by S.D. West

Created on: April 26, 2008

Book Review of a New Earth. Awakening to Your Life's Purpose by Eckhart Tolle

"Who am I"? You may ask yourself this question in quiet moments of contemplation and you are not alone in this wondering. This question is one of the ages, often coupled with, "What is my purpose?" In his book A New Earth, published by Namaste Publishing, Eckhart Tolle writes clearly and concisely to help us become aware of a new consciousness that is awakening in humanity. He helps us discover the difference between our egos and the essence of who we really are. He gives guidance on how to live in this awakened state in our personal lives, which in turn, as each of us awakens, we can transform humanity into "a new earth". What greater purpose than this?

A New Earth explains how spirituality is different from belief systems; spirituality has to do with the state of consciousness. Mr. Tolle explains that some people get so deeply entrenched in their beliefs that they cannot look beyond the form of rules and doctrine. He goes on to define the ego, both personal and collective, how our "pain bodies" affect us and how we attach ourselves to certain roles and egos rather than be aware and present.

Mr. Tolle covers things from how to release our painful negative emotions to conscious parenting. He gives us tips on conscious breathing and how to become aware of our "inner space" which, as he says, "Although inner space has no form, it is intensely alive. That "empty space" is life in its fullness, the unmanifested Source out of which all manifestation flows. The traditional word for that Source is God."

From Chapter Seven, Finding Who You Truly Are: Gnothi Seauton...Know Thyself. These words are inscribed above the temple entrance of Apollo at Delphi, the site of the sacred Greek oracle and are still very much alive today. "Knowing yourself is to be rooted in Being, instead of lost in your mind." In my opinion this is the main message of the book, words of wisdom for us all. For in knowing ourselves we know the truth and are set free to experience the true meaning and purpose of our lives.

I recommend this book as an important guidebook for living and for healing our modern world. Changing ourselves from the inside will bring on a shift of consciousness in the world, something that is sorely needed at this time in history. We can't afford to ignore our responsibility for our own sakes and for the sakes of future generations.

Learn more about this author, S.D. West.
Click here to send this author comments or questions.