Eckhart Tolle’s A New Earth—the Awakening hits the Mainstream?

I have never been too interested in Oprah’s selections for her Book Club, other than her dip into classic American literature for Faulkner last year. Otherwise, I have viewed her choices with a bit of suspicion. Recently I was on Amazon—where I have been buying way too many books—when I received an automatically generated recommendation for Eckhart Tolle’s new spiritual book, The New Earth. I read the reviews, and became interested. I believe that the dissolution of the Ego is crucial for humanity to move beyond its current state of cyclical war and materialism, and that seemed to be the focus of Tolle’s book. The idea is ancient, of course. It is central to Buddhism, Taoism and plenty of other spiritual lines, but it seemed like Tolle was offering a nice modern take on the “idea” geared for these complex times. As I was purchasing it, I realized that Oprah had selected it for her book club. Immediately I reconsidered, wavered, went back and reread the reviews, finally deciding that it was worth the 20-dollar risk. I received a copy this past Thursday, and once I began reading I was hooked. Tolle writes with a calm awareness of essential spiritual truths that captures and distills the teachings from which his book has been derived. As I continued to read, my amazement that Oprah had selected the book grew. The thought that perhaps millions of people would be reading it in the next weeks was actually staggering. If enough people actually got it, I thought, what could such a book do for the world.

Now I see that she is hosting a live webinar on the book on Monday nights and is getting near to a million participants. There are a lot of threads on this site about ascension, 2012, Timewave Zero, the awakening, ect, etc, but this seems like irrefutable evidence that a significant shift may really be occurring in the human consciousness on a large scale. I like many here, have felt it for the past few years, and now perhaps we are seeing the momentum of change breakout into the mainstream. The key thing here is that this book is incorruptible and cannot be assimilated like most important developments that find their way into pop culture. I am starting to see it as a kind of spiritual bomb. It is detonating, and coinciding with many other forces that are creating a greater awareness.




[edit on 11-3-2008 by Silenceisall]

Have members heard of this book? Do you feel that this is significant? A symptom of something larger? Do you think Tolle is speaking out of his a**, or do you think he has captured the essence of the current dilemma?

While I agree with you that change is coming and that this is reflected by many more people making spiritual book-choices (by buying tolle for example), I find tolles books to be incredibly boring...good for falling asleep rather than awakening. But nevertheless, its indicative of change, yes.

reply to post by Silenceisall


I had the same experience as you, Silenceisall; I was prompted to purchase this book on Amazon and then discovered Oprah had chosen it. I am almost finished reading the book (yes, Skyfloating, this book has put me to sleep a time or two) and I am following Oprah's webclass with Eckert Tolle. I've really learned a lot about the ego and the 'voice inside my head.' I honestly believe I was led to this book at the exact time in my life when I was ready to comprehend and benefit from his message.

I commend Oprah for choosing this book. On the first webcast I believe she said over 700,000 people were particpating. I have recently been a critic of Oprah and no longer watch her show, but like it or not, she is basically the most influential woman in the US. Now, the message in the book will reach millions of people who otherwise may have never been exposed to information that has the potential to end much unecessary human suffering -- if not physically, then at least emotionally. I already feel more entusiasm for life today than I have in the past decade or so. As a mom, I believe teaching my children to understand and manage the ego will be my most significant contribution to their lives.

Thanks for starting this thread. I look forward to reading other responses.

reply to post by Seeker Mom


I agree that the book is an excellent indirect guide for parents, and can potentially ease and uncomplicate the development process for children. I also like that he grasps the role of the natural world as teacher--for children and adults alike.

you should look up the power of now on scribd its free and is also a good read by eckhart tolle.although he does go on and on over the same point alot making it a bit tedious at points.still worth bookmarking at least!

Sky,

You have to look at it from a beginners perspective, I think this book is a very good choice for people to start. And I am not one to read Oprah's book choices either.

Sky,

What do you recommend for book choices? I am interested in what you think.

Thanks

Originally posted by Skyfloating
While I agree with you that change is coming and that this is reflected by many more people making spiritual book-choices (by buying tolle for example), I find tolles books to be incredibly boring...good for falling asleep rather than awakening. But nevertheless, its indicative of change, yes.

The fact that this hasn't hit mainstream ATS front-page is a conspiracy in of itself. The New Earth is a beautiful book, one that is both soul freeing as well as my start into the formless void, it instantly kills your stream of "conciousness" in your mind which only brings you stress and potential suffering. OH POOR EGO, DON"T YOU FEEL FOR HIM, HE DOESN"T HAVE A BODY AND JUST TRIES TO MAKE YOU INVITE HIM INTO YOURSELF. WITH FEELINGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGG

This book is pure gold, and the fact that it has hit mainstream is very much a huge threat, let the book burning begin. HA, in all seriously after reading this you won't care about much of anything anymore, let the light of this mans words give you chills, and light the fire of realization within your soul. I highly recommend reading it aloud, your more likely to find the truth with your own vocal cords fyi.

Lova ya@

It is wordplay. You can find this material anywhere.

The ideas presented are basic. These are things that you would come to with range of experience easily yourself. I do however agree that is all in all positive and does help a lot of people. If you are someone wanting to really know thyself, i suggest taking a deeper look.

Do you agree with the beleif that if someone says their mad, their not.
I am no expert to say the least but if someone says their delusional, how
would they know it?

Sorry
wrond thread.

Simply put: You don't need a friggin' new age guru to tell you how to live life to the fullest and make a profit out of your stupidity. Come on, folks! You're better and smarter than that! Awakening, timewave, 2012, ascension? All scams. What for? If you made it through the night and wake up in the morning, you are alive. God! Just go get a normal job, earn some descent money and enjoy the rewards your reap! Not at the expense of blind followers! Burn the books! Arg!

Here is Jim Carrey speaking on Eckhart Tolle's. BTW Jim had an awakening too.



People are shifting, and some still stay attached to the old ways. Left vs. Right, Socialism vs. Capitalism...all pointless. What matters is people. We have lost sight of this. We fight wars to protect ourselves from the very same people that fear for their safety because of us. We impose our will on others beliefs, and try to alter what it is they believe. None of it matters, yet all points of view are to be listened to.

I hear too much noise, and not enough solutions to problems. Have you ever made a recommendation to solve a problem, only to have someone else tell you it should be left the way it is? We are ready for change in the majority, but there is still a good majority that wants the system exactly how they want it. I think what we are awakening to right now is that WE matter. Our opinions matter. And we are screaming for someone to listen to our frustrations over our failing system. When we all be still for a while is when we can hear out each others concerns and plot a new course.

[edit on 21-7-2010 by ExPostFacto]

reply to post by ExPostFacto


Paid shill. He sounds sincere enough. Did that come from him? You know he is an actor. Actors can memorize and act their lines very well in front of the audience.

He's right though - thoughts, intensions... etc.

reply to post by pikypiky


It is a real phenomena, because what he describes is exactly how I awakened one night while driving home from work. Like I became aware of the spiritual me. I had never read any books to get to that point either. You are right you don't need to buy a book to become awakened.

reply to post by Silenceisall
My ex-b.i.l. introduced me to Tolle and "The Power of Now," almost 10 years ago.

His basic premise is to let go of the past.

That's about it; you can build on it from there. If there is no past, and only the present, there is no "self;" identified by the things we have experienced, lived through or suffered from.

Tony Robbins lite.

His tapes/CDs are great for meditation, but you have to lead yourself to 'enlightenment.'

wow I couldn't post, and now I can, hahahahah
glad to have reawakened the thread, anymore thoughts, I wills say one thing, this book definitely cannot hurt, there is no violence, no pain, and no propaganda even new age esq stuff in here. He doesn't say the world will end in 2012 he doesn't bring up prophecy or any of that, he simply says in very eloquent words his take on enlightenment, which I believe deep down we all strive for in our own way, even if it means power-puffing cigarette after cigarette.