Rating: 
Summary: Clear, Intelligent, Gentle
Review: Although I have always felt myself to be vaguely spiritual, I had never bought a book on spirituality before, shunned anything that smacked of religion, and wouldn't be caught dead in the New Age section. However, a friend recommended Tolle's book, and I found myself completely absorbed in it from beginning to end. Tolle himself would probably agree that there is nothing essentially "new" about the ideas in the book; the value lies in the clear, intelligent and gentle way in which they are presented. This book is carefully, thoughtfully and beautifully written. Not only does it illuminate the fundamental, slippery, destructive patterns of the mind or ego which confound one's spiritual and even physical well-being, but it also provides a variety of simple and practical techniques for breaking down and dissolving these various forms of mental pollution. I use Tolle's calming, contemplative techniques every day and throughout the day, and they work wonderfully for me. I've read the book twice so far and have given it to others as a gift. The companion tapes are excellent as well.
Rating:
Summary: The "off" button
Review: I used to wonder, usually when trying to get to sleep, "How do I stop this incessant thinking, this broken record. It's so difficult to do. I'm wasting a lot of energy with these thoughts. I wish there was an 'off' button..." Thanks for reminding me that there is no 'on' button; that it doesn't have to be this way.I also wanted to mention that I prefer the tapes to the book. Of course one of the reasons is that it takes less effort to just listen to the sound of Eckhart's soothing voice than to read. It's plain animal instinct to make less effort, to save energy, to be "lazy". More significantly, a second reason I prefer the tapes is that when I read the book, I add my own tone to it, which is certainly not accurate in a lot of cases, even after listening to one of the tapes (the first companion tape) previously. The book and tapes do offer much in the way of practical information, such as dropping the ego. Its maintenance is yet another unnecessary heavy burden that we place upon ourselves, not to mention our friends and society. Highly recommended.
Rating:
Summary: The Truth is in the Power of Now
Review: This book is so filled with truth, so powerful, so crystal clear that I was compelled to write this review and share it with other people. THE POWER OF NOW and WORKING ON YOURSELF DOESN'T WORK by Ariel and Shya Kane are the two most powerful and insightful books on self-awareness I've ever had the pleasure to read. Reading both of these books is like working with Zen masters, compassionate spiritual teachers who can free us from the torture that our minds and our judgments inflict on us constantly. I am not exaggerating when I say that THE POWER OF NOW was like a breath of fresh air. Tolle gets right to the point and explains so much about inner peace and how our minds actually work that I found myself wanting to share what he and the Kanes have discovered. If THE POWER OF NOW is the technical manual for reaching fulfillment (because it is mostly explanations about awareness rather than illustrative examples), then WORKING ON YOURSELF DOESN'T WORK is the practical guide with real world examples and insights that describe exactly how satisfaction is possible in everyday life. You'll want both of these books. I've found what I was looking for thanks to these wonderful authors.
Rating:
Summary: Awesome Now!
Review: I found this book very inspiring and deep. I like that in a book. I also like how he gave rest breaks in the reading to reflect. Too many self-help books have no real depth to them. This one makes you think and answers many questions we all ask ourselves at times. I recommend this book for anyone who is ready to be in the "Now". I also recommend "12 Secrets for Manifesting Your Vision, Inspiration and Purpose" by Richard Bellamy. He also describes being "Present Now" very well. Both of these books complement one another.
Rating:
Summary: Easy to comprehend, hard to live
Review: I've read this book twice and also saw the author live a few weeks ago in San Francisco. He battled for many years with severe depression, and looked for answers to his life through higher learning before having a complete change of life and finding inner peace and joy through living in the present moment. He encourages the reader to let go of the ego and brain "noise" and be in the now, which is how he says he lives. Most all of the "problems" we have in life don't directly effect us in the moment, yet we are controlled and tortured by them he says. Tolle also makes the case for healing past pain and suffering through simply being fully here now. Making these changes in our materialistic, image possessed, ego driven society is a challenge indeed, but he would say it's our only way out. This is truly life changing stuff.
Rating: 
Summary: Excellent read, but.......
Review: I purchased this book after seeing it reviewed in O magazine. Now, I was a philosophy major in college so it's not like I'm dense or anything, but parts of this book completely left me scratching my head. The basic premise is MARVELOUS and if you do nothing but take the THEME with you and make it a part of your life, well then the book is worth it's price. But so much of this book bogs down in it's own mud that you have to be extraordinarily patient to plod through and pull out the gems. Still... all that said... I am SO glad I read this book and it's one of those experiences that never leaves you... I find myself reflecting on it and reminding myself to LIVE by it all the time.
Rating:
Summary: New World Truth
Review: Simply the best, clearest, simplest form of this information that I have ever come across. This book is life changing, in a dramatically subtle way. Tolle dispenses his soul medicine in the most humble and serene manner, and in the process introduces us to a magical New World, the world of Truth. Brilliant.
Rating:
Summary: A Clear, Practical Guide To Enlightenment
Review: Eckhart Tolle proposes that we can become aware of a different state of being. We can do this by refocusing some our awareness away from the outside world which habitually draws our attention and redirecting it to the internal one. The payoff is a deeper experience of life. The "normal" way of being is to be drawn into whatever our mind/ego, what he calls the "pain body", decides to identify with. In practicing awareness of "now", we are no longer responding to the illusion of the future or past. These are mind constructs that ultimately lead us to seek satisfaction "later," ultimately bringing no satisfaction, much like a dog chasing its own tail. The mind is a survival instrument which is much like HAL the computer in 2001 A Space Odyssey, it may decide to unleash it survival function whether this is what you want or not. Higher consciousness begins to develop when one begins to realize this. This is not complicated, all one has to do is pay attention and higher consciousness will reveal itself. Tolle gives practical advice on how to do this and describes the many "portals" that will reveal this. That pain and suffering are caused by attachment to the ego is a premise dating back 4000 years, advanced by the Buddha and according to Tolle by such enlightened beings as Jesus Christ. These ideas have lately been seeing a resurgence as modern science peers in the very fabric of reality and finds it compatible with the ancient teachings. My personal opinion is there are many answers here for individuals in our modern fast paced stressed out world. This subject has been well addressed by gurus, psychologists, religious figures; from the ancient Buddha, and Jesus to the modern spiritual advisers like Deepack Chopra. The message remains the same. I believe that because so many individuals, consistently throughout history, have spoken, written and pointed toward this state of being, that there must be some validity to it. Along with material, relationship and career goals one should endeavor to include greater knowing as something to experience in this lifetime. None of these things are mutually exclusive. Mr. Tolle presents his guidance in a clear, practical way with a minimum of religious or psychological language which makes him a great guide. Just follow the words and what he is elucidating will become evident. The book is also a good primer on basic human psychology, with its observations on the ego, everyday life and relationships.
Rating:
Summary: ALL SPIRITUAL PATHS END HERE
Review: There is only one teaching. And that is that you are not and cannot ever be separate from God. You are right now exactly as you were created. The only thing that keeps you from that realization is your thinking. There are many beautiful teachings that have also come to this. Teachings from men (and many untold women) who have reached that perfected state of consciousness, and tell us in their writings. A simple french monk named Brother Lawrence - "Practicing the Presence of God" learned it in the 1600's in France. A wandering Russian pilgrim learned it in the 1800's - "The Way of A Pilgrim and A Pilgrim Continues his way." An American now living in Fiji as a Guru called Adi Da Samraj also learned it, and is teaching it to a devoted group of followers. And now Eckhart Tolle, who may prove to be the most articulate, clear and powerful spiritual teacher to emerge in this century is passing it along to thousands, hopefully millions of people. Read the writings of the above teachers, some of who were very simple and you will see the same simple teaching from dramaticallly different forms. Then go back to Eckhart, whose book and profoundly beautiful tapes are for this Western culture and this time. And be thankful that you are able to be a part of it.
Rating:
Summary: The Simplicity of Salvation
Review: Eckhart tells us that there is a part in each of us that resonates to the truth when it is heard. I knew he had hit home when he said that all suffering was caused by the "mental noise" in our heads, our compulsive thinking, most of which is "useless and destructive." We function (if you can call it that) in this world totally "lost in thought." Because we identify with our thinking we form a belief about who we are - our little self, our ego. We are always trying to figure out who we are, because it is always changing. One minute we are important, the next minute a failure. Our identity is never stable, never secure. We form our little identities through our jobs, our spouses, our education, our problems. But beyond all the various ways we define our selves, beyond the ego, is the big Self. The Self that remembers its unity with God. The Self whose natural state is peace and bliss. Beyond the suffering, is life, beautiful, joyous life. Eckhart takes you by simple practices beyond thinking to the Truth of who you are. It is the clearest, purest spiritual teaching I have ever read. Now all I need do is release myself, moment my moment, into this eternal state called NOW until there is no other place and no other identity. And then, I am Home.
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