Wednesday, March 12, 2008

A New Earth by Eckhart Tolle

No, I'm not reading it because Oprah told me to.

I'm a couple of chapters in, and I'm finding it thought-provoking and hopeful.

I like to read about spirituality. It is the common denominator (look, Lisa, a math word!) of all religions. Why not focus on the beauty that we can all agree on instead of fighting over dogma and doctrine? I'd rather have a million people reading this than most any other best seller.

Are any of you reading it? Do you have any favorite books on spirituality?

13 comments:

Don said...

Ha Ha - you love Oprah!

Christine said...

I'd have a snappy rude comment for you, but I'm too busy meditating and being one with all sentient beings.

DRD said...

Is Oprah really a sentient being?

Anonymous said...

Sentient was one of the words I got right on freerice! Go Oprah!

Christine said...

Anybody beat Danika's high of 47?

Anonymous said...

^^Heck no, a high of 47 is kind of amazing!

And yikes Christine, your assessment of "A New Earth" kind of cancels out the Oprah factor and is leaving me scared and confused. Maybe I would start to feel better if I read the book? :-o

~Lisa

Christine said...

His other book, The Power of Now is supposed to be very good, too.

Here's the write-up from Amazon:

Ekhart Tolle's message is simple: living in the now is the truest path to happiness and enlightenment. And while this message may not seem stunningly original or fresh, Tolle's clear writing, supportive voice, and enthusiasm make this an excellent manual for anyone who's ever wondered what exactly "living in the now" means. Foremost, Tolle is a world-class teacher, able to explain complicated concepts in concrete language. More importantly, within a chapter of reading this book, readers are already holding the world in a different container--more conscious of how thoughts and emotions get in the way of their ability to live in genuine peace and happiness.

Sophia Varcados said...

Being in the present is hard to do - I kind of want to read the book. It couldn't hurt, right? Is the recommendation that you not label plants as you walk through the garden a message of giving up control? Do we label to prove our intelligence, or to manage our lives? Both? Something else?

...a score of 47 is awesome on Freerice.

Christine said...

Sophia, I think you should try Power of Now first if you are interested in Tolle.

The not labeling plants when you're out in nature is just to help you get out of your thinking brain so you can experience nature on a deeper level.

We're always thinking and planning. When we're washing the dishes, we're thinking about putting the dishes away so we can sit down with a friend or family member. When we're sitting with a friend or family member, we're thinking of getting ready for work. When we're at work, we're thinking of all the things we would like to be doing at home. We are constantly out of place. Tolle (like many others before him) reminds us that the only thing we have is right now and to experience it and enjoy it fully.

Anonymous said...

Oh Christine...please do not make me want to read "an Oprah book."

I beg of you.

*looks down*

Anonymous said...

Ok, I got to 47 on freerice, but I didn't stay there long. I went immediately back down.

Sorry, I realize this is supposed to be a book blog, lol.

~Lisa

Christine said...

Come on, Martha. Come on over to the bright side. . .

Another 47 on freerice! Excellent work, Woman of Mathematics!

Sophia Varcados said...

I have to go to the library to pay off my usual debt - I'll see about the book. I always thought Oprah was kind of cool. She had a whole show on "The best jeans for your booty".

47 still seems extremely daunting on freerice...