“The power of now” by Eckhart Tolle

The author 🖋

Eckhart Tolle is a German-born multiple time bestselling author who was described by The New York Times as “the most popular spiritual author in the United States”.

His work isn’t based on academic studies and stems from his own personal journey after experiencing a profound spiritual awakening in his late twenties after years of depression and anxiety.

Key takeaways 🎓

1. The power of being present

True happiness and inner peace can only be found in the present moment.

Most human suffering comes from dwelling on the past or being anxious about the future.

When we pay attention to what's going on around us at this very moment we can reduce stress and negative emotions which automatically leads to enjoying a better life.

2. The illusion of the ego

Tolle describes the ego as a mental construct that creates a false sense of self (rooted in identification with our thoughts, labels and possessions).

It’s the voice in our head that’s creating the need for us to prove something and worry about what others think of us which ultimately leads to us feeling incomplete, anxious and stressed.

When we stop listening to this voice, we can find a more peaceful version of ourselves that’s deep inside every one of us.

3. Accepting life as it unfolds

Suffering is often caused by the mind’s rejection of the present moment, wishing things were different.

When we stop fighting against what’s happening and just accept it, we feel less pain.

Accepting life doesn’t mean giving up, but rather aligning with the flow of the things we can control and learning to be more at peace with how things are right now.

Closing thoughts 🧠

The book is a guide to finding peace and happiness in the present moment that’s been recommended by Oprah Winfrey.

Tolle offers practices that have been praised by readers for helping them reduce stress, anxiety, negative thoughts and live calmer daily lives overall.