The Power of Now
by Eckhart Tolle
Tolle's book argues that most suffering comes from identification with the thinking mind and its stories about past and future, and that presence dissolves it. It is written in a question-and-answer format with a spiritual vocabulary some find profound and others find vague. The practice of watching the thinker is useful whatever you make of the metaphysics.
Read it if…
you are exhausted by your own mental noise and open to a contemplative approach.
Skip it if…
you want secular, step-by-step instruction; the language is spiritual throughout.
Three things you will actually use
- Notice the voice in the head; you are the one noticing.
- Return attention to the body and breath in difficult moments.
- Accept this moment before acting to change it.
Do this first
Set a timer for two minutes and simply watch your thoughts arrive without following them.
Our verdict
Influential, repetitive and genuinely helpful to many; approach as practice, not doctrine.
Compare with other Gratitude books
Meditations
Marcus Aurelius · Gratitude
The essential text; a lifetime companion for a few dollars.
CLICK TO SEE
The Fifth Agreement
Don Miguel Ruiz and Don Jose Ruiz · Gratitude
A thoughtful sequel; secondary to the original, worthwhile for its readers.
CLICK TO SEE
The Untethered Soul
Michael A. Singer · Gratitude
Clear, gentle and profound for the right reader; the practice is the book.
CLICK TO SEEBrowse all Gratitude book reviews or get the free Reality Code Cheat Sheet.
As an Amazon Associate, WisdomDeck earns from qualifying purchases. Links marked “Click to see” go to Amazon. We are not paid for opinions, prices and availability are not shown here and change on Amazon, and we never see your purchase details. Nothing here is medical, legal or financial advice.