Book Reviews of A New Earth: Awakening to Your Life's Purpose (Oprah's Book Club)

I started this book hoping for more. I was disappointed to find the way the author misquoted and misrepresented world religions to make them fit his philosophy. It was such a turn off that I quit reading it. Maybe his own philosophy is good, I just never got past the misrepresentations that he claimed to base it on. Not for me, but clearly Oprah likes it!

Just like with "The Power of Now," Eckhart Tolle just rambles and rambles on. He writes just like he talks. If you've ever seen any of his videos, he's very quiet-spoken, laughs at his own bizarre jokes and references, and drones on without taking a breath. I bought this book for a book club I signed-up for but all they did was watch his inane videos and never discussed the book. I lasted one week. This book didn't awaken anything in me. In fact, it put me to sleep! Also, I removed the big O sticker on the cover because I don't like Oprah. GASP! Shocking, I know.

Be fully present in the current moment. So many people these days are stressed out because of what's happened in the past, or what they think may or may not happen in the future that they do not fully appreciate the present. And the present moment is really all we have. Reading this book has made me aware, or has awakened me to the present moment. It is my hope that others will receive a spiritual awakening by reading "A New Earth." It is not meant to change your religious beliefs - it is meant to enhance them.

I got this book to participate in Oprah's book club and webcast last year. I though it would help me to gain better insights on my life and start the new year off on a good foot. Well i spent most of the time disagreeing with the book and Eric;s views. I feel I am a good person and more importantly a good Christian. I;m not so sure what faith he belives in, it sounds sort of mystical and creepy at some points of the book. Well I did finish the book and the webcast. But I must say that the writing assignments were the things that helped me become more intouch with myself more that the book and watching Eric & Oprah talk about the book.

If you like New Age stuff, this might be for you. If not, this book will not answer the world's unanswered questions. Although it has some strong points, it is a long and heavy read. Eckhart Tolle has made millions and millions and I am wondering how he shares his wealth with the not so fortunate.

I couldn't get through this book at all. I found it so dense and the author just beat every point to death so that it could not hold my attention at all. I gave the audio book a try because of all the hype about this book changing your life, but I almost fell asleep in the car! Usually, I am very open to this type of read and to new age thinking, but I was sorry that I could not get into this one.

Really Really tried to read this book since everyone is talking about it, but it was a little long hair for me and I really couldn't get into it. I'm not much of a self help book person, I'm sure it's a great book, I just couldn't dig it. I'm more of a mystery/thriller/romance/paranormal type of reader.

I found this book to be quite insightful and was surprised at some of the negative reviews. However, if you are looking for a quick, entertaining read, you will probably not like this book. This book goes deep into why we act and react the way we do and suggests a better way of thinking and being. I found it helpful to read this book in small doses so I could think about what the author was trying to convey and really absorb what he was saying. This book helped me realize how our emotions and egos affect the way we behave, react to, and see the world around us. I recommend this book as it gives you a lot to think about.

Better than I thought it would be...........some food for thought.

i am a christian..and this book helped me..more than helped me. it changed the way i approached everything. and even though i do not believe in his version of what God is..there was so much i took from this book..and in many ways because of the book i now have a true appreciation for my beliefs.

"A New Earth" expands the spiritual philosophy of Eckhart Tolle, who introduced his outlook in "The Power of Now". Mr. Tolle attempts to explain the "meaning of life" through the development of consciousness and recognition of the ego that misleads human behavior. He urges individuals to accomplish this by stilling the incessant mind chatter of the ego to become aware of the silent universal source of creation. Once awareness is accomplished, peace will result. Mr. Tolle describes this growth of individual consciousness as the means by which spiritual evolution will collectively occur. Ultimately, as more people achieve "awareness", a spiritual shift will result. Using words from the Christian Bible, Mr. Tolle says "a new earth" will evolve from collective spiritual growth.

From many faiths, Eckhart Tolle draws from the beliefs common among them to build his account of spiritual evolution. He writes with respect for all religions and most often references the Bible, quoting Jesus to support his ideas. His interpretation of life's purpose is may be difficult to anyone who has had limited exposure to a variety religious traditions. Mr. Tolle's interpretation of life's purpose is compatible with most religious views because it is based on universal truths contained within them. For example, the concept of the Golden Rule: 'do unto others as you would have them do unto you' is a truth that is embraced by most faiths.

As a spiritual "seeker", I found this book to be well developed, clearly worded, and written in a very readable style. The challenge of this book is to look inward and test its message against the reader's own experience and belief system. It is not a book for everyone but reader's like myself will find much to consider. The author has assembled powerful view of life's purpose and meaning. It is up to the individual reader to decide if it has meaning for them.

I absolutely love this book. I think Tolle is magnificent. I watched the podcast classes that go along with each chapter and I enjoyed that too. This book has helped me view my life in a very different way. It is an eye opener.

This philosophical work really made me think. I intend to read it at least once more and, this time, take notes on it.

I am not surprised that several reviewers did not find Eckart Tolle helpful. Most of us are looking for "food for thought". In fact, when I heard that Oprah had recommended his book, I immediately felt on some level that this was not necessarily a good thing. I had been passing through a very dark time in my life when I first became acquainted with Tolle. I happened to check out a Tolle audio recording at the local library. As I began to listen to the material over a period of several days, little glimmers of light began to break through Then, suddenly, the flood lights came on. Dang! I was in the position of a very hungry man, lost in a dark and gloomy forest, suddenly coming an opening in the trees, there is a beautiful field of flowers and light. In the midst of the field is a table set for a feast! Thank you Eckhart!

I appreciate the role this book has played in enlarging the spiritual truth of my own faith...since I am a follower and friend of Christ. Nothing Eckhart speaks about in anyway degrades or demeans. I must add that this is not a book you "read". You study, contemplate, write, ask questions, and generally, struggle. It is very intense work.....and, well worth every effort. Jesus lamented his inability to communicate His complete intentions to those closes to him.. His disciples just could not get through the barriers of their cultural blindness to understand this wonderful man. . They were unlettered men and women, farmers and fishermen for the most part. He said that "you are not able to receive what I want to teach you at this time. others would come after me, who would enlarge upon his teachings. ' I think that perhaps Tolle is one of those teachers. There have been many others and hopefully, many more to come. How about Deepack Chopra, Janusz Korczak, Mariama Williamson, Noam Chomsky, Howard Zinn, Scott Peck and so many other truth tellers?

This is the kind of book you must leave alone from time to time, and then, revisit from time to time. My experience has been that fresh insights are bound to come. Good luck. I would suggest for those who have found little or no value in his writings, to put the book on the shelf and wait. Perhaps a year or even ten years from now the book might begin to speak to you.

I was not that inspired by this book & found it did not hold my attention

I have read the book twice now and listened to the book on CD - each time I get something different out of it (it all depends on where you're at with your own journey as to what you get)... When I first read it I just had to go through quickly and be ok with the fact that some of it was hard to wrap my head around. Now I just find it very affirming and a very good reminder that helps me to be more present, more peaceful, and more sane in a world that doesn't tend to like to be that way!

Love this book... was very moved by Tolle's insights and stories. It will make you think about life in a different way, but does not necessarily conflict with your religious views. Will be re-reading this again this summer. Highly recommended.

This is one of those books that set you on a new path in life. Thank you.

I really didn't see why all the hype on this book from Oprah.

It wasn't as good as I expected. A little boring for me.

Good luck.

I found that the way of thinking that was presented in this book was really good and actually made me consider how my thoughts work and how I might change experiences that I have in my life completely by just thinking about things a different way. However, I did find that it was a tough read and I had to take it in sections - read a little here and there - vs. reading it all straight through in one shot.

Very similar to books that were written before his time. But this book is a good one if you are just getting into spirituality.

Going back and forth between this book, Conversations with God and Law of Attraction. I'm truly enjoying how all three compliment and enhance each other.

blah, blah, blah too much psychobabble for me.

I had full intentions of liking this book, and so I am disappointed and surprised at how boring I found it. Well, found as much as I could read. Perhaps it is because there is nothing new in the world of New Age. Or that he is just another author lucky enough to not only get published, but have Oprah or one of her staff love and promote the book. All he had to do is add some words, rehash what everyone else is saying, throw in an anecdote... If I ever planned on reading another one of these books, I'd stick with Dyer.

Interesting points we can learn about ourselves as individuals and how we fit together as a whole. Not deep enough to change my religious beliefs, but I can definitely use some pointers on how I handle situations.

I'm new age and a therapist, but I couldn't get into this book. Seemed very wordy and vague. However, differing from other viewpoints,I did not perceive it as anti-Christian or anti-religion. The book gets its own designation in the book genre ... be that good, bad or somewhere in between.

as soon as I found out what this book was about and that he and Oprah are against Christianity I have decided to put the book up for someone else to read it. I have seen several things on youtube featuring Oprah and Eckhart Tolle and it goes against what I beleave as Christian.

I did not finish this and it was a difficult read for me to want to continue...I did not really get it.

Wow, I had a hard time reading this book. I don't know why so many people rave about it. Great book for those having trouble falling asleep...

This book was extemely eye opening.

I think this book is only popular because Oprah had it on her show. His philosophy is boring. He takes all the "good stuff" from all the other religions and makes his own. Of course Oprah likes it...she beleives in anything!!

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