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A New Earth: Awakening to Your Life's Purpose
The highly anticipated follow-up to the 2,000,000 copy bestselling inspirational book, "The Power of Now"
With his bestselling spiritual guide "The Power of Now," Eckhart Tolle inspired millions of readers to discover the freedom and joy of a life lived ?in the now.? In "A New Earth," Tolle expands on these powerful ideas to show how transcending our ego-based state of consciousness is not only essential to personal happiness, but also the key to ending conflict and suffering throughout the world. Tolle describes how our attachment to the ego creates the dysfunction that leads to anger, jealousy, and unhappiness, and shows readers how to awaken to a new state of consciousness and follow the path to a truly fulfilling existence. "The Power of Now" was a question-and-answer handbook. "A New Earth" has been written as a traditional narrative, offering anecdotes and philosophies in a way that is accessible to all. Illuminating, enlightening, and uplifting, "A New Earth" is a profoundly spiritual manifesto for a better way of life?and for building a better world.
With his bestselling spiritual guide "The Power of Now," Eckhart Tolle inspired millions of readers to discover the freedom and joy of a life lived ?in the now.? In "A New Earth," Tolle expands on these powerful ideas to show how transcending our ego-based state of consciousness is not only essential to personal happiness, but also the key to ending conflict and suffering throughout the world. Tolle describes how our attachment to the ego creates the dysfunction that leads to anger, jealousy, and unhappiness, and shows readers how to awaken to a new state of consciousness and follow the path to a truly fulfilling existence. "The Power of Now" was a question-and-answer handbook. "A New Earth" has been written as a traditional narrative, offering anecdotes and philosophies in a way that is accessible to all. Illuminating, enlightening, and uplifting, "A New Earth" is a profoundly spiritual manifesto for a better way of life?and for building a better world.
316 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2005
About the author
Eckhart Tolle
251 books9,516 followersEckhart Tolle is a teacher, author, and entrepreneur. He is a German-born resident of Canada best known as the author of The Power of Now and A New Earth: Awakening to Your Life's Purpose. Tolle does not identify with any specific religion, but he has been influenced by multiple spiritual works.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 9,325 reviews
March 8, 2008
Okay so I had high expectations for this book. Normally I don't really go for Oprah selections but I heard so many great things about it plus I am totally into new agey type things, I thought it would be right up my alley.
My problem with this book was twofold. First, a lot of the ideas weren't new to me. Living in the present (you are not walking across the room to get a book, you are walking across the room), not letting your ego attach itself to things (that is not "my car" or "my house"), etc. And for the most part I agree with those ideals. I think because I do a lot of yoga and it's all about being with yourself in that moment, not judging based on what you did in class yesterday or last week, and not thinking about what you need to buy at the grocery store, I've already applied a lot of this to other areas in my life. And this is probably why I love yoga so much - I can totally get into that place. So I was reading the book going yeah, yeah, yeah I get it (and I felt like he repeated himself a thousand times).
My second problem is... what's so bad about sometimes attaching yourself to people or things or concepts? Of course it's bad to get yourself totally wrapped in being "x and y's mom" or "z employee of this company" but why is bad to feel pride in that? It makes it harder to lose something if you've attached it to your ego, but I am okay with that. My parents are MY parents and assuming they precede my in death, it will be so hard but I am fine with experiencing a whole range of emotions in this life -- being excessively happy and excessively sad. My kids are MY kids and even though that will likely make it harder for me when they are off to college and doing their own thing, I'm fine with that!
My problem with this book was twofold. First, a lot of the ideas weren't new to me. Living in the present (you are not walking across the room to get a book, you are walking across the room), not letting your ego attach itself to things (that is not "my car" or "my house"), etc. And for the most part I agree with those ideals. I think because I do a lot of yoga and it's all about being with yourself in that moment, not judging based on what you did in class yesterday or last week, and not thinking about what you need to buy at the grocery store, I've already applied a lot of this to other areas in my life. And this is probably why I love yoga so much - I can totally get into that place. So I was reading the book going yeah, yeah, yeah I get it (and I felt like he repeated himself a thousand times).
My second problem is... what's so bad about sometimes attaching yourself to people or things or concepts? Of course it's bad to get yourself totally wrapped in being "x and y's mom" or "z employee of this company" but why is bad to feel pride in that? It makes it harder to lose something if you've attached it to your ego, but I am okay with that. My parents are MY parents and assuming they precede my in death, it will be so hard but I am fine with experiencing a whole range of emotions in this life -- being excessively happy and excessively sad. My kids are MY kids and even though that will likely make it harder for me when they are off to college and doing their own thing, I'm fine with that!
April 15, 2008
What is so powerful about this book is not that there is much new material here. We’ve all heard about how the ego keeps us chained to our judgements, fears, and desires. The difference is in how the author explains his points. Finally, we understand! Wouldn’t you love it if all the stuff you’ve read about enlightenment suddenly became crystal clear? (I see you all nodding!) This is it.
Throughout the entire book, he reiterates the same points. He does not offer ‘instructions’. Here’s a great example-how to let go of attachment. “Don’t even try. It’s impossible. Attachment to things drops away by itself when you no longer seek to find yourself in them.”
My copy is frilled with flags (the best Christmas present I got last year was a flag dispenser!). There is so much you’ll want to remember that once you have finished it, you will find yourself picking it up at odd times and leafing through it. You’ll find a page and read something, and it will resonate.
Here’s the author’s summary: “Enjoyment of what you are doing, combined with a goal or vision that you work toward, becomes enthusiasm. Even though you have a goal, what you are doing in the present moment needs to remain the focal point of your attention; otherwise, you will fall out of alignment with universal purpose. Make sure your vision or goal is not an inflated image of yourself and therefore a concealed form of ego, such as wanting to become a movie star, a famous writer, or a wealthy entrepreneur. Also make sure your goal is not focused on having this or that, such as a mansion by the sea, your own company, or ten million dollars in the bank. An enlarged image of yourself or a vision of yourself having this or that are all static goals and therefore don’t empower you. Instead, make sure your goals are dynamic, that is to say, point toward an activity that you are engaged in and through which you are connected to other human beings as well as to the whole. Instead of seeing yourself as a famous actor and writer and so on, see yourself inspiring countless people with your work and enriching their lives. Feel how that activity enriches or deepens not only your life but that of countless others. Feel yourself being an opening through which energy flows from the unmanifested Source of all life through you for the benefit of all.
All this implies that your goal or vision is then already a reality within you, on the level of mind and of feeling. Enthusiasm is the power that transfers the mental blueprint into the physical dimension. That is the creative use of mind, and that is why there is no wanting involved. You cannot manifest what you want; you can only manifest what you already have. You many get what you want through hard work and stress, but that is not the way of the new earth.”
All I can say is read it, and watch your life change!
Throughout the entire book, he reiterates the same points. He does not offer ‘instructions’. Here’s a great example-how to let go of attachment. “Don’t even try. It’s impossible. Attachment to things drops away by itself when you no longer seek to find yourself in them.”
My copy is frilled with flags (the best Christmas present I got last year was a flag dispenser!). There is so much you’ll want to remember that once you have finished it, you will find yourself picking it up at odd times and leafing through it. You’ll find a page and read something, and it will resonate.
Here’s the author’s summary: “Enjoyment of what you are doing, combined with a goal or vision that you work toward, becomes enthusiasm. Even though you have a goal, what you are doing in the present moment needs to remain the focal point of your attention; otherwise, you will fall out of alignment with universal purpose. Make sure your vision or goal is not an inflated image of yourself and therefore a concealed form of ego, such as wanting to become a movie star, a famous writer, or a wealthy entrepreneur. Also make sure your goal is not focused on having this or that, such as a mansion by the sea, your own company, or ten million dollars in the bank. An enlarged image of yourself or a vision of yourself having this or that are all static goals and therefore don’t empower you. Instead, make sure your goals are dynamic, that is to say, point toward an activity that you are engaged in and through which you are connected to other human beings as well as to the whole. Instead of seeing yourself as a famous actor and writer and so on, see yourself inspiring countless people with your work and enriching their lives. Feel how that activity enriches or deepens not only your life but that of countless others. Feel yourself being an opening through which energy flows from the unmanifested Source of all life through you for the benefit of all.
All this implies that your goal or vision is then already a reality within you, on the level of mind and of feeling. Enthusiasm is the power that transfers the mental blueprint into the physical dimension. That is the creative use of mind, and that is why there is no wanting involved. You cannot manifest what you want; you can only manifest what you already have. You many get what you want through hard work and stress, but that is not the way of the new earth.”
All I can say is read it, and watch your life change!
March 13, 2008
Oprahmercial. Well if you can over look that aspect I highly recommend this book. Tolle's penmanship allows difficult philosophical, psychological principles to come together simplified. This book simplifies complex notions of western approaches with an eastern point of view on metaphysics. I think it is a helpful tool for those cynical about the current state of humanity. I also believe it could be a great entry book into Eastern philosophy. He seems to Americanize complex metaphysical approaches of being thereby creating access. Oprah is a maverick bookseller and I can say that this is one of her greatest gifts to her audiences. She has found a tool to help readers enable their greater selves. I am deeply grateful that this book is available to the masses. Tolle brilliantly takes many philosophical backbones to task by incorporating them in layman’s terms. The more philosophy, Western and Eastern is accessible to the masses the better off we will all be. This book is trying to do just that and I can say Tolle accomplishes the goals set for in the writings. If one is familiar with eastern concepts of spirituality this book will reinforce the ideas, if one is familiar with basic psychology and western philosophy one will be pleasantly reminded of the insights into human nature. I would buy this book and give it to everyone who comes to me with existenal anxiety and seeking answers about the purpose of their life. One notion reinforced in this book is that these answers are not out side of you but are within yourself. This is a difficult concept to practice, especially for Americans in that our culture reinforces the notion that acquisition of external means will lead to internal gratification. It brings me great joy to know that Tolle’s efforts are reaching millions, which Oprah is trying to teach this enlightenment and that for once someone is using their media means for the greater good.
Sometimes the best books state concepts that you are unable to articulate. This book does this for me. At the end of my philosophy studies I wanted to seek out reconciliation between eastern ideas and western ideologies this book successfully does this with an amazing ease. Tolle is an enlightened man and even more impressive is when he said he didn’t want to be, or become a guru. This made me respect his mind even more. He is a gifted intellect and is doing a great service for humanity by this text.
If one wants more than a self help book, tired of Zen lyrics that seem to dissipate after reading them and wants a breath of fresh air to challenge your cynicism in the current state of humanity this book will satisfy. This book is soul food.
I like reading what is extremely popular becuase it seems to let you believe you are connecting with many minds at once. Instead of being locked in your own consciousness. This book creates the bridge towards the path of connecting to the
Sometimes the best books state concepts that you are unable to articulate. This book does this for me. At the end of my philosophy studies I wanted to seek out reconciliation between eastern ideas and western ideologies this book successfully does this with an amazing ease. Tolle is an enlightened man and even more impressive is when he said he didn’t want to be, or become a guru. This made me respect his mind even more. He is a gifted intellect and is doing a great service for humanity by this text.
If one wants more than a self help book, tired of Zen lyrics that seem to dissipate after reading them and wants a breath of fresh air to challenge your cynicism in the current state of humanity this book will satisfy. This book is soul food.
I like reading what is extremely popular becuase it seems to let you believe you are connecting with many minds at once. Instead of being locked in your own consciousness. This book creates the bridge towards the path of connecting to the
February 3, 2008
I opened this book, hoping to find something inspiring, eye-opening, and life-changing. Instead, it appears to be filled with the same old New Age babble about self-actualization and "each being the part of the one." It's not that I disagree -- it's just that I don't think there's anything particularly new or different. The same old, same old about non-judgment, embracing all things, blah blah blah. Call me crazy, but I think I've read this about 100 times before in every issue of New Age Journal.
Not only that, but it was boring. I had to force myself to keep reading.
I have no idea why Oprah picked this, other than she must have some merchandise tie-in in mind.
Not only that, but it was boring. I had to force myself to keep reading.
I have no idea why Oprah picked this, other than she must have some merchandise tie-in in mind.
April 4, 2008
Loved this book. It has changed how I look at life.
I read a lot of "self-help", "spiritual insight" books and this is one of the best I have ever read. I just finished it and I want to read it again. His writing is very easy to understand --clear and simple and he shares insights that you can use in your life immediately. IT is chock full of fascinating insights on every page.
Some of my favorite points are:
1. The pain-body--a "psychic parasite" inside of us that feeds on drama and enjoys negative thoughts. Once your mind is taken over by the pain-body, your thoughts will become negative. You will believe all the distorted,negative thoughts and you will keep thinking them over and over again. The way to be free of the pain-body is to recognize it for the psychic parasite that it is and realize it is not you.
2. When you are angry or frustrated with people because you believe they are withholding praise or appreciation from you--try giving love and appreciation to them. You cannot receive what you do not give. Outflow determines inflow.
3. Understanding that no matter what is going on in your life--this too, will pass-- and being aware and totally in the present. When you can sense your inner stillness and feel your own Presence, then you are free from ego and can live a better quality life.
4. Recognize patterns that are not working --ie: giving your opinion when no one has asked for it, demanding recognition, being concerned about how someone else sees you, trying to make an impression on others through--knowledge, good looks, status, physical strength, etc., taking things personally, complaining, making yourself right and others wrong. If you notice any of the above patterns in yourself--try letting go of them and see what happens.
5. When doing becomes infused with the timeless quality of Being, that is success. Unless you are present, you lose yourself in what you do.
6. There are three ways you can align your life with the power of the universe: acceptance, enjoyment and enthusiasm.
If you can neither enjoy or bring acceptance to what you do--stop. Otherwise you are not taking responsibility for consciousness which means you are not taking responsibility for life.
I read a lot of "self-help", "spiritual insight" books and this is one of the best I have ever read. I just finished it and I want to read it again. His writing is very easy to understand --clear and simple and he shares insights that you can use in your life immediately. IT is chock full of fascinating insights on every page.
Some of my favorite points are:
1. The pain-body--a "psychic parasite" inside of us that feeds on drama and enjoys negative thoughts. Once your mind is taken over by the pain-body, your thoughts will become negative. You will believe all the distorted,negative thoughts and you will keep thinking them over and over again. The way to be free of the pain-body is to recognize it for the psychic parasite that it is and realize it is not you.
2. When you are angry or frustrated with people because you believe they are withholding praise or appreciation from you--try giving love and appreciation to them. You cannot receive what you do not give. Outflow determines inflow.
3. Understanding that no matter what is going on in your life--this too, will pass-- and being aware and totally in the present. When you can sense your inner stillness and feel your own Presence, then you are free from ego and can live a better quality life.
4. Recognize patterns that are not working --ie: giving your opinion when no one has asked for it, demanding recognition, being concerned about how someone else sees you, trying to make an impression on others through--knowledge, good looks, status, physical strength, etc., taking things personally, complaining, making yourself right and others wrong. If you notice any of the above patterns in yourself--try letting go of them and see what happens.
5. When doing becomes infused with the timeless quality of Being, that is success. Unless you are present, you lose yourself in what you do.
6. There are three ways you can align your life with the power of the universe: acceptance, enjoyment and enthusiasm.
If you can neither enjoy or bring acceptance to what you do--stop. Otherwise you are not taking responsibility for consciousness which means you are not taking responsibility for life.
May 20, 2008
ok, i'm about half way through. first thing i notice is this guy is pretty long-winded. it took him 127 pages to tell me that the ego is the source of all the earths problems. Anything you feel or think or say comes from the ego. and thats a bad thing. we all need to be "enlighted" and gain "awareness" of our "presence."
heres a nice quote from the book: "Enlightened collectives will fulfill an important function in the arising of the new consciousness. Just as egoic collectives pull you into unconsciousness and suffering, the enlightened collective can be a vortex for consciousness that will accelerate the planetary shift." ... what the hell is he talking about?!?
here's another one: "Every ego is therefore schizophrenic, to use the word in its popular meaning of split personality. You live with a mental image of yourself, a conceptual self that you have a relationship with. Life itself becomes conceptualized and separated from who you are when you speak of "my life." The moment you say or think "my life" and believe in what you are saying (rather than it just being a linguistic convention), you have entered the realm of delusion." ... huh??
he then goes on to say "For example, it is likely you won't feel any emotion when you are told that someon's car has been stolen, but when it is *your* car, you will probably feel upset. It is amazing how much a little mental concept like "my" can generate. - - so, only b/c i had this insane mental concept of something being "mine" is the reason i was upset when susan g. price took my car. at least i'm aware now that that feeling was just my ego so i can release it and it won't add any density to my "pain-body"
come on...
ok i finished it. and i think he maybe sorta kinda won me over at the end...
at least, i think i get what he was trying to say and like it
I appreciate his respect and appreciation for religion and religious leaders (ie: Buddha, Jesus Christ and various Zen Masters)
He basically says everything we do on this earth is secondary to our primary purpose of Being, and having a oneness with the universe. He encourages us to focus on that beingness, to breathe, to be fully present in every moment. He then goes on to say that just b/c this earth is not our primary goal, that doesn't meant that there is no purpose to life. Our purpose is whatever we are doing at any present moment. don't live for the future, don't dwell on the past. Do whatever you're doing to the best of your ability and with all your being, even if that means just typing this out. this is what my purpose is right now.
He also says to recognize our ego for what it is. It's not who we are. The feelings other people have about us, the feelings we have about ourselves, they don't matter in the grand scheme of things. they aren't real. they're created. they don't affect our Beingness.
with all that said though, he still comes across as a kook, his writing style is terrible and he blabs on and on and on. i think he's got some good ideas, but unfortunately he's not gonna change the world with this book.
and i feel like i've already found all he teaches in Orthodoxy.
heres a nice quote from the book: "Enlightened collectives will fulfill an important function in the arising of the new consciousness. Just as egoic collectives pull you into unconsciousness and suffering, the enlightened collective can be a vortex for consciousness that will accelerate the planetary shift." ... what the hell is he talking about?!?
here's another one: "Every ego is therefore schizophrenic, to use the word in its popular meaning of split personality. You live with a mental image of yourself, a conceptual self that you have a relationship with. Life itself becomes conceptualized and separated from who you are when you speak of "my life." The moment you say or think "my life" and believe in what you are saying (rather than it just being a linguistic convention), you have entered the realm of delusion." ... huh??
he then goes on to say "For example, it is likely you won't feel any emotion when you are told that someon's car has been stolen, but when it is *your* car, you will probably feel upset. It is amazing how much a little mental concept like "my" can generate. - - so, only b/c i had this insane mental concept of something being "mine" is the reason i was upset when susan g. price took my car. at least i'm aware now that that feeling was just my ego so i can release it and it won't add any density to my "pain-body"
come on...
ok i finished it. and i think he maybe sorta kinda won me over at the end...
at least, i think i get what he was trying to say and like it
I appreciate his respect and appreciation for religion and religious leaders (ie: Buddha, Jesus Christ and various Zen Masters)
He basically says everything we do on this earth is secondary to our primary purpose of Being, and having a oneness with the universe. He encourages us to focus on that beingness, to breathe, to be fully present in every moment. He then goes on to say that just b/c this earth is not our primary goal, that doesn't meant that there is no purpose to life. Our purpose is whatever we are doing at any present moment. don't live for the future, don't dwell on the past. Do whatever you're doing to the best of your ability and with all your being, even if that means just typing this out. this is what my purpose is right now.
He also says to recognize our ego for what it is. It's not who we are. The feelings other people have about us, the feelings we have about ourselves, they don't matter in the grand scheme of things. they aren't real. they're created. they don't affect our Beingness.
with all that said though, he still comes across as a kook, his writing style is terrible and he blabs on and on and on. i think he's got some good ideas, but unfortunately he's not gonna change the world with this book.
and i feel like i've already found all he teaches in Orthodoxy.
August 15, 2010
To me, this book is pretty much a great overview on what is wrong with the world- the human ego. In a weird way, I regret ever having read this book because it opened my eyes so greatly to the hidden egocentric motivation behind every human thought and action that I can't stop seeing the underlying ego behind everything, and everyone, I encounter.
I think this book should be required reading for everyone; the problem is, many people will read this book and see others in it, but not themselves. Today, more than ever, we are plagued by a culture where everyone is obsessed with being "right" and in the processing making everybody else "wrong." The level of hate that has become epidemic in modern society, particularly in politics, is a clear result of out-of-control egos clashing to reign supreme in self-righteous glory.
I wish everyone took a moment in their day to question their thoughts and what the motivating factor is that drives them. That is the only way to truly recognize your own ego in action. As Mr. Tolle states, you'll never get rid of it, but my becoming more aware of it, it becomes easier to detach yourself from long-held beliefs that do not serve a greater purpose other than to give you a false illusion of who you think you are. Our attachment to this false illusion only serves to spew out superiority over others while contributing nothing in return.
I think this book should be required reading for everyone; the problem is, many people will read this book and see others in it, but not themselves. Today, more than ever, we are plagued by a culture where everyone is obsessed with being "right" and in the processing making everybody else "wrong." The level of hate that has become epidemic in modern society, particularly in politics, is a clear result of out-of-control egos clashing to reign supreme in self-righteous glory.
I wish everyone took a moment in their day to question their thoughts and what the motivating factor is that drives them. That is the only way to truly recognize your own ego in action. As Mr. Tolle states, you'll never get rid of it, but my becoming more aware of it, it becomes easier to detach yourself from long-held beliefs that do not serve a greater purpose other than to give you a false illusion of who you think you are. Our attachment to this false illusion only serves to spew out superiority over others while contributing nothing in return.
June 9, 2021
There are a plethora of self-help books and new age spiritual awakening guides that all claim to have the power to change your life in a positive way; they all suggest a new way of thinking is required to alter your reality: they suggest that something more is needed to reach the next level of human consciousness.
The problem with most of these books is that such ideas are extremely difficult to define accurately in words. They feel vague and often like they are scratching the surface of large concepts that they cannot quite grasp. Simply put, the writers cannot quite articulate their ideas well enough to their readers. Because how does one precisely describe the moment of an acute realisation? How to you encapsulate a spiritual awakening with words never mind pave the way to it?
I believe Eckhart Tolle is one of the best in the business. His words are some of the closest I have read that describe such concepts. And this is because of his deep understanding of theology, which is not tarnished by dogma or prejudice. He understands the healing quality present in religion and he uses it in an attempt to teach mankind, to try and make him more awake.
I enjoyed reading his ideas here, and I will keep reading his works to see what more wisdom he has to impart.
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You can connect with me on social media via My Linktree.
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The problem with most of these books is that such ideas are extremely difficult to define accurately in words. They feel vague and often like they are scratching the surface of large concepts that they cannot quite grasp. Simply put, the writers cannot quite articulate their ideas well enough to their readers. Because how does one precisely describe the moment of an acute realisation? How to you encapsulate a spiritual awakening with words never mind pave the way to it?
I believe Eckhart Tolle is one of the best in the business. His words are some of the closest I have read that describe such concepts. And this is because of his deep understanding of theology, which is not tarnished by dogma or prejudice. He understands the healing quality present in religion and he uses it in an attempt to teach mankind, to try and make him more awake.
I enjoyed reading his ideas here, and I will keep reading his works to see what more wisdom he has to impart.
__________________________________
You can connect with me on social media via My Linktree.
__________________________________
Read
December 22, 2007This book is so amazing, I had to read it slow so I would absorb it all. It moved me to tears many times, so I had to stop a lot! I have not read The Power of Now, but this one really resonated with me and current challenges in personal and planetary transformation. I loved how he snuck in bits from major religions and explained their universal relevance outside the context of their religious context. The personal examples are quite illustrative & help ground the book's meaning.
April 18, 2015
This book is completely awful. Don't feed in to the Oprah hype. It's abstract and somewhat hard to follow, even for me, a third year law student. Not entertaining at all. There are some tidbits of useful information, but if your mother taught you anything, you probably have already heard the useful parts. There are also a lot of contradictions in Tolle's writing/thought process. Don't go on the message boards on Oprah's website because the people on there are crazy nutjobs and can't provide any helpful discussion on the book. I also tried to make it through the online classes on Oprah's website but they are extremely long (an hour and a half for each chapter, of which there are ten total) and extremely boring (I fell asleep during most of them). When I was finished I felt compelled to burn the book, but I thought I could sell it to Half Price Books instead and maybe gain a couple of bucks back in return. I also though about personally going to Tolle's home to get a full refund, like the boys on South Park did to Mel Gibson when they didn't like the Passion of the Christ. If the New Earth is one that is full of Tolle followers... peace out... I'm moving to Mars.
October 29, 2018
اکهارت تول میدونه چطوری با کلماتش بیدارت کنه و ذهنت رو اروم ساکت تر کنه و آگاهیت رو بالاتر ببره. جالبه که خیلی طول کشید تا این کتاب رو تموم کنم ��ون گاهی در درونم سنگینی میکرد و احتیاج به هضم کردنش داشتم ، تاثیر خاصی که این کتاب رو خواننده اش میگذاره بی نظیره و سخته برام که با کلمات از اثرش روی خودم بگم اما این رو خوب یادمه که اوایل کتاب موقعی که فکر میکردم ذهن دشمن منه اکهارت با کلماتش بهم یاد داد در برابرش سکوت کنم و بدونم ذهن سوخت آگاهی من هست و کافیه بهش اعتنایی نداشته باشم و خوب نگاهش کنم تا انرژیش صرف آگاهی من و صعودم به ابعاد بالاتر بشه ، همین چیز به ظاهر ساده کلیدی شد برای قدم های بزرگ تر توی مسیر رشد معنویم و ممنونم از کائنات و خدا برای آفرینش همچین شخصی و موقعیتی که بهش داده شده تا با نوشتن این کتاب و سایر اثارش به من و ما ! کمک کنه...
August 17, 2008
I think that because I have what I feel is a strong faith, this book just didn't make a big impression. I feel like a lot of the ego stuff he was talking about is basically morals and values, of which if you already have a high regard for and were taught about them, then a new awakening to being good is sort of insulting.
Anyone can be mindful for an instant, staying mindful, though, can be the work of a lifetime. I feel like Tolle has reduced himself to a shell of a person with no ego, no emotions, no thoughts, no past, no future in the mistaken view that somehow his detachment makes him a deeper, more spiritual being. Unfortunately, I see him as a social misfit who has managed to hypnotize himself with endless verbiage so that he doesn't have to face up to the pain and suffering that are a normal part of existence. I am happy for him that he was able to "awaken" and get out of his hell that contributed to his depression and attempted suicide, but to assume that he is enlightened and can now enlighten everyone else is too weird.
Not that I know a lot about Buddhism, but this book is basically everything I did learn in a few classes about Eastern religions. Those scholars took thousands of years trying to teach enlightenment, and now Tolle is going to do it in one 300 pg book?
If you ever read Viktor Frankl, he was teaching what it is to be awake, he learned this from being in the death camps in Nazi Germany and by watching those around him, who were survivors and who were dying...Man's Search for Meaning is a much better book to read about becoming whole and getting everything out of our lives. i read it last summer and have it if you want.
Anyone, long review, did the group like it overall or not???
Anyone can be mindful for an instant, staying mindful, though, can be the work of a lifetime. I feel like Tolle has reduced himself to a shell of a person with no ego, no emotions, no thoughts, no past, no future in the mistaken view that somehow his detachment makes him a deeper, more spiritual being. Unfortunately, I see him as a social misfit who has managed to hypnotize himself with endless verbiage so that he doesn't have to face up to the pain and suffering that are a normal part of existence. I am happy for him that he was able to "awaken" and get out of his hell that contributed to his depression and attempted suicide, but to assume that he is enlightened and can now enlighten everyone else is too weird.
Not that I know a lot about Buddhism, but this book is basically everything I did learn in a few classes about Eastern religions. Those scholars took thousands of years trying to teach enlightenment, and now Tolle is going to do it in one 300 pg book?
If you ever read Viktor Frankl, he was teaching what it is to be awake, he learned this from being in the death camps in Nazi Germany and by watching those around him, who were survivors and who were dying...Man's Search for Meaning is a much better book to read about becoming whole and getting everything out of our lives. i read it last summer and have it if you want.
Anyone, long review, did the group like it overall or not???
June 21, 2019
A hotchpotch of New Age mumbo-jumbo with some psychological insights thrown in to knit the contents together. The story of Eckhart Tolle’s so called “awakening” following which he became a spiritual teacher is also strangely suspicious. I won’t say “scripted” because I’m always willing to give the benefit of the doubt, yet I’m less than half a believer. Maybe I’m just not actualized enough. Anyway, I’m not convinced that you will need a Mr. Tolle to know that a large portion of the human condition is defined by ego, identifying with your possessions, and the never-ending yearning to be somewhere else than the present moment. And that much of this is what gets people in trouble and makes us sink into a rut.
I recommend taking a break from any source of information and actually thinking about your not so useful habits for 5 minutes per day for a week. It’ll be a lot more beneficial than ponding on the abstract wordings in Tolle’s book.
I recommend taking a break from any source of information and actually thinking about your not so useful habits for 5 minutes per day for a week. It’ll be a lot more beneficial than ponding on the abstract wordings in Tolle’s book.
April 21, 2008
I was a skeptic at first glance. It was only moments after i read about "feeling my inner-body" that i was feeling my pillow and sleeping soundly (and this is no small feat.)
However, the further i got into the book, the more i enjoyed it.
The self-help author, highlights the benefits of life spent "in the moment" and gives concrete exercises to help 'transcend our ego-based consciousness'. This he argues, is the key to personal happiness and fulfillment.
Illuminating- it gives something to aspire to (although i generally fall into the traps he advises against.) Bring a pen (for notes in the margins) with an open mind. Particularly interesting were his notes on parenting.
I listed my favorite passages.... in the right time and place they are gentle reminders of what is important to live well.
Author: Eckhart Tolle
Publisher: Plume
Copyright: 2006
Genre: Self-help
Pages: 309
Date Read- 2/28 - 3/29/08
_NOTABLE BOOK QUOTES__________________________________
'p.41
'How do you know that this is the experience you need? Because this is the experience you are having at this moment.'
p.43
'Most people don't realize until they are on their deathbed and everything external falls away that NO THING ever had anything to do with who they are... that the whole concept of ownership stands revealed as ultimately meaningless.'
p.90
'What really matters is not what function you fulfill in this world, but whether you identify with your function to such an extent that it takes you over and becomes the role you play.
When you are completely identified with a role, you confuse a pattern of behavior with who you are, and you take yourself very seriously... Authentic human interaction becomes impossible when you lose yourself in a role.'
p. 97 (on parenthood)
'The fact that you temporarily know more or that you are bigger does not mean the child is not your equal.'
p.101
'If you have young children, give them help, guidance and protection to the best of your ability, but even more important, give them space- space to be.'
p. 107- 109
'Those few people who don't project a mond-made image, but function from the deeper core of their Being, those who do not attempt to appear more than they are but are simply themselves, stand out as remarkable and are the only ones who truly make a difference in the world.'
'You are more powerful, more effective, when you are completely yourself... Just stop adding unnecessary baggage to who you already are.'
'In form, you are, and will always be inferior to some, superior to others. In essence, you are neither inferior nor superior to anyone. True self-esteem and true humility arise out of that realization. In the eyes of the ego, self-esteem and humility are contradictory. In truth, they are one and the same.'
p. 115
'How to be at peace now? By making peace with the present moment. The present moment is the field on which the game of life happens.
There are three words that convey the secret of the art of living, the secret of all success and happiness: One With Life. Being one with life is being one with Now. You hen realize that you don't live life, but life lives you.
p.123
'The more you include others, the more smoothly things flow and the more easily things come to you.'
p. 185
GNOTHI SEAUTON- Know Thyself (inscribed above the entrance to the temple of Apollo at Delphi)
p.224
'This too, Will Pass'
' Good comes through inner nonresistance to events...
using this statement can restore awareness of that dimension to you.'
Another pointer to the truth in you is contained in the statement: 'I am never upset for the reason i think.'
p. 232
' A short attention span makes all your perceptions and relationships shallow and unsatisfying. Whatever you do, whatever action you perform in that state, lacks quality, because quality requires attention.'
p.234-236
ANANDA (India) - the bliss of being
'To be aware of little, quiet things... you need to be quiet inside. A high degree of alertness is required. Be still. Look. Listen. Be present.
p.239
'All creativity comes out of inner spaciousness. Once the creation has happened and something has come into form, you have to be vigilant so that the notion of "me" or "mine" does not arise. If you take credit for what you have accomplished, the ego has returned, and the spaciousness has become obscured.'
'Some people feel more alive when they travel and visit unfamiliar places or foreign countries because at those times sense perception -experiencing- takes up more of their consciousness thank thinking. They become more present.'
p.244
'Be aware of your breathing. One conscious breath is enough to make some space where once before there was the uninterrupted succession of one thought after the other. One conscious breath (two or three would be even better) taken many times a day, is an excellent way of bringing space into your life.
The German word for breathing- ATMEN- is derived from the ancient Indian (sanskirt) word ATMAN, meaning the indwelling spirit or God within.
The fact that breath has no form is one of the reasons why breath awareness is an extremely effective way of bringing space into your life, of generating consciousness.'
p. 266
'Everybody's life really consists of small things. Greatness is a mental abstraction and a favorite fantasy of the ego. The paradox is that the foundation for greatness is honoring the small things of the present moment instead of pursuing the idea of greatness.'
p.294
'Not WHAT you do, but HOW you do what you do determines whether you are fulfilling your destiny. And how you do what you do is determined by your state of consciousness.
The modalities of awakened doing are acceptance, enjoyment and enthusiasm... Each one represents a certain vibrational frequency of consciousness. You need to be vigilant to make sure that one of them operates whenever you are engaged at doing anything at all- from the most simple task to the most complex.
However, the further i got into the book, the more i enjoyed it.
The self-help author, highlights the benefits of life spent "in the moment" and gives concrete exercises to help 'transcend our ego-based consciousness'. This he argues, is the key to personal happiness and fulfillment.
Illuminating- it gives something to aspire to (although i generally fall into the traps he advises against.) Bring a pen (for notes in the margins) with an open mind. Particularly interesting were his notes on parenting.
I listed my favorite passages.... in the right time and place they are gentle reminders of what is important to live well.
Author: Eckhart Tolle
Publisher: Plume
Copyright: 2006
Genre: Self-help
Pages: 309
Date Read- 2/28 - 3/29/08
_NOTABLE BOOK QUOTES__________________________________
'p.41
'How do you know that this is the experience you need? Because this is the experience you are having at this moment.'
p.43
'Most people don't realize until they are on their deathbed and everything external falls away that NO THING ever had anything to do with who they are... that the whole concept of ownership stands revealed as ultimately meaningless.'
p.90
'What really matters is not what function you fulfill in this world, but whether you identify with your function to such an extent that it takes you over and becomes the role you play.
When you are completely identified with a role, you confuse a pattern of behavior with who you are, and you take yourself very seriously... Authentic human interaction becomes impossible when you lose yourself in a role.'
p. 97 (on parenthood)
'The fact that you temporarily know more or that you are bigger does not mean the child is not your equal.'
p.101
'If you have young children, give them help, guidance and protection to the best of your ability, but even more important, give them space- space to be.'
p. 107- 109
'Those few people who don't project a mond-made image, but function from the deeper core of their Being, those who do not attempt to appear more than they are but are simply themselves, stand out as remarkable and are the only ones who truly make a difference in the world.'
'You are more powerful, more effective, when you are completely yourself... Just stop adding unnecessary baggage to who you already are.'
'In form, you are, and will always be inferior to some, superior to others. In essence, you are neither inferior nor superior to anyone. True self-esteem and true humility arise out of that realization. In the eyes of the ego, self-esteem and humility are contradictory. In truth, they are one and the same.'
p. 115
'How to be at peace now? By making peace with the present moment. The present moment is the field on which the game of life happens.
There are three words that convey the secret of the art of living, the secret of all success and happiness: One With Life. Being one with life is being one with Now. You hen realize that you don't live life, but life lives you.
p.123
'The more you include others, the more smoothly things flow and the more easily things come to you.'
p. 185
GNOTHI SEAUTON- Know Thyself (inscribed above the entrance to the temple of Apollo at Delphi)
p.224
'This too, Will Pass'
' Good comes through inner nonresistance to events...
using this statement can restore awareness of that dimension to you.'
Another pointer to the truth in you is contained in the statement: 'I am never upset for the reason i think.'
p. 232
' A short attention span makes all your perceptions and relationships shallow and unsatisfying. Whatever you do, whatever action you perform in that state, lacks quality, because quality requires attention.'
p.234-236
ANANDA (India) - the bliss of being
'To be aware of little, quiet things... you need to be quiet inside. A high degree of alertness is required. Be still. Look. Listen. Be present.
p.239
'All creativity comes out of inner spaciousness. Once the creation has happened and something has come into form, you have to be vigilant so that the notion of "me" or "mine" does not arise. If you take credit for what you have accomplished, the ego has returned, and the spaciousness has become obscured.'
'Some people feel more alive when they travel and visit unfamiliar places or foreign countries because at those times sense perception -experiencing- takes up more of their consciousness thank thinking. They become more present.'
p.244
'Be aware of your breathing. One conscious breath is enough to make some space where once before there was the uninterrupted succession of one thought after the other. One conscious breath (two or three would be even better) taken many times a day, is an excellent way of bringing space into your life.
The German word for breathing- ATMEN- is derived from the ancient Indian (sanskirt) word ATMAN, meaning the indwelling spirit or God within.
The fact that breath has no form is one of the reasons why breath awareness is an extremely effective way of bringing space into your life, of generating consciousness.'
p. 266
'Everybody's life really consists of small things. Greatness is a mental abstraction and a favorite fantasy of the ego. The paradox is that the foundation for greatness is honoring the small things of the present moment instead of pursuing the idea of greatness.'
p.294
'Not WHAT you do, but HOW you do what you do determines whether you are fulfilling your destiny. And how you do what you do is determined by your state of consciousness.
The modalities of awakened doing are acceptance, enjoyment and enthusiasm... Each one represents a certain vibrational frequency of consciousness. You need to be vigilant to make sure that one of them operates whenever you are engaged at doing anything at all- from the most simple task to the most complex.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 23, 2015
هذا كتاب لا يُقرأ .. هذا كتاب يُحتفى بقراءته .. من أفضل ما قرأت في حياتي .. فوق الوصف وفي عنق الدهشة وأكبر من اللغة .. كتاب يفتح الضوء داخلك .. الأرض الجديدة ليست يوتوبيا .. الأرض الجديدة هي أنا وأنت .. هي الوعي والحضور .. هي الحقيقة .. التي فتحت ثقبا ينزف منه الفرح في داخلي ..
October 5, 2015
I just spent the last five plus hours researching, reading this fucking Eckhart Tolle. What do I think?
This is essentially the same book as The Power Of Now! The only valid point Tolle has is this: it is mentally unhealthy to obsess endlessly over things that we didn't cause in the past, and over things we can't control in the present, and over things that have no likelihood in the future.
He doesn't need 220 pages to make that point. He doesn't need a book. He doesn't even need a whole page within a book.
In fact his teachings can be very detrimental, since it is urging us to reduce the amount of time we spend planning for the future. Remember you are on this planet for a while, and most worthwhile things are created over a long period of time, and usually involves some aspect of long range planning and long term envisioning.Oh, right... none of that matters: either good luck falls from the sky and/or we can be murderers that are also drug addicts that are homeless and are being abused on a daily basis, sometimes multiple times, because the only thing that matters is that we are in an individual state of "Being"... Remember, gullible audience, The Power Of Now!
He also advocates dropping the past immediately, which avoids putting sufficient time and attention into first acknowledging and accepting the past - and thereby learning from it before we discard it.
Basically, he wants people to stop thinking so much. With my most insincere apologies, I like to think. Yes. Imagine that.
Obviously, I agree with the idea that we should minimize the amount of time spent lamenting about the past & overdoing it with worrying about the future. But he takes it to a illogical, stupid, and, frankly, offensive level...
What he is saying is that "We are nothing" It does not matter. We should do nothing, anything, be nothing, anything, it is all the same... because nothing really matters except this "state of being"... Fine, do not care about anything, be completely apathetic, detached and/or unfeeling- you know, we basically do not even know who we are. We could be anything.
Other things the ego will identify with in order to feel good include our work, social status, knowledge and education, physical appearance, belief systems, and also political, racial, nationalistic, religious or other collective identities. "None of these is you," Tolle states. Oh I see. Obviously some of these I agree with to a certain extent, i.e., your work is not you, your race/looks/status mean much less than a lot of people often make it out to be... But belief systems? Values? Knowledge? Political beliefs? Are you fucking crazy, Tolle?????.... None of that matters? Oh, now I get it. Nothing matters. Then why don't you die right now? "Being" when you are in some fantasy bliss world when nothing besides your state is important would be great if it was actually possible ("Ignorance Is Bliss")... But the only way this is humanly possible is to be subjected to solitary confinement from the moment of birth. Sorry Eckhart, but not all of us can wander around for years at a time, sleeping on park benches in a state of euphoria.
Plus... the cherry on top is The Oprah not only fully endorsing Tolls, but naming him the sole person to ever engage in a business partnership with the multi-million dollar The Great The One The Only The All Knowing Oprah Winfrey. With few exceptions, the stronger Oprah's support, the stupider it is.
Yes, I do realize that I may have been slightly overly harsh with Tolle. Like I explained earlier, I do believe and/or agree with most of the basic teachings... but there is no way that stands in this extreme end of the spectrum.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=...
This is essentially the same book as The Power Of Now! The only valid point Tolle has is this: it is mentally unhealthy to obsess endlessly over things that we didn't cause in the past, and over things we can't control in the present, and over things that have no likelihood in the future.
He doesn't need 220 pages to make that point. He doesn't need a book. He doesn't even need a whole page within a book.
In fact his teachings can be very detrimental, since it is urging us to reduce the amount of time we spend planning for the future. Remember you are on this planet for a while, and most worthwhile things are created over a long period of time, and usually involves some aspect of long range planning and long term envisioning.Oh, right... none of that matters: either good luck falls from the sky and/or we can be murderers that are also drug addicts that are homeless and are being abused on a daily basis, sometimes multiple times, because the only thing that matters is that we are in an individual state of "Being"... Remember, gullible audience, The Power Of Now!
He also advocates dropping the past immediately, which avoids putting sufficient time and attention into first acknowledging and accepting the past - and thereby learning from it before we discard it.
Basically, he wants people to stop thinking so much. With my most insincere apologies, I like to think. Yes. Imagine that.
Obviously, I agree with the idea that we should minimize the amount of time spent lamenting about the past & overdoing it with worrying about the future. But he takes it to a illogical, stupid, and, frankly, offensive level...
What he is saying is that "We are nothing" It does not matter. We should do nothing, anything, be nothing, anything, it is all the same... because nothing really matters except this "state of being"... Fine, do not care about anything, be completely apathetic, detached and/or unfeeling- you know, we basically do not even know who we are. We could be anything.
Other things the ego will identify with in order to feel good include our work, social status, knowledge and education, physical appearance, belief systems, and also political, racial, nationalistic, religious or other collective identities. "None of these is you," Tolle states. Oh I see. Obviously some of these I agree with to a certain extent, i.e., your work is not you, your race/looks/status mean much less than a lot of people often make it out to be... But belief systems? Values? Knowledge? Political beliefs? Are you fucking crazy, Tolle?????.... None of that matters? Oh, now I get it. Nothing matters. Then why don't you die right now? "Being" when you are in some fantasy bliss world when nothing besides your state is important would be great if it was actually possible ("Ignorance Is Bliss")... But the only way this is humanly possible is to be subjected to solitary confinement from the moment of birth. Sorry Eckhart, but not all of us can wander around for years at a time, sleeping on park benches in a state of euphoria.
Plus... the cherry on top is The Oprah not only fully endorsing Tolls, but naming him the sole person to ever engage in a business partnership with the multi-million dollar The Great The One The Only The All Knowing Oprah Winfrey. With few exceptions, the stronger Oprah's support, the stupider it is.
Yes, I do realize that I may have been slightly overly harsh with Tolle. Like I explained earlier, I do believe and/or agree with most of the basic teachings... but there is no way that stands in this extreme end of the spectrum.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=...
August 5, 2012
I just saw another GR's member give this book 5 stars!
I have to agree!
My husband and I each own our own copy!
My daughters own their own copy!
We've bought this book at 'full' price --many times ---given it to our friends.
We had a chance to listen to him years ago ---
Also-- *anyone* can download his Talk (chapter by chapter) that was done with over 200 thousand people all over the world on this book (people called in and asked questions) --Oprah hosted him --(it was a global opportunity ---very inspiring doing it weekly with him by SKYPE.
Its 'free' (highly suggest it)
His other book "The Power of Now" is also very powerful. In fact ---I'd read "The Power of Now" 'first' before 'A New Earth' (everyone in our family owns this book also). I think my husband holds the record for reading it the most times!
Tolle is an exceptional Spiritual World leader
I have to agree!
My husband and I each own our own copy!
My daughters own their own copy!
We've bought this book at 'full' price --many times ---given it to our friends.
We had a chance to listen to him years ago ---
Also-- *anyone* can download his Talk (chapter by chapter) that was done with over 200 thousand people all over the world on this book (people called in and asked questions) --Oprah hosted him --(it was a global opportunity ---very inspiring doing it weekly with him by SKYPE.
Its 'free' (highly suggest it)
His other book "The Power of Now" is also very powerful. In fact ---I'd read "The Power of Now" 'first' before 'A New Earth' (everyone in our family owns this book also). I think my husband holds the record for reading it the most times!
Tolle is an exceptional Spiritual World leader
May 19, 2008
In A New Earth: Awakening to Your Life’s Purpose, Eckhart Tolle simply and beautifully employs spiritual parables from many traditions to distill and illuminate the One truth to which they point: God in me; me in God. Form (the material world) is interpenetrated by nothingness (space, quantum possibilities, consciousness, spirit, God). If so many cultures can agree that we, as form, are permeated with spirit, why do we experience so much separation and suffering?
Tolle states that suffering is created when the ego identifies completely with form:
1. Physical Forms: personal, socio and spiritual conditioning from the past
(such as gender, social status and race),
2. Feeling Forms: accumulated emotional pain, and
3. Thought Forms: beliefs, expectations and judgments.
“This results in total unawareness of my connectedness with the whole, my intrinsic oneness with every “other” as well as the Source. This forgetfulness is original sin, suffering and delusion.” Tolle posits that this forgetfulness creates a schism between what we perceive and the realm of possibilities—or spirit. This schism is the result of an outmoded egoic consciousness.
Does that mean that ego is bad? We use this ego consciousness as a vehicle to identify with form. It’s how we experience and engage the world! It’s in this identification and mastery of form, that we find our security, certainty and power. Look at the vast possibilities we’ve created in our world: technological convenience, accessibility of information, sanitation, medical science, culture, etcetera. Tolle does not say that ego is bad, but suggests, however, that it’s no longer a necessary vehicle.
Eckhart Tolle believes that it is imperative that our ego consciousness evolves. He doesn’t urge us to stop thinking—but to stop identifying with our thinking. Nor does he urge us to stop suffering, but to recognize it as a messenger to be conscious. How can we do that when we are suffering? Tolle offers an alternative to identifying and defending our old physical, feeling and thought forms. He calls this Awakened Doing and defines three modalities: acceptance, enjoyment and enthusiasm. If you are not in the state of at least one of them, no matter what you are doing, you are creating suffering for yourself or others.
1. Acceptance is to assume responsibility for your identification with beliefs, expectations and judgments. If you are living an old situation over and over in your thinking, you are not in the present. Bring your consciousness here. This is what you have control of. If you’ve relinquished your thoughts and still cannot accept what you’re doing—if it’s causing you suffering—stop.
2. To experience Enjoyment is to find the joy of conscious Presence in whatever you are doing. Instead of identifying with your feeling, obsessively wanting something or expecting joy to come from a certain activity, you bring yourself to the present moment. Perhaps in this moment, no matter how small, you are alive and alert. Practice this, and each moment will expand so that you begin to experience connection to the universal creative power. Joy flows from there into activities that were once tedious or painful, because a new consciousness is awakened in you.
3. Enthusiasm is the spiritual will or vision manifesting through you. To find your relationship to enthusiasm you must recognize how you are connected to the spirit. You are not your gender, title, cultural conditioning, or race.
The result is the Earthly manifestation of Heaven. Awakening now is your life’s purpose! Eckhart Tolle is an articulate writer, and his ideas flow logically. The stories he chooses enliven the concepts he presents. I have two minor critiques of this book: 1) I wish the end-notes contained source references to all the stories—not just the Biblical references, and 2) It would have allowed me greater contemplation if he included pauses in his writing for personal discovery and practical applications. But, all-in-all, I thoroughly enjoyed A New Earth.
Tolle states that suffering is created when the ego identifies completely with form:
1. Physical Forms: personal, socio and spiritual conditioning from the past
(such as gender, social status and race),
2. Feeling Forms: accumulated emotional pain, and
3. Thought Forms: beliefs, expectations and judgments.
“This results in total unawareness of my connectedness with the whole, my intrinsic oneness with every “other” as well as the Source. This forgetfulness is original sin, suffering and delusion.” Tolle posits that this forgetfulness creates a schism between what we perceive and the realm of possibilities—or spirit. This schism is the result of an outmoded egoic consciousness.
Does that mean that ego is bad? We use this ego consciousness as a vehicle to identify with form. It’s how we experience and engage the world! It’s in this identification and mastery of form, that we find our security, certainty and power. Look at the vast possibilities we’ve created in our world: technological convenience, accessibility of information, sanitation, medical science, culture, etcetera. Tolle does not say that ego is bad, but suggests, however, that it’s no longer a necessary vehicle.
Eckhart Tolle believes that it is imperative that our ego consciousness evolves. He doesn’t urge us to stop thinking—but to stop identifying with our thinking. Nor does he urge us to stop suffering, but to recognize it as a messenger to be conscious. How can we do that when we are suffering? Tolle offers an alternative to identifying and defending our old physical, feeling and thought forms. He calls this Awakened Doing and defines three modalities: acceptance, enjoyment and enthusiasm. If you are not in the state of at least one of them, no matter what you are doing, you are creating suffering for yourself or others.
1. Acceptance is to assume responsibility for your identification with beliefs, expectations and judgments. If you are living an old situation over and over in your thinking, you are not in the present. Bring your consciousness here. This is what you have control of. If you’ve relinquished your thoughts and still cannot accept what you’re doing—if it’s causing you suffering—stop.
2. To experience Enjoyment is to find the joy of conscious Presence in whatever you are doing. Instead of identifying with your feeling, obsessively wanting something or expecting joy to come from a certain activity, you bring yourself to the present moment. Perhaps in this moment, no matter how small, you are alive and alert. Practice this, and each moment will expand so that you begin to experience connection to the universal creative power. Joy flows from there into activities that were once tedious or painful, because a new consciousness is awakened in you.
3. Enthusiasm is the spiritual will or vision manifesting through you. To find your relationship to enthusiasm you must recognize how you are connected to the spirit. You are not your gender, title, cultural conditioning, or race.
The result is the Earthly manifestation of Heaven. Awakening now is your life’s purpose! Eckhart Tolle is an articulate writer, and his ideas flow logically. The stories he chooses enliven the concepts he presents. I have two minor critiques of this book: 1) I wish the end-notes contained source references to all the stories—not just the Biblical references, and 2) It would have allowed me greater contemplation if he included pauses in his writing for personal discovery and practical applications. But, all-in-all, I thoroughly enjoyed A New Earth.
December 15, 2020
With so much stress about the election and the affliction of a racist-fascist-sexist-disgusting-gas-lighting President, I was experiencing tremendous anxiety and found I needed to read a book that was a soothing balm.
There are plenty of flaws with A New Earth. Tolle is ridiculously naïve about society naturally transforming, and I am far from optimistic in this way--not only about us transforming at all but also about saving our species from global warming. However, it's certainly pleasant to be positive. I find it far too teleological to propose that humanity is evolving...like Marxism believing that the proletariat will overthrow their Capitalist oppressors--Enlightenment will happen.
Another flaw...Tolle occasionally falls into bits of New Age b.s. such as an offhand defense of the quackery that is “Chinese medicine.” He talks about a global "memory pain" of the human species, seemingly adapted from Jung. He also references negative and positive emotions having different “frequencies.” Bleh. Evolution of the universe. Bleh. A released energy field left behind when a person leaves a room? Bleh. “No random events.” Bleh.
But when you look past these flaws, it’s a worthy read.
The book is essentially a pop adaption of Zen Buddhism but with a primary focus on the Ego as the source of our suffering and the downfall of human society, and mindful living in the present moment, the Now, as our path to escaping the Ego. We are not our Ego, we are an undifferentiated state of awareness and being. The Ego is our false mind selfishly clinging to itself.
Tolle describes what he calls a "pain body" to represent the negative aspects of our Ego, and it seems to me like a pretty accurate metaphor considering how the Self is not a unified entity in the mind but made up of many fractured pieces. The pain body and the Ego that feeds it are abstract thought forms in the mind, but they naturally seek to sustain themselves even when they are destructive to the being as a whole. This might seem contradictory, but we actually have a similar abstract entity that acts in this same self-sustaining fashion. A corporation. Corporations are abstract legal entities. They have no actual material being. All the physical elements that make up a corporation (employees, real estate, equipment, etc), are entirely replaced in time and yet the abstract entity continues. People and objects are just placeholders in a numerical balance sheet. And yet the entity works to grow and sustain itself through its inherent processes. And one can easily see how in a corporation's pursuit of sustaining itself (increasing profits) all other things become "value-less"--nature is a thing to plunder for increasing growth. Employees are tools to increase growth but can be tossed aside when they no longer serve their purpose of increasing corporate growth. All things are not what they actually are, but are opportunities for increasing the abstract entity. Corporations are rapacious machines that only exist as a cancer and yet they are utterly abstract legal entities. Similarly the ego sustains its pain body, feeds it with painful thoughts and actions, and thus we continue to suffer. The pursuit of Enlightenment begins by recognizing the Ego as seperate from who we are and observing our feelings in the moment. Non-resistance (to what is), non-judgment (of our emotions), and non-attachment (to the things that build our Ego) are the three aspects of true freedom and enlightened living. The true self is that thing that artificial intelligence can never possess. A state of pure awareness and beingness. Living in the now.
In the end, Zen Buddhism is a rational "try it and see if it helps" philosophy. The opposite of dogmatic religion that declares that words in a book come from God. Buddhism is praxis--trial and error. Meditate and see if it helps. Try to breathe and let things go. If you find these practicies help to reduce your suffering in the moment then try it again. It has potential to help reduce suffering for any individual...even if the dream of species-wide evolution and Enlightenment proposed by Tolle is a fantasy.
There are plenty of flaws with A New Earth. Tolle is ridiculously naïve about society naturally transforming, and I am far from optimistic in this way--not only about us transforming at all but also about saving our species from global warming. However, it's certainly pleasant to be positive. I find it far too teleological to propose that humanity is evolving...like Marxism believing that the proletariat will overthrow their Capitalist oppressors--Enlightenment will happen.
Another flaw...Tolle occasionally falls into bits of New Age b.s. such as an offhand defense of the quackery that is “Chinese medicine.” He talks about a global "memory pain" of the human species, seemingly adapted from Jung. He also references negative and positive emotions having different “frequencies.” Bleh. Evolution of the universe. Bleh. A released energy field left behind when a person leaves a room? Bleh. “No random events.” Bleh.
But when you look past these flaws, it’s a worthy read.
The book is essentially a pop adaption of Zen Buddhism but with a primary focus on the Ego as the source of our suffering and the downfall of human society, and mindful living in the present moment, the Now, as our path to escaping the Ego. We are not our Ego, we are an undifferentiated state of awareness and being. The Ego is our false mind selfishly clinging to itself.
Tolle describes what he calls a "pain body" to represent the negative aspects of our Ego, and it seems to me like a pretty accurate metaphor considering how the Self is not a unified entity in the mind but made up of many fractured pieces. The pain body and the Ego that feeds it are abstract thought forms in the mind, but they naturally seek to sustain themselves even when they are destructive to the being as a whole. This might seem contradictory, but we actually have a similar abstract entity that acts in this same self-sustaining fashion. A corporation. Corporations are abstract legal entities. They have no actual material being. All the physical elements that make up a corporation (employees, real estate, equipment, etc), are entirely replaced in time and yet the abstract entity continues. People and objects are just placeholders in a numerical balance sheet. And yet the entity works to grow and sustain itself through its inherent processes. And one can easily see how in a corporation's pursuit of sustaining itself (increasing profits) all other things become "value-less"--nature is a thing to plunder for increasing growth. Employees are tools to increase growth but can be tossed aside when they no longer serve their purpose of increasing corporate growth. All things are not what they actually are, but are opportunities for increasing the abstract entity. Corporations are rapacious machines that only exist as a cancer and yet they are utterly abstract legal entities. Similarly the ego sustains its pain body, feeds it with painful thoughts and actions, and thus we continue to suffer. The pursuit of Enlightenment begins by recognizing the Ego as seperate from who we are and observing our feelings in the moment. Non-resistance (to what is), non-judgment (of our emotions), and non-attachment (to the things that build our Ego) are the three aspects of true freedom and enlightened living. The true self is that thing that artificial intelligence can never possess. A state of pure awareness and beingness. Living in the now.
In the end, Zen Buddhism is a rational "try it and see if it helps" philosophy. The opposite of dogmatic religion that declares that words in a book come from God. Buddhism is praxis--trial and error. Meditate and see if it helps. Try to breathe and let things go. If you find these practicies help to reduce your suffering in the moment then try it again. It has potential to help reduce suffering for any individual...even if the dream of species-wide evolution and Enlightenment proposed by Tolle is a fantasy.
October 10, 2020
كتاب أرض جديدة
الجزء الأول / أرض جديدة
ص ١٦ تنوير بالانجليزي مكتوبة خطأ والصحيح
enlightenment وليس enlightment
وشكراً
البادئة عن الوعي الإنساني وبدايات تفتّحه ويقظته
تكلم عن بدايات نشأة الحياة على الأرض
رغم اعتراضي على قناعته بأن الزواحف بعضها بقي زواحف
بعضها نبت له ريش وأجنحة وتحوّل طيور
_يبدو لي هذه الجزئية كتبها وهو يتابع سلسلة ( هاري بوتر )
*
الأشياء عموما من نباتات وحيوانات وجمادات
لها جوهر
نحن لا ندرك ماهيتها إلا عندما نتعامل معها
بأنّها ذات جوهر أي حضور
لأنّها تتوحّد مع جوهرنا
مثال بسيط :
الحيوانات الأليفة كقط مثلا
لما نربيه في البيت ونعتني فيه
يصير اندماج بيننا وبينه
نشعر بألمه وفرحه واسترخائه
حتى النظرات نفهمها ( رضا/جوع/نعاس)
لدرجة مثلاً لو جاء ضيف ومعاه طفل وقام
بضرب القط أو ازعاجه سوف نغضب بشدة
هنا توصلنا لجوهر القط ولم نتعامل معاه بشكله الخارجي فقط ( الأصم )
وهذا يعني ( يقظة روحية )
*غالبية الأديان والتقاليد الروحية تتفق على بصيرتين
وكلها تشير إلى حقيقة أساسية واحدة:
الحالة العادية الطبيعية لعقل معظم البشر
يحتوي على عنصر قوي يدعى "الجنون"
(( الخلل الوظيفي ))
- الهندوسية تسميه (مايا) أي حجاب الوهم
- البوذية (دوكا) أي المعاناة أو عدم الرضا أو التعاسة
- المسيحية (الخطيئة الأصلية) التي معناها الحقيقي هو أن تخطئ الهدف من الوجود البشري
أي العيش بغير مهارة فيتعذب ويعذب الآخرين
خلاصة :
العقل البشري يتمتع بقدر عال من الذكاء
بدليل الحقبة التي نعيشها حيث تسارع
تكنولوجي وعلمي أحدثت تغييرات جذرية في
طرق عيشنا
ومكّنتنا من ابتكار أشياء كانت تعتبر معجزات قبل قرنين
لكن هذا الذكاء يخالطه الجنون لحد كبير جدا
بدليل الحروب التي اندلعت ولازالت تندلع .
العقل البشري خدم الجنون نفسه عندما اخترع
القنابل والرشاشات والغازات السامة وغيرها.
في نهاية القرن العشرين بلغ عدد ضحايا العنف
اكثر من ١٠٠ مليون شخص
بين حروب وإبادات جماعية ومذابح
*الجشع
الخوف
السعي للسلطة
هي قوى سايكولوجية دافعة للحروب والعنف بين الأمم والأديان والأيديولوجيات
وبين الصراع الدائم في العلاقات الشخصية
مثال :
المسلسلات الكويتية اللي هي أقرب مثال
للصراعات الدائمة في العلاقات الأسرية والعمل
ومثال ضخم للجشع وردود الأفعال للحماية من الخوف وقمة الأنانية
هي تجسيد للصراع في العلاقات الشخصية
لندرك بأن
الخوف
الجشع
السعي للسلطة
هي نشأت من الخلل الوظيفي وليست الخلل نفسه
الكثير من التعاليم الروحية توصينا بنبذ الرغبة والخوف
هذا وحده ليس كفيل بنجاح النبذ لأنه لا يعالج الخلل
ما يعالجه هو (( الوعي ))
وما غير الوعي هي طرق ذكية لتحسين الذات فقط
عن طريق تقوية الهوية المفهومية والصورة الذاتية
هذا ليس علاج حقيقي
إنما إيحاء و وهم
العلاج الحقيقي هو أن أجد الخير في داخلي
و أسمح له بالظهور عن طريق أن يتغير لدي الوعي.
الوعي الجديد في طور النشوء
في التعاليم الهندوسية ( تنوير)
التعاليم المسيحية ( الخلاص)
التعالم البوذية (نهاية العذاب أو المعاناة )
هذا التحوّل يكون عن طريق:
١- الإنعتاق
٢- اليقظة
الدين غير الروحانية
امتلاكك لمجموعة افكار واعتبارها حقيقتك المطلقة
لا تجعل منك شخصا روحانيا بغض النظر عن معتقداتك
لأن اندماج اكثر بين معتقداتك وهويتك سيفصلك
اكثر عن البعد الروحاني في داخل ذاتك
كيف تكون روحانيا لا علاقة له بما تعتقده بل
له علاقة بحالة وعيك الداخلي
وهذا هو ما يحدّد كيف تتصرّف في العالم
وتتفاعل مع الآخرين
من يركزون على الشكل يصبحون اكثر رسوخا في معتقداتهم أي عقولهم وهنا يصبح رسوخ (للأنا)
التي مصيرها التلاشي سواء كانت في معتقدات
أو مؤسسات أو حكومات أو غيرها .
(الأنا) مهما بدت قوية ستبدأ تتحلل من الداخل وتنهار
أمام التغيير
مثال مطروح في الكتاب :
وضع الكنائس والبابا سابقاً وحالياً
ومثال الإتحاد السوفيتي الشيوعي
#ضرورة التحوّل
ينطبق عليها مثل ( الحاجة أم الإختراع )
عند مواجهة المشاكل والكوارث والطرق القديمة
ما عادت تجدي نفعا فلا بد من البحث عن طرق
جديدة للمواجهة وإلّا سيكون الموت او الإنقراض
هم النتيجة الحتميّة.
نادية أحمد
الجزء الخامس / أرض جديدة
التماهي مع الأشياء
مثال الدعاية والإعلان رائع لأنه بسيط ويفسر كيف
أنّ المسوّقين يبيعوا الناس بعد أن يقنعوهن بأنّ
المنتجات ستضيف لهم أشياء لذواتهم والذي يزيد التميز هو ربطه بشخصيات مشهورة مثلا
كالماركات العالمية سواء ملابس او عطور او ماكياجات
وكأن هذا المنتج أصبح هوية نحملها خاصة
وأنها باهضة الثمن ومحصورة على فئة معينة
مشكلة الأنا هنا أنّ شعورها بالرضا يكون لفترة
عابرة وبالتالي هي دوما تبحث عن كل جديد
فنستمر بالشراء والإستهلاك
لأن امتلاكها للأشياء يعزز الذات وينشئ هوساً بها
مما يخلق مجتمع استهلاكي معيار تقدمه
( المزيد)
كلنا نعلم بأنّ النمو المتزايد يؤدي لخلل وظيفي
وكما يصفه المهوسون بالنمو السلبي بدل الركود الإقتصادي
لم نعد نشعر بالحياة بسبب تكاثر الممتلكات
مثال :
أنا شخصياً ما أحب البوفيهات لأنه تخلق لدي
ربكة معينة
يعني أكثر من صنفين أو ثلاث يجعلني أفقد شهيتي
حتى لو كنت أعلم احتياجي وذوقي
مجرد الكثرة يولّد لدي شعور أقرب للتقيؤ والشبع
كثرة الأشياء تجعلها تفقد قيمتها ولذتها
لذلك أمقت الأماكن الصاخبة لأنها تفقدني
الشعور باللذة والتمتع في المكان
كقاعدة طبعا وليس استثناء حتما
مثال :
نكتة دارجة عالبنات انه دواليبهم كلها ملابس
ولا صارت مناسبة ما عندها شيء تلبسه
وضع طبيعي لأنه كثرة الملابس أفقدتها قيمتها
بينما بنت فقيرة مثلا تتمنى الحصول على فستان واحد جديد او حذاء لأن ما تلبسه مهترئ
تمرين روحي :
راقب علاقتك بعالم الممتلكات من خلال مراقبة ذاتك
هل هناك أشياء تزيد لديك إحساسك بالقيمة الذاتية ؟
هل جهازك المحمول إذا ما رأيت غيرك يحمل أحدث منه يعطيك شعور بالنقصان ؟
مثال الخاتم الضائع هو تمرين روحي كذلك
عندما نفقد الأشياء التي نملكها لا يعني
فقدان ذواتنا
نفس ما حصل مع والدتي وقطع الزيتون وأشجار الزينة
غضبت جداً وصرخت
وأنا كنت هادية ومؤمنة بأنّ أولا ما حدث قدر
ثمّ ثانيا كل الأشياء مصيرها الزوال
فلما أجلد نفسي وروحي لأجل زيتونة مثلا أو سيارة فقدتها أو عمل أو زوج أو طفل أو صديقة
المسألة لا تتعلق فقط بالإمتلاك المادي الفيزيائي
وإنما الحسي المعنوي أيضاً
* وصولنا لمرحلة من السلام الداخلي وبأنّ فقداننا
للأشياء لا يعني مطلقاً بأنّ ذواتنا نقصت
بل لازلنا نشعر بالقوة الذاتية هو ما يولّد
( فرح الكينونة )
وهذه المرحلة نصل لها عندما نخرج من عقولنا
الأنا لا تعرف فرح الكينونة لأنها مرتبطة بالفكر
الأنا هي من تجعل الأشياء مرتبطة برؤوسنا كفكرة
فنخلط بينها وبين إحساسنا بذاتنا
فنعتقد أن جزء من ذاتنا مرتبط بالأشياء
كإعتقاد المرأة بأن ذاتها مرتبطة بخاتم الألماس
في الحقيقة هي غير مرتبطة وهذا الوهم من
صنيع الأنا ( أنا ) ( لي ) ( ممتلكاتي )
عندما نتقبّل خسارة شيء ما بصورة كاملة
فهنا نتجاوز ( الأنا)
وتظهر ذاتنا الواعية .
مثال وارد في الكتاب :
قال السيد المسيح:
إذا أخذ أحدهم قميصك، فأعطه معطفك أيضاً
* التخلي عن الأشياء يحتاج لقوة أعظم بكثير
من الدفاع عنها والتمسك بها
تذكرون في الجزء السابع من كتاب قوة الآن
ذكرت نقطة العبور
أن ندع الأشياء تعبر ولا نقاومها وبأنّ الأمر
يعتبر قمة القوة وليس الضعف كما هو ظاهر
الحياة تهبنا تجارب من خلالها نطور وعينا
لا يعني امتلاكنا للأشياء من عدمها يعطينا شعور بالأكبر والأقل ، المسألة مرتبطة ب ( الأنا ) والأنا
ليست خطأ
إنما هي ( لا وعي )
عندما ندرك الأنا في ذاتنا نبدأ بالتسامي فوقها
وهم الملكية
أكثر الناس إدراكاً لذواتهم وبأنّ امتلاك الأشياء
وهم هم من يقتربون من الموت
يكتشفون بأنهم كانوا يبحثون عن إحساس
أكبر بالذات عبر امتلاك الأشياء بينما هم
كانوا يبحثون عن شيء موجود أصلاً وبإستمرار
لكن محجوب عنهم بسبب تطابق وتماثل الأشياء
مع عقولهم ( الأنا )
في ديننا الحنيف
الفقراء والمساكين يدخلون الجنة قبل الأغنياء
لأن الغني سيحاسب على كل ما أعطاه الله
وكل ما يملك بينما الفقير لا يملك الكثير ليحاسب عليه
لذلك كان التخلي عن الممتلكات ممارسة روحانية
قديمة في الشرق والغرب
لكن التخلّي وحده ليس كافٍ للتحرّر من الأنا
( أنا أمتلك إذن أنا موجود )
الأنا تحيا على المقارنة
فما أنت عليه وقيمتك الذاتية مرتبطة ب ماذا تكون في عيون الآخرين
وهذا يجعلنا طوال حياتنا نسعى خلف
قيمة وهمية وأمل باطل .
إذاً لنصل لبداية التحول في الوعي
يجب أن نكون واعين لمسألة صلتنا بالأشياء
وغالباً قيمة الأشياء تظهر لدينا عند فقدانها
فنبدأ بالقلق وهذا يعني أننا مرتبطين بتلك الأشياء
كما أخبرتكم مسبقا :
قد يحدث أن ترتفع قيمة الشيء في ظل غيابه
أو دخوله في دائرة الممنوع
إذا كنا واعين لهذا التماهي ( التماثل ، الإرتباط)
فهذا يعني بأنّ وعينا مدرك هذا الإرتباط
أبسطها :
الإرتباط حاصل حاصل ولكن
إدراكنا له و وعينا له فهذا يعني بأنّنا بدأنا التحوّل في الوعي
مثلاً نفس الذي يعمل الشيء وهو مدرك و واعي تماماً له وللنتيجة
والذي يعمل نفس الشيء لكن غير مدرك أبداً
الأول يكون في تماهي مع الشيء لكنه غير كلي
الثاني يكون التماهي كليا
نادية أحمد
الجزء السادس / أرض جديدة
الأنا تتطابق مع الإمتلاك لكن شعورها به سطحي
، نسبي وسريع الزوال
الأنا > لا تشبع وتبحث عن المزيد
يعني عدم رضا
تذكرون لما تكلمت عن هرم ابراهام ماسلو
وإنه أكبر نسبة انتحار بالسويد رغم انه الفرد
وصل لقمة الهرم وحقق ذاته !
الأنا هنا تفسر لنا أكثر مسألة الإنتحار
رغم تحقيق الذات
لأنه وصل للقمة
والأنا لم تشبع بعد
فاصل :
أذكر عاليوتيوب شاهدت قبل مدة
انتحار أغنى رجل في بريطانيا بحضور زوجته
وطبيب
اعتقد عمره بالخمسينات او بداية الستينات
و رغم نجاحه المخيف وسمعته و أمواله لكن
قال إنه ما عاد يشعر بالرضا او السعادة
سأله الطبيب أكثر من مرة هل أنت مقتنع ؟ واثق ؟
طبعا هو كل القناعة فيه إنه يحتاج أن يموت
ودع زوجته و أعطاه الطبيب كوب فيه مادة
وقال له بعد ما أن تشربها بدقيقتين تبدأ تفقد
الإحساس بحواسك وأطرافك وقلبك سيتوقف
وفعلا هذا ما حدث.
استغربت اكثر من حدث الإنتحار ردة فعل الزوجة
الذي كان أقل من عادي بكثير
أثبتت لي بأنّ (( الإنجليز باردين جدا ))
ونواصل :
إذن المسألة ( تملّك و تطلّب ) معاً
وهذا بشكل أو آخر مرتبط بعدم القناعة
وصدق من قال ( القناعة كنز لا يفنى )
هنا��ك فرق بين الطموح والقناعة
الطموح أسعى للمزيد لكن لدي رضا بما أملك
القناعة الرضا بكل ما أملك دون السعي لإمتلاك أكثر
يعني الطموح يشوبه بعض القلق والتوتر وجهد عالي للتملك أكثر وتحقيق انجازات أكثر
لكن القناعة لا، لأنها تشعر برضا تام مطلق بما تملك
هذا الفرق من وجهة نظري أنا :) نادية
الأنا أقرب للشكوى والتملّل والتطلّب
لذلك عندما نحصل على شيء ونكون في قمة حاجتنا
مجرد حصولنا عليه نصبح محتاجين أكثر وأكثر وأكثر
المثل يقول ( اللي أوله دلع آخره ولع )
الأنا مولعة بالتطلّب والتملك وعدم الإكتفاء ( جشعة ) ( مدمنة ) ( حاجاتها زائفة او مستعارة )
مثال عن الأنا التي تعرف ما تريد وتسعى بطاقة رهيبة :
هتلر
جنكيز خان
ستالين
لكن في نهاية المطاف سببوا تعاسة لهم وللآخرين
الأنوات ( جمع أنا) لديها رغبات متصارعة:
_ تريد أشياء مختلفة في مختلف الأوقات
_ لا يعرفون احتياجاتهم إلّا أنهم لا يريدون
* الاضطراب والقلق والضجر
* عدم الرضا
لأنها نتائج للتطلّب الذي لا يمكن تحقيقه
الأشكال العقلية ل
لي
ملكي
أريد
أحتاج إلى
هذا ليس بكافٍ
لا تتصل بالمضمون بل ببنية ( الأنا )
السعادة هنا شبه معدومة لأن الإشباع لم يتم
بل تحتاج لأشياء تكمل الإحساس الناقص بالذات
المسألة كلها عبارة عن ((((( وهم )))) الأنا تخلقه
التماهي مع الجسد ( التطابق)
الجنس ذكر أم أنثى هو الهوية
نحضع لسلوكات مشروطة بمعايير تؤثر
على كل نواحي الحياة
خاصة في المجتمعات التقليدية اللا غربية
فمثلا أسوأ مصير تواجهه المرأة هو أن
تكون عانساً أو عاقراً أو مطلقة !!
وأسوأ مصير للرجل هو العجز الجنسي والعقم
لأن إشباع الحياة قائم على إشباع الهوية الجنسية ( male or female before sex )
الغرب يركزون على الظهور الفيزيائي
الذي يعزّز احساسك بمن تظن نفسك عليه
أستاذة (هند) أعتقد في بدايات نقاشنا لكتاب
قوة الآن انك تطرقتي لموضوع المثلية وذكرتي
اسم كاتب معين على ما يبدو
لأنه الغرب ما يهتموا أساسا بالجنس ( ذكر ام انثى ) بمقدار الهوية والرغبة والميول
واضطراب الميول حتى لو الجنس واضح هو
الذي يؤدي للبحث عن هوية منكرة للجنس او متجاهلة
لذلك بدأت دول تبيح زواج المثليين واعتبرته حق
من حقوقهم
فاصل :
يوجد برنامج على شاشة ابو ظبي اعتقد لدكتور
نسيت اسمه لكن تكلم بشكل تفصيلي عن اضطراب الهوية الجنسية والميول وأحضر أدلة شرعية تنفي تحريم هذا الشي فقط لمجرد الأهواء والثقافة
(موجود عاليوتيوب برنامج يعرض على شاشة ابوظبي).
الخطأ عندما نربط هويتنا بالشكل والقوة الجسدية
لأنه مصيرها للزوال وهنا تبدأ المعاناة
ونصبح عرضة للإنهيار
الخطأ الأصلي هو ربط الأنا بمفاهيم وصور ذهنية مستمدة من أجسادنا
( كالوزن مثلا والشكل ) والذي لا ثبات فيهما
لذلك أن نقارن ونساوي بين
الإحساس
بالجسد المادي ( مصيره يشيخ )
وبين
الأنا
سوف تؤدي لمعاناة
المسألة ((( قبول ))) ثم العمل على تحسين
المشكلات ( كالسمنة مثلا ) حتى لا يخفت الجمال
وتتلاشى القوة
القوة الحقيقية هي ( نور الوعي )
خلاصة :
الجسد بغض النظر عن جماليته الفيزيائية من قبحه
فهو أداة نستمد منها قوتنا
لذلك نرى الكثير ممن لديهم اعاقات بدنية
ابدعوا في مجالات كثيرة جدا وتحتاج لعزيمة
وإرادة قوية ّ
في حين هذا هو الصواب و يجب ألّا نربط
بين المرض وكأنه هوية لنا نتماهى به
أرجع لماما :
بعد وفاة الوالد هي نفسيا تعبت رغم إنهم
كانوا دوم على خلاف بأي نقاش بس علاقتهم
كانت جميلة جدا والإحترام في أوجه
بعد وفاته جاها مرض السكر وسكتة قلبية
ونقرس وهشاشة عظام وانزلاقات غضروفية
وضعف بصرها وووووو
طبعا هي نفسها أحسها جذبت المرض
وكأنه جسدها تماهى مع المرض وأصبح
هوية لها
فوز يعجبني دوم ربطك بالدين والقرآن والسنة
حبيبنا عليه افضل الصلوات ألم يقل :
لا تمارضوا فتمرضوا فتموتوا ؟!
نادية أحمد
الفصل الثامن / أرض جديدة
الفصل الرابع مميز جدا وراق لي تحدّث عن
( لعب الأدوار: الوجوه المتعددة للأنا )
الأنا جاهلة فلا تعرف بأن مصدر الطاقة من الداخل
لذلك تبحث عنها من الخارج من خلال اهتمام مثلا
كالمديح والاعجاب وإثبات الوجود بأي شكل.
راقت لي ايضا نقطة الشخص الخجول
كيف أنّ الأنا لديه متناقضة :
هي تريد اهتمام الآخرين لكن نفس الوقت تخشاه.
شعورنا بالتفوق على الآخرين أو الدونية أمامهم
هي الأنا التي في داخلنا .
الأنا اذا لم تحصل على مديح واعجاب وهو ايجابي
تلجأ للإهتمام السلبي كأن تثير ردود فعل سلبية في الآخرين
مثال عليها (( الأطفال )) يسيئ الطفل التصرف ليحصل على اهتمامنا .
من أدوار الأنا الشهيرة هو ( دور الضحية )
وشكل الإهتمام المطلوب يكون بالتعاطف والشفقة واهتمام الآخرين بمشكلاتي ( أنا وقصتي )
وهنا رؤية الذات الضحية كعنصر من انماط الأنا متمثلة ب :
التذمر
الغضب
الإحساس بالإهانة
التوتر
حتما عندما أتماهى وأتطابق مع قصتي
التي حددت بها أني ضحية فلا أريدها أن تنتهي .
في العلاقات العاطفية يبرز لعب الأدوار
لغاية الجذب والحفاظ على الطرف الآخر
لإعتقادي بأنه الشخص الذي سيجعلني سعيدا
ويشعرني بالتميز ويلبّي احتياجاتي
ضمنيا وبشكل غير مصرّح به وكأننا نقول لبعضنا:
سنلعب الأدوار المطلوبة منا
_طبعاً هذا غش وخداع _
لأن الحقائق ستظهر عندما يعيش الطرفان سويةً
وهنا تبدأ بالظهور الحقائق وتبدأ الأنا بالتجرد
من كل أدوارها
كتبتها منذ عامين تقريبا :
( للنهاية )
ما أسهل أن نقدّم أنفسنا بطريقة
مُبهرة وجاذبة للقلوب
لكن ما أصعب أن نستمر بذلك العرض
نفسه الذي قدّمنا أنفسنا به للنهاية
عندما بدأت وظائف معينة تمنح للناس مع تطور الحضارات
كحاكم ومزارع وتاجر وعامل وأصبحت الوظيفة تحدد الهوية مما ساهم في نشوء نظام طبقي
بوذا والمسيح كانوا ضد النظام الطبقي واعتبروه
تماهي مع الشكل فقط
قصة الراهب ذو اليدين المتعرقتين عجيبة
بس تساءلت لثوان لو كان الراهب عربي
يا ترى هل كان سيمتلك القوة ليخبر تلامذته ؟!
العمل مع ومن دون الأنا
الأنا في حال المرض
و الأنا الجماعية
بلخصها لكم حسب فهمي بمثالين:
الأول :
كان دوامي في عَمّان ويوميا أقود سيارتي
بين ذهاب وإياب حوالي ٣ ساعات ل ٤ ساعات
لاحظت لاحقاً إنّه القيادة عندي أصبحت شبه
أوتوماتيكية
يعني بنات قسم بالله إنه عندنا منطقة فيها سدود وماء جاري
وأعبر هذه المنطقة وأنا خارج وعيي
تقريبا بعد ٥ دقائق ل ٧ دقائق أهز رأسي
وأستجمع تركيزي و��درك إنه السيارة أوتوماتيكيا
مشت ما يقارب ال ١٥كيلو متر من تلقائها
وأنا فقط كنت ماسكة الستيرنج على سرعة
من ١٢٠ ل ١٤٠
وأستهجن كيف السيارة ما انحرفت عن مسارها
وكيف انعطفت مع المنعطفات وتجاوزت المطبات!!
ويقولون السيارة جماد ؟! السيارة مو جماد
ولو هي جماد كل جماد و حي بينهم كيمياء
عجيبة ولغة تفاهم
وتمارين معينة ممكن تثبت هالشيء .
النقطة هي قدرتنا على التحكم بالتفكير من عدمه
في مرحلة اللاوعي
قد نتبرمج لفعل معيّن والأنا الحاضرة ليست سيئة
دوماً إذا ما علمنا كيف نستنبط فوائدها كما
حدث معي بالقيادة الأوتوماتيكية وانا خارج الوعي.
الثاني :
مرض الوالدة ( تحملوني يعني كل شوي أضرب مثال فيها )
الوالدة معاها كما أخبرتكم ٥ أمراض مزمنة
تصدقوا أنا لاحظت إنها تحب تخبر الكل عن
أمراضها !
يعني هل هو بدافع الشفقة أو لنيل اهتمامهم ؟!
يعني مثلا أنا لو مرضت أوصل لمرحلة إنه
ممكن أزحف من التهاب لوزي عالأرض
وحرارتي ٤٠ وما أخبر أحد ( مش شطارة أدري)
بس إنه مستحيل أستجدي أحد بمرضي أو
أطلب إهتمام
الأنا عندي مذللتها ومو بكيفها متحكمة فيني
ما أسمع لها ولا أشبع رغباتها واحتياجاتها
لذلك أنا خارج مدارات تحكمها بي وبجسدي
او تفكيري
أمارس الفكر كسلوك طبيعي لا مرضي
الصوت الفاني أستمع له وأحاوره لكن
دون أن أرضي غرور الأنا المتطلبة ودون
أن أنظر بدونية لمن حولي أو أنهم أقل وعي أو ذكاء
أساساً كنت دوماً أرددها لصديقة الأنا عندها
في أوجها
(( لا تعتدي بذكائك لأنّ الإيمان المطلق بالذكاء
والإستخفاف بالآخرين هو بداية الإنهيار والدخول
في بوابة الغباء )) و اللي يستغبي الناس هو الغبي
تخيلوا بأنها ارتكبت حماقات جسيمة في حياتها
وجرت لي بعض المصائب والخسائر بعنادها
بكت يوماً ما وأنا كلي نيران من تصرفاتها
وقالت : ليتني سمعت كلامك يا ناديا ليتني
الأنا مرتبطة أيضاً بالغرور
لذلك المغرور أعمى بصيرة
نفس مثال المشاهير الوارد في الكتاب
ومثال الهندي( الرب ) اللي خبرتكم قصته
التنوير (( بصيرة )) (( وعي عن طريق اللاوعي))
أو (( لاوعي عن طريق الوعي )) (( سمو وإرتقاء))
(( قبول )) (( إدراك ل اللا إدراك ))
(( تحرّر)) (( أقرب لكائن حي نحتاج للإمتزاج
والتجانس معه )) لخلق سيمفونيّة متناغمة من تناقضات مرحلة الوعي واللاوعي
أشبه بقائد أوركسترا يمسك بعصاه ويبدأ بضبط
مئات النغمات النشاز لتصبح متناغمة بنسج معين
فننتشي بروحانية ما نصغي ونسمع
نحن (القائد)
الإدراك والوعي والقدرة (العصا)
مرحلة الضبط والتفاوت والتجاذب بين تفكير ولا تفكير وبين وعي ولا وعي ( النغمات)
التنوير ( الروحانية )
ناناالفصل التاسع / أرض جديدة
مدخل:
الكاتب ذكر في كتابة ( قوة الآن) قصة العراك
بين بطتين مع بعضها وذكر بأنه لا يدوم طويلا
فكل بطة تنفصل عن الأخرى وتمضي بإتجاه
معاكس
ثم
ترفرف بجناحيها كل بطة بعنف وتطلق الطاقة
الفائضة التي تولدت خلال العراك .
ثم تمضي كل واحدة بسلام
طبعا العراك على دخول إحدى البطات لمنطقة
الأخرى
لكن لو كانت البطة ( تملك عقلا بشريا )
لكان السيناريو :
شو هاظ الحكي يازلمة؟!
بدك تتورثيني وانا عايشة ؟
الله لا يوفقك يا بعيدة
لكان السيناريو :
ابقاء العراك حياً من خلال :
التفكير
اختلاق القصص
وستكون رواية البطة :
*لا أصدّق ما فعْلته للتو !
* لقد اقتربت مني نحو خمسة إنشات
* تعتقد أنها تمتلك البركة
*ليس لديها احترام لمساحتي الخاصة
* لن أثق بها ثانية
* أنا متأكدة أنها بدأت التخطيط لشيء ما
*لكنني لن أقف مكتوفة الأيدي
* سألقنها درساً لن تنساه
ويستمر العقل في حَبك القصص
ويظل يتكلم عن الأمر لأيام وشهور وربما سنوات
جسدياً المعركة لازالت مستمرة
والطاقة التي يولّدها للرد على هذه الأفكار
هي عاطفة تولد المزيد من التفكير وهنا يبرز
مصطلح (( التفكير العاطفي للأنا ))
هذا يبين لنا كيف أن البطة ستكون حياتها
كلها مشكلات لو كانت تملك عقل بشري .
مخرج:
لأن معظم البشر يعيشون هكذا
فالعقل وفكرة ( أنا وقصتي ) التي يحبكها العقل
تبقي الحدث مستمرا
خلاصة :
كل ما في الطبيعة ( زهرة،شجرة،حيوان)
لديه دروس مهمّة نتعلمها منه
لو أننا فقط نتوقّف قليلا، نتأمل، ننظر ونصغي .
الدرس الذي تعلم��اه من البطة :
( رفرّف بجناحيك )أي تخلّى عن القصة
وعد إلى مكان القوة الوحيد (( اللحظة الراهنة ))
نادية أحمد
الجزء الأول / أرض جديدة
ص ١٦ تنوير بالانجليزي مكتوبة خطأ والصحيح
enlightenment وليس enlightment
وشكراً
البادئة عن الوعي الإنساني وبدايات تفتّحه ويقظته
تكلم عن بدايات نشأة الحياة على الأرض
رغم اعتراضي على قناعته بأن الزواحف بعضها بقي زواحف
بعضها نبت له ريش وأجنحة وتحوّل طيور
_يبدو لي هذه الجزئية كتبها وهو يتابع سلسلة ( هاري بوتر )
*
الأشياء عموما من نباتات وحيوانات وجمادات
لها جوهر
نحن لا ندرك ماهيتها إلا عندما نتعامل معها
بأنّها ذات جوهر أي حضور
لأنّها تتوحّد مع جوهرنا
مثال بسيط :
الحيوانات الأليفة كقط مثلا
لما نربيه في البيت ونعتني فيه
يصير اندماج بيننا وبينه
نشعر بألمه وفرحه واسترخائه
حتى النظرات نفهمها ( رضا/جوع/نعاس)
لدرجة مثلاً لو جاء ضيف ومعاه طفل وقام
بضرب القط أو ازعاجه سوف نغضب بشدة
هنا توصلنا لجوهر القط ولم نتعامل معاه بشكله الخارجي فقط ( الأصم )
وهذا يعني ( يقظة روحية )
*غالبية الأديان والتقاليد الروحية تتفق على بصيرتين
وكلها تشير إلى حقيقة أساسية واحدة:
الحالة العادية الطبيعية لعقل معظم البشر
يحتوي على عنصر قوي يدعى "الجنون"
(( الخلل الوظيفي ))
- الهندوسية تسميه (مايا) أي حجاب الوهم
- البوذية (دوكا) أي المعاناة أو عدم الرضا أو التعاسة
- المسيحية (الخطيئة الأصلية) التي معناها الحقيقي هو أن تخطئ الهدف من الوجود البشري
أي العيش بغير مهارة فيتعذب ويعذب الآخرين
خلاصة :
العقل البشري يتمتع بقدر عال من الذكاء
بدليل الحقبة التي نعيشها حيث تسارع
تكنولوجي وعلمي أحدثت تغييرات جذرية في
طرق عيشنا
ومكّنتنا من ابتكار أشياء كانت تعتبر معجزات قبل قرنين
لكن هذا الذكاء يخالطه الجنون لحد كبير جدا
بدليل الحروب التي اندلعت ولازالت تندلع .
العقل البشري خدم الجنون نفسه عندما اخترع
القنابل والرشاشات والغازات السامة وغيرها.
في نهاية القرن العشرين بلغ عدد ضحايا العنف
اكثر من ١٠٠ مليون شخص
بين حروب وإبادات جماعية ومذابح
*الجشع
الخوف
السعي للسلطة
هي قوى سايكولوجية دافعة للحروب والعنف بين الأمم والأديان والأيديولوجيات
وبين الصراع الدائم في العلاقات الشخصية
مثال :
المسلسلات الكويتية اللي هي أقرب مثال
للصراعات الدائمة في العلاقات الأسرية والعمل
ومثال ضخم للجشع وردود الأفعال للحماية من الخوف وقمة الأنانية
هي تجسيد للصراع في العلاقات الشخصية
لندرك بأن
الخوف
الجشع
السعي للسلطة
هي نشأت من الخلل الوظيفي وليست الخلل نفسه
الكثير من التعاليم الروحية توصينا بنبذ الرغبة والخوف
هذا وحده ليس كفيل بنجاح النبذ لأنه لا يعالج الخلل
ما يعالجه هو (( الوعي ))
وما غير الوعي هي طرق ذكية لتحسين الذات فقط
عن طريق تقوية الهوية المفهومية والصورة الذاتية
هذا ليس علاج حقيقي
إنما إيحاء و وهم
العلاج الحقيقي هو أن أجد الخير في داخلي
و أسمح له بالظهور عن طريق أن يتغير لدي الوعي.
الوعي الجديد في طور النشوء
في التعاليم الهندوسية ( تنوير)
التعاليم المسيحية ( الخلاص)
التعالم البوذية (نهاية العذاب أو المعاناة )
هذا التحوّل يكون عن طريق:
١- الإنعتاق
٢- اليقظة
الدين غير الروحانية
امتلاكك لمجموعة افكار واعتبارها حقيقتك المطلقة
لا تجعل منك شخصا روحانيا بغض النظر عن معتقداتك
لأن اندماج اكثر بين معتقداتك وهويتك سيفصلك
اكثر عن البعد الروحاني في داخل ذاتك
كيف تكون روحانيا لا علاقة له بما تعتقده بل
له علاقة بحالة وعيك الداخلي
وهذا هو ما يحدّد كيف تتصرّف في العالم
وتتفاعل مع الآخرين
من يركزون على الشكل يصبحون اكثر رسوخا في معتقداتهم أي عقولهم وهنا يصبح رسوخ (للأنا)
التي مصيرها التلاشي سواء كانت في معتقدات
أو مؤسسات أو حكومات أو غيرها .
(الأنا) مهما بدت قوية ستبدأ تتحلل من الداخل وتنهار
أمام التغيير
مثال مطروح في الكتاب :
وضع الكنائس والبابا سابقاً وحالياً
ومثال الإتحاد السوفيتي الشيوعي
#ضرورة التحوّل
ينطبق عليها مثل ( الحاجة أم الإختراع )
عند مواجهة المشاكل والكوارث والطرق القديمة
ما عادت تجدي نفعا فلا بد من البحث عن طرق
جديدة للمواجهة وإلّا سيكون الموت او الإنقراض
هم النتيجة الحتميّة.
نادية أحمد
الجزء الخامس / أرض جديدة
التماهي مع الأشياء
مثال الدعاية والإعلان رائع لأنه بسيط ويفسر كيف
أنّ المسوّقين يبيعوا الناس بعد أن يقنعوهن بأنّ
المنتجات ستضيف لهم أشياء لذواتهم والذي يزيد التميز هو ربطه بشخصيات مشهورة مثلا
كالماركات العالمية سواء ملابس او عطور او ماكياجات
وكأن هذا المنتج أصبح هوية نحملها خاصة
وأنها باهضة الثمن ومحصورة على فئة معينة
مشكلة الأنا هنا أنّ شعورها بالرضا يكون لفترة
عابرة وبالتالي هي دوما تبحث عن كل جديد
فنستمر بالشراء والإستهلاك
لأن امتلاكها للأشياء يعزز الذات وينشئ هوساً بها
مما يخلق مجتمع استهلاكي معيار تقدمه
( المزيد)
كلنا نعلم بأنّ النمو المتزايد يؤدي لخلل وظيفي
وكما يصفه المهوسون بالنمو السلبي بدل الركود الإقتصادي
لم نعد نشعر بالحياة بسبب تكاثر الممتلكات
مثال :
أنا شخصياً ما أحب البوفيهات لأنه تخلق لدي
ربكة معينة
يعني أكثر من صنفين أو ثلاث يجعلني أفقد شهيتي
حتى لو كنت أعلم احتياجي وذوقي
مجرد الكثرة يولّد لدي شعور أقرب للتقيؤ والشبع
كثرة الأشياء تجعلها تفقد قيمتها ولذتها
لذلك أمقت الأماكن الصاخبة لأنها تفقدني
الشعور باللذة والتمتع في المكان
كقاعدة طبعا وليس استثناء حتما
مثال :
نكتة دارجة عالبنات انه دواليبهم كلها ملابس
ولا صارت مناسبة ما عندها شيء تلبسه
وضع طبيعي لأنه كثرة الملابس أفقدتها قيمتها
بينما بنت فقيرة مثلا تتمنى الحصول على فستان واحد جديد او حذاء لأن ما تلبسه مهترئ
تمرين روحي :
راقب علاقتك بعالم الممتلكات من خلال مراقبة ذاتك
هل هناك أشياء تزيد لديك إحساسك بالقيمة الذاتية ؟
هل جهازك المحمول إذا ما رأيت غيرك يحمل أحدث منه يعطيك شعور بالنقصان ؟
مثال الخاتم الضائع هو تمرين روحي كذلك
عندما نفقد الأشياء التي نملكها لا يعني
فقدان ذواتنا
نفس ما حصل مع والدتي وقطع الزيتون وأشجار الزينة
غضبت جداً وصرخت
وأنا كنت هادية ومؤمنة بأنّ أولا ما حدث قدر
ثمّ ثانيا كل الأشياء مصيرها الزوال
فلما أجلد نفسي وروحي لأجل زيتونة مثلا أو سيارة فقدتها أو عمل أو زوج أو طفل أو صديقة
المسألة لا تتعلق فقط بالإمتلاك المادي الفيزيائي
وإنما الحسي المعنوي أيضاً
* وصولنا لمرحلة من السلام الداخلي وبأنّ فقداننا
للأشياء لا يعني مطلقاً بأنّ ذواتنا نقصت
بل لازلنا نشعر بالقوة الذاتية هو ما يولّد
( فرح الكينونة )
وهذه المرحلة نصل لها عندما نخرج من عقولنا
الأنا لا تعرف فرح الكينونة لأنها مرتبطة بالفكر
الأنا هي من تجعل الأشياء مرتبطة برؤوسنا كفكرة
فنخلط بينها وبين إحساسنا بذاتنا
فنعتقد أن جزء من ذاتنا مرتبط بالأشياء
كإعتقاد المرأة بأن ذاتها مرتبطة بخاتم الألماس
في الحقيقة هي غير مرتبطة وهذا الوهم من
صنيع الأنا ( أنا ) ( لي ) ( ممتلكاتي )
عندما نتقبّل خسارة شيء ما بصورة كاملة
فهنا نتجاوز ( الأنا)
وتظهر ذاتنا الواعية .
مثال وارد في الكتاب :
قال السيد المسيح:
إذا أخذ أحدهم قميصك، فأعطه معطفك أيضاً
* التخلي عن الأشياء يحتاج لقوة أعظم بكثير
من الدفاع عنها والتمسك بها
تذكرون في الجزء السابع من كتاب قوة الآن
ذكرت نقطة العبور
أن ندع الأشياء تعبر ولا نقاومها وبأنّ الأمر
يعتبر قمة القوة وليس الضعف كما هو ظاهر
الحياة تهبنا تجارب من خلالها نطور وعينا
لا يعني امتلاكنا للأشياء من عدمها يعطينا شعور بالأكبر والأقل ، المسألة مرتبطة ب ( الأنا ) والأنا
ليست خطأ
إنما هي ( لا وعي )
عندما ندرك الأنا في ذاتنا نبدأ بالتسامي فوقها
وهم الملكية
أكثر الناس إدراكاً لذواتهم وبأنّ امتلاك الأشياء
وهم هم من يقتربون من الموت
يكتشفون بأنهم كانوا يبحثون عن إحساس
أكبر بالذات عبر امتلاك الأشياء بينما هم
كانوا يبحثون عن شيء موجود أصلاً وبإستمرار
لكن محجوب عنهم بسبب تطابق وتماثل الأشياء
مع عقولهم ( الأنا )
في ديننا الحنيف
الفقراء والمساكين يدخلون الجنة قبل الأغنياء
لأن الغني سيحاسب على كل ما أعطاه الله
وكل ما يملك بينما الفقير لا يملك الكثير ليحاسب عليه
لذلك كان التخلي عن الممتلكات ممارسة روحانية
قديمة في الشرق والغرب
لكن التخلّي وحده ليس كافٍ للتحرّر من الأنا
( أنا أمتلك إذن أنا موجود )
الأنا تحيا على المقارنة
فما أنت عليه وقيمتك الذاتية مرتبطة ب ماذا تكون في عيون الآخرين
وهذا يجعلنا طوال حياتنا نسعى خلف
قيمة وهمية وأمل باطل .
إذاً لنصل لبداية التحول في الوعي
يجب أن نكون واعين لمسألة صلتنا بالأشياء
وغالباً قيمة الأشياء تظهر لدينا عند فقدانها
فنبدأ بالقلق وهذا يعني أننا مرتبطين بتلك الأشياء
كما أخبرتكم مسبقا :
قد يحدث أن ترتفع قيمة الشيء في ظل غيابه
أو دخوله في دائرة الممنوع
إذا كنا واعين لهذا التماهي ( التماثل ، الإرتباط)
فهذا يعني بأنّ وعينا مدرك هذا الإرتباط
أبسطها :
الإرتباط حاصل حاصل ولكن
إدراكنا له و وعينا له فهذا يعني بأنّنا بدأنا التحوّل في الوعي
مثلاً نفس الذي يعمل الشيء وهو مدرك و واعي تماماً له وللنتيجة
والذي يعمل نفس الشيء لكن غير مدرك أبداً
الأول يكون في تماهي مع الشيء لكنه غير كلي
الثاني يكون التماهي كليا
نادية أحمد
الجزء السادس / أرض جديدة
الأنا تتطابق مع الإمتلاك لكن شعورها به سطحي
، نسبي وسريع الزوال
الأنا > لا تشبع وتبحث عن المزيد
يعني عدم رضا
تذكرون لما تكلمت عن هرم ابراهام ماسلو
وإنه أكبر نسبة انتحار بالسويد رغم انه الفرد
وصل لقمة الهرم وحقق ذاته !
الأنا هنا تفسر لنا أكثر مسألة الإنتحار
رغم تحقيق الذات
لأنه وصل للقمة
والأنا لم تشبع بعد
فاصل :
أذكر عاليوتيوب شاهدت قبل مدة
انتحار أغنى رجل في بريطانيا بحضور زوجته
وطبيب
اعتقد عمره بالخمسينات او بداية الستينات
و رغم نجاحه المخيف وسمعته و أمواله لكن
قال إنه ما عاد يشعر بالرضا او السعادة
سأله الطبيب أكثر من مرة هل أنت مقتنع ؟ واثق ؟
طبعا هو كل القناعة فيه إنه يحتاج أن يموت
ودع زوجته و أعطاه الطبيب كوب فيه مادة
وقال له بعد ما أن تشربها بدقيقتين تبدأ تفقد
الإحساس بحواسك وأطرافك وقلبك سيتوقف
وفعلا هذا ما حدث.
استغربت اكثر من حدث الإنتحار ردة فعل الزوجة
الذي كان أقل من عادي بكثير
أثبتت لي بأنّ (( الإنجليز باردين جدا ))
ونواصل :
إذن المسألة ( تملّك و تطلّب ) معاً
وهذا بشكل أو آخر مرتبط بعدم القناعة
وصدق من قال ( القناعة كنز لا يفنى )
هنا��ك فرق بين الطموح والقناعة
الطموح أسعى للمزيد لكن لدي رضا بما أملك
القناعة الرضا بكل ما أملك دون السعي لإمتلاك أكثر
يعني الطموح يشوبه بعض القلق والتوتر وجهد عالي للتملك أكثر وتحقيق انجازات أكثر
لكن القناعة لا، لأنها تشعر برضا تام مطلق بما تملك
هذا الفرق من وجهة نظري أنا :) نادية
الأنا أقرب للشكوى والتملّل والتطلّب
لذلك عندما نحصل على شيء ونكون في قمة حاجتنا
مجرد حصولنا عليه نصبح محتاجين أكثر وأكثر وأكثر
المثل يقول ( اللي أوله دلع آخره ولع )
الأنا مولعة بالتطلّب والتملك وعدم الإكتفاء ( جشعة ) ( مدمنة ) ( حاجاتها زائفة او مستعارة )
مثال عن الأنا التي تعرف ما تريد وتسعى بطاقة رهيبة :
هتلر
جنكيز خان
ستالين
لكن في نهاية المطاف سببوا تعاسة لهم وللآخرين
الأنوات ( جمع أنا) لديها رغبات متصارعة:
_ تريد أشياء مختلفة في مختلف الأوقات
_ لا يعرفون احتياجاتهم إلّا أنهم لا يريدون
* الاضطراب والقلق والضجر
* عدم الرضا
لأنها نتائج للتطلّب الذي لا يمكن تحقيقه
الأشكال العقلية ل
لي
ملكي
أريد
أحتاج إلى
هذا ليس بكافٍ
لا تتصل بالمضمون بل ببنية ( الأنا )
السعادة هنا شبه معدومة لأن الإشباع لم يتم
بل تحتاج لأشياء تكمل الإحساس الناقص بالذات
المسألة كلها عبارة عن ((((( وهم )))) الأنا تخلقه
التماهي مع الجسد ( التطابق)
الجنس ذكر أم أنثى هو الهوية
نحضع لسلوكات مشروطة بمعايير تؤثر
على كل نواحي الحياة
خاصة في المجتمعات التقليدية اللا غربية
فمثلا أسوأ مصير تواجهه المرأة هو أن
تكون عانساً أو عاقراً أو مطلقة !!
وأسوأ مصير للرجل هو العجز الجنسي والعقم
لأن إشباع الحياة قائم على إشباع الهوية الجنسية ( male or female before sex )
الغرب يركزون على الظهور الفيزيائي
الذي يعزّز احساسك بمن تظن نفسك عليه
أستاذة (هند) أعتقد في بدايات نقاشنا لكتاب
قوة الآن انك تطرقتي لموضوع المثلية وذكرتي
اسم كاتب معين على ما يبدو
لأنه الغرب ما يهتموا أساسا بالجنس ( ذكر ام انثى ) بمقدار الهوية والرغبة والميول
واضطراب الميول حتى لو الجنس واضح هو
الذي يؤدي للبحث عن هوية منكرة للجنس او متجاهلة
لذلك بدأت دول تبيح زواج المثليين واعتبرته حق
من حقوقهم
فاصل :
يوجد برنامج على شاشة ابو ظبي اعتقد لدكتور
نسيت اسمه لكن تكلم بشكل تفصيلي عن اضطراب الهوية الجنسية والميول وأحضر أدلة شرعية تنفي تحريم هذا الشي فقط لمجرد الأهواء والثقافة
(موجود عاليوتيوب برنامج يعرض على شاشة ابوظبي).
الخطأ عندما نربط هويتنا بالشكل والقوة الجسدية
لأنه مصيرها للزوال وهنا تبدأ المعاناة
ونصبح عرضة للإنهيار
الخطأ الأصلي هو ربط الأنا بمفاهيم وصور ذهنية مستمدة من أجسادنا
( كالوزن مثلا والشكل ) والذي لا ثبات فيهما
لذلك أن نقارن ونساوي بين
الإحساس
بالجسد المادي ( مصيره يشيخ )
وبين
الأنا
سوف تؤدي لمعاناة
المسألة ((( قبول ))) ثم العمل على تحسين
المشكلات ( كالسمنة مثلا ) حتى لا يخفت الجمال
وتتلاشى القوة
القوة الحقيقية هي ( نور الوعي )
خلاصة :
الجسد بغض النظر عن جماليته الفيزيائية من قبحه
فهو أداة نستمد منها قوتنا
لذلك نرى الكثير ممن لديهم اعاقات بدنية
ابدعوا في مجالات كثيرة جدا وتحتاج لعزيمة
وإرادة قوية ّ
في حين هذا هو الصواب و يجب ألّا نربط
بين المرض وكأنه هوية لنا نتماهى به
أرجع لماما :
بعد وفاة الوالد هي نفسيا تعبت رغم إنهم
كانوا دوم على خلاف بأي نقاش بس علاقتهم
كانت جميلة جدا والإحترام في أوجه
بعد وفاته جاها مرض السكر وسكتة قلبية
ونقرس وهشاشة عظام وانزلاقات غضروفية
وضعف بصرها وووووو
طبعا هي نفسها أحسها جذبت المرض
وكأنه جسدها تماهى مع المرض وأصبح
هوية لها
فوز يعجبني دوم ربطك بالدين والقرآن والسنة
حبيبنا عليه افضل الصلوات ألم يقل :
لا تمارضوا فتمرضوا فتموتوا ؟!
نادية أحمد
الفصل الثامن / أرض جديدة
الفصل الرابع مميز جدا وراق لي تحدّث عن
( لعب الأدوار: الوجوه المتعددة للأنا )
الأنا جاهلة فلا تعرف بأن مصدر الطاقة من الداخل
لذلك تبحث عنها من الخارج من خلال اهتمام مثلا
كالمديح والاعجاب وإثبات الوجود بأي شكل.
راقت لي ايضا نقطة الشخص الخجول
كيف أنّ الأنا لديه متناقضة :
هي تريد اهتمام الآخرين لكن نفس الوقت تخشاه.
شعورنا بالتفوق على الآخرين أو الدونية أمامهم
هي الأنا التي في داخلنا .
الأنا اذا لم تحصل على مديح واعجاب وهو ايجابي
تلجأ للإهتمام السلبي كأن تثير ردود فعل سلبية في الآخرين
مثال عليها (( الأطفال )) يسيئ الطفل التصرف ليحصل على اهتمامنا .
من أدوار الأنا الشهيرة هو ( دور الضحية )
وشكل الإهتمام المطلوب يكون بالتعاطف والشفقة واهتمام الآخرين بمشكلاتي ( أنا وقصتي )
وهنا رؤية الذات الضحية كعنصر من انماط الأنا متمثلة ب :
التذمر
الغضب
الإحساس بالإهانة
التوتر
حتما عندما أتماهى وأتطابق مع قصتي
التي حددت بها أني ضحية فلا أريدها أن تنتهي .
في العلاقات العاطفية يبرز لعب الأدوار
لغاية الجذب والحفاظ على الطرف الآخر
لإعتقادي بأنه الشخص الذي سيجعلني سعيدا
ويشعرني بالتميز ويلبّي احتياجاتي
ضمنيا وبشكل غير مصرّح به وكأننا نقول لبعضنا:
سنلعب الأدوار المطلوبة منا
_طبعاً هذا غش وخداع _
لأن الحقائق ستظهر عندما يعيش الطرفان سويةً
وهنا تبدأ بالظهور الحقائق وتبدأ الأنا بالتجرد
من كل أدوارها
كتبتها منذ عامين تقريبا :
( للنهاية )
ما أسهل أن نقدّم أنفسنا بطريقة
مُبهرة وجاذبة للقلوب
لكن ما أصعب أن نستمر بذلك العرض
نفسه الذي قدّمنا أنفسنا به للنهاية
عندما بدأت وظائف معينة تمنح للناس مع تطور الحضارات
كحاكم ومزارع وتاجر وعامل وأصبحت الوظيفة تحدد الهوية مما ساهم في نشوء نظام طبقي
بوذا والمسيح كانوا ضد النظام الطبقي واعتبروه
تماهي مع الشكل فقط
قصة الراهب ذو اليدين المتعرقتين عجيبة
بس تساءلت لثوان لو كان الراهب عربي
يا ترى هل كان سيمتلك القوة ليخبر تلامذته ؟!
العمل مع ومن دون الأنا
الأنا في حال المرض
و الأنا الجماعية
بلخصها لكم حسب فهمي بمثالين:
الأول :
كان دوامي في عَمّان ويوميا أقود سيارتي
بين ذهاب وإياب حوالي ٣ ساعات ل ٤ ساعات
لاحظت لاحقاً إنّه القيادة عندي أصبحت شبه
أوتوماتيكية
يعني بنات قسم بالله إنه عندنا منطقة فيها سدود وماء جاري
وأعبر هذه المنطقة وأنا خارج وعيي
تقريبا بعد ٥ دقائق ل ٧ دقائق أهز رأسي
وأستجمع تركيزي و��درك إنه السيارة أوتوماتيكيا
مشت ما يقارب ال ١٥كيلو متر من تلقائها
وأنا فقط كنت ماسكة الستيرنج على سرعة
من ١٢٠ ل ١٤٠
وأستهجن كيف السيارة ما انحرفت عن مسارها
وكيف انعطفت مع المنعطفات وتجاوزت المطبات!!
ويقولون السيارة جماد ؟! السيارة مو جماد
ولو هي جماد كل جماد و حي بينهم كيمياء
عجيبة ولغة تفاهم
وتمارين معينة ممكن تثبت هالشيء .
النقطة هي قدرتنا على التحكم بالتفكير من عدمه
في مرحلة اللاوعي
قد نتبرمج لفعل معيّن والأنا الحاضرة ليست سيئة
دوماً إذا ما علمنا كيف نستنبط فوائدها كما
حدث معي بالقيادة الأوتوماتيكية وانا خارج الوعي.
الثاني :
مرض الوالدة ( تحملوني يعني كل شوي أضرب مثال فيها )
الوالدة معاها كما أخبرتكم ٥ أمراض مزمنة
تصدقوا أنا لاحظت إنها تحب تخبر الكل عن
أمراضها !
يعني هل هو بدافع الشفقة أو لنيل اهتمامهم ؟!
يعني مثلا أنا لو مرضت أوصل لمرحلة إنه
ممكن أزحف من التهاب لوزي عالأرض
وحرارتي ٤٠ وما أخبر أحد ( مش شطارة أدري)
بس إنه مستحيل أستجدي أحد بمرضي أو
أطلب إهتمام
الأنا عندي مذللتها ومو بكيفها متحكمة فيني
ما أسمع لها ولا أشبع رغباتها واحتياجاتها
لذلك أنا خارج مدارات تحكمها بي وبجسدي
او تفكيري
أمارس الفكر كسلوك طبيعي لا مرضي
الصوت الفاني أستمع له وأحاوره لكن
دون أن أرضي غرور الأنا المتطلبة ودون
أن أنظر بدونية لمن حولي أو أنهم أقل وعي أو ذكاء
أساساً كنت دوماً أرددها لصديقة الأنا عندها
في أوجها
(( لا تعتدي بذكائك لأنّ الإيمان المطلق بالذكاء
والإستخفاف بالآخرين هو بداية الإنهيار والدخول
في بوابة الغباء )) و اللي يستغبي الناس هو الغبي
تخيلوا بأنها ارتكبت حماقات جسيمة في حياتها
وجرت لي بعض المصائب والخسائر بعنادها
بكت يوماً ما وأنا كلي نيران من تصرفاتها
وقالت : ليتني سمعت كلامك يا ناديا ليتني
الأنا مرتبطة أيضاً بالغرور
لذلك المغرور أعمى بصيرة
نفس مثال المشاهير الوارد في الكتاب
ومثال الهندي( الرب ) اللي خبرتكم قصته
التنوير (( بصيرة )) (( وعي عن طريق اللاوعي))
أو (( لاوعي عن طريق الوعي )) (( سمو وإرتقاء))
(( قبول )) (( إدراك ل اللا إدراك ))
(( تحرّر)) (( أقرب لكائن حي نحتاج للإمتزاج
والتجانس معه )) لخلق سيمفونيّة متناغمة من تناقضات مرحلة الوعي واللاوعي
أشبه بقائد أوركسترا يمسك بعصاه ويبدأ بضبط
مئات النغمات النشاز لتصبح متناغمة بنسج معين
فننتشي بروحانية ما نصغي ونسمع
نحن (القائد)
الإدراك والوعي والقدرة (العصا)
مرحلة الضبط والتفاوت والتجاذب بين تفكير ولا تفكير وبين وعي ولا وعي ( النغمات)
التنوير ( الروحانية )
ناناالفصل التاسع / أرض جديدة
مدخل:
الكاتب ذكر في كتابة ( قوة الآن) قصة العراك
بين بطتين مع بعضها وذكر بأنه لا يدوم طويلا
فكل بطة تنفصل عن الأخرى وتمضي بإتجاه
معاكس
ثم
ترفرف بجناحيها كل بطة بعنف وتطلق الطاقة
الفائضة التي تولدت خلال العراك .
ثم تمضي كل واحدة بسلام
طبعا العراك على دخول إحدى البطات لمنطقة
الأخرى
لكن لو كانت البطة ( تملك عقلا بشريا )
لكان السيناريو :
شو هاظ الحكي يازلمة؟!
بدك تتورثيني وانا عايشة ؟
الله لا يوفقك يا بعيدة
لكان السيناريو :
ابقاء العراك حياً من خلال :
التفكير
اختلاق القصص
وستكون رواية البطة :
*لا أصدّق ما فعْلته للتو !
* لقد اقتربت مني نحو خمسة إنشات
* تعتقد أنها تمتلك البركة
*ليس لديها احترام لمساحتي الخاصة
* لن أثق بها ثانية
* أنا متأكدة أنها بدأت التخطيط لشيء ما
*لكنني لن أقف مكتوفة الأيدي
* سألقنها درساً لن تنساه
ويستمر العقل في حَبك القصص
ويظل يتكلم عن الأمر لأيام وشهور وربما سنوات
جسدياً المعركة لازالت مستمرة
والطاقة التي يولّدها للرد على هذه الأفكار
هي عاطفة تولد المزيد من التفكير وهنا يبرز
مصطلح (( التفكير العاطفي للأنا ))
هذا يبين لنا كيف أن البطة ستكون حياتها
كلها مشكلات لو كانت تملك عقل بشري .
مخرج:
لأن معظم البشر يعيشون هكذا
فالعقل وفكرة ( أنا وقصتي ) التي يحبكها العقل
تبقي الحدث مستمرا
خلاصة :
كل ما في الطبيعة ( زهرة،شجرة،حيوان)
لديه دروس مهمّة نتعلمها منه
لو أننا فقط نتوقّف قليلا، نتأمل، ننظر ونصغي .
الدرس الذي تعلم��اه من البطة :
( رفرّف بجناحيك )أي تخلّى عن القصة
وعد إلى مكان القوة الوحيد (( اللحظة الراهنة ))
نادية أحمد
October 9, 2022
La mayoría de estos libros suelen ser construidos alrededor de dos o tres conceptos fundamentales, conduciendo al lector por el arduo camino de la reflexión con mayor o menor destreza.
Tolle aleja el concepto de espiritualidad de las religiones clásicas pero, en realidad, reformula muchos de sus conceptos cruciales. Aun así se muestra respetuoso con esos históricos “mensajeros” de sabiduría que tienen aún una gran influencia espiritual en la Humanidad (Jesús, Buda, etc). Reconstruye conceptos del estoicismo y de algo que me sonó a mindfulness. Indudablemente, escribe con habilidad.
Machaca, entusiasta, sobre la idea de que el ego es el gran demonio y que el perdón y el amor a uno mismo y al prójimo son bálsamos curativos (”Outflow determines inflow”) Debemos focalizar en nuestro propósito interno porque lo gratificante será expresarlo, llevarlo al exterior (Contrapuesto al concepto imperante de que la adquisición de elementos “externos” o nuestras "acciones" llevarán a la gratificación interna) Finalmente, no te olvides de amar y sé consciente del momento presente.
"In the eyes of the ego, self-esteem and humility are contradictory. In truth, they are one and the same"
Tolle aleja el concepto de espiritualidad de las religiones clásicas pero, en realidad, reformula muchos de sus conceptos cruciales. Aun así se muestra respetuoso con esos históricos “mensajeros” de sabiduría que tienen aún una gran influencia espiritual en la Humanidad (Jesús, Buda, etc). Reconstruye conceptos del estoicismo y de algo que me sonó a mindfulness. Indudablemente, escribe con habilidad.
Machaca, entusiasta, sobre la idea de que el ego es el gran demonio y que el perdón y el amor a uno mismo y al prójimo son bálsamos curativos (”Outflow determines inflow”) Debemos focalizar en nuestro propósito interno porque lo gratificante será expresarlo, llevarlo al exterior (Contrapuesto al concepto imperante de que la adquisición de elementos “externos” o nuestras "acciones" llevarán a la gratificación interna) Finalmente, no te olvides de amar y sé consciente del momento presente.
"In the eyes of the ego, self-esteem and humility are contradictory. In truth, they are one and the same"
February 29, 2008
Practically: spot-on treatment of the ego as problem source. Lots of advice that would be beneficial for most people.
Philosophically: not rigorous, despite an implicit claim to be the next step following the path from Descartes through Sartre. Equivocal vocabulary lets him subtly draw questionable logical connections. Some metaphysical foundations are implicitly assumed. Notably missing is any treatment of ethics, or much in the way of implications at all. All in all, I am probably giving him too much credit considering one section is titled "Incontrovertible Proof of Immortality".
Stylistically: too verbose and repetitive. Since he does a remarkable job of making a coherent case, some anecdotes could go missing or are off-the-mark. Reads like a self-help book.
Spiritually: matches my own beliefs closely and in some cases explained myself to me. Reading such a verbose description of them provided me with tremendous food for thought. Tolle does not examine his premise that consciousness is inevitable, that it is woven into the fabric of the universe. Is this different from intelligent design? Finally, there wasn't much in the way of new ideas for me. I wish I was more knowledgable on the subject so I could tell what material here is distinct from a so-called "Eastern Spirituality 101 for Christians".
Philosophically: not rigorous, despite an implicit claim to be the next step following the path from Descartes through Sartre. Equivocal vocabulary lets him subtly draw questionable logical connections. Some metaphysical foundations are implicitly assumed. Notably missing is any treatment of ethics, or much in the way of implications at all. All in all, I am probably giving him too much credit considering one section is titled "Incontrovertible Proof of Immortality".
Stylistically: too verbose and repetitive. Since he does a remarkable job of making a coherent case, some anecdotes could go missing or are off-the-mark. Reads like a self-help book.
Spiritually: matches my own beliefs closely and in some cases explained myself to me. Reading such a verbose description of them provided me with tremendous food for thought. Tolle does not examine his premise that consciousness is inevitable, that it is woven into the fabric of the universe. Is this different from intelligent design? Finally, there wasn't much in the way of new ideas for me. I wish I was more knowledgable on the subject so I could tell what material here is distinct from a so-called "Eastern Spirituality 101 for Christians".
July 12, 2015
الكتاب رائع وكثير من فصوله استوقفتني مطولًا وجعلت عقلي فضاءً رحبًا.
الفصول التي تحدث فيها عن الأنا جعلتني أؤمن أن تضخمها في عالمنا العربي تحت ما يسمى الكرامة والشرف وغيرها هو أحد مشاكلنا الجوهرية.
خلاصة الكتاب هي "عش اللحظة الراهنة فهي الحياة" وأن تأجيل السعادة للمستثبل يعني ضمنيًا أن اللحظة الراهنة عائق يجب تجاوزه مايجعل الحياة جحيمًا معاشًا من أجل مستقبل غير موجود.
الفصول التي تحدث فيها عن الأنا جعلتني أؤمن أن تضخمها في عالمنا العربي تحت ما يسمى الكرامة والشرف وغيرها هو أحد مشاكلنا الجوهرية.
خلاصة الكتاب هي "عش اللحظة الراهنة فهي الحياة" وأن تأجيل السعادة للمستثبل يعني ضمنيًا أن اللحظة الراهنة عائق يجب تجاوزه مايجعل الحياة جحيمًا معاشًا من أجل مستقبل غير موجود.
April 13, 2008
This is a wonderful and very helpful book. Coming from a ACIM vantage point, it takes a little bit to adjust to his terminology, because Tolle uses words in a different way. His Consciousness is ACIM's Spirit and Mind, and ACIM's consciousness (and the thoughts you think you think) is Tolle's "thoughts." Likewise ACIM's "guilt" equates to Tolle's pain body, so in a way it's simply the "wrong mind." His biblical " New Earth" is the Course's " Real World." On and on. So, once you adjust for those variations of terminology, his message is very helpful, though it's different. The way Tolle addresses the "why" is more in line with Advaita Vedanta, and therefore he does not have a clear cause for the dynamics of guilt, as the Course offers in the notion that the world was made as an attack on God, and is a projection from the mind, not a creation of God. But he does a lot to clarify the guilt mechanism in ways that nicely complement the picture, and can help you see things you might not have noticed before.
On the whole the book seems very helpful to me, and certainly has a very insightful way of helping us understand our inner workings better, and moreover point the way out of the labyrinth, not deeper into it, which is more than can be said for a lot of materials that are paraded around as spirituality.
To watch his presentations on Oprah's show is delightful, and documents that there is a huge pent up demand for this type of information. It seems curious that on one hand, because of his Vedanta-alike way of looking at the origin of creation, that he gets caught up in this evolutionary thinking, which can easily be an ego cop out, for then we're waiting for everybody else to change their mind. However, he is also crystal clear that the whole idea of a spiritual journey is a perfect ego stalling tactic, when the only question always is, what choice am I making right now, in this moment?
Within the context of Oprah's network it seems funny that Tolle's presentations are happening at the same time as Marianne Williamson, who gives the Course her own spin and seems focused in a more New Age style on fixing up the world, and not the way out of the labyrinth. So in that context Tolle is more closely in-line with the Course in spirit than her presentations, which purport to represent or explain the Course.
On the whole the book seems very helpful to me, and certainly has a very insightful way of helping us understand our inner workings better, and moreover point the way out of the labyrinth, not deeper into it, which is more than can be said for a lot of materials that are paraded around as spirituality.
To watch his presentations on Oprah's show is delightful, and documents that there is a huge pent up demand for this type of information. It seems curious that on one hand, because of his Vedanta-alike way of looking at the origin of creation, that he gets caught up in this evolutionary thinking, which can easily be an ego cop out, for then we're waiting for everybody else to change their mind. However, he is also crystal clear that the whole idea of a spiritual journey is a perfect ego stalling tactic, when the only question always is, what choice am I making right now, in this moment?
Within the context of Oprah's network it seems funny that Tolle's presentations are happening at the same time as Marianne Williamson, who gives the Course her own spin and seems focused in a more New Age style on fixing up the world, and not the way out of the labyrinth. So in that context Tolle is more closely in-line with the Course in spirit than her presentations, which purport to represent or explain the Course.
February 17, 2008
5 stars! Uplifting and inspiring!
Having Oprah Winfrey say, "Your book is my book club pick" epitomizes a leap in success. It's certainly the dream of almost every author I know. For one Canadian author it's a dream come true. Vancouver-based author and spiritual teacher Eckhart Tolle must feel like he's riding a wave. His book A New Earth: Awakening to Your Life's Purpose is Oprah's 61st choice for her book club. Oprah is hugely responsible for Tolle's earlier rise in fame as she launched his 2005 book The Power of Now, skyrocketing it to a million-copy bestseller.
Tolle's A New Earth: Awakening to Your Life's Purpose is a fantastic book for anyone who is looking for some illumination on life. Many of us want to change, yearn to better ourselves or grow to our fullest potential, yet we have no idea HOW to do this, how to find our life's purpose. We are living on 'ego', surrounded by stuff and are unconnected to who we really are inside.
If you are a reader who really thinks about what you're reading, you'll find some clarity and direction in this book. I found it to be very uplifting, hopeful, thought-provoking and reaffirming. I think any book that can affect a person's thoughts or life as Eckhart's books have done deserves to be read with an open mind and heart. As in The Secret, I found many similarities in the messages in this book and I wish I'd read it years ago. Tolle's writing is quietly blunt and often lyrical, and always honest, as he sees life.
I recommend this book for older teens, especially those graduating and moving into the work force. It is also great for any adult, especially those looking to make changes in their lives, whether in relationships or careers. In many ways, I found it to be a philosophical study of how to 'let go' of old ways of thinking. This is a book about making every minute of your life count for something--being authentic, which reminds me also of Sarah Ban Breathnach's Something More: Excavating Your Authentic Self.
I am also pleased to see that Oprah has selected another Canadian author. As a Canadian novelist myself, this brings me some hope. After all, I've discovered that one of my life's purposes is to write novels that make people think.
What's your life's purpose?
~Cheryl Kaye Tardif,
bestselling author of Whale Song, a novel that will change how you view life...and death
http://www.cherylktardif.com
Having Oprah Winfrey say, "Your book is my book club pick" epitomizes a leap in success. It's certainly the dream of almost every author I know. For one Canadian author it's a dream come true. Vancouver-based author and spiritual teacher Eckhart Tolle must feel like he's riding a wave. His book A New Earth: Awakening to Your Life's Purpose is Oprah's 61st choice for her book club. Oprah is hugely responsible for Tolle's earlier rise in fame as she launched his 2005 book The Power of Now, skyrocketing it to a million-copy bestseller.
Tolle's A New Earth: Awakening to Your Life's Purpose is a fantastic book for anyone who is looking for some illumination on life. Many of us want to change, yearn to better ourselves or grow to our fullest potential, yet we have no idea HOW to do this, how to find our life's purpose. We are living on 'ego', surrounded by stuff and are unconnected to who we really are inside.
If you are a reader who really thinks about what you're reading, you'll find some clarity and direction in this book. I found it to be very uplifting, hopeful, thought-provoking and reaffirming. I think any book that can affect a person's thoughts or life as Eckhart's books have done deserves to be read with an open mind and heart. As in The Secret, I found many similarities in the messages in this book and I wish I'd read it years ago. Tolle's writing is quietly blunt and often lyrical, and always honest, as he sees life.
I recommend this book for older teens, especially those graduating and moving into the work force. It is also great for any adult, especially those looking to make changes in their lives, whether in relationships or careers. In many ways, I found it to be a philosophical study of how to 'let go' of old ways of thinking. This is a book about making every minute of your life count for something--being authentic, which reminds me also of Sarah Ban Breathnach's Something More: Excavating Your Authentic Self.
I am also pleased to see that Oprah has selected another Canadian author. As a Canadian novelist myself, this brings me some hope. After all, I've discovered that one of my life's purposes is to write novels that make people think.
What's your life's purpose?
~Cheryl Kaye Tardif,
bestselling author of Whale Song, a novel that will change how you view life...and death
http://www.cherylktardif.com
March 2, 2008
Initially, I had trouble getting into the book. In my mind, the first couple dozen pages seemed written in pig latin. I put the book down for a few days and upon resuming, gems as noted below started jumping off the pages.
"When you lose touch with inner stillness, you lose touch with yourself. When you lose touch with yourself, you lose yourself in the world". ~Eckhart Tolle
"...the voice in the head, perhaps in the very moment it complains about something, and recognize it for what it is: the voice of the ego, no more than a conditioned mind-pattern, a thought". ~Eckhart Tolle
"See if you can catch yourself complaining in either speech or thought, about a situation you find yourself in, what other people do or say, your surroundings, your life situation, even the weather. To complain is always nonacceptance of what is. It invariably carries an unconscious negative charge. When you complain, you make yourself a victim. Leave the situation or accept it. All else is madness". ~Eckhart Tolle
If nothing else after reading the book, one might begin to live in the moment more often and take time to consciously breath. An 'awakening' of sorts for many just going through the motions and emotions in their life.
**UPDATE** A month or two later and doing the Oprah classes with Tolle. I'm getting it and appreciate the book even more. Life changing stuff if you are ready for it.
"When you lose touch with inner stillness, you lose touch with yourself. When you lose touch with yourself, you lose yourself in the world". ~Eckhart Tolle
"...the voice in the head, perhaps in the very moment it complains about something, and recognize it for what it is: the voice of the ego, no more than a conditioned mind-pattern, a thought". ~Eckhart Tolle
"See if you can catch yourself complaining in either speech or thought, about a situation you find yourself in, what other people do or say, your surroundings, your life situation, even the weather. To complain is always nonacceptance of what is. It invariably carries an unconscious negative charge. When you complain, you make yourself a victim. Leave the situation or accept it. All else is madness". ~Eckhart Tolle
If nothing else after reading the book, one might begin to live in the moment more often and take time to consciously breath. An 'awakening' of sorts for many just going through the motions and emotions in their life.
**UPDATE** A month or two later and doing the Oprah classes with Tolle. I'm getting it and appreciate the book even more. Life changing stuff if you are ready for it.
April 28, 2012
I was so absolutely disappointed with this book. With all the hype I thought it might actually be something good but surprised at how much bull was in it! I am feeling so sad about the people that have bought into this bag of bull because they must be in a very desperate place to find themselves and if this is what helps them well, I just cannot imagine the insanity.
Seriously! If you want to be told that EVERYONE (including yourself) is Schitzo, posessed and unconsciouss well, then read the book. For anyone that has a bone of logic in their body - don't bother - you'll see the flaws very easily! There are so many factual flaws in this book that I'm surprised that it has become as popular as it has. I cannot say enough about how stupid this book is but Eckhart and Oprah would just say that my time of awakening is not at this moment and that is why I did not completely surrender to it!
Also kids, just because an ounce of it might proove to be true does not mean the whole thing is, please look at it with a bit more of an intelligent eye!
Seriously! If you want to be told that EVERYONE (including yourself) is Schitzo, posessed and unconsciouss well, then read the book. For anyone that has a bone of logic in their body - don't bother - you'll see the flaws very easily! There are so many factual flaws in this book that I'm surprised that it has become as popular as it has. I cannot say enough about how stupid this book is but Eckhart and Oprah would just say that my time of awakening is not at this moment and that is why I did not completely surrender to it!
Also kids, just because an ounce of it might proove to be true does not mean the whole thing is, please look at it with a bit more of an intelligent eye!
January 3, 2008
This is a follow up to Tolle's The Power of Now. I read this one first, and got a lot more out of it. This is a book about how what we tell ourselves about our world (experiences, relationships, events) becomes our world, for good or bad. It also gives practical advice (if you're willing to hang in there) about how to transform your thinking so as to improve your life and truly live in the Now. Tolle pulls from every religious system out there, and introduces new (to me) perspectives on biblical passages and this may put off some readers. However I found that opening my mind to the possibilities transformed my thinking. It seemed that every time I grew weary of it and was on the verge of putting it down, I would come across a gem that resonated so significantly that it kept me reading. While it takes some patience to slog through some of it, there are gems of insight in the book that have positively impacted my daily life. I'm about to read it again for the third time.
December 26, 2020
This book makes you understand everything wrong in you and many people around you. I think if more people read it, we’d have a little bit better life experience.
The book is not perfect. Some ideas can seem cliche. It gets repetitive. But it added something to me, a new perspective.
The book is not perfect. Some ideas can seem cliche. It gets repetitive. But it added something to me, a new perspective.
February 8, 2008
This is basically The Landmark Forum in book form. I'm very curious about the relationship between Tolle and Landmark Education, but I haven't been able to find any info on that so far. I suspect that I find this book so powerful because I've done The Landmark Forum. I suspect it might be a little too theoretical to have much practical impact on my real life if I didn't have that background and training. Read this book if you've ever considered doing the Forum to get a little taste of what the Forum is about, and then go do the Forum to have it actually make a difference in your life.
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