A few days ago, I came across a bestselling book called "The Power of Now", by Eckhart Tolle. I have only read a couple of chapters so far, but am already convinced that this book is going to change my life !

I see this book as being especially helpful to borderlines, because we are especially enslaved by our intense emotions. We need to figure out a way to tame them.

The book teaches you to treat your mind, which constantly replays past events (esp. negative ones), or worries about the future, as a separate entity that you can then observe impartially. When you are able to become this impartial observer, you have essentially tamed the mind and have become its master. Then, the constantly replaying events in your mind will no longer have such a great negative influence on your mood.

As a result, you train yourself to exercise control over your thoughts and emotions. This is the key to reducing anxiety and/or depression, in my opinion. Also, you reach a higher state of "consciousness", as you are no longer simply allowing the mind to control your behavior ... YOU are in control, you are PRESENT, and are able to enjoy the moment and experience a deeply rooted state of peace.

The book also teaches you to NOT identify with all the things the world teaches us we must identify with - our jobs, our nationality/ethnicity, our political or religious beliefs, etc. This is because we are far more special and sacred than all the artificial stuff created by mankind. Take away all those associations, and we are still who we are at our core.

The bottom line, as I see it, is a fresh perspective on life and a way to become more resilient and tackle anything life throws at you. When you are no longer reliant on others feeding your ego, your improved and lasting self-esteem will lead to better relationships and better life satisfaction.

I guarantee you ... this book will change your life. Please give it a try.

[Lonlin3zz]

I'll gladly take your suggestion, I'm really desperate in this state of mind. It just swings left to the good side, and swings right to the depressing side.

[gayleggg]

If you like this book try The New Earth by Eckhart Tolle. It changed my life. A lot of good practical stuff in it.

[Lonlin3zz]

I went to borrow " The Power of Now " and " Stillness Speaks " in time before they were on loan by someone else at a library.

I'm into these kind of stuff you know, but I could not read straight because I had to re-read to visualize what the author wanted to say, then I dozed off after about 10 pages or so.

It's not easy

Originally Posted by gayleggg

If you like this book try The New Earth by Eckhart Tolle. It changed my life. A lot of good practical stuff in it.

Thank you for the suggestion, Gayle

I bought A New Earth and Stillness Speaks. I look forward to reading them both ! And anything else he has written !

What, specifically, did the book teach you ?

[LadyShadow]

I have the "Power of Now" but I had stopped reading for some reason. I think it became to heavy and too "real" for me and it wasn't something I could handle at the time I was reading it. I did something a little different this time around though. I bought the audiobook read by Eckhart Tolle's voice even though I already have the book. It was the first audiobook I ever bought and I have to say this time around I am really getting into it.

The NOW is so important. We spend so much time thinking about what was and what will be that we forget to LIVE. The present moment is all we have, its the only constant and the only thing we can control and exist in. My favorite line so far is where he says if there were no humans would the birds, animals and trees have any concept of time? Would time even exist if there was no one there to keep track of it?

Powerful powerful book. The Audio book in the author's voice is absolutely mind blowing.

[gayleggg]

Originally Posted by lilodian4ever

Thank you for the suggestion, Gayle

I bought A New Earth and Stillness Speaks. I look forward to reading them both ! And anything else he has written !

What, specifically, did the book teach you ?

Mostly to enjoy every moment as it comes and not let worry rob you of the present moment. Also, it taught me a lot about the ego and how it can rob us of our happiness. And so much more.

Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

[Lonlin3zz]

Currently I am at page 150 onwards on this book, where it gave me a lot of different perspective on relationships.

As I read further, I was like "Ahh, this book actually puts in effort to describe the bigger picture of my past situation as a hopeless romantic, and how relationships work these days. " It adds a lot of wisdom, better re-evaluate my intents even as I am more of a self-aware person".

From the number of pages that lays down the details precisely and free-of-bias, it sort of killed the way I visualize a perfect relationship, but however, it emphasize a lot on living in the present, hence, it is an opportunity to look at situations with an open mind.