The Power of Now: A Guide to Spiritual Enlightenment by Eckhart Tolle (2001, Unabridged, Compact Disc)

Normally, if I came across a book such as this one some where, I would not bother to pick it up, much less to purchase it. I would think to myself, "new age drivel." However, I did not simply come across the book some where. I saw snippets of Tolle at a seminar during the last PBS pledge drive. I was so impressed by the little I saw on PBS that I looked for his books at my public library. I actually wanted a book, but my library had the audio book. I was disappointed but checked out the audio book anyway.

From watching a very limited amount of footage of Tolle on PBS, I realized this man had read Philosophy, serious Philosophy, and I felt he knew what he was talking about. Listening to the "Power of Now," I was amazed at how accessible he made the principles of Zen, Taoism, etc., to the average "reader," and I was so happy that I had indeed gotten the audio book instead of a traditional book because his voice and manner truly helped me to grasp what he had to say and to lead me to a meditative posture. This is not to say that the material was difficult. Indeed, the case was the opposite. I read Philosophy at university, and I can assure everyone that Tolle presents profound insights, and I believe truths, to his readers that most people would probably not seek out in original texts on their own.

This book is so powerful in my estimation, that I purchased it, and I ordered his "A New Earth" as well as his "Finehorn Retreat" audio books from my library. Since listening to the "Power of Now" audio book, I have recommended it to absolutely everyone I know and to everyone I meet. "The Power of Now" is one of the most influential books I have ever come across, and I have endeavoured to use Tolle's teachings in my life.

All anyone has is "now." Tolle is correct whence he says that we spend our lives too much in the past and in the future, neither of which has true existance or exists only as thought form. Whilst we do this, we miss our being because we are not present in the "now." Tolle's simply written books make profound thought accessible to all reasonably intelligent, thinking individuals. Perhaps the most basic question to everyday life is "how does one live?" Tolle knows the Truth, and he shares it most graciously. I highly recommend this book to everyone!

If you love the book, the CD will just make the experience that much better. "The Power Of Now", unabridged, on CD, and read by Eckhart Tolle, is an experience not to be missed. In a very calm and measured way, with a deep spiritual and reverent tone, Eckhart Tolle takes us word by word through his masterpiece. "The Power Of Now" is, in my opinion, one of the most important pieces of sprirtual writing of the 20th century, and of all time. Hearing it read by the author is powerful and meaningful. My only wish, and I am not being critical, is that it wasn't quite so dry. As compared to his other recorded work, this reading is missing his spontaneous humor, and his delightful laugh. Eckhart Tolle is deeply connected to life, and fully present. This is a great teaching, read by a great teacher.

Anyone who has a desire to improve their life should most likely start on the inside... inside themselves. The path is not difficult, but it takes time. In my opinion, time well spent.

Eckhart Tolle has boiled spirituality, the path to enlightenment and the next evolutionary step for human kind down to a followable process. However, this process must become a way of life.

Again, my opinion is that in order for something so deep and foreign to our mental makeup to become integrated and practiced as a habit or way of life it has to be repeatedly instilled. Reading a book once can not do this. And few of us have time to read The Power of Now enough to integrate the learning. The answer is cds. Play them repeatedly and often. Instill the Power of Now. Live it. Become enlightened. What better way to in-joy this lifetime?

This audiobook is an excellent way to intake the material Tolle has written. I have read the book, yet listening to the words created different changes in my mind. I now use the book to again read certain parts I heard while driving. I suspect most readers read the book, marvel at the concepts, then go on with life as before. It will probably take a substantial hardship to recall The Power of Now to either seek release, or after letting go, to agree that such is happening around us.
Living is continuing forth and we all end up returning to basic elements; the difference is the presence or absence of mental torment while we are alive. There is an explicit explanation to not suffer anymore, and is complete in this book. Actually, it is a book of accessing wisdom.
Dayle Tamura

The Power of Now is one of the most influential books in my life. I was given it as a gift a year ago, but did not really appreciate it until financial disaster struck last May. The spiritual teachings of Eckhart Tolle have helped me keep perspective in my life, to stay positive, to realize what is most important, to be happy in the present moment, not regret the past or worry about the future, to accept what is, to take action to fix a troublesome situation when necessary, and to realize the essence of who I am is not my body or my possessions. There is all this and more in The Power of Now. I found it life-altering for me and would highly recommend it to everyone who would like to have a greater sense of what life and happiness are about.