A friend of mine had recommended Tolle's "The Power Of Now" to me a few years back.
I never got the chance to order it and it went to the back of my mind. Then, one day when I was cleaning up the office at home, I found that book along with this little one on the shelf. I'm not sure if they're my dad's or my mom's, but I grabbed them both and put them on my reading list... then I got caught up reading other things.
It wasn't until last month, when I traveled to Texas, that I actually picked up this little book and started to read it. (I like to bring a book to travel with and this one happened to be the perfect size). Little did I know how much power could be in such a little book!
This year, I've really been trying to focus on staying present and being intentional with everything I do. This read couldn't have come at a better time. Tolle is masterful at outlining actionable steps to becoming more mindful and explaining the importance of presence.
KEY TAKEAWAYS:
“The moment that judgement stops through acceptance of what it is, you are free of the mind. You have made room for love, for joy, for peace.”
“All you realy need to do is accept this moment fully. You are then at ease in the here and now and at ease with yourself.”
“Be where you are. Look around. Just look, don't interpret. See the light, shapes, colors, textures. Be aware of the silent presence of each thing. Be aware of the space that allows everything to be.”
“DO NOT BE CONCERNED WITH THE FRUIT OF YOUR ACTION — just give attention to the action itself. The fruit will come of its own accord."
“One day you may catch yourself smiling at the voice in your head, as you would smile at the antics of a child. This means that you no longer take the content of your mind all that seriously, as your sense of self does not depend on it.”
“Realize deeply that the present moment is all you ever have”
“Love is a state of Being. Your love is not outside; it is deep within you. You can never lose it, and it cannot leave you. It is not dependent on some other body, some external form.”
“When you accept what is, every moment is the best moment. That is enlightenment.”
“THE JOY OF BEING To alert you that you have allowed yourself to be taken over by psychological time, you can use a simple criterion. ASK YOURSELF: Is there joy, ease, and lightness in what I am doing? If there isn't, then time is covering up the present moment, and life is perceived as a burden or a struggle.”
All problems are illusions of the mind.
I hope this little book helps you find some peace in the present. As always, let me know what you think!
Sending love always,
J.S.