A Forthwith Review of Eckhart Tolle's 'The Power of Now: A Guide to Spiritual Enlightenment'

'The Power Of Now' is one of my all-time favorite reads. I've read it, and I've listened to the audiobook. That isn't to state that it isn't very controversial. Some people hate it, and others absolutely love it; I'm not sure how many individuals actually fall in-between. I'd be surprised to hear anyone challenge that the book is one of the most influential pieces of art of the 20th century. Eckhart Tolle's famous book has given me countless hours of meditative practice and readiness. Trying to be ready for something that is already here seems funny to consider, and it is that type of thinking that this book helps to inspire.

I'm not sure I should start a discussion about this book without bringing into the light the views surrounding religion in 'The Power Of Now'. I will give my two cents as I do. It would appear to me that Tolle's definition of "God" is limited. When I refer to God, I am usualy making a reference to Heavenly Father. Eckhart, on the other hand, is aware of a number of definitions for the word, and thus stays smartly far from it in his talks. When Eckhart described ideas that people usually associate with the word "God", Tolle explains that it is the thing itself and not the name which is important.

Now, Tolle's views on the Savior and the Buddha are, to some, very contentious. To these people, I would like to point out that language is not always to be taken literally. Humans should be taught how to identify items like poetic language. I remember Alan Watts once stating something in one lecture to the tune that his intent was not to teach people a set of beliefs, but to get people to think in a different way; to play with that vital organ - the mind. This is, in many respects, how I view this book. If I took the book in its entirety a work to be perceived literally, much of my praise would not be placed herein. However, I do recognize things like hyperbole and metaphor; thus, this work will receive five stars in my rating.

One thing that is really amazing about the audiobook version is that Eckhart Tolle reads the majority of the book himself. I love when the author is the narrator in the audio version. I noted that at least one word was changed. This makes sense, as we are listening to him in the audiobook and not reading his book in the traditional sense. One of the advantages of the paperback version is the symbols between thoughts. Tolle places a number of symbols throughout his work, and these serve to remind the reader to meditate of what has been read. I personally find this feature very helpful, and it is an item that couldn't be completely incorporated into the audiobook for obvious reasons..

'The Power Of Now' is one of the most fascinating books to have been published in my lifetime. I wouldn't recommend this piece of art to everyone, but I very much enjoy it myself. I love the work, I love the author, and I will assuredly be giving this book five stars!