Practicing the Power of Now: Essential Teachings, Meditations, and Exercises from The Power of Now Reviews



Amazon.com Customer Reviews

Practicing the Power of Now; Essential Teachings - Review written on July 19, 2008
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Rating: 5 out of 5

This is a wonderful stand alone tool or a complimentary tool to the Power of now book. Powerful and insightful. I always have it near me.
Excellent Teaching - Review written on July 16, 2008
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Rating: 5 out of 5

The teachings of this book are a tremendous help in turning my life around and being a happier human been.
Enlightening and challenging - Review written on July 16, 2008
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Rating: 5 out of 5

I read this after New Earth and I can't believe the peace that really exists. I've tried some of the exercises and meditations and the feeling is beyond me. It's very challenging to keep it up through everyday life, but certainly is something I hope is with me forever.
being present - Review written on July 13, 2008
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Rating: 5 out of 5

i haven't read PRACTICING The Power of Now as i am in the middle of reading THE POWER OF NOW. but i believe it will be very helpful in keeping me in the present for longer periods of time, which is the goal after all.
A quick and powerful tool to help you cut through delusion. - Review written on July 13, 2008
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Rating: 5 out of 5

I love The Power Of Now...this is a smaller version which is very potent....it contains the essence of the first book.
Practicing the Power of Now - Review written on June 26, 2008
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Rating: 5 out of 5
2 customers found this review helpful, 1 did not.

Practicing the Power of Now is a handy companion to Eckhart's wildly popular The Power of Now. Essentially, Practicing the Power of Now contains the same information as in the first book. However, I have to say that I prefer this format. The first book was written in a question answer format. These questions came from the author's students. He also included amalgamated questions that covered a variety of common queries. These question and answer sessions gradually took the reader from common perception through to an understanding of the illusions that we generally accept as real and the importance of the present moment.

Practicing the Power of Now is written in formalized chapters summarizing much of the material written that first book such as being and enlightenment; the origin of fear, entering the now, dissolving consciousness, etc. The best quotations, mediations, and exercises first previously presented are also included.
The practise of Now - Review written on June 23, 2008
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Rating: 4 out of 5

This is a must read if you want to change your life style. It contains material that has to be read more then once and put into practise. It will change you behavior if you follow the guidelines.
A Must Have For Tolle Fans - Review written on June 15, 2008
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Rating: 4 out of 5
2 customers found this review helpful.

This book is a great follow-up to either The Power Of Now or A New Earth. If you were moved by these books, Practicing the Power of Now will give you more specific suggestions to continue. If you didn't "get" one of Tolle's other books, don't waste your time with this one.
An elegant paradox....a passage into inner calm, peace & happiness, that's always there for you. - Review written on June 12, 2008
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Rating: 5 out of 5

Paradoxically, in a society that desires immediate gratification, this book leads the reader to an immediate solution to the constant underlying discontent that pervades "normal" daily living. And, with this, dissolves the need for that very same gratification. Wow. The increasing degree of inner calm, peace, and contentment in my life are my measures of effectivenes with this book. I have given it (and Eckhart Tolle's book, A New Earth) as gifts over and over again. Eckhart's teaching is a beautiful blend of wisdom from many ancient teachers and many faith traditions (strong on Buddhist and Christian principles), I cannot imagine how it could ever offend anyone. It will deepen and increase the sacredness of anyone's spiritual life. The messages and the practices that are the basis of the teaching in this book are ancient...but they have been beautifully and uniquely blended and packaged for immediate application and practice in our world today. Eckhart is a very special gifted teacher and writer. I apply this same review to A New Earth, but recommend this book as a first read.
Beautiful, Practical and Intelligent - Review written on June 01, 2008
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Rating: 5 out of 5
5 customers found this review helpful.

Eckhart Tolle, the author of the international bestseller, "Power of Now," highlights his essential teachings and then skillfully offers effective meditations and practices, so that the reader may directly realize the true power of living in the present moment. These exercises encourage a revolutionary shift beyond the mind-made self and its waiting, worrying and fear, so that we may get out of our minds and into the heart. When we are willing to step out of time into the refuge of our timelessness, we live in harmony and peace.

Katie Davis Awake Joy: The Essence of Enlightenment
A disappointed admirer - Review written on May 12, 2008
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Rating: 3 out of 5
3 customers found this review helpful.

Although I have the utmost admiration for Eckhart Tolle and his teachings, I must admit that I was somewhat disappointed in "Practicing the Power of Now". Based on the title, I expected more in the way of meditations, techniques and exercises than were found in "The Power of Now", his bestseller, and the first of Tolle's works I'd read.
Unless I'm mistaken, the few techniiques described in "Practicing..." are actually found in "The Power of Now", and this new book is little more than a condensed version of the first.
My advice to someone wanting to explore the teachings of Mr. Tolle, would be to buy "The Power of Now"...a more complete and original work.
A Valuable tool to becoming your Authentic Self - Review written on May 11, 2008
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Rating: 4 out of 5

Excellent guide to self discovery and inner peace.
A great prerequisite to his other books.
practising the power of Now - Review written on April 22, 2008
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Rating: 5 out of 5
1 customer found this review helpful.

I firstly purchased Eckard Tolle's book The Power of Now. It was an eyeopener and I couldn't wait to get the practising one. I have found it excellent in getting to the nitty gritty of the former. both books should be read by anybody looking to get more out of living. I shall purchase any other of his writings in the near future.
practical and life-changing - Review written on April 11, 2008
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Rating: 5 out of 5
2 customers found this review helpful.

I was dubious about this book in the beginning, when I learned that a lot of it was taken from the Power of Now. But I've found that it was works excellently on a practical level. It contains many transformational exercises and examples. It's the kind of book you can just pick up and open at any page at any moment. Eckhart's work has been life-changing for me, and has led me on to other stunning books which are recommended on his website, such as The Fall: The Evidence for a Golden Age, 6,000 years of Insanity and the Dawning of a New EraThe Fall by Steve Taylor
Profound and powerful - Review written on April 07, 2008
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Rating: 5 out of 5
2 customers found this review helpful.

I am working through a period of change, uncertainty and moderately severe anxiety (with PTSD as a potential factor resulting from a traumatic event a year ago). This book has helped me as much as, or more than, anything else so far (counseling, meditation, other books, acupuncture).

I chose Practicing TPoN as an intro to Tolle. I believe it is simply a distillation of the material in the TPoN so those who are criticizing it as nothing new have missed the point. If you've read TPoN there's no reason to get this book.

I've found it powerful and revealing. Has changed the way I view my thoughts, my behavior, and the people and world around me. Most spiritual teachers are essentially recycling ancient wisdom or universal truths which have developed over the millennia. So really it comes down to language - what words does the teacher use and do these words resonate with you. Tolle is a master with language and this is the difference I think.

On the negative side, he sometimes speaks in absolute terms - like if you do A, then B will happen, period. I think he needs to stress that there are no guarantees and allow for shades of gray. But the basic messages ring true.
Practicing the Power of Now - Review written on April 06, 2008
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Rating: 5 out of 5
1 customer found this review helpful.

This book helps us do what we all need to do, understand why we fail to be all we are capable of being. This starts us on the path of truly becoming HUMAN.
Best CD/Book I've ever heard! - Review written on April 06, 2008
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Rating: 5 out of 5

This is truly the BEST Book on CD I've ever heard! I Wish I would have listened to this 30 years ago!!!
It's a must read for everyone on the planet. I do believe the Author and his invaluable information
are gifts from God. Thank God for this fabulous CD/BOOK!!!
Wow in the Now - Review written on April 06, 2008
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Rating: 5 out of 5

Reading these books and putting to use what Eckhart says is truly life altering. I find when I'm in the Now, I'm more focused, more productive and happier. The mind chaos is quite deafening now that I've experienced silence.
short and to the point - Review written on March 28, 2008
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Rating: 5 out of 5

This is the shortened version of a book and I like it because it is easy to read and comprehend. Above all it is short.
A better way - Review written on March 26, 2008
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Rating: 5 out of 5

A better way to approaching life. It has given me a personal and spiritual transformation.
Companion Book - Review written on March 18, 2008
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Rating: 4 out of 5
1 customer found this review helpful.

This short book is not the entire publication of the Power of Now. It is a workbook which provides clips from the book and practice exercises. Although I would probably not have purchased this book knowing this (I wanted the whole book), it has served as a companion reader for A New Earth.
Extraordinary! - Review written on February 24, 2008
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Rating: 5 out of 5

I am utterly grateful for this book. Eckhart Tolle has given us a simplistic outline to provide the necessary practices, definitions, and fundamental descriptives required to conceptualize the Power of Now. Do not expect a discursive, narrative tome...read instead the original manuscript, The Power of Now, if that is what you want. This is the "simplified" version...explicit, available, concise...a wonderful introduction as well as a concise expositon of the basics of NOW...

Read it and be transformed.

Practice? Why? - Review written on February 14, 2008
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Rating: 3 out of 5
4 customers found this review helpful, 1 did not.

The Angel Hunter
I bought this book long after I started listening to and reading Eckhart's stuff. It is fine as a little refresher and daily reminder type book. However, his original book, 'The Power of Now', is so powerful and simple to practice I didn't really see the need for this one after I bought and read it. I realize that embracing the moment, living in the essence of what is, was all I ever needed. Practice sounds like a task: which consciousness does not require. I would buy 'A New Earth' if you want another Eckhart book provided you already own the original: `The Power of Now'.
Important guide - Review written on February 13, 2008
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Rating: 4 out of 5

I refer to his earlier book which render extensive material and commentary on various topics. I would encourage other Tolle enthusiasts to read the new book first.
Good principles, but less than perfect - Review written on February 08, 2008
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Rating: 3 out of 5
5 customers found this review helpful, 5 did not.

The reviews on this book, along with Oprah's comments, and my own personal interest in Zen Buddhism made me excited to get my hands on it. I expected to really enjoy it. I had a hard time with it though, which was really disappointing.

Essentially, Eckhart Tolle is a man who had a great spiritual experience/awakening at 29 years old he. He went on to study eastern religions and practices and then build his own philosophy, much of which is based on Zen Buddhism.

The idea of living in the `Now' is a super powerful one. Tolle does a good job of explaining it and his Q&A format is easy to understand. For someone who has never experienced meditation or the teachings of Zen Buddhism, this book can be thought provoking. However, there were a number of things that made me suspicious of Tolle's `philosophy'.

First, at the end of the book I asked myself what I'd learned. The answer was not much. I felt like he'd gone round and round and round his central ideas. It became tiring rather than enlightening, and I kept having to force myself not to skim.

Second, he used the words of historical religious leaders a little too loosely for me. The only religion I know enough about to comment on is Christianity. It was very clear to me that he was taking the teachings of the New Testament way out of context. And if Tolle's teachings are eternal in nature, why wouldn't he use the scriptures as they are?

And okay it really bugged me that he said, "Never personalize Christ. Don't make Christ into a form identity." Isn't the whole message of Jesus Christ about him being the son of God raised to immortality through resurrection after the cross? How do you take the person of Christ out of Him paying the price for mankind's sins? I'm not trying to do promote Christianity by saying that. My point is that he uses the New Testament, but then remakes Jesus into something that fits Tolle's philosophy rather than what is actually taught in the scriptures.

Makes me wonder if he does the same with the other religions.

Third, if Tolle lives what he preaches, I would expect him to be humble, truthful, salt-of-the-earth type person who gives what he has as a gift to mankind. When I looked up his really snazzy, expensive website and see all the products for sale, his touring schedule, testimonials, etc. I'm left with a bad taste in my mouth - tastes like high-end marketing campaign actually. Why is that necessary if he is only in it for helping humanity? I'd expect a true spiritual leader to offer his wisdom with no expectation for compensation (monetary of fame).

Overall, I guess I'd say that Tolle's book is worth taking a look at. It is based on some wonderful truths. But go into reading it with you eyes open. There are some definite clues that Tolle might be promoting his own personal philosophy rather than teaching the wisdom of the ages.

(I'd actually recommend Robert Jackson's podcasts at www.aquietmind.com - He puts the same ideas into practice in a simpler way. And although he takes donations if you feel inclined, it is otherwise free.)
Wonderful - Review written on January 29, 2008
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Rating: 5 out of 5
2 customers found this review helpful.


Eckhart is not the greatest writer of spirituality, but he is the greatest overall communicator. Get this book on CD. It's simply spectacular when you combine his words with his wonderful voice
Another perspective..... - Review written on January 08, 2008
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Rating: 5 out of 5
14 customers found this review helpful.

I agree with the top review that this book is a repackaging of the concepts in the Power of Now. However, I disagree with this reviewer's value assessment of the same concepts presented in a different form. In my opinion, this abridged version is just as valuable as the original book, provides needed repetition which is important for breaking old habits and a structure that helps the reader not only to understand the concepts, but embody them.

I work in the psychology field and have my graduate education in Integral Psychology. I keep up on Eckhart Tolle and other authors from this genre. In my opinion, this is the most concise, eloquent and immediately accessible summary of Tolle's thought or better... direct experience or satori.

On the other hand, I don't think getting this book is a subtitute for reading the POWER OF NOW. Ideally, if you have the time, I would read the POWER OF NOW and also purchase this volume. I have found in myself and working with clients that approaching the same material from different angles very valuable and indeed necessary to bring about lasting change.

In brief, I feel this book merits a 5 star rating. I also trust that Eckhart Tolle knows what he is doing when he presents concepts in different ways that might appeal to different people. I am familiar with the body of his whole work and I see a method to what may appear to others as madness or simple repackaging of content.

A problem with satori experiences is that they are noetic (spiritually charged, capture a type of knowledge)... but often ineffable. Therefore, it seems reasonable to me that the person who had the experience will need to use lyrical language, repitition and alternate metaphors to more closely approximate what they have taken away from the wordless domain of Being. I don't think you can go wrong purchasing this book!
Excellent book - Review written on December 11, 2007
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Rating: 4 out of 5
2 customers found this review helpful.

I have read (and listened) to most of Tolle's work and I find it to be inspirational, soothing and completely in sync with much of contemporary spiritual literature. For me, this book reduced "The power of now" into easily understood meditations and practices which, though elaborated in "The power of Now", needed to be revisited. In this regard, I consider "Practicing the power of Now" to be a companion to "The power of Now", and most benefit would be gained by reading them one after the other, without any regard to which should come first. Both amplify each other.

I must admit however, these books are not for the spiritually faint hearted. Tolle declares that all time is now, and that we need to renounce both physical time and thought to fully harness the power of now. This is easy to say, and is probably the most difficult undertaking I have set out upon. Yet when I manage to stay in the "Now" I find a peace I have only glimpsed of in other texts. It's only in hindsight, I recognize that many books on spirituality have mentioned the power of now.
I guess you can say I see it now. Laughing.
I highly recommend this book and it's companion text, The power of Now.
Peace.
M.
Havent finished it yet....BUT...... - Review written on December 09, 2007
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Rating: 2 out of 5
1 customer found this review helpful, 6 did not.

I bought this book sometime ago and have only just recently started to read it.Today however i decided to see what people on Amazon were saying about it.I put the name in the search box and Hey Presto!..I see companion books,cds,dvd..in fact theres a whole industry going on here.When i see this kind of thing it makes me think is this a load of Bull or what?I'll continue to read on but won't hold my breath.Prepare for my indebt review somewhere down the road but for now already I'm feeling sceptical and i haven't even started.
Now - Review written on November 06, 2007
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Rating: 5 out of 5

I absolutely love "The Power of Now" and have realized that these teachings have become a part of my everyday life. Great to read over and over, and especially during times of stress and anxiety.
the power of now - Review written on October 10, 2007
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Rating: 5 out of 5
2 customers found this review helpful.

at first i had to re-read paragraphs to grasp the meaning of what was being said. but as i moved through the book what was being said became easier to understand. i found that the book really helped me with the issues that i had been dealing with and was able to find a sense of peace.
Great book - Review written on October 06, 2007
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Rating: 4 out of 5

I highly recommend this book. If only we lived in the NOW, we might enjoy the little things much more. This book will show you how.
Old wisdom made new. - Review written on September 10, 2007
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Rating: 5 out of 5
2 customers found this review helpful.

There is absolutely nothing new in this book. Why then did it have such an impact on my life? I think it was because Eckhart Tolle took the religion out of spirituality and he took the spirituality out of life. And what was left was a simple message of liberation.

Free yourself from the tyranny of your thoughts and find peace. Yes, of course, the Buddha said much the same thing long ago. And many others have said the same thing since the Buddha. But Eckhart Tolle presented this enduring wisdom in a package that was devoid of rituals and beliefs, ones meant for another time and culture.

To practice the power of now, I need believe nothing. I do not need to sit in a certain way or chant in a certain way. I need only choose to be in the now, which is another way of saying I need only stop thinking, thinking, thinking. And by not thinking, I will have jumped a major hurdle on the path to enlightenment.

Of course, there is the small problem that I do not know how to stop thinking. I better give this little dilemma some thought because "Practicing the Power of NOW" is a little vague about how to stop thinking. But if I understand what I read, I simply follow the slogan of Nike and just do it. And there is wisdom in that. There is wisdom in finding my own way.

In the meantime, I suppose I can breathe and sink into the inner sense of well being within my body. And I can treat myself with compassion. Wait, come to think of it, Eckhart Tolle said to do that too. Such a wise man he is to agree with me.
Great book! - Review written on July 05, 2007
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Rating: 5 out of 5
2 customers found this review helpful, 1 did not.

Shorter version of the original book, so if you forget something you can always refer to this one. Good if you don't feel like rereading the "Power of Now."
Excellent Spiritual Insight!! - Review written on July 02, 2007
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Rating: 4 out of 5
2 customers found this review helpful.

Definitely one of the best spiritual books there are. Gives you a great insight on transforming the self to the real self. Reader could easily realize the uniqueness and practicality of the approach.

The only drawback I see is it is sort of uni-dimensional in its spiritual approach concentrating extensively on the now... I personally felt the insight in the movie "Peaceful Warrior" more complete.