The Power of Now

A Guide to Spiritual Enlightenment

By: Eckhart Tolle

Narrated by: Eckhart Tolle

Length: 7 hrs and 37 mins

Publisher's Summary

To make the journey into The Power of Now you need to leave your analytical mind and its false created self, the ego, behind. Access to the Now is everywhere - in the body, the silence, and the space all around you. These are the keys to enter a state of inner peace. They can be used to bring you into the Now, the present moment, where problems do not exist. It is here you find your joy and are able to embrace your true self. It is here you discover that you are already complete and perfect.

Although the journey is challenging, Eckhart Tolle offers simple language in a question and answer format. The words themselves are the signposts to guide you on your journey. There are new discoveries to be made along the way: you are not your mind, you can find your way out of psychological pain, authentic human power is found by surrendering to the Now. When you become fully present and accepting of what is, you open yourself to the transforming experience of The Power of Now.

©2000 New World Library

Critic Reviews

"One of the best books to come along in years. Every sentence rings with truth and power." (Deepak Chopra)
"A reminder to be truly present in our own lives and liberated from our past and future. It can transform your thinking." (O: The Oprah Magazine)

Consciousness Altering

This book caused me to realize how much my mind (ego) is generally in control of me. I had studied a number of meditative teachings, and already had the ideas in my head, but it was this book that catalyzed a clear transformation in me. There were moments where Tolle's voice (as the narrator) caused me to observe my own presence. My mind wrestled with the book, and at several points it wanted to toss the book aside, dismissing it as new-age spiritual hoo-ha (and there may be points where you try to dismiss it this way, also). But in retrospect, as I live my life, it is impossible to ignore the essential truth that Tolle has put words to. Slowly, the moments are increasing where I feel liberated from my mind's patterns of control and obsession with past/future. This was one of the most powerful books I have encountered.

AWE INSPIRING!

Eckhart Tolle's work, The Power of Now, is filled with wisdom, inspiration, and practical advice from beginning to end. He shows clearly how progress in the evolution of human consciousness is absolutely necessary for survival of life on this planet, and that it is up to each one of us to change our perception of the world in which we live if that progress is to take place. Tolle also shows how our tendency to dwell in the past and future obscures the present moment. In so doing, we fail to see what is necessary right now, thus we make wrong choices and decisions which lead to untold suffering for self and others. This work is a recipe for true happiness and if everyone followed the advice contained therein the world would be a happier place to live in. I have listened to it so many times now I have lost count. If I were shipwrecked on a desert island and I could take only one book, this would be it!

I'm so glad I got this book!

Before I buy it I read all reviews, and the negative ones made me hesitate. Finally I decided to try it - and I'm so glad I did!! This book is now my all time favorite - other spirituality, self-help or philosophy books seem so unenlightened, so incomplete. A must-read for anyone with big questions, big problems, or simply not 100% happy (does this leave any one of us out?) You will love this book - if a single book can lead you to enlightenment and can elevate your consiousness above everyday problems, negativity and conflicts, then this is it!

A truly inspiring and insightful book

This is a book about spirituality, and if you choose to hear it this way, God. And at the same time I believe an atheist could listen and identify with it. In fact one of the phenomenal things about this book is that an atheist, agnotstic, Christian, Muslim, and Buddhist could all sit with this book and identify with it in their own individual way, be it identifying with the individual, their god, or higher spiritual state of being.

While the book is along the spirituality line, it really reframes religions, all religions as part of the same whole. And he quotes and discusses the concept of “god” in many different religions, but ties them all back to a single concept. And specifically he discusses the teachings of Christianity and dispels, in an unbelievably eloquent way many of the misinterpretations of the original teachings that are prevalent today

But the book isn’t about God, it’s simply about one’s self, the author just pulls together western religion, eastern religion, and individual awareness in one framework and shows, with examples from various religions, and mostly from individual experience, how they all point back to the same thing.

If spirituality is not something you are interested in, and in fact it is only very minimally what I am interested in, you could as easily read and identify with this book on the level of a personal psychology guide. I believe that virtually anyone interested in their own well being will find that this book speaks to them on a level that makes sense for them in their life. To accomplish this is a truly magnificent feat, and the author has my deepest respect for accomplishing this seemingly impossible task.

Great book, but hurt my ears

If you could sum up The Power of Now in three words, what would they be?

Uplifting, encouraging and enlightening.

Who would you have cast as narrator instead of Eckhart Tolle?

At first I had an issue with the narration because the voice was very hypnotic. It took me a while to be able to listen and remain alert. A soothing voice is ok, but not when there's so much to take in. Honestly, I almost kept falling asleep. It really took a while to build up tolerance and be able to follow along while remaining alert. And this is not to say it was boring — not at all, just very, very soothing, but not in a good way for the purpose at hand.

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

Practically every sentence and every word.

Any additional comments?

While I appreciate the way the audiobook conveys the breaks and/or pauses between chapters or even within the chapters themselves (something I feel all audiobooks should have, by the way), the tone used to indicate these pauses is an extremely high pitched, echoing tone. It literally hurt my ears throughout the entire book. And it distracted a lot from whatever came after it (because it echoes in the background as the story continues). This is why the performance of this title gets only a one star. This is really a book best left to traditional reading and not listening to.

A book that makes you think...not

What was one of the most memorable moments of The Power of Now?

The Power Of Now is toward the top of my list of books that make you think (or in this case, stop thinking). In short, it is somewhat Buddhist philosophy that goes like this: The past is gone and only exists in your memories. The future only exists in your head, as well. The only thing that is real is the present. And, if you would just stop thinking so much about the past and the future, you could enjoy the present. That's pretty much the book in just a few sentences.

Personally, I had a death of a family member as a young teenager that affected me for many, many years after it happened. I really think my life might have been different if someone had explained to me back then that I had the power to just stop thinking about it.

On the other hand, it is silly to think that the past just disappears. For example, a Southern California middle school teacher was recently fired for appearing in a pornographic movie. The film was produced well before she became a teacher. It is clear here that what she did in her past affected both her present and her future. Eckhart Tolle's advice in "The Power of Now" might make her present more enjoyable for her personally, but the bottom line is, nobody else is just going to magically forget about her past (career wise, anyway).

But kudos to Eckhart Tolle for not only writing a whole book explaining the benefits of "stopping to smell the roses," but doing so in a masterful way. Used in moderation, the information could benefit much of America, whose unchecked egos have caused much misery and pain.

For anyone interested in "The Power Of Now," I'm going to suggest the book, "The Untethered Soul: The Journey Beyond Yourself," by Michael A. Singer. It contains some of the same concepts, but, in my opinion, in a kinder and gentler way. Perhaps, it is a little less, "just stop thinking" than Eckhart Tolle, but still explains some of the dangers of the unchecked ego fairly well.

Sounds to fall asleep to!

It's hard to believe - until you hear it...that Eckhart Tolle can write such brilliant books, but has NO IDEA how to read them out loud! His voice is dull, monotonous, sleep-invoking and downright annoying. Gaps and stops, pauses and falters...will someone please speed up the tape---give that man some Coffee!
My advice would be to buy his books and read them out loud... yourself!

My advice to Mr. Tolle would be simple...carry on writing your excellent books but please don't commit them to Audio....unless that is you can find a narrator that can do them justice.

Listen to the audio preview of ANY of his audiobooks on this site and I think you'll get the picture.

Book content 10/10 :-)
Audio Version 2/10 :-(

Narration is creepy!

My friend recommended this book to me, raved about it.... and given all the changes (for the good) he's made in his life, I figure I would download it. Problem was, the voice reading the book gave me the creeps, seriously I tried a few times to listen to it on a number of occasions to see if the narration either got better or didn't creep me out so much, but it didn't. My friend read the book, not listened to it on audio. I've listened to a few audio books now and this is the only one I couldn't listen to because of that reason. Sorry, I'm sure the message is probably really good!

A modern serving of Basic Sanity.

As a Buddhist, I find an amazing parallel between the teachings of Tolle and the basic sanity of Buddhism. Thanks to Tolle, I now understand why the glimpses into reality that I have experienced have always faded and not lead to lasting peace - my mind incorporated them into my 'story'.

Thanks to this reminder, I feel like I am embarking on a spiritual journey that has been sidelined for a very long time by my identification with my mind and my story as it is expressed through past and future. Although much of the wisdom expressed in this book has been expressed before, at least one new concept, that of the 'Pain Body', is both new (to me) and very useful.

This book is very inspiring. After years of confusion and procrastination, Tolle's 'Power of Now' has compelled me to begin my spiritual practice 'now'.

Yes. 'Similar' to the rest in his series.

The book was well worth the credit. The concepts and theory behind these works are on the leading edge of humanity trying to figure itself out, even thou heavily based in eastern beliefs. While listening, all the concepts make sense, but in real life as usual, holding or implementing these concepts are difficult in the practical world. The concepts are presented well, but if you have never been introduced to them, further readings of his works and others is highly recommended. Getting a hold of oneself is the key to this and its sound advice, worth the read. I enjoyed this but after first listening to the "New Earth" as my first in his series I see that the same concepts and sometimes the same thoughts, just reworded, are repeated over again. Of course he has a good message and of course he is selling books, in just the same way as the other self help gurus. So far, I am doing well with the 4 E's I have listened to, and can listen again at any time, unless something comes out totally new. If you want a broad summary and compilation of his works, go for the "New Earth" which touches on it all. Then if you wish some future enhancement, mind you with some repeating of the same material, then choose this or another of his works. He is a good author, I believe in most of the message, and this book is worth the credit. Thanks E.

I was sceptical

Initially not sure whether this would be any good and thought maybe other reviewers were desperately looking for something that the rest of us knew was a bit 1960's and zen like. Maybe they are - maybe not. I don't think I am but I did find this surprisingly inciteful and useful. Lots of really down to earth good advice and good philosophical (and dare I say it) spiritiual food for thought. But to reiterate: useful and pragmatic from the start. Have listened to some bits a few times as it seems to make me think of things slightly differently each time.

Buy it NOW!

The incredible power of this book stems from the simplicity of its teachings. Tolle presents a system so simple and undebiably true that it cannot help but work. I am not so sure I would have taken so much from the written book, so the audiobook is definitely the recommended format to absorb this timeless teaching. If you do only one thing to improve your life, then make that reading this book.

Present Moment Awareness

This book opens the door and gives a glimpse of a world I had not experienced since childhood. That of living in the present moment. A beautiful but very indepth read.

New-age drivel

Perhaps I was under a misapprehension when I bought this book - I was expecting something about meditation and the philosophy of living in the present.

Sadly, it turned out to be pseudo-religious with an author that claims lots of answers but can substantiate none of it. He answers with generalisations (the best one was where a voice says something like "Are any of your claims proven?" and Tolle replies with "Do it, and you yourself will be the evidence)", and when he started banging on about "energy fields", "life energy", "energy polarity", and how women feel pain because of the rape and subjugation of previous generations, I was just laughing at the stupidity.

Now, the one useful point here is the idea of living in the present and not dwelling too much on the future or the past. I really hoped this would elaborate on that area, but to be honest it didn't really move on after the first few chapters.

The performance is ok - Tolle has a calm, steady tone although they have put a bit of an echo on the sound, so it sounds like he's trying to hypnotise you. There is an annoying cymbal that is meant to break the chapters but just sounds a bit silly to me.

So in conclusion, I bought this based on the other rave reviews. I guess others must have a very different view on the subject. Maybe if you want to believe this stuff and don't require real evidence or substance and are happy to trust people on the basis that they claim to know, then you might get on fine with this. Personally I am disappointed - there may be some useful stuff here but it gets drowned out by the unsubstantiated claims.

Life Changing

This audiobook was great and I genuinely consider it to be life changing. Tolle's teachings made me realise the root of my anxieties and hence unhappiness.
He gets quite spiritual at times, which doesn't particularly appeal to me, but the overall message is a wonderful one and has made me appreciate 'the now'.

Find TRUE & PERMANENT HAPPINESS - Amazing book

I would just like to take this opportunity to thank the author for producing this book, an amazing, truly life changing experience. I recommend listening to this title in small chunks to really take in the PEARLS of WISDOM. Free yourself from your mind, find your inner happiness.

Eckhart Tolle

Eckhart Tolle is an extremely inspiring man. I love this book and his other books also. His ideas are great and having implemented some of them already in daily life I feel a lot more positive than I have in the past. Releasing how far away we are from living life like we should in order to be happy and healthy is amazing. I'm not sure I could dive in like the author did and live happily homeless but I have definitely taken as much of his advice as I can. My only slight issue is that his voice is very calming and hypnotic to the point that I found myself getting a little sleepy while listening but that can also be reviewed as positive because he is very easy to listen to. I would definitely recommend this book.

Nonsense for the ill informed

I completely disagreed with the author right off the bat, he states that when your mind becomes aware of a thought, there is something else beyond the mind that is doing the watching. He goes on to say that between thoughts you are in a state of ‘no mind’. I would strongly argue that this is merely the first step, what you are actually doing is residing in the ‘nothingness OF the mind’ and the self you think is doing the watching, is also a part of the mind. Tolle seems to be under the mistaken impression that simply being aware of your thoughts is “enlightenment”. Can't believe this guy actually calls himself a "Spiritual Teacher".

Tolle is essentially promoting mindfulness. Which is fantastic! The problem is that he’s doing it with unsubstantiated claims and the language of a new age charlatan. If you are truly interested in mindfulness I highly recommend listening to Abiding in Mindfulness by Joseph Goldstein, it is a much more structured, practical and substantive discourse on the topic. There is also Jack Kornfield's No Time Like The Present and/or Brining Home the Dharma: Awakening right where you are. I suspect Tolle is also familiar with them and this is his attempted to rehash them, cashing in on a wider audience.

Tolle talks about “pain bodies” as though they are something that exist independently, that’s just one example of the tosh in this book for those who don’t know better. I strongly urge anyone considering this book to read an actual Buddhist book instead, you will only find a mishmash of regurgitated self-righteous rubbish here.

There is also a really annoying echo on the audio, perhaps to cover up how unprofound the ramblings of the author are by making them at least sound “spiritual” and "authoritative". The narrator is also super nasally and obviously trying to sound all wise and holier than thou which is very annoying. Seems to be a get rich quick scam that feeds on the impressionable who haven't come across any basic Eastern Thought before.

Forced my way to the end of chapter 2 before putting my listening time to far better use. The only audible book I couldn't bring myself to finish, ending a 34 book run, it really is that bad. Avoid.

Can't believe I fell for this tripe

I'd never heard of Eckhart Tolle and downloaded this book on the recommendation of a friend. I was sceptical of someone calling himself a 'spiritual teacher' but willing to be open minded. After listening to maybe 3 hours of this magnum opus my scepticism was proved correct. There is a nugget of wisdom in this book which is essentially no different to the practice of mindfulness - the only moment we have is now so be aware, be present. Er, that's it. I bailed halfway through chapter 3 when I couldn't stand him droning on about the same point in different ways. There is a lot of repetition and a lot of rubbish wrapped up as 'spiritual' guidance. I read afterwards he is a multi-millionaire on the back of this and other books so I suspect he lives in 'clock time', as he disdainfully calls it, a lot more than he advocates other people do. You would be better spending the 7 plus hours required to listen to this doing some mindfulness practice instead.

I now live in the present

Would you listen to The Power of Now again? Why?

This was recommended to me as a book I should read. I am glad I did.
The book explains how we rush about in our daily lives, earning money and supposedly living. But how often do you sit and think about what you are doing 'now'.
I have learned to enjoy living in the 'now'
To listen to the sounds of nature and actually see nature growing.
There is so much beauty around us.
I would listen to the book again, if only to remind me, if I should forget, to live in the 'now'

What was one of the most memorable moments of The Power of Now?

The most memorable part was actually realising that I can listen and be in the present and it is peaceful and calm.

What about Eckhart Tolle’s performance did you like?

Eckhart's voice is calming. He pauses several times to allow you to take in what he is saying.

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

I listened to this book in 2 days. When the author told me to enjoy the moment, to listen, feel and taste the now, I felt that my life is suddenly going to be richer in experiences.
This has proved to be so in many experiences since.