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THE POWER OF NOW - Commented Book
Nov 18, 2022
Explore the teachings of 'The Power of Now' by Eckhart Tolle, including inner peace, deep consciousness, stillness, pain body, present moment, surrender, enlightened teachers, inner body awareness, love in relationships, resistance, forgiveness, surrender, and unconscious patterns.
07:30:45
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Quick takeaways
- Being identified with the mind prevents experiencing enlightenment.
- Observing the voice in your head leads to detachment from the mind's grip.
- Emotions are the body's response to thoughts and can be observed separately.
- True change and liberation can only be found in the present moment.
- Letting go of the search for happiness and embracing the present moment leads to true fulfillment.
- Acceptance and presence dissolve the ego's resistance patterns in relationships.
Deep dives
Identification with the mind creates suffering and obstacles to enlightenment
The speaker emphasizes that being identified with the mind is the greatest obstacle to experiencing enlightenment. The mind constantly generates thoughts, creating a false sense of self and causing conflict within and without. The mind's compulsive thinking and attachment to the past and future prevent us from finding inner stillness and true peace.
The power of presence and watching the thinker
The speaker advises practicing presence and observing the voice in your head, which represents the constant stream of thoughts. By becoming aware of the thoughts and creating gaps in the mind stream, you can detach from the mind's grip and experience a deeper state of consciousness. This state, free from compulsive thinking, allows for creativity, joy, and a sense of interconnectedness.
Emotions and the body's reflection of the mind
The speaker explains that emotions arise at the junction where mind and body meet. They are the body's response to thought, and can be observed and felt in the body. By watching emotions without judgment and identifying them as separate from oneself, one can free themselves from being controlled by emotions and gain insight into their state of mind.
The Illusion of Time and Psychological Problems
Time is an illusion, and psychological problems arise when the mind becomes attached to past and future. The present moment is key to freedom and transformation, but most people are trapped in the past or future. A shift in consciousness is needed to break free from the mind's identification with time. Psychological time creates negativity, suffering, and a sense of lack or incompleteness. True change and liberation can only be found in the now, and problems are illusions of the mind that can be dissolved by accessing the power of presence.
Finding Freedom from Problems in the Present Moment
Instead of constantly seeking solutions or waiting for the future to improve, focus on the now and realize that problems only exist as mental constructs. Your life situation is different from your life itself, and true happiness and fulfillment can be found in the present moment. Psychological problems arise from resisting what is and being preoccupied with past or future. By practicing presence and being fully aware of the present moment, you can release the burden of problems and experience a sense of lightness, clarity, and acceptance.
Accessing the Power of Presence and Transcending Mind
Accessing the power of presence enables a radical shift in consciousness. It allows you to move beyond the mind's limitations and enter a state of being that is free from psychological time. By fully experiencing the present moment through using your senses, observing thoughts and reactions, and focusing on breath and bodily sensations, you can dissolve the grip of the mind and its constant pursuit of past or future. Presence unlocks the potential for true change and transformation, transcending the illusion of time and opening up to the timeless dimension of life.
The Power of Presence
Presence is a state of consciousness that goes beyond thinking and is characterized by complete alertness and stillness. In this state, you are fully present in the current moment, free from the influence of past or future thoughts. Being present allows you to experience the beauty and sacredness of nature and to connect with your inner essence. It is a form of waiting, where you remain alert and poised, ready to fully experience whatever arises. Presence is not something that can be understood intellectually, but rather something that is experienced directly.
The Evolution of Consciousness
Consciousness is evolving in all forms throughout the universe, including plants, animals, and humans. The ultimate goal of consciousness is to become self-conscious and aware of its own presence. In our world, consciousness becomes identified with the mind and gets lost in thought. This leads to dysfunction and suffering. However, consciousness can awaken from this identification and become present, which is a state of pure consciousness beyond form. When consciousness is present, it is free from the mind and experiences true liberation. This awakening of consciousness is happening on a larger scale and is essential for the survival of the human race.
The Essence of Christ and Presence
The essence of Christ and presence are similar concepts. Christ represents the inner divinity or God essence within each person. Presence refers to the conscious realization and embodiment of this divine essence. Christ is not limited by time and is beyond past and future. The second coming of Christ is not a physical arrival, but a shift in human consciousness from time to presence. Christ is the realization of the eternal now and the truth of one's own divine nature. Personalizing Christ as a form identity is a misunderstanding. Realized beings are simple and ordinary, without a false self to uphold.
The portals into the unmanifested
The unmanifested is the source of all existence and can be accessed through different portals, such as the inner body, silence, space, and surrender. By focusing on these portals, one can experience the unmanifested and connect with the essence of life.
The true nature of space and time
Space and time are ultimate illusions, perceived as separate from the unmanifested. However, they are interconnected and have inner equivalents within oneself. Space represents stillness and silence, while time represents presence and awareness of the eternal now.
Conscious death and spiritual realization
At the moment of physical death, a brief portal to the unmanifested opens up. This portal offers an opportunity for spiritual realization and the transcendence of the false self. Approaching death can be a powerful catalyst for spiritual growth if one is awake and conscious in the present moment.
The Power of Now
In order to find true fulfillment and peace, individuals must let go of the search for happiness and instead embrace the present moment. Salvation and satisfaction are not found in external pleasures or psychological gratification, but rather in being fully present and accepting of what is. True salvation comes from within and is not dependent on future circumstances or the attainment of certain conditions. Love relationships can become vehicles for spiritual growth and transformation, as individuals learn to disidentify from their pain bodies and bring presence and acceptance into their interactions. Women may have a deeper connection to enlightenment due to their innate ability to be in their bodies, but both men and women can access their true nature and find inner peace beyond the dichotomy of happiness and unhappiness. Acceptance of the present moment and forgiveness are key in transcending the suffering caused by the ego's identification with the mind and past pain. By allowing things to be as they are and being fully present, individuals can tap into a higher frequency of consciousness and experience an awakening of their true essence.
The Role of Acceptance and Presence
Acceptance is crucial in finding inner peace and transcending the limitations of the mind. It involves acknowledging and allowing the present moment to be as it is without resistance or judgment. Through acceptance, individuals can access a deeper level of consciousness and let go of the need to control or change external circumstances. Inner peace is not dependent on positive conditions or external events; it is an inner state of being that remains unaffected by the ups and downs of life. By fully embracing the present moment and being present in relationships, individuals can create a space for transformation and healing to occur. Acceptance and presence dissolve the ego's resistance patterns, allowing a higher intelligence to guide one's actions and interactions. Through forgiveness and acceptance of what is, individuals can experience a profound transformation and access a deeper level of consciousness.
Moving Beyond Drama and Conflict
The ego's identification with the mind creates drama and conflict in relationships. Ego-driven behaviors such as resistance, control, and power struggles lead to discord and suffering. However, by cultivating a state of acceptance and presence, individuals can transcend ego patterns and enter into a higher level of consciousness. Drama arises when egos come together and unconsciousness prevails. The key is to be fully conscious and aware in the present moment, allowing things to be as they are without resistance or judgment. By practicing forgiveness and letting go of the need to defend one's identity, individuals can dissolve drama and create a space for love and connection to flourish. In this state of awakened consciousness, relationships become love relationships, devoid of the ego's need for control, attachment, or fear. True peace and fulfillment are found within, beyond the dichotomy of good and bad, as individuals connect with their true essence and realize their oneness with all that is.
The Power of Now: Surrender and Acceptance
Surrender is not about passive acceptance or defeat; it is about yielding to the flow of life and accepting the present moment unconditionally. It means relinquishing inner resistance and saying yes to what is. While surrendering, you can still take action and work towards change. Surrendering is not resigning yourself to an undesirable situation, but rather accepting the now as it is while maintaining an awareness that you want to move beyond it.
Surrender as Inner Transformation
True surrender leads to inner transformation and reconnects you with the present moment and your being. It is a state of acceptance that frees you from the identification with the mind. Resistance to what is brings suffering, while surrender brings peace and freedom. Surrender does not imply that you do not strive for improvement or make plans; it simply means surrendering to the flow of life instead of opposing it. By surrendering, you find a deep wisdom that allows you to go beyond the limitations and challenges of the present moment.
The Power of Surrender
Surrendering to the present moment, without judgment or resistance, allows for acceptance and positive action. This surrender involves refraining from labeling the now and taking steps to get out of negative situations. Surrendering allows for a clear space to be created in front of you, cutting through the fog of life's challenges and hardships. Surrendering can also lead to a deep sense of peace and connection with your true being, accessing the timeless realm of the present.
Transforming Suffering through Surrender
Surrendering to suffering means fully accepting and feeling the pain without resistance or judgment. By surrendering, full attention is given to the pain, allowing for a transmutation of suffering into inner peace and deep serenity. Surrendering to suffering offers a chance for enlightenment, where pain is no longer fed by resistance. The way of the cross, or surrendering through intense suffering, can lead to a transformation of the ego and a stepping into the realm of being. Surrendering to suffering can bring about liberation and reveal the indestructible nature of one's true essence.
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This book is a spiritual self-help guide to help us discover our true Being, release our pain and find deep inner peace. When we are intensely present in the Now, we respond from deep consciousness and flow with ease and joy in life. In so doing, we can better fulfill our outer purpose (to achieve goals and seek to create a better world), while fulfilling our inner purpose and truly changing the world at cause.
#thepowerofnow #eckharttolle #commentedbook
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