Today we begin the third and final installment in our Home Study of The Power of Now by Eckhart Tolle. If you have not already caught up on parts one and two of our series, I encourage you to visit them to help provide a foundation for today’s discussion!
Today’s text: The Power of Now by Eckhart Tolle
Publisher: Namaste Publishing; Copyright, 1999 by Eckhart Tolle
Study pages: pp. 146-147
In part one of our “Home Study: The Power of Now” series, we noted that resistance to what is happening right now in our lives comes at a cost; sometimes the cost is that we miss special opportunities for growth or insight. Part two examined how relationships actually serve as tools for helping us grow in the Now moment, if only we will be open to them. Today I would like to touch into one of the more abstract insights Tolle shares in his powerful book: How our relationship with our sense of self as spiritual beings relates to the Now.
Many seekers believe that spiritual insight only comes as a result of digging into our contractions. We believe that if we get angry every time someone ignores our needs, we can only grow in wisdom by spending time exploring what triggered our response and how we are ultimately responsible for our reactions to life. So we journal, and we “process ” and we turn the whole thing upside down until we have seen it from every intellectual angle.
Now, those of you who know me know that I am hugely in favor of self-study, which is essentially the process described above. However, we must also recognize that self-study is only one tool in our tool box of spiritual awakening. If we start believing that spiritual growth only comes through the mental self via the dissection of our habits, we begin to rob the spiritual self of its authority in the process. The fact is, no matter how much we think about spiritual growth, true Understanding only comes from expanding beyond the mind.
This means that analysis of our habits or relationships can only take us so far. After that, the work becomes one of returning to our ongoing spiritual goal: abide in the Now. Tolle talks about this on page 146:
“True salvation is a state of freedom. Your mind is telling you that you cannot get there from here. Something needs to happen, or you need to become this or that before you can be free and fulfilled. It is saying that you need time–to find, sort out, do, achieve, become or understand something before you can be free or complete. You think you can’t get there from where and who you are because you are not yet complete or good enough…”
Tolle goes on to tell us, however, that this is all an illusion. Remember when we were kids and we thought we had to earn our parents’, friends’ or teachers’ approval and love? Maybe some of us still feel that way! The fact is, many spiritual seekers have just extended the reach of that illusion into their spiritual practices. They think, “If I could just be more patient, if I were only more compassionate, if I didn’t have that nasty habit of blaming others for my suffering–maybe then I would be free.”
But regardless of whether we couch the misunderstanding in a mundane context or a spiritual one, the fact is it is still a misunderstanding. Tolle goes on to say (p. 147):
“You see time as the means to salvation, whereas in truth it is the greatest obstacle…the truth is that here and now is the only point from which you can get there. You ‘get’ there be realizing that you are there already. There is not only one way to salvation: Any condition can be used, but no particular condition is needed. However there is only one point of access: the Now.”
This is a pretty bold statement, isn’t it? What Tolle is saying is that essentially we are trapped by the belief that salvation–the realization of our spiritual wholeness–is somewhere other than where we now stand. And we use all of the “proof” around us to verify that theory: “If I were free right now, I would not be feeling conflicted; if I were free right now I would not be angry at my spouse.”
However, if we were to dig down underneath all of those emotions, to step outside not only the mind but also the emotional self, we would find that spiritual wholeness really is here–right now. Tolle completes his thoughts on this topic in the following paragraph (p. 147):
“There is nothing you can ever do or attain that will get your closer to salvation than it is at this moment. You cannot do this in the future. You do it now or not at all.”
Challenging words from one of today’s most popular spiritual authorities. But even others of us have bumped into that truth–that there is nowhere to get to but Now. Don’t believe it? Try this assignment:
Sometime this week when you are stressed and find it hard to believe that spiritual wholeness is already within you, take a moment to become deeply still. This cannot be the kind of forced stillness wherein you are resisting or doubting, but the kind of stillness that is filled with humble surrender and a devotion to the process. Then ask yourself, “Is it true that peace is not already here Now?” What you may come to find is that Tolle was right: There really is only point of access to spiritual wholeness–and that point is Now.
Using a pen and journal or piece of paper, contemplate the following this week:
1. What excuses do I use to avoid the entry point of the Now (“I’m too busy; I’m not good at meditation”)?
2. When in my day can I take 30 seconds to be present with the Now (in the elevator, at the stop light etc.)?
3. Do I subscribe to the notion that spiritual wholeness is somewhere other than my present location in time?
4. Am I willing to rephrase my belief to remind me that freedom is here now, but I just have to make room for it? If so, how would I put that in my own words? Consider adding this statement to your daily affirmations until you come to believe it fully.
Over the past month we have investigated how a proper understanding of the Now is critical for spiritual awakening and growth. You may wish to print and save our study of The Power of Now to review the next time you need help remembering the importance of living in the Now! This book has many other powerful insights to share as well, so I hope you will take the time to peruse a copy at your leisure.
Our next Home Study course will dive into one of my books entitled Lessons for Living, vol. 1. This is the first of many books containing exact transcriptions of wisdom the Angels have shared with me in Communion. We will begin our study of this book in just over three weeks, so you can either order a copy at our web site (below) or just follow along as I provide excerpts. For those of you who finish your Power of Now, pt. 3 homework ahead of schedule, you can read ahead in Lessons for Living, vol. 1. Our pages of interest will be p 61-62. I look forward to connecting with you again soon!
For more book discussions, please peruse the other selections from our Home Study category. We also invite you to experience uplifting insights from the Higher Realms at www.hopeofthenewage.com/Wisdom
Grace and Clarity 