Hi, Guys:
Marcus, I loved your response. Tolle, himself, said many people would not get anything out of the book. I agree with Kim, it is much easier when you have studied either yoga or meditation; because you already have a history of seeking "beingness".
It sounds like you are philosophical. What my old college friends would call a deep thinker. I dont think Tolle wants you to lose that. As a matter of fact, you will find later in the book that is revered. I just think the message is, dont make your past or future your identity. When we tend to worry about these things; we miss the now. As my very wise Father used to say, "When you have one foot in the past and one foot in the future; you end up peeing on the present". Alright, a little crude; but it makes sense.
Maybe you are too evolved for this. Maybe you already have the ability to appreciate the now and not get caught up in labels, baggage and role-playing. I sure am not there. I have just learned how to think about my thinking. Now when the crazy Scottsdale drivers cut me off (a frequent occurence, right Kim?) when I start getting angry, I spend some time thinking about what is really bothering me and find a whole new set of Ego voices. It is pretty freeing.
I know you questioned whether we can ever change the world. You said that pain, disease etc were going to happen anyway. All wars have occured over either commerce or religious beliefs. I think Tolle is saying, all great leaders have been in the now...aware of their beingness. Jesus, Gandhi, Buddha, The Dalai Llama, Mohamed, Martin Luther King etc. were tolerant and spoke of being in the moment and appreciating what we have. If hundreds of thousands of people end up of this mindset, which I believe Oprah alone has over 2 million people taking her class, cant we be more tolerant? If we are less attached to the things the Ego loves (which is MORE) and are more tolerant of people's religious views; wont that spread peace and love?
Chapter 5 will address the disease/pain part. I hope you stick with the book long enough to read about the role-playing and pain-body. Also, I do find Tolle's writing to be a little dry. But if you have ever seen him speak, he is a little dry by nature. If it is something you are interested in; you can go to Oprah.com and see the videos of the classes. The questions people send in are very similar to yours; and he and Oprah answer them more eloquently than I can. It really is worth the time to watch them.
Marcus, I hope you continue to question the book. I think we learn most in this life by listening to others. It helps us to hear other people's views and forces us to analyze our own. I look forward to hearing more from you.
Everyone have a great week. Cant wait to hear your comments on Chapters 4-6.
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Lou,
I can appreciate your sentiments, although I dont believe that I am too evolved for anything, least of all learning.
Interesting enough is that I have never practiced Yoga although I have a working knowledge of it. Nor have I practiced or devoted much time to any of the other greats (Jesus, Gandhi, Buddha, The Dalai Llama, Mohamed, Martin Luther King etc.) with the exception of MLK jr. for various reasons/excuses.
With that being said, I am naturally a person that pretends to understand the depth and linear path of time and my place in it. A behavior that I have that is disliked by myself, I understand that in time will resolve itself into being replaced by a pleasurable behavior. This is because I have faith in who I am and by doing naturally positive things, I create a pathway that will lead to my desired behavior.
13 years ago, when I was 15, I wrote a poem called "The Song of I AM" that is lengthy, but it is about God's song being sung in a mathematical form and it can only be heard when one finds resolve within oneself.
Maybe this is the point of the book. Maybe there is more to this book. I have read a bit more but as you said, the writing is dry, making it hard to stay focused. I thank you for your commentary and look forward to hear more in the coming months.
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