Oprah's book...

[SensualCealy]

Anyone read the book Oprah is promoting, "The New Earth" I think its called?

Is it good?

Is it worth picking up at the library?

C

 

[Jenny_Jackson]

Yes, read it. No, Save your time and money.

 

[MagicaPractica]

I ordered it because I had a credit on Amazon. Sounds like a lot of people have found it useful. I would guess it depends on where you are in your journey.

 

[3113]

Self-Help Guru!

Anyone read the book Oprah is promoting, "The New Earth" I think its called?

Is it good?

Is it worth picking up at the library?

I'm sorry to say that it's essentially a new age self-help book that's pretty much like a good many other such books (every 5-10 years, a new one crops up with a new way to make everyone happy for only $19.95!). As is typical with such books, the author claims that he, himself, was deeply depressed, his life a mess, and then one day, he had an amazing ephiphany/experience. In Tolle's case, he had what sounds like a psychotic incident--it left him, he says, in a state of bliss where he did nothing but sit on a park bench for two years, separated from all worldly concerns like family, friends, job, etc.

After which, he decided to help other achieve this enlightened state. He studied up on Buddhism, hinduism and such as well, and much of what he talks about are related to those philosophies. He comes across as a real "guru" type--"Buy my tapes, my picture, my books and do what they say and you'll be happy." Also seminars and talks which don't come cheap. Most the quotes you'll see on his book are "testimonials"--people saying how it changed their lives and transformed them.

It's a little alarming that Oprah is not only hawking this guy but setting up workshops.

His main "theme" is that you have to live in the "now" (erase all past experiences, don't think of the future, always "now") and not identify your thoughts as "you." Which...thinking about it (which you're not supposed to do) is really er...oh, hell, I think it's nonsense But then I won't give up my thinking for anyone! Decide for yourself:

Here's a quote from the author to give you an idea:

Identification with your mind creates an opaque screen of concepts, labels, images, words, judgments, and definitions that blocks all true relationship. It comes between you and yourself, between you and your fellow man and woman, between you and nature, between you and God. It is this screen of thought that creates the illusion of separateness, the illusion that there is you and a totally separate "other." You then forget the essential fact that, underneath the level of physical appearances and separate forms, you are one with all that is.

And here's a quote from "New Earth":

Your life has an inner purpose and an outer purpose. Inner purpose concerns Being and is primary. Outer purpose concerns doing and it is secondary. Your inner purpose is to awaken. It is as simple as that. You share that purpose with every other person on the planet - because it is the purpose of humanity. Your inner purpose is an essential part of the purpose of the whole, the universe and its emerging intelligence. Your outer purpose can change over time. It varies greatly from person to person. Finding and living in alignment with the inner purpose is the foundation for fulfilling your outer purpose. It is the basis for true success. Without that alignment, you can still achieve certain things through effort, struggle, determination, and sheer hard work or cunning. But there is no joy in such endevor, and it invariably ends in some form of suffering.

 

[Liar]

Is this the new "The Secret"?

 

[3113]

Is this the new "The Secret"?

It would seem so. Oprah promoted that, too.

 

[MagicaPractica]

Is this the new "The Secret"?

I hope not. I just finished that one and while there is some useful stuff in it, the author didn't do it very well and she gets a little too spacey.



I just got my copy of "A New Earth" in the post today. I'll tell you what I think in a few days.

 

[SensualCealy]

Thanks guys, I may take the time to take it out on loan to give it a try, least if I cant understand it or dont like it, Im not out any money.

C

 

[jomar]

If I read it will I be congruent? Will I be self actualized? Will alpha brain waves be my new standard? If not, can I get a refund?

 

[3113]

If I read it will I be congruent? Will I be self actualized? Will alpha brain waves be my new standard? If not, can I get a refund?

How would you know any of this wasn't true and that you were due for a refund?

 

[jomar]

How would you know any of this wasn't true and that you were due for a refund?

It's kind of a zen thing. Or a Rogers`and Maslow thing. Hmm, a refund...a refund for the soul...Hey! Let's write a self-help book. We can rehash old ideas in a feel good way and maybe Oprah will give it her blessing!

 

[3113]

It's kind of a zen thing. Or a Rogers`and Maslow thing. Hmm, a refund...a refund for the soul...Hey! Let's write a self-help book. We can rehash old ideas in a feel good way and maybe Oprah will give it her blessing!

We have to have some really good sob story about how bad our lives were before we discovered this very special and secret philosophy which transformed us and made us one with the, er, great angelic light of the over-verse. Otherwise Oprah won't be interested.