A New Earth
I am sorry but I just have to comment on the ’scathing’ book reviews for Eckhart Tolle’s book A New Earth. I think the best way for me to share my disappointment with humanity (not really but it sounds dramatic) is to address some of these reviews.
Review number one:
by Joseph Avant
I find no clearer indictment of the American mind than the success of this book. What the author says of philosophy he gets wrong, and what he attempts do with religion is shameless. The author is heavily influenced by Eastern religious traditions and, considering how he is attempting to peddle his wares to an American audience, he splits the difference, attempting to dress his slant on “spirituality” as if it is somehow congenial with Western religious traditions of Judaism and particularly Christianity. There is no intellectual merit to this book, and those who find it life changing apparently have little exposure to great literature, be it philosophy or theology. If you have found merit and enjoyment in reading this book then you should congradulate yourself on how narrow your reading horizon is and, consequently, the shallow depth of your mind.
Great literature? Please, Eckhart Tolle has never claimed to be a great writer but just a man who has a message. Because Mr Avant can not find enjoyment in his reading of A New Earth, he puts down those that do. This smells of fear! He talks about the shallow depth of our minds (i.e. those of us who enjoyed the book and I am definitely one of those) but the whole point of A New Earth is that ‘freedom’ exists outside of the mind and our thoughts. Perhaps Mr Avant has no concept of this and thus his mind can not except the joyful message of this wonderful book. Oh and Mr Avant….Congradulate is spelt with a ‘t’.
Book Review Number Two:
By Jan
I can see why a walking ego like Oprah would be drawn to a book that talks so much about the ego. I think she should examine her inner self and try to find out how to rid it of the god complex she has. Anyway, this has to be some of the most boring mumbo jumbo I’ve ever read. The writer clearly likes to hear himself talk, or read, or whatever. I can’t believe he actually got this book published. There must be a lot of lost people out there.
Lost people? I used to think like that. Finding comfort (and I assume Jan must too have been looking for something????) is something to be proud of. It takes strength to ask for support and it must take huge strength to put yourself on the line and write about something that the world may or may not be prepared to hear. Jan’s comment suggest to me that she isn’t yet ready to listen with different ears. ‘Mumbo Jumbo?’ Maybe, but some of the best Mumbo Jumbo I have read in a long while and I read a lot. I find Eckhart’s words peaceful. His writing isn’t always easy because the chatter of the mind (well my mind anyway) is always on go go go and the messages contained within the pages of A New Earth are not really available through the thinking mind. I can not really explain other than to say, just read the whole book and stay open to something other than your judgemental thoughts measuring the merits of this great read!
Book Review Number Three:
By J McCarthy
I think I’ve found my true calling in life. Create a joke of a new age cult and get a self absorbed talk show host to peddle it and then the sheep will line up to purchase it. I couldnt get through chapter one. Please, a moment of silence for everyone throwing their money away, feel the oneness with your fellow sheep. I wish there was a zero star option!!!
Oh Mr McCarthy, what a shame you didn’t stick with it. You can not judge a book on one chapter. If I am going to write a book review I make myself finish the book (especially if I am struggling with it). This is a great book and it has nothing to do with Eckhart Tolle the man.
Eckhart Tolle Live On Stage In London
Last year I went to hear Eckhart speak in London for three hours. Now, Eckhart is not a Charismatic man. I don’t think he cares about his image much. Now the sceptics will be saying, ‘ah but that is his method of infiltration.’ I may be wrong but I mostly trust people and I think I have fairly good intuition and even if I don’t and Eckhart is the devil in disguise then the worst is that I feel happier, more at peace and full of enthusiasm for my future. God help me!
What Was Eckhart Tolle Wearing?
A very plain-clothed man walked onto the stage wearing mostly beige (an unfortunate colour I thought). He sat down and I couldn’t help notice his posture. Being a Chiropractor I am a bit posture obsessed. I think he had a marked thoracic kyphosis and then I thought, ‘oh, he really needs an adjustment.’
He started speaking after a few silent minutes. Eckhart has a very monotone voice and I was sure everyone (about 1000 of us…hippies and all) would be fast asleep in 10 minutes. But three hours later, everyone was still glued to his words. He is simple. No airs, no ‘ego’, no judgements and no gimmicks or is that his gimmick (that comment is for the sceptics). He was very pleasant and I would go to see him again in a heart beat. Three hours definitely well spent.
So there you have it. The New Earth? Great book; buy it, read it, love it!! Keep an open mind, life is just to short not to.
Interesting post. His message surely does polarize those open enough to examine their own self-development and those who are not quite sure what to make of his views (and aren’t afraid to say it).
I have to say those who put down Eckhart Tolle just are not ready to hear his message. He is very articulate and very respectfull of other religions. He is one of the greatest teachers of our time, I feel. I am a practicing Catholic, and at first blush you might feel he is being sacriligeous, but if u truly listen, he is consistent with most religions. God is to be found within us. We are made in his image and likeness because his Being is within and without. I highly recommend folks read the power of now or better, listen on audio book. This is his best work in my opinion and talks better to the masses.
Paula,
I agree with your defence of Eckhart Tolle. I recently had a discussion where a women hit out at Eckhart saying he was ‘evil’ and ‘taking people to an eternal hell’.
She called his meditation practice leading people into a ‘mass trance’.
I found her language very sensationalist and scaremongering.
It was indeed in great contrast to Eckhart’s messages which seem to be coming from a very deep and very real place that many of us have lost the ability to feel into.
It is I believe through exploring Eckhart’s ideas about ways of being that humanity can in fact survive and not die out as a race.
I just wanted to say keep it up!
Helen