Eckhart Tolle’s new book, A New Earth, is wreaking havoc with some conservative Christians - some of whom are my friends. I purchased the book on my return trip from Aruba. I devoured Tolle’s book in the 3.5 hour flight. I underlined, starred, and made marginalia notes. I felt elated seeing Tolle’s very well-written thoughts regarding Ego, being present, and one’s life purpose. Tolle quotes many great minds including C.G. Jung, and Christ. What a gift Tolle gave to the planet!
I was excited to share this book with my friends. So I did. I feel sad to see so much resistance to this literature. It smacks of antiquated and arrogant censorship - cloaked in Christianity. What, please educate me, is wrong with reading, discussing, boisterously-but-respectfully sharing differences of thought? Doesn’t mindful contemplation serve to expand knowledge and either confirm or change one’s opinion? How can we grow as spiritual beings if we don’t explore other perspectives? Some myopic Christians actually think Tolle’s book is the work of the anti-Christ! God help us.
I for one, consciously choose to remain open to many paths. I identity myself as a Christian, because I do believe Christ was the Messiah. BUT, I also integrate many other religions into my way of viewing the world - such as Eastern philosophies.
I don’t ask you to love Tolle’s book the way I do. I ask that tolerance prevail, and we not be so quick to discount such work because it doesn’t fit in within our spiritual box. It’s time to take off the lid and expand our consciousness - or at least tolerate others who do.
14 comments ↓
Beautifully written Suzanne - Your words are as eloquent as Tolle’s! Why are some Christians so threatened? What is the fear? I just don’t get it! It’s easy to assume those so frightened by his words have not truly read the book, as Tolle so obviously believes in Christ. Whose agenda are those that are so against this book really trying to advance? I’m a Christian also and not only feel that Tolle validates my Christianity, he enhances it and opens me up!!
God Bless you!
I thought I was atheist before being introduced to Tolle’s books. Immediately upon reading the first few pages in “A New Earth” the truth resonated with my very Being. I then knew I was not an atheist, nor have I ever been. This book has changed everything for me! I don’t understand, either, why so many Christians are afraid of this book, unless it could be that the ego inside them might die and their identity would be lost? Like Eckhart said, though, when one has had enough suffering then they are ready to accept surrender.
I am so greatful to Eckhart Tolle and Oprah for turning me onto Dr. Jill Bolte Taylor and her beautiful book “”My Stroke of Insight”". Her story is amazing and her gift to all of us is a book purchase away I’m happy to say.
Dr Taylor was a Harvard brain scientist when she had a stroke at age 37. What was amazing was that her left brain was shut down by the stroke - where language and thinking occur - but her right brain was fully functioning. She experienced bliss and nirvana and the way she writes about it (or talks about it in her now famous TED talk) is incredible.
What I took away from Dr. Taylor’s book above all, and why I recommend it so highly, is that you don’t have to have a stroke or take drugs to find the deep inner peace that she talks about. Her book explains how. “”I want what she’s having”", and thanks to this wonderful book, I can! Thank you Dr. Taylor, and thank you Eckhart and Oprah.
I was confussed to why Christians were upset about this book. I love Eckhart. BUT over the weekend I went to a party and found out it was for a New Thought Church opening. Well.. the leader of this new “church” a graduate of emerson New Thought preached hatred towards Christians.. saying they are followers and Chris was “garbage”.. I was shocked that a Spiritual “Leader” could be so unconscious. Ironically he is “teaching” a New earth adn Unity.. what a joke. A perfect example of hatred and after meeting this man, I can see why christians have call for concern… but please if oyu are Christian know this.. It is NOT E. Tolle it is the lost souls who interpret his words into hate.
I just wanted to drop a note to say–I very much appreciate your post. I’m a Christian as well; have been all my life. I found it..remarkable. My copy, like yours, is dog-eared and marked up.
Your thoughts echo mine exactly. I seriously don’t understand why this book is perceived a threat to Christianity. I emailed my own pastor regarding this book. His first response was inquisitive. His second was seething; full of accusations and disgust.
I seriously don’t get it.
Anyway..thank you for sharing your thoughts.
Charlotte Groth
Sacramento, CA
Charlotte ~ THANK YOU! I’m so glad someone agrees with my unpopular stance! We need to stick together. Why are conservative Christians sooooo threatened? Tolle quotes Christ for Heaven’s sake! I loved this book, and won’t back down on this one ; )
Thanks for sharing your opinion.
blessings…
WOW! I just realized all these comments - I’m feeling very blonde right now…. : ) PLEASE keep writing to me and sharing your views - I get jazzed when I see them! I’m still on a huge learning curve with DearZanny, and this whole computer stuff. Thank goodness I’m a much better therapist than “techy.” Thanks again, love to hear from you!!
Wow, I read these emails and I am shocked at the level of ignorance regarding Christianity. Tolle is not a Christian. And as far as I can discern, neither are any of the bloggers here. Tolle is a deceiver and is leading souls to an eternal death, assuming they die believing in his brand of ‘religion’. And so, being a Christian, I can tell you that Christians are not threatened by this book. Just sad that there are so many people deceived by it. As is the Father. But, sad or not, my Father in Heaven is holy and will throw any souls into hell who die with Tolle’s beliefs. There is only one way to eternal life and that is Jesus Christ . He confirmed that he is the way and the only way. So if you don’t believe that, you might as well just call him a liar.
Wow - read YOUR email Karen and am shocked by YOUR authority on all things Christian and all things “Eckart Tolle”
Not sure where you feel so confident assuming Tolle was “prescribing” some brand of religion . . . I merely read it as a “way of thinking and opening our minds.”
As you so eloquently stated “my Father in Heaven is holy and will throw any souls into hell” - Please recognize the REAL truth in your statement is that this is YOUR “father in Heaven” not necessarily anyone or everyone elses.
I’m thankful “MY father in Heaven is a loving, compassionate, forgiving father” that has taught me to follow his example of compassion and love . . .
May you be so blessed to know “my” father . . .
Denise,
Sorry, but you should study the scripture. It says that My Father is Holy and Just. He cannot look on sin. That is why people will go to hell. He is loving and compassionate. He is also holy, cannot look on sin and without the blood of the Lamb, people are sent to hell which was made for the devil and his angels. And you’re right. He’s not your Father since you don’t accept that since you don’t know Him. Remember, Jesus told the pharisees they were a brood of vipers and children of the devil. Those not in the kingdom of the Father are in the kingdom of the devil.
I do know My Father. I suggest highly that you come to know also the G-d of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob and that you would experience eternal life. How to do this - Study the Word, which you clearly have not done.
Regards,
Karen
Although I do study the scripture, daily and with other - I just choose not to use it as a weapon to judge and criticize as you have chosen.
Blessings to you
Wow, so sad to read the last few responses from the Christian who uses her God as a weapon against those who do not follow her way of thinking. The only Bible I have read brought me Jesus who told me the most important thing to Him was that we LOVE one another…he didn’t tell me to go out and condemn anyone and repeat threats from the old testament, in fact he told me not to judge, lest I will be judged.
To all those out there that have FELT those words from the Bible come to life once again because Eckhart Tolle reminded us what they originally were meant to convey to us—Hoorah!
May we always remember the scared “Christains” are merely mired down in old misinterpreted doctrine, and that they only repeat, like robots, what they are told, not what they experience. I truly hope they can expand themselves beyond their egos and find the Lord, where He has always been, in their hearts.
Put your weapons down Christian Robots, and love each other like Jesus asked you.
I LOVE seeing so much enthusiasm regarding Tolle’s book - whether you agree with his thoughts or not is fine with me. Just the fact that people are thinking about deeper issues is inspiring. Keep your comments coming.
Eckhart Tolle’s book was a real awakening for me. Being a Christian my entire life, I have never felt so alive as I did after reading his words.
His book “The Power of Now” is also a must read.
His books were only the beginning of my transformation about 6 months ago. Since then, I have expanded my horizons and I am now at a place of peace and tranquility.
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