Pewterbreath's Reviews > The Power of Now: A Guide to Spiritual Enlightenment

I am a big practitioner of mindfulness, so I thought this book would be right up my alley. Unfortunately no.

I am not going to criticize whatever tools it takes to give people peace in this world, and while this book didn't do it for me, I am in no way trying to take away the good it may have done for others. It's main point, basically to be mindful, is a great way to have peace. However, the book is incredibly repetitive, and his underlying message is no different than many other better teachers have given.

On top of it, he over-promises in a way that makes me feel vaguely unsettled. While mindfulness certainly can give a sense of calm control over your life, it doesn't anesthetize you from pain or unease, nor should it. Negative emotions are just as much a part of life as the positive ones, and these too should be embraced. Also in life there is no secret in order to get whatever we want--in fact (I believe) much of our control is illusory. This doesn't make us victims, rather, it allows us to use our influence when we can and to let the rest that is not in our control go.