Rating: 
Summary: The "NOW" that is a "WAS"
Review: Well, it sounds a lot like "A World Tour of Wisdom" by David James, and that book was much better, more exciting, (certainly a lot funnier) and it actually helped me. This book didn't. The former wasn't a best seller, but it was a lot more realistic and not so "free-floating-I'm-now-an-enlightened-master" type of tone. This "NOW" stuff is still selling probably because the content is nothing more than the right set of words and spiritual jargon put together in the "right" order which tends to sell books. So what! Does that mean the book on "now" has a past, a now, and probably a future...hence, the "philosophy" or belief system espoused by the author of "NOW" is looking forward (no pun intended) to future paychecks? The overall direction of the book is linear (words tend to do that, and not stay in the now) and therefore I think the book falls far short of its highly marketed goal. And yet, Tolle must be very happy knowing that no sequels will ever come about AFTER this book, since that would be, by definition, projecting a future (not a wise decision, considering that it's not okay to not be in the now). I guess that's enough for now, so, I'm going to "blank" my mind here (as Sylvia Browne says), and go read something else that has time/space/linear logic to it -- lest I suffocate in this "now" because I can't take these snake-oil peddlers anymore who claim to be so enlightened. Yeah, and if that's true, then why do all of 'em need to sell anything? Enough is enough. Get real! Don't bother with this one because just by reading it means that THAT act alone will take you out of the "now" and into thoughts, emotions, time and space, and god knows what else. (I'm going to stop now and just be now, okay?)
Rating: 
Summary: Rescued from "Mind Hell"
Review: Thank GOD for this book! I got it at hellish time in my life, when I had a three-month wait to know whether an accident I'd had would result in HIV infection. This book helped me detach from my panicky, scared self (mind). It also had exercises to help boost the immune system - talk about serendipity. (By the way, three months later, I tested NEGATIVE for HIV, and have continued to test negative since - Yes!)
Rating: 
Summary: overgeneralized
Review: AS a long time student of meditation practice, I found Tolle' book too often offering overgeneralizations that don't fit. His section on couples and relationships is so idealistic as to be unrealistic. He makes many excellent points, but misses others. I do not doubt his experience(s), but his explanations leave one wanting too often. For what it purports to be, I was disappointed in this book. Too often , "self enlightened" teachers misinterpret their very real experiences and mislead the eager reader or student. Pema Chodron is a better source for those seeking to learn of self realization and it's implications in every day life.
Rating: 
Summary: Good book
Review: This is a great book, writen by someone who realise is soul. It is easy to read and easy to understand. Many now a days have discover there self and are now teaching you to live in the moment, etc. For those who are honnestly looking for the Ultimate, I would simply suggest that you have a look at John de Ruiter. The best would be to meet him in person, but you can also find his book "Unveiling Reality" or the book of John Parker "Dialogue with Emerging spiritual teacher". This last one is exellent in which it include both Echart Tolle and John de Ruiter and many more.
Rating:
Summary: Lacking in wholeness and balance
Review: I found this book lacking in understanding and compassion for the complexity of human existence. It also lacked a clear understanding of the goodness of a loving creator. For someone claiming to understand the role of "ego" as the author claims he does, he certainly has an interesting way of allowing himself to be portrayed by others in his introductions and forwards. He seems to be tied into the identity of "Spiritual Master". It is easy to claim spiritual experience. It is easy to give out partial truths and then embellish them. It is easy to embellish truths in ways that lead readers into thinking if they disagree or feel uncomfortable, it is the reader's lack of understanding or immaturity on the spiritual path that needs to be looked at. It is easy to get the reader to disregard the possibility of flaws with the author's perceptions and the authors own immaturity. However, it is not always easy to fool all of the people all of the time. Do not waste your money- this is just another book in a long line of guru type books that try to capture a desperate audience. It will have its' adherents who swear by it and pass on all the inconsistencies and uncompassionate views while they pass themselves off as superior "enlightened beings". Unfortunately, they will do little to "enlighten" a society in pain all the while insisting it is the people who are in pain that need to be "enlightened".
Rating:
Summary: Become a Nowist
Review: This is the first and only self-help book I will ever read. It takes you from here to there, eternally, and then sits on the shelf or table for anyone who is interested in finally changing their life. You can read it slowly, learning how to take your time in all things and live only in the now. Thank you to New World Library, and to Eckhart Tolle.
Rating:
Summary: The Power Of NOW:
Review: Being a retired counselor/therapist I have followed the teachings of Carl Justav Jung much of my professional career. The idea of "synchronicity" has had a grand influence on my thinking. I once ended up at a community in County Donegal in Northern Ireland as the result of synchronous events. And I found out that many others had been directed there as well, without being aware that they would end up there - as I did. I have been a "seeker" most of my life but, alas, I have been mostly like the chap sitting on the box filled with gold in the beginning of Eckhart's book. Always looking, hungering, for fulfillment from outside. And of course it's never happened. At a stage of my life almost two years ago I was desperately seeking some answers - and I should add struggling with alcohol. My youngest son, Erich, told me one day that he had bought a new book that he thought I should read. To me this was a sure sign: if one of your children, who has never suggested a book to you before suggests this, you'd better listen. I ruled out coincidence from his suggestion and found The Power Of NOW in the local library and began a journey into the Present. The Power Of NOW has become a daily constant companion. And during this lovely Spring weather here in Texas I find myself lately sitting among the Wild Flowers, birds. squirrels, trees, plants, wind and sky for hours hanging out with Eckhart in his The Realization Of Being CD album. And like some of the other reviewers I do not wish to sugar coat this work like so much New Age bs. It's hard work and like so much inner work it is liable to meet with much resistance from our conditioned thought processes. It certainly has mine. As is taught in the East (and now West) that if you seriously attempt inner work you may release some old sewerage and you'd better be well prepared to experience it floating to the surface - vile bile. What I am attempting to say is that with Eckhart's and Leonard Jacobson's (Embracing the Present) help, I am now realizing a dawning of a new consciousness - just enough of a gap between the thoughts to begin to see a new light. I have for too long now lived with my pain and suffering and it truly is difficult to let go of what I took for granted as a necessary part of my identity. And the struggle goes on... Ed Shore in Fort Worth, Texas
Rating:
Summary: When the student is ready, the teacher appears...
Review: When I first came across this title at the bookstore, I was interested, but it seemed to promise quite a bit, and having read enough books that promise and don't deliver, I decided to wait. While at the library, I found the unabridged audio version of "The Power of Now" and decided to check it out. I found myself immediately drawn into Tolle's story as he spoke with a calm energy and certainty that I am sure comes from true enlightenment. I was so impressed that I bought the unabridged audio myself, just to be sure and grasp the meaning as he intended. His teachings seem to have a clarity that few others can rival. This moment is all that we ever have, but that doesn't mean that we are ignorant or oblivious to our past or future (as a previous review seemed to believe that Tolle advocates). We choose our thoughts on a constant basis: it is all that we ever have a certain control over. We can all choose to be IN-JOY-IN-MYSELF, at each and every moment, as Tolle states. As for you, I cannot say if this book is right NOW. I believe that if you feel that you are led to read this book, then by all means do. I loaned my copy to someone who thought it was "too advanced" and couldn't grasp much of the material, and I have spoke with others who feel as I do about the book. As I said earlier, I thought that he speaks rather clearly and eloquently on the practice of being present.
Rating:
Summary: very good book
Review: I've recently read several books by albert ellis, a cognitive psychologist, who has asserted that depression is a result of negative thinking and that its the negative thoughts that need to be attacked and transformed into rational thinking, usually through written exercises. Ellis supports the idea that a healthy self concept is one of no ego; to not identify with your actions as part of you. the reason I mention this is that even though this book is on spiritual undersanding, the parrallels with scientific ideas is remarkable. Science is showing that the wisdom of the centuries has merit. Eckhart's book talks about being the watcher of your thoughts, to not identify with your thoughts. Another important concept, for me, is Eckhart's assertion that suffering comes from living in the past or living in the future. I didn't realize this until I started the process of watching my thoughts and started to see that they all involved future and past events. If you live in the now, you are free from this suffering. this is a very thought provoking book. I have worked through the eckhart's exercises with some success. Having a skeptical and resistant mind, I found the 'some' success to be remarkable.
Rating:
Summary: If you only buy one book in your life, let it be this one.
Review: The Power of Now, jumped at me from the bookshelf at the store. Something just made me buy this book. This book sets high expectations - "Spiritual Enlightment". Is it possible for mere words to guide us towards this goal? This book comes closer than anything else that I've read in long time. Tolle seems to have that unmistakable stamp of the enlightened, expressing the deepest spiritual truths in the simplest way. Living in the "Now" is presented as the foundation for spiritual progress. The author offers practical advice on how we can expand our "presence" in the present moment. He discusses different gateways (what he calls "portals") which can get us in touch with our "Being" like, silence, dreamless sleep, connecting with the inner body, etc. We also get an insight into how relationships can be used as stepping stones on the spiritual path. The author uses Christianity, Hinduism, Buddhism and other world religions to make his point, without affiliating himself with any of them. The book is based on a simple question-and-answer format. The Power of Now is one of those books that can have a life-changing impact. A must buy.
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