Book Review: A New Earth by Eckhart Tolle
Key Points to Awakening Your Life's Purpose
In Eckhart Tolle's second bestselling spiritual guide, A New Earth - Awakening to Your Life's Purpose, (Penguin Publishing, 1/30/2008, ISBN #0452289963), you will quickly identify with the many examples of how our own ego causes us to complain, be resentful, be angry, and always looking to put the blame on someone else. This in turn creates enemies and can deteriorate many areas of our life in the process. His explanations are thought provoking and will motivate you to make some changes in your life for a more satisfied and complete life.
The book is not an easy read; it will require you to read and probably reread parts of it for a better understanding of the content. He incorporates a lot of Buddhist and Christian beliefs and references. If you walk away with more of an awareness of your ego-based consciousness state than that will be a positive gain for you. A few points that Tolle concentrates on are worth highlighting.
Don't Identify with Things
The ego always wants something. It survives on want and self enhancement. Just when you get what you think you want, your ego steps up and you want more. This materialistic living only leads to dissatisfication and creates stress, anxiety and unhappiness. Negative feelings like those can then cause other problems including health issues. Tolle says to be aware of the "I want", "I need" and "I must have" thoughts.
Find the Simple Things that Make You Happy
It is often the simplest things that make us the most happy, yet are the most overlooked in our busy lives. Tolle suggests that we take the time to be still, hear our own breath, take a step back and create some inner space to become conscious of our ego. Give yourself the time to appreciate the simple things in front of us now.
Be Grateful for the Abundance in Your Life
Be more positive about the good that exists in your life now versus concentrating on what is missing or lacking. Tolle's suggestion is to give to others what you think you lack such as recognition, help, or appreciation. If you give, you will receive. Acknowledge all that you have and all that your senses absorb and your life will feel full.
Letting Go of Old Emotions
Many people hold onto negative thoughts which create the negative emotions. The awareness of the relation of how our body responds to our emotions and thoughts, is a step in the right direction. Finding peace in the present moment will help us not to dwell on the past and not to keep negative events alive in our minds.
A New Earth won't necessarily change your life overnight, but over time the awareness of the ego in yourself and others may change the way you interact and react creating a better life for you.
