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.


ALL SPIRITUAL PATHS END HERE   November 18, 2000
 14 out of 15 found this review helpful

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.


The Simplicity of Salvation   November 14, 2000
 26 out of 28 found this review helpful

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.


THE END OF SEEKING   October 27, 2000
99% of our thoughts are compulsive, useless and dangerous. This "mental noise" creates all of our suffering. Time, which is only a construct of the mind, is made by continually thinking thoughts of the past and of the future. Regrets, over things you didn't do; shame, over what you did do; anger and resentment, over what was "done to you," and memories of brief, happy moments. THESE ARE YOUR COMPULSIVE THOUGHTS OF THE PAST. Fear and anxiety of things that "might" happen, hoping (and praying) for a better future, waiting for tomorrow, or even the next hour to be better than it is right now, planning, to keep control of your future. THESE ARE YOUR COMPULSIVE THOUGHTS OF THE FUTURE. Past Thoughts + Future Thoughts = Time TIME is this world of thought played out in form, with all of it's pain, suffering, and brief moments of pleasure, leading inexorably to death. NOW is the collapse of time into eternity. Your natural state of joy and peace.

To enter this eternal state, you collapse time by practices which lead to the end of compulsive, thinking. How powerful is the mind, to create this world of insanity. How simple the solution, should we choose it. It had to be simple and it is. There is no need to look further than this book and the practices within it. Salvation is here, salvation is NOW.


Tolle overreaches yet still delivers   October 23, 2000
 13 out of 23 found this review helpful

An excellent book about the benefits of being present and living in the moment. Also an excellent review of strategies and techniques for developing presence. My only problem with the book is that Tolle equates immortality with eternality. He suggests that the experience of timelessness proves that one's being lives forever. He claims to know that his being will survive the death of his brain and physical body. I agree with him that his being is immortal, in the sense that it will never experience "I am not" and that it always experiences "I am," but I don't agree that it survives beyond the physical death. To me that's just wishful thinking. Tolle also suggests that reincarnation is a fact, that nothing real ever dies or changes and that all things are conscious or are in consciousness. Again I simply disagree and haven't seen any evidence to convince me otherwise. I believe that consciousness is a byproduct of the brain and nervous system, that matter exists whether we are conscious of it or not, and that reality is a process that is constantly changing. In the end I guess it doesn't really matter who is right. The bottom line is that learning to be present and living in the moment has many advantages and benefits and Tolle's book will definitely help you get there.