Annie's Book Club
No. 02 on 'The Power of Now' by Eckhart Tolle
Hi guys, this is Annie and I am here to share a new Book Club with you. This one is on The Power of Now by Eckhart Tolle. An international bestseller that has become a true classic in the spiritual wellness genre. I chose this book, because we live in a time many of us seem to be struggling with anxiety, overthinking and restlessness. Tolle’s book has helped countless readers (including myself) navigate the journey from the head to the heart.
Some time has passed since I first read the book. I started to feel inspired to write about The Power of Now when I listened to one of Eckhart's recent podcast episodes. I was driving my car and got to experience the power of now first-hand. In the below mentioned episode, he guides the listener through a wonderful meditation practice.
Do you ever find yourself stuck in anxious thought patterns? Or would you simply like to get to know yourself a bit better? Then this book is for you.
“The Power of Now is Mr. Tolle's Feeling Tool”
What This Book Means To Me
This book encapsulates so much of what Annie’s Alchemia stands for. It is about feeling and transformation, about standing still in the here and now, feeling what is present and watching the dense energy evaporate as a result. This book has supported me a great deal in becoming familiar with the part of myself that people refer to as the ego.
"The Power of Now, Presence, Awareness and Alchemy are all inseparably connected"
I felt seen reading this book. Despite Tolle's somewhat impersonal tone, I can sense the understanding in his words. It feels like he knows all the tricks my mind plays. Reading the book, I catch myself thinking: "Wow, that is so me..."
I now understand what part of me feels nervous, even when well-prepared. I now see what part of me is worried about my looks, even when I felt confident walking out the door. I now observe what part of me wants to keep me inside my comfort zone, when there is the desire to step out of it.
There is such great comfort in knowing that the inner hurdles we face are universal. We all have an inner critic, an inner worrier, an inner control-freak. But we also share the capacity to step outside of that noise and come back to our quiet self. Or as Tolle puts it: “Consciousness: The Way Out of Pain.”
You Are Not Your Mind
Think about it: you are stuck in a mindloop. Up in the head. Fearful, anxious, worried. The mind is trying to come up with ways to protect us from pain. The chatter is here to resist sensations that could be experienced as uncomfortable. That is what the ego does.
The moment we realise it is only a part of us that is acting up, it becomes easier to take a step back and listen to what this part wants to say. Before reading the book, I identified myself with my thoughts. I was not able to see myself as separate from them. By learning to understand the ego and seeing the place where my thoughts are coming from, I have started to feel compassion for myself.
Let's Make This Concept Feel Tangible
Notice what happens when you decide to step out of the loops of the mind. This can be done by becoming aware of everything that is present for you in this moment. Observe all of your thoughts, sensations and impulses like you are watching the clouds up in the sky. When we decide to observe our thoughts instead of feeding into them, something shifts. This is The Power of Now.
"Just sit with it, Annie"
This is the most precious advice I have ever received, but probably one of the hardest to follow up on. Let's give it a try together.
Close your eyes and focus on your breathing. Focus on what you are sensing.
What do you hear? What do you smell? Can you observe your heartbeat?
Try to stay with your sensations for as long as possible. Move as close to them as you can. Continue to bring yourself back to the present moment. The practice does not have to take long: it is like training a muscle. It is about becoming familiar with feeling over thinking. The more we practice, the easier feeling becomes.
To me... Movement helps. Nature helps. Connection helps.
Yoga Nidra's help. Drops help.
I know, practicing presence might not be easy or fun. If it would have been, anxiety would not be a thing. All I can tell you is that the practice is worth it. Tapping into presence over and over again, has allowed me to experience a great sense of liberation.
Alchemy in The Now
As Paulo Coelho wrote in The Alchemist, “Tell your heart that the fear of suffering is worse than the suffering itself.” Tolle echoes this by showing that most of our pain comes from the mind’s resistance to what is. Our mind is constantly busy scanning for threats, trying to control outcomes and avoiding discomfort. It thinks this will protect us, but in truth it only amplifies our suffering.
Eckhart’s Alchemy
Eckhart Tolle is a true alchemist in my eyes: he famously transformed his pain into his power. Moving from a place of intense depression to a place of peace, by learning to be present. Turning his pain into a gift for the world.
My Power of Now
Only in this very present moment, we are able to create space for ourselves to take a second to sit with what is. That is what the "Power of Now" means to me: the opportunity to step out of the loop and observe. Whenever I pick up the book, I feel reminded to take deep breath and be in the now. The title itself says it all.
My Alchemy Practice
In the context of Annie’s Alchemia, alchemy refers to the transformative power of feeling our emotions. It is about turning the “lead” of pain, into the “gold” of peace. So what does alchemy look like in my day-to-day life? It involves lots of Drops, journalling and Feeling Practices.
Inspired by Tolle’s teachings, this 4 Step Feeling-Practice allows me to practice alchemy. This practice is The Power of Now, Presence and Alchemy all in one.
My 4 Step Feeling-Practice
Awareness – Pause and notice what you feel. Stand still (figuratively or literally) and acknowledge what is happening inside of you.
Acceptance – Allow all thoughts and feelings to exist, also when things get uncomfortable. Remind yourself that sensations are temporary. The sensation is nothing but energy moving through your body.
Compassion – Meet yourself where you are at, without judgment. Do not beat yourself up for feeling anxious, sad or angry. Welcome what is. Think of this step as the loving parent.
Curiosity – Ask yourself: “What does this feeling want to tell me?” Our emotions often carry messages. Approach them with an open mind and become your own best friend. Listen.
How to Read it
Tolle’s writing can sometimes feel dense or abstract, because he uses quite a vocabulary. Listening to his podcasts has made his teachings sink in deeper. His energy makes it all sound more relatable.
My Invitation
When the book feels heavy or difficult to get through, I invite you to put it away and tap into your Power of Now. Take a breather, put away your phone, go for a walk, take a shower, cuddle your dog, dance to music or simply dive into your senses and soak up the present moment as much as you can. Experiment with different awareness practices to discover which one fits you best. And whenever you feel ready, talk about what you are experiencing. Know that you are not alone.
Are You Feeling Present Right Now?
