A New Earth: Awakening to Your Life's Purpose by Eckhart Tolle (2006, Paperback, Reprint)

I ask people, have you read Tolle's (pronounced Tolley) "A New Earth"? And because some say no, they open the door for me to step right through and tell them about Echkart's big screen story book about us, humankind. I say big screen because his writing style energizes us to turn on our mind's video camera and the big screens in our heads. For instance, he gives us teaching stories as how the Buddha was said to have given a "silent sermon" as he held up a flower and gazed at it.

Can you imagine? A flower and no speech, no words, no handouts or visual aids of any kind, just a flower? Sure, as people look at me like I have really lost it and because I know I've gotten their attention I tell the story as Tolle tells it of how a particular monk understood that sermon and smiled. As a result it was then handed down by 28 successive masters, later to become the origin of Zen.

Okay, stop here! Where was this teacher when I was in high school? This is how I would have liked to learn history back in the day of chalkboards and erasers. And the rest of the book is just as fascinating, even more so.

Tolle talks to us about our "IAMness" and how to get out of our heads and the reasons why we should and how "being" must be felt, not thought. He talks to us about life giving us whatever experience is most helpful for our evolution and how we make the choices we make -- and that letting things go is an act of far greater power than defending or hanging on.

Eckhart Tolle speaks to us from his heart using his brain as the generator to power up his messages in a beautiful and easy-to-understand way of how we function, think and how we became the human race we are today - probably. Using such statements as "Life isn't as serious as my mind makes it out to be" and "The recognition of illusion is also its ending." Just like my grandmother used to say, "Honey, you just go rip the covers off that evil and it's two thirds healed." He makes delicious points we can connect to in a remembering way that meshes with our experiences and resonate as truthful and meaningful.

The "genuiness" of Echkart's teaching, through this life manual he created, comes across in a warm, loving, sincere, and wise way. It would be a book that I would take to my youngest children and read parts of to them and to the senior citizens and read all of it. No matter what age or what place in society, we are able to find ourselves in this material.

Eckhart quotes "Heaven is not a place, but a reflection of our inner selves."
And this book is just one more of those powerful, truthful messages that comes to us in this era that we can put on the same bookshelf as the other sacred books and "Bibles" of our various religions. That is if we can let go of it long enough. My book is highlighted, underlined, tabbed and the ends are turned with ragged pieces of various colored paper sticking out of it, much like my other "sacred" books that I rely on to give me strength and understanding.

Please read this book if you haven't already, you will be blessed by it! And so will the rest of the world. "What blesses you, will bless others."

Kristin Lee-Gray, CTI
Ebay ID: Tarotcourt

I bought this book because Eckhart Tolle has proven to be a compelling teacher and author. I have heard from other people that his first book "Power of Now" was hard for them, but that "A New Earth" had really drawn them in and was a great read. I did not find "Power of Now" difficult, but it is true that "A New Earth" is a different format than Tolle's first book (which is in question and answer format), and therefore is an enjoyable read.

I highly recommend both of his amazing books. What he talks about could change your life. It is hard for the mind to be told about itself, and so I think this is what makes the concepts hard for some people. The mind knows that Tolle is on to it, and so has trouble letting in the information! Try it on yours and see what happens. If it really sinks in, maybe peace could become a reality....

I purchased this book to be involved in the online class given by Oprah Winfrey.
This book has had a profound impact on my life. The lessons in A New Earth have literally been earth shattering for me. The principles are useful in my every day life in relationships and more importantly for me personally. This is not a belief system or a new religion but a tool to raise your consciousness and produce an awakening within you. Eckhart Tolle provides the reader with tools and exercises to bring about an inner shift and a recognition of the ego in all of us.
These awakenings are presented with clarity and power allowing the readers to take hold and incorporate them into their lives for greater happiness and purpose.

I truly believe if more people read this book, the world would be a better place!!! I read Eckhart Tolle's book "The Power Of Now" which I admit took me a little time to get through. It wasn't difficult reading, there was just so much to digest in a good way! I didn't want to rush through it and miss something. I've found over the years that Books seem to find me at the most appropriate times, and this was the case with "A New Earth". The book literally called me over to the book shelf it was on. I was driving and stopped at the store to get some water...I wasn't planning on buying a book. Something made me pick it up. I didn't realize what the title was, or who the author was until I was paying for it. Since I started reading the book, I've seen the world in a different light. I was beginning to lose hope. Certain things I was reminded of, which is always refreshing, but the book has brought me a new hope, new inspiration, faith, and I feel like I am a part of an awakening that is occurring. Trust me, you'll be glad you read this book! It's funny, I've been hearing more and more talk around me about this book. Even Oprah has it in her book club!

NerdyBird

I purchased this Oprah Book Club selection after seeing an interview with the author and would recommend it to anyone interested in self improvement. The book explains the workings of our all important Egos with examples of everyday life behavior and how we each affect the world around us.
As far as readability, I found some paragraphs that were confusing to me but then I would find others that were crystal clear. Overall the chapter ideas were conveyed in a way that was understandable to me.
A great added value to this book is the 10 part course with Oprah and the author. You can download each 90 minute lesson, for free, from her site. Each chapter is discussed, leading to the numerous moments of understanding commonly referred to on her show as "Ah,ha's!".