An excellent guide!, 23. November 2008

Eckhart Tolles book goes in depth on the blocks to enlightenment (the ego) and how to overcome those blocks by being aware of the present moment. He offers various techniques to gain awareness of the present which I found to be very helpful indeed. It's really all about gaining an alertness of awareness by going beyond the thinking mind. Altogether a right good book. Another good more direct book I found was K. Loys book Finding Reality 'Awakening to Spiritual Freedom' - Both books together offer the whole package reagarding enlightenment.

       a good book, 25. Mai 2006

Nothing in this book has been drastically "new" to me (but, believe me, I'm far from enlightened) but it was good to see it written out on a page as a reminder (and put in words so very well). Most of us, I belive, probably already *know* the things Tolle writes about deep down inside us but are too lazy or too stressed to act according to what we already know or plain forget that we already know, myself included.I think enlightenement is not what you'd expect from such a book anyway but some techniques to make you feel better, some teachings that really do work. And they do because what Tolle teaches is the natural state - how things are supposed to be - anyway (I think). It just feels right. I can highly recommend this book. Read it yourself or give it away as a present !

      Tolle is clearly a man with a mission., 9. Juli 2003

Despite the fact that Tolle claims to have written this book only upon request from other people, this man, like so many others, seems to have the mission of convincing the world that what worked for him must be the solution to all earthly problems.

Anyhow Tolle's analysis and "method" of getting to the Now is quite powerful, helpful and can in fact change your life to the better.

However, Tolle having found this new focus point in the prsence, now falls into the trap of making it the center of a world view, overly generalizing the results and judging everything from this/his newly aquired standpoint.

He is quick to draw "obvious" conclusions, quote from every monumental book our civilization has brought forth (the Bible, the Koran, the Tao, etc.) and interpreting the quotes within a paragraph in the light or as a proof of the "power of now".

And, like many converts, who have lived through a dramatic turning point in their lives, he is very willing to condemn everything else, and especially everything which actually correlates with his "previous" life, as insane or mad.

This book carries a great message but you will have to be careful to draw your own conclusions and discern the basic truths from the personal problems, which are mainly related to the Tolle-Personality rather than yourself.

       profound simplicity, 28. Juli 2000

I've been looking for this book a long time, down many dead-ends. Usually, "simple" = shallow, and "profound" slides into wordy. The book should be printed highlighted! Every sentence in it is powerful. Direct without being harsh, he makes a lot of our mind-based beliefs look the nonsense they are, and impossible to continue.

       Now - Now, 17. Juli 2000

Echkart Tolle's book is a living and powerful vehicle that takes the reader gently by the hand into the Now if they but will allow it.

Via a question and answer format, he addresses just about every issue, question, and objection that anyone could possible raise on the subject.

The power that the Now carries is transmitted in his words and seems to "ring true" in the heart of the reader.

I highly recommend this book for anyone who has read about being in the Now and desired it but somehow has not been able to come close to experiencing it. He writes in his introduction that he hopes that his book will act as a catalyst for a "radical inner transformation" in those who are ready for it. Well, there is no question in my mind that it indeed can cause such a transformation.

One of the things he said that had a great impact on me was, "The moment you realize you are not present, you are present." So simple.

This is a book you will want to keep in reach to renew and refresh yourself with anytime you need it.