Saturday, October 29, 2005

ET

A lot of you have heard me talk about The Power of Now by Eckhart Tolle, and its lasting influence on me. I love to talk about it but sometimes I'm afraid I'll turn people off with my enthusiasm, come across too strong like I'm trolling campus on my bike, white shirt, black tie. So I'll let the book speak for itself to whomever feels open to it.

The reason I bring it up today--I just bought Tolle's new book, A New Earth, and it's
really good. I'm not surprised by the quality, but I am surprised he found more things to write about. His message is very simple and there's really not much to add to it, but his approach is much different than in Power of Now and he touches on different aspects of life, uses a lot more practical examples. Favorite quote so far: "The ego wants to want more than it wants to have."

Has anyone else out there read him?

10 Comments:

At 6:57 PM, Anonymous Anonymous said...

I have never heard u talk about it. What do u like about this book and why? Is it religious?

 
At 11:24 PM, Blogger pete. said...

Not religious, spiritual. I like the simplicity of the teaching, the clarity of it. I've typed and delted about twenty sentences trying to write about it, but no paraphrase seems right. I'll just say that the quality of my life has improved beyond measure since reading this book. How's that for hype? I'll give you a copy if you'd like. Just make sure to skip the introduction by...I forget who wrote the intro, some other dude... That intro sucks.

 
At 9:09 AM, Blogger la Ketch said...

i'm going to read it. thanks pete!

 
At 10:50 AM, Blogger Tina Rowley said...

I picked it up at a bookstore the other day and was thisclose to buying it. Now I'm really going to do it. That sounds great.

 
At 7:11 PM, Blogger dup said...

Is it new agey? The website looks so new agey, Pete.

 
At 12:23 AM, Blogger pete. said...

Is Zen "new age?"

The website is marketing, Dup. Don't be distracted by the marketing.

In our capitalist system everything needs to be labeled and the easist section of the chain bookstore for this stuff is probably "New Age." The same label for the music section they might stick some modern composers they can't file next to Bach 'cause they don't wear powered wigs.

Remember "Alternative" music?

If by "New Age" you mean commercialized systems to replace the hole left by someone's abandonment of their parents' religion, well, no, Tolle's books are not New Agey. Nothing to believe in, no system to buy into.

 
At 2:37 PM, Blogger philavox said...

You know I've read Tolle before, Pete, thanks to your recommendation at the time. I wouldn't have if you hadn't tipped me off.

The New Age racket is definately a bummer. Seems like it managed to kill off much of the good that came from '60's consciousness explorations, leaving those of us not into crystals largely on our own. Then there's what I call "corporate spirituality", which is even slicker than New Age stuff, and probably pretty valid too. Only thing is, I can't get near it. I just can't.

Like any book I read, it's got to come from a reputable source, and them is definately hard to find these days! Your sincerity is a serious plug.

BTW, I watched Bill Murray in "The Razor's Edge" again the other day. HIGHLY recommended!

 
At 2:45 PM, Anonymous Anonymous said...

OK, Pete, I ordered "The Power of Now" today, I'll let you know what I think when I get it (and read it). BTW, you may be pleased to note that in your honor, I did NOT order it from amazon.com!

 
At 12:02 PM, Blogger pete. said...

JJS, I'll be interested to hear what you think about it. Especially since you read "Blink."

Did you see Amazon's profits disappointed Wall Street? Ha ha.

 
At 1:22 PM, Anonymous Anonymous said...

Hi, Pete!
I hope you are receiving a healthy commission on all the book sales you are making!

 

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