A New Earth: Awakening to Your Life's Purpose (Oprah's Book Club, Selection 61)

Eckert Tolle's book "A New Earth" hardly needs another Amazon book review considering the 1,451 that have been submitted so far. After reading a number of the reviews, I was startled by the extraordinary esoteric thinking of many the reviewers. This is hardly typical of the average American mind. It appears the "New Age" movement has grown exponentially and it demonstrates the immense hunger for spirituality that has been so suppressed in American culture. In a way, this is sad because it represents a hunger that much of the institutional church is not fulfilling. The critical issue is that Christian spirituality is meant to be pro-active, generating the powerful forces of love, compassion, forgiveness and caring for others while the new secular spirituality can be extremely self-centered.

I have chosen to write this book review from the perspective a Catholic peace and social activist. Regardless, none of these reviews can substitute reading "A New Earth" because one needs to personally taste the absolute eloquence and powerful spiritual insights found in Eckhart Tolle's writing. Reading Eckhart Tolle is transformational. His writing is therapeutic. Chapter three, "The Core of Ego", is definitely a prime instructional source for good mental health. "A New Earth" is one of the most important books of our time. It needs to be read by all inquiring spiritual minds and those struggling to understand the increasing violence and insanity in the world.

Eckhart Tolle's book presents a clear understanding of human consciousness, profound spirituality and the beginnings of a radical and evolutionary awakening of a higher consciousness. To arrive at this higher consciousness, Eckhart Tolle delves deeply into the dysfunction of the human ego, both in the individual and in the institutions of power and wealth. To Eckhart Tolle, "The greatest achievement of humanity is not its works of art, science or technology, but the recognition of its own dysfunction, its own madness".

Eckhart Tolle states how the love of things can contribute to the domination of the human ego and how a consumer society honors material things as a means to self-enhancement.....it distorts our perception of reality and the true nature of our humanity.

To quote Eckhart Tolle: "Ego-identification with things creates attachment to things, obsession with things, which in turn creates our consumer society and economic structures where the only measure of progress is always more. The unchecked striving for more, for endless growth, is a dysfunction and a disease. It is the same dysfunction the cancerous cell manifests, whose only goal is to multiply itself, unaware that it is bringing about its own destruction by destroying the organism of which is a part".

With "A New Earth" chosen by the Oprah Book Club, and the numerous appearances of Eckhart Tolle on the Oprah Winfrey show, Oprah has played a big role in elevating the spiritual consciousness of hundreds of thousands of American readers. Oprah must be commended for this. As I understand it, more than any other book in recent history, this book was read and reviewed by the vast majority of book clubs in the U.S. I hope "A New Earth" will be the beginning of much needed maturity in American thinking and in American Christianity as well.

Yes, to me, Christianity in America needs to mature in a spiritual way if ever there is to be greater maturity in American culture. A higher spiritual consciousness is the essential element for radical social transformation. As Fr. Richard Rohr, of the Center for Action and Contemplation in Albuquerque, NM, would say, Christianity in America has become a belonging system, "us" against "them", rather than a system for personal transformation. The tragedy is that Christianity has become in some ways just another institution seeking its own perpetuation and power, dominated by the human ego.

The dysfunction of the human ego is what Christ tried so hard to get through to the minds of his disciples, particularly when he told Peter, the "first pope", to "get behind me you devil" (Mathiew 24,15) or "Why do you see the speck that is in your brother's eye, but do not notice the log that is in your own eye" (Mathew 7). Christ had the perfect non-dualistic mind.

In fact, addressing the human ego goes to the heart of all of the world's major religions, but Christianity seems to have walked away from it. Christianity chose to do so when it became part of the Roman Empire in 325 AD. Since then, Christianity has had a hard time critiquing the system and the unjust status quo that stems from the dysfunction of the human ego. Christianity has found it difficult to critique the system because it has become a part of the system. The culturally imprisoned mindset of many American Christians is totally contrary to the mind of Christ.

As mentioned, addressing the problem of the human ego goes to the heart of all of the world's major religions. But not often enough do religious or spiritual writers critique the institutions of corporate capitalism. Eckhart Tolle's book is most timely to stimulate a new national conversation, particularly when considering America's "never ending war" against terrorism and the near dictatorial powers of the U.S. Military Industrial Complex.

It is time U.S. citizens recognize that government propaganda in support of war and the interests of corporate capitalism is a force that strategically preys on the weaknesses of the human ego. Actually corporate capitalism can be said to be diabolical as it seeks to enrich itself by altering human consciousness. This then exaggerates the human ego that has led to a dysfunctional society. Eckhart Tolle never used the word "capitalism". Yet the underlying message of his writing is a severe critique of capitalism. I guess you could say the word "capitalism" has been "sanctified" in America, the unspoken word or the unseen elephant in the living room.

Eckhart Tolle avoids saying in a direct manner, "corporate capitalism is intrinsically evil and unsustainable" or "corporate consumer capitalism alters human consciousness and is the destroyer of the human spirit". You have to come to that conclusion yourself.

In March 2009, there was a conference at the Center of Action and Contemplation, Albuquerque, NM called "The Emerging Church: Christians Creating a New World Together". This conference was attended by a thousand people, about half of whom were Catholic, the rest were mainline and evangelical Protestants and other Christians. Many of those at the conference believed that the future of the church will be the coming together of like minded people from all denominations who seek a more prophetic and contemplative faith. A higher global consciousness that is seeking a more just, sustainable and compassionate world is already a powerful emerging force in the world. The "emerging church" seeks to be part of this higher social consciousness. It seeks to serve as praxis and as co-creator for the evolutionary destiny of humankind to consciously provide for the survival of it's own species. An increasing number of Christians view this higher consciousness as the universal consciousness of the risen Christ. To these Christians, the salvation and survival of humankind is what the death and resurrection of Christ is all about.

A more contemplative faith is about centering oneself in Presence, through meditation and contemplation, seeking wisdom through the gift of the Holy Spirit. This is done by embracing opposing thoughts and coming to spiritual discernment. Particularly for a Catholic activist, this centering of the human spirit is the critical means of overcoming personal anger when so involved in non-violent civic activism. Spiritual discernment goes to the heart of a healthy democracy as well. A healthy democracy is truly an act of the human spirit. Democracy is meant to work for the common good and to question the unjust status quo. This is why corporate capitalism hates democracy and seeks to destroy it with the total corruption of the U.S. Congress.

I see the teachings of scholars like Eckhart Tolle and the emerging church movement as bringing maturity to Christianity in the 21st Century. It is the coming together of like minded people of all faiths that see the human ego, enticed by the institutions of corporate capitalism, as being the prime cause of social unrest, the scapegoating of others and the waging of war. It cannot be denied, the oppression of global capitalism is the cause of the "blow-back" of terrorism. This blow-back from war and economic domination is in reality the powerful forces of spirituality at work, the liberation of the human spirit.

In meditation and contemplation, where we seek to separate ourselves from the dominance of the human ego, we can come to see what the Divine Spirit wants us to see, the holiness of all people, to understand our own brokenness and thus becoming able to forgive others with compassion.

Father Richard Rohr stated so well in a September 4, 2009 article in the National Catholic Reporter that another word for contemplation is non-dualistic thinking. "That's what makes people able to be merciful and forgiving. You can't love your enemies with a low level dualistic mind. It's impossible. You don't have the software to know how to do it. So we tell people to love your enemies. A normal Catholic can't do that with the software that he or she has been given. Catholics were never taught they need a different consciousness to understand the Gospel".

In A New Earth, Eckhart Tolle draws from the teaching of many religious leaders. Instead of focusing on religious traditions Tolle focuses primarily on what William James would call religious personalities, and Tolle is undoubtedly one himself.

Quoting William James in regards to religious personalities: "Thus, when a superior intellect and a psychopathic temperament coalesce - as in the endless permutations and combinations of human faculty, they are bound to coalesce often enough- in the same individual, we have the best possible condition for the kind of effective genius that gets into the biographical dictionaries. Such men do not remain mere critics and understanders with their intellect. Their ideas possess them, they inflict them, for better or worse, upon their companions or their age."

Tolle borrows heavily from the teachings of two figures you are already familiar with: Jesus and Buddha, and also delves into Zen Buddhism, Hinduism, and Christian Gnosticism. Almost everyone is familiar with these figures and movements, and that familiarity makes his message very accessible.

Tolle, however, also draws upon another stranger tradition, one that has its roots in the Theosophical school of Madame Blavatsky, namely through the work and teaching of Jiddu Krishnamurti. Krishnamurti is an interesting figure, he lived recently and there are youtube videos of him giving public lectures and being interviewed. He advocates some of the same fundamental concepts as Tolle, for instance, the focus on being present is one of the main concerns of both men. If you haven't read either of them, the idea of being present is a great concept, and one that I use in my life.

Basically, being present just means focusing on your senses and surroundings, rather than focusing on your inner monologue. For instance, and this is a paraphrase, Tolle asserts that there is no such thing as a problem when you are present, just a situation. Most of us can handle complicated situations, but complicated problems wear us down and destroy us. Therefore, a simple shift of perspective regarding how you view time can change the way you live from being based in problems - into being based in situations. This was a fundamental improvement in my life.

An idea that Tolle doesn't mention specifically but probably influenced him is Krishnamurti's teaching that the things you feel are you. That's deceptively simple, but he gives a good example based on the emotion of fear. When you experience fear, you feel as though something is making you afraid. On closer examination, however, the fear is located completely within your own body and thoughts. This is an interesting point, because if the fear and you are identical, can't you manage the fear?

They both also make fascinating points regarding what it means to enjoy life. How experiencing something by giving it your full attention is the way to be happy, as opposed to wanting to own and control things - which is really the desire for permanence. Desiring permanence is a rabbit hole that leads to unhappiness and not actually experiencing anything, because you are always wanting more and not focusing on what you do have. They both explain this better.

This is a really great book. If you are interested in further reading check out books by Jiddu Krishnamurti (a bunch are on audible audio books for like 6 bucks), although Krishnamurti is not nearly as entertaining or understandable he makes some life changing points if you are willing to ruminate with the texts.

Amazing book for people who are exploring human consciousness and has awakened inside partially or fully or looking into the process. It gives insights into a different dimension within Human beings and helps with the shift from Form to Formless.Its high time for humans to act with awakened consciousness which is more holistic approach rather than a self centered one which is destroying the Planet. Looking forward to a New Earth and more Participation in the process.

This book is perhaps even more descriptive of the truth that Tolle points to in The Power of Now. Both books are wonderful, even revolutionary transmissions of truth. This is my review of TPON:

"Tolle writes in simple sentences, with a direct tone and practical, modern language. However, what he describes is the timeless truth of the present moment, the very awareness that sages and masters have been pointing humans toward for millennia.

I do not have adequate words to describe how the book has changed my state of being. I was in deep despair and anxiety in my Junior year of college, and my therapist gave me the book. He must have known intuitively that conventional psychotherapy couldn't help me. Within a few weeks of reading and re-reading, I had a very fearful and painful night, with the ego fighting for survival and my identification, and then peace arose the next morning. It has not left me since.

I have given the book to around 30 people. It is the most simple and powerful spiritual book I've come across, with authors like Jeff Foster, Byron Katie, and Gangaji being close seconds. Here are some quotes from the book:

"So when you listen to a thought, you are aware not only of the thought but also of yourself as the witness of the thought. A new dimension of consciousness has come in. As you listen to the thought, you feel a conscious presence - your deeper self - behind or underneath the thought, as it were." Ch-1

"Instead of "watching the thinker," you can also create a gap in the mind stream simply by directing the focus of your attention into the Now. Just become intensely conscious of the present moment. This is a deeply satisfying thing to do. In this way, you draw consciousness away from mind activity and create a gap of no-mind in which you are highly alert and aware but not thinking. This is the essence of meditation." Ch-1

"Why should we be addicted to thinking?

...Because you are identified with it, which means that you derive your sense of self from the content and activity of your mind.

Because you believe that you would cease to be if you stopped thinking. As you grow up, you form a mental image of who you are, based on your personal and cultural conditioning. We may call this phantom self the ego. It consists of mind activity and can only be kept going through constant thinking. The term ego means different things to different people, but when I use it here it means a false self, created by unconscious identification with the mind." Ch-1

"To the ego, the present moment hardly exists. Only past and future are considered important. This total reversal of the truth accounts for the fact that in the ego mode the mind is so dysfunctional. It is always concerned with keeping the past alive, because without it - who are you? It constantly projects itself into the future to ensure its continued survival and to seek some kind of release or fulfillment there. It says: "One day, when this, that, or the other happens, I am going to be okay, happy, at peace." Ch-1

"Most humans are never fully present in the now, because unconsciously they believe that the next moment must be more important than this one. But then you miss your whole life, which is never not now."

The book has the potential to set you free from compulsive worry and excessive thinking, if you are ready. $5 for a used copy is perhaps the greatest deal I've ever seen, I've bought about 45 copies."

A New Earth describes the ego and the pain body in much more depth, and includes more of Tolle's observations about human society than TPON.

These are two books that you should have around.

-Ethan

One of the dearest books to me, even if the title, "A New Earth" hardly does it any justice, not to mention that it could be misleading. I listened to this book on Audible, same as with The Power of Now, both narrated and read by the author. Eckhart's voice is mesmerizing. He can make you alert and calm your senses like no other reader. The one word I would use for this book is accessible. These concepts of thought, ego, life, death, purpose, and the biggest one of them all, consciousness, are so very abstract and intangible; it takes a very good teacher to help you see and feel the truth of what they are sharing. A few years ago, one of my mastermind friends used to rave about Eckhart; he was (probably still is) her absolute favorite human being on earth for what she had gained from his insights. I remember reading the first few pages of The Power of Now and not "getting it". What are you supposed to DO with this abstraction? Well, back then, I over-rated doing over being. Last year, I read The Power of Now and this year, I basked in A New Earth. These books are so precious that after getting the audible versions, I ordered a physical copy so I could go back and re-read some of the passages.

What I most LOVED about A New Earth is how it made me feel. Joyful and calm. That and the keen insights on unclasping the ego's hold over oneself. The awareness you gain from this book on that front can set you free of suffering and inner conflict, even if it's a work in progress, and for that, I am MOST grateful to A New Earth.

The way to listen to this book is in small chunks. Maybe you listen for 5 minutes and then listen again to the same section. Maybe you spend a half hour listening and then take a few days to process it. You cannot go too slowly because each part is delicate and deep, and as much as we will undoubtedly use our brain to process it all, we need to allow our bodies to feel and to be with the concepts.

Read, listen, indulge and bask in this book. It can have the answers you've been seeking if you are patient and listening and truly hearing what Eckhart shares here. I'll be reading the physical copy next.