others for different people. I have no doubt that The New Earth will help some toward enlightenment better than The Power of Now (although enlightenment is not something you can aspire to, but that is another conversation). I know I enjoyed The New Earth - it was like reuniting with an old friend. I've cited Tolle in my own book (The Beat Handbook: 100 Days of Kerouactions), so obviously I think he is worth reading.

This is an excellent book by a gifted writer. If you enjoyed The Power of Now, I suspect you'll enjoy this book and likely get some new insights from it. At the same time, I urge you to check out the teachings of Jiddu Krishnamurti (e.g., Think on These Things). He's not in favor these days like Tolle, but he said the same thing a long time ago.

This is perhaps the finest study of the human ego and it's role in human suffering and misery I've read. It has poven to be a most valuable tool in my path to awakening