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

I realized after I'd started reading this book that I'd read it years ago but didn't remember. That's what kind of first impression it made on me. However, it speaks to me now because I know significantly more about the concept and practices of Buddhist mindfulness than I used to. One can indeed make positive and dramatic changes in their life by focusing on the present, and not with our mind entangled endlessly in thought patterns of regrets and loss in the past and anxiety for the future. Essentially, this book is about being self reflective and discovering "unconscious" motives based on ego and the mind. This book provides a broad addressing of the "living in the Now" piece of the puzzle.

PRO: I recommend the book for further exploration of mindfulness.
CON: The author is quite unclear on some topics.

The author states that "being in the now" only provides the opportunity for transformation - it does not guarantee it. The book is remarkably thin in the "hows" of bringing forth what can be transformative. Enlightenment is only a starting point in the process and changing one's mind is not unlimited in changing what is external. Tolle does acknowledge the difference between internal reality (inner peace) and external reality (our circumstances). However, he is completely contradictory about addressing the latter and does a poor job of addressing pain and suffering.

Enlightenment of the "inner you" to a recognition that is not identified with the body but with a timeless indestructible "you" has merit. However, the author writes early in the book that if a person is dying, "they can be at peace, but not necessarily be happy. It can't be done." Then towards the end he states that "As there are no problems in the Now, there is no illness either." And he states that being identified with the external, egoic mind is "insane" - so is trying to follow some of his attempts at logic.

For me, the author just doesn't provide satisfactory reasoning for those that are really suffering "Now." But this doesn't take away the merit of the books fundamental premise. It is helpful in looking at some of the potential factors in inhibiting one from moving in a positive path.