Rating: 
Summary: Buddha on a Low Fat Diet
Review: Two problems with this book:First, you have to have an inclination towards this type of Zen non-thinking - for most Westerners this is a radical shift from our goal oriented, materialistic orientation. The second problem with this book is that even if you are so inclined, other authors have articulated the "no mind" subject matter in ways that are far superior to this Zen for Dummies approach. Essentially, Tolle spits out one tiny pearl of Hippy-Dippy wisdom and then yammers on and on, ad nauseum for the next 200 pages. Christ! It was like listening to my mother-in-law tell the same story, a hundred different ways. zzzzzzzz. Personally, I found this a tedious read. I'd recommend the works of D.T. Suzuki, Bhagwan Shree Rajneesh, Carlos Casteneda or Charles Tart for the serious aspirant. In my opinion, The Power of Now can wait a little longer.
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Summary: He spent two years smiling and hanging out in park benches..
Review: While i generally sorta like the whole NOW ideology about not wasting each second and embracing the present moment, it makes me wonder why should i take this whole book as is. What prevents me from doing that is the fact that he spent two years hanging around the park sitting on the bench and stuff like that...it creeps me out!
Rating:
Summary: Let's think about this for a second...
Review: Tolle makes some good points in his book. However, he is so obsessed with the present, the NOW, that he fails to realize how our awareness of the past and our plans for the future shape our entire lives, along with what we're doing in the present. He keeps saying that we must get over the past, etc. Well, if we really took his advice to heart, and ignored the past, then: 1. The Nuremberg Trials shouldn't have been held.
2. We shouldn't have a monument at the WTC.
3. We should ignore the fact that Bush stole the election.
4. We should abandon the 9-11 commission and the Iraq intelligence commission.
5. All crimes that have been committed should be forgotten so we can get on with living in the NOW.
6. Any events in your past that keep influencing you today should be ignored rather than understood.
7. You should undergo hypnosis to forget your life history, and just live in the NOW, keeping notes on your person, and maybe tatoos on your body, to remember basic information, like in the movie Memento. The fact is, we need our memories of the past, and we need to actually _have_ a past. I agree that we shouldn't "live" in the past, because it's dead (although quantum physicists may disagree with that), but there is no way our minds can only be focused on the present at all times. In fact, we couldn't "live" in the past if we wanted to. We could focus on our memories of the past, excessively, but no matter what we do, we're stuck here in the present. Granted. Perception has three windows: Past, present, and future. We refer to the PAST to make sense of the present, to tell where we are and to put the present in context. Without CONTEXT created by our interpretations of the present _in light of the past_, _relative to the past_, we're lost. Completely lost. Without the awareness of our past, we sense no progress in life. We don't know where we've come from. Much of the pleasure in life is the awareness of good change and our own evolution. If we negate the awareness of that past, we negate the awareness of our own evolution, because we had to come from some state of being to where we are now. If we don't know where we were, we don't know where we are. It's like going on a road-trip blindfolded, and then taking it off. You won't know where you are. We refer to the PRESENT to ascertain what is currently happening, and we project our imaginations into the FUTURE to try to plan it. That's natural, and Tolle's prescriptivism isn't. That's life.
Rating: 
Summary: Most Important Book of Our Time
Review: Eckhart has written a book of such directness, simplicity & practicality that I feel masters of the past like the Buddha had not or had not been able to do so. By simply reading the book, you will experience much more than just reading (info) - a natural meditation happens as you read, and you can feel a sense of well-being throughout your body. To me, this is the most important book of our time.
Rating: 
Summary: Excellent book - get to David Icke!
Review: The first 5 chapters of this book are amazing. The biblical reference turn me off, but everything else seems to ring true.
If you're looking for another book that goes one step further than this one, try "Tales from the Time Loop" by David Icke. Icke picks up where this book stops...!
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Summary: You will Find What You Are Seeking For Here
Review: I have read many books on spirituality, not for the historical information, or the need to belong to a group or to take up a ritual practice, but I wanted to learn how to experience what the original messenger experienced. I believed that if one person could be enlightened (what ever that meant) or could be so connected to God or universal energy, so could I and so could other people. I never wanted to be a follower of an organized religion, but I believe the prophets of all major religions truly experienced a deep connection to life that allowed them to live in fearlessness and in with a deep sense of peace and compassion. I wanted to live like this and I believed this experience was available for us all. Unfortunately the message from the books I read and people I talked to always made me think too much and left me imagining what it must be like to feel this special connection to life (so mostly I continued living in a state of anxiety looking forward to a better future). I had the pleasure of meeting Eckhart Tolle in Vancouver at one of his teachings before I read this book. His presentation was very moving - maybe shifting is a better word, as I have never seen a person speak to a crowd so calm, humble, almost child-like, but fearless - a strange power to witness. I didn't understanding it at the time, but I could feel an intense energy from him; and everyone in the room seemed to be connected energetically. I talked to him afterwards, and although he was teaching that we need to still our minds, I was in constant thought before I approached him - things like "is this a cult" or "if God is seeing through his eyes, will he know all my faults":). I was a little nervous about this whole thing. My question to him was, "I have a meeting on Wednesday and I need to think about it before hand, so how can I live in the Now?" his answer was, "While you are planning, know you are only planning and you are not at the meeting, so don't react to being somewhere else, know where you are which is always in the here and now." (Something like that). So when I was planning, I looked at my pen and paper and sure enough I was in the Now :) Although this may seem simple and obvious, to me it was a profound experience because it broke the usual feeling of anxiety I would get about a meeting (or about most things before they happen). This initial meeting and reading of his book was such a monumental experience for me, I ended up spending the last 3+ years with this book learning to live in the present on a more consistent basis (and what it means to do so: in terms of the effect this state has on people around you and why this state is important for us on an evolutionary or universal level). This teaching has helped me and people close to me on a very deep level. Reading this book provides the first step into "reality". Most books don't have this effect, because they are written by people who may understand the message from ancient texts but not the experience itself. Eckhart Tolle has a strong understanding of both. He is not interested in dogma or a following (as far as I can see). He is interested in you experiencing what he is experiencing. He writes from a state of pure consciousness. I have never read a book that is so direct and practical. Please do not get fooled by its seemingly simplistic message - it was written this way to help you experience or connect with truth, peace, stillness, pure consciousness, etc. while you are reading it. Depending on your experiences so far, you may need to read it only once or it may take you many times to fully comprehend, either way, it provides a practical way for you to stop seeking and to finally be a finder. Experience the state the prophets have experienced...experience the state that Eckhart Tolle is experiencing... but... "its not what you think." After reading it a few times, the challenge for me was to stop assuming what Eckhart was experiencing and to take up the actual practice. To stop concerning myself with questions pertaining to him or the book and to experience the sense of presence he is writing about. The great thing about this book is that he suggests that you take breaks between paragraphs and experience this state, and that you shouldn't take the wording too seriously because the words are only pointing to an experience that the reader should live...and not just think about. He uses the analogy of the tasting fruit, you can describe it all you want but you will only truly know the taste by taking a bite. Most of us are so conditioned to think of reality, that we rarely experience reality on the level of awareness beyond thought...just being here and now. This book will provide an understanding of this experience and why it is important for all of us to evolve to a state of presence, but more importantly it will provide you with practical ways of becoming present which you can use throughout the day in any situation - which in my opinion is the only answer, as waiting for uncomfortable situations to pass so that you can get to your yoga class and be at peace, only perpetuates your habitual thinking to believe the future will be better... or worse (and in doing so you are avoiding or ignoring the present). This is a great guide to help people move through fear, anxiety, depression, etc. and experience a sense of peace. It provides ways for you to slow the mind down enough to actually listen and to see things clearly in the present, to be more creative and to access an energy and intelligence far greater than the conditioned mind allows. This book has helped me and many people I know experience the power of Now. I encourage you to read it and to experience what Eckhart means 'to stop seeking and to find', to no longer resist, but to accept the here and now - which makes sense because we truly only have, and ever will have the Now. Enjoy.
Rating: 
Summary: Simple, Pleasant and easy to Read
Review: The Power of Now gives you continuous stream of of brief mini chapters within each larger category. Thus making easier to digest and put into practice the basic yet potentially life changing principles he presents. It can seem too simplistic at times, but of course when someone has actually experience spiritual union with All That Is, theres not too much the mind can add to that experience. Halfway between the basics and a intermediate level of writing for those who are more intellectual with their spiritualiy. If your intellect is not as unnecessarily complex as mine this will be a refreshing and welcome addition to your spiritual library and Path along the Way. Peace Be With You
Rating:
Summary: This book is a 1 or a 5 so I'll say 3 :-)
Review: Well, you'll love it or hate it. That seems to be the pattern of these reviews. They range from all out worship, well thought out disagreements, recommendations for better or more classical approaches, or those that just like being contrary. I personally have been both a lover and hater of this philosphy at different times. When I love it, I am peaceful. When I hate it, I'm in pain and fearful. Or is it the other way around? One thing is for sure; the book sure has generated a lot of commotion here. Does he have credentials other than experience? Nope. Are some of his observations quirky seen from another point of view? Yep. Does he give step by step instructions for those who believe they need them? Nope. Does he guide those who are ready to a different kind of awareness? Yep. Has anyone writing a review actually made it to "enlightenment"? Is anyone qualified to write a truthful review of this book? Is it possible the positive reviews are from those hoping to receive "enlightment" or freedom or from those who have had experienced something from the teaching that tells them this is the right direction? Are the negative reviews from those who just don't get it? Or maybe the philosophy conflicts with other notions swimming up there in their noggin. Or maybe they're right and good 'ol Eckart's blown a gasket upstairs. What makes people feel the need to write a review on this book? Let me ask myself....self why are you writing this? Ah..an answer. Because my belief is that Mr. Tolle had these experiences and is a simple and honest man just trying to do what he feels is right by sharing them. If you had been one person, and then by Grace or practise became another, and that new person was joyful and peaceful, would you tell people about it? No, you'd just go around all happy and when people asked you how you did it, you'd smile knowingly. Read the book. If you don't want to chance the purchase, borrow one from a friend. If it speaks to you, go for it. If it doesn't keep looking until you find the book or teacher that does.
Rating:
Summary: Peace is a spiritual teaching for all
Review: To those who are searching,
"You are here to enable the devine purpose of the universe to unfold that is how important you are" these words never meant so much to me until I read this book.We must remember that everyone is at a differant point in their journey. After reading the various reviews, it is appadrent that there are many who are not ready for what Eckhart is bringing forth. If the NOW does not speak to you, then lay it aside and try it again in a year. I have read hundreds of spiritual books from the Kabbala to a course in miracles. I have now read the power of now 7 times, and listened to it 4 times on audio. His aproach has helped me to understand other teachings. Whenever I am at odds with the world I listen to his audio and find my center. Each time I find somthing that my Ego would not accept before. I beleive he is very specific in the techniqes to quiet the mind. The "mind has become the master when it was meant to be the tool" To stop the endless chatter of the mind is Eckharts teaching. He even states that this is the purpose of meditation.Would you not like to have your entire day be a meditation filled with peace. His technique and message are there if we listen with our being, not our mind. We live in eternity; The past and future emotions, and thoughts overshadow this precious gift - the now. Read the other books but make this a must for your bookshelf. At some point in "time" you will find what every one is looking for. I personly have more peace in my life by practicing the power of now. As Eckhart says "try it and you be the proof"
Rating:
Summary: Exercise Caution
Review: Before abandoning your concepts of self and time remember that this led Tolle to spend "almost two years sitting on a park bench". He was happy, but will you be? This book takes a fundamentalist, all-or-nothing approach to spirituality. The truth, however, is that you don't need to run marathons to get fit and you don't need to turn your life upside down in order to find peace, harmony and fulfilment. The central theme of this book is spending more time in the "Now"; but there's clearly such broad agreement on this that it seems odd to dedicate a whole book to it. The best way to experience the Now is to practice a daily meditation routine, though there's very little guidance within Tolle's book. There are many good books on meditation and you would be far better following one of these than getting too hung up on Tolle's philosophies. (p.s. my personal favourite for real-life meditation is Eric Harrison's "Teach Yourself to Meditate").
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