Announcement

Collapse
No announcement yet.

Anyone read/familiar with Eckhart Tolle's "The Power of Now"?

Collapse
This topic is closed.
X
X
Collapse
 
  • Page of 2
  • Filter
  • Time
  • Show
Clear All
new posts
Previous 1 2 template Next
  • #1

    Anyone read/familiar with Eckhart Tolle's "The Power of Now"?

    If you've read this book before are familiar with its principles, I'm struggling with something: how do I live in the "Now" with respect to this WOE when the reason I'm doing all of this is (a) because I don't like how fat I was in the past; and (b) because I want to be healthier in the future? In fact, I visualize my future success as a motivating tool during my workouts or times of struggles. If it wasn't for the prospect of a better "me" a few months for now, I'm not sure I could focus 100% of this WOE "Now," know what I mean?

    Sorry if this is esoteric, but I'm struggling with a way to reconcile living in the "Now" and focusing on all the present good I'm doing for my *future* (which, according to Tolle, doesn't exist because only the Now exists). Any nuggets of wisdom here on how to reconcile these principles?

    • M/37
    • Started March 17, 2009
    • Pounds lost to date: 57
    • Pounds to go: 15
    Tags: "the, eckhart, powe"?, read, tolle's
  • #2
    Re: Anyone read/familiar with Eckhart Tolle's "The Power of Now"?

    "If a man takes no thought of what is distant, he will find sorrow near at hand- Confucius". I'm not a philosopher but I always consider the past in my decisions concerning the "percieved" future- Robby
    m/42 5'7"
    No mini goals, just want to finish the race one pound at a time

    Comment

    • #3
      Re: Anyone read/familiar with Eckhart Tolle's "The Power of Now"?

      Originally posted by deerfu39 View Post
      "If a man takes no thought of what is distant, he will find sorrow near at hand- Confucius". I'm not a philosopher but I always consider the past in my decisions concerning the "percieved" future- Robby
      Yes, I agree. It's hard not to consider the past and future when deciding what to do in the Now. (For example, do I like getting my 401K taken out of my paycheck NOW? No, but it's for the best.) Tolle would respond to that by saying embrace the present taking of the money out of my paycheck because it is a good thing in and of itself to sacrifice now, putting aside what the future may hold. Kind of a hard concept to reconcile for someone like me who is constantly looking forward to the future and making it better. Tolle would say, make the present Now the best you can, as there is no future.
      • M/37
      • Started March 17, 2009
      • Pounds lost to date: 57
      • Pounds to go: 15

      Comment

      • #4
        Re: Anyone read/familiar with Eckhart Tolle's "The Power of Now"?

        Read another self-help book. There are hundreds out there. Each one proselytizing theirs as the only truth, the way and the light. You are trying to force your mind into thinking in a way that does not sync with what you know to work for you. This is self-defeating right from the outset.

        There is a past, present (now) and future in everyone's life. These elements are inextricably intertwined and a real part of your psyche. You can not have goals to work towards if not for a future. You can not work towards a different outcome if not remembering the past (not dwelling on; remembering). People living only in the "now" is what has caused the recession and depression through which we are now struggling. "I want it all and I want it right now" has caused a lot of heartbreak for many people.
        People who say it can't be done, should not interrupt those doing it.


        "Some men give up their designs when they have almost reached the goal; While others, on the contrary, obtain a victory by exerting, at the last moment, more vigorous efforts than ever before."
        ~~Herodotus


        Doin' the "Real Deal" Atkins 2002 since 9/15/2005
        Sunny's Secrets: My Journal



        Comment

        • #5
          Re: Anyone read/familiar with Eckhart Tolle's "The Power of Now"?

          Originally posted by Slapshot View Post
          because I don't like how fat I was in the past
          Actually, you don't like how fat you are currently. If you were thin right now, you wouldn't be going through induction.

          Originally posted by Slapshot View Post
          because I want to be healthier in the future?
          You also want to be healthy now.

          Originally posted by Slapshot View Post
          reconcile living in the "Now" and focusing on all the present good I'm doing for my *future*
          Now is the point of power, because only now can you make decisions or enact change. You can't go back in time and make them in your past, nor your future. Basically, don't drown yourself in daydreams of a time other than now, but instead pay attention and be alert in the NOW.

          Living in the NOW is very old, repeated in religions, martial arts and countless other sources.

          Making decisions in the NOW to positively affect your future is obviously a good idea. Otherwise you'd sleep with any random woman, spend all your cash, tell off your boss, etc. You gotta take a step back, and read between the lines.
          What I do:
          Elliptical gym machine 1 hr Tue-Sun
          At 320, switch to cycling on my Trek 500
          2 filtered containers water/day
          Daily salads/veggies

          Goals:
          Stop needing High Blood Pressure meds - DONE!
          Workout in a XXXL shirt           - DONE!
          Workout in a XXL shirt
          Workout in a XL shirt
          270 on the scales

          Comment

          • #6
            Re: Anyone read/familiar with Eckhart Tolle's "The Power of Now"?

            I didn't explain the concept very well, as I'm still struggling with grasping it. It's certainly not a hedonistic "live in the moment, everything else be damned" approach. It's more a sense of living every present moment, recognizing that that the Now is all there is. In any event, you all raise good points about the internal struggle here between living in the Now and exercising/eating right/living well for the sake of doing those things, as opposed to doing everything now for the sake of what may be in the future.
            • M/37
            • Started March 17, 2009
            • Pounds lost to date: 57
            • Pounds to go: 15

            Comment

            • #7
              Re: Anyone read/familiar with Eckhart Tolle's "The Power of Now"?

              Your last post puts it right. NOW you have the chance to make the choice to be healthier today, now. What is the way to be healthier? To stick to this WOE today without cheats, without sugars, with exercise. Is there a payoff later? Yes of course-thats a side benefit. What is the pay off right now? I am making myself healthier today, and I feel physically better today than yesterday because of that choice. Is it hedonistic choice that is a "live for today tomorrow we die"? No but it is the right choice to live well today and if that gives us a future pay off, where is the harm in that?
              JILL

              HW 298
              HW (this time) 248
              GOAL ONE 228               (take 2)
              GOAL TWO 213 (personal goal)
              GOAL THREE 199 ONE-DERLAND
              FINAL GOAL 165

               It's not about the results. Its about the process.

              "I've never come home after a workout and said, MAN, I wish I had NOT exercised today!"



              Comment

              • #8
                Re: Anyone read/familiar with Eckhart Tolle's "The Power of Now"?

                No but it is the right choice to live well today and if that gives us a future pay off, where is the harm in that?
                That's right, and that's the basis of the struggle. For example, look at my avatar: "Goal 165." Until I read that book, I envisioned every day as a step toward the "goal" as opposed to living (and enjoying) each step for the sake of stepping (as you point out above). The source of my tension is visualizing (while exercising, for example) what I'll look/feel like when I'm back at 165, instead of focusing on the joy of a great workout in the moment. I think that's the mind-shift I need to make to help me embrace this as a daily WOE/WOL, as opposed to a means to an end (goal).
                • M/37
                • Started March 17, 2009
                • Pounds lost to date: 57
                • Pounds to go: 15

                Comment

                • #9
                  Re: Anyone read/familiar with Eckhart Tolle's "The Power of Now"?

                  I am familiar with Echhart Tolle. If fact it's how I live my life. May I suggest that you not think about how you might look in the future ... there is no way you can truely know this. Also ... the past is the past ... how you looked/felt then is over. Nothing you do now will change what was. How do you feel now? Do you feel proud that you have chosen a healthy way to eat? Does working out make you feel good? Taking care of your physical body allows you to have a future.

                  I eat a salad because I enjoy how it tasts. I walk because I enjoy being able to "be in the now ... walking" and see the beauty around me.

                  Hope this helps ... you can private message me if you'd like.
                  My name is Barb ... and I'm a carboholic

                  S/C/G 180/160/150


                  Minigoals
                  Goal#1: 169 and daily walks with the dog. Met
                  Goal#2: 159 and Schutzhund with the dog ... but not getting out of breath. Longer, faster paced walks with dog 3x/week. MET
                  Goal#3: 150 , Hiking 3 times a week for a total of 15 or more miles, Bike 1-2 times a week.

                  Comment

                  • #10
                    Re: Anyone read/familiar with Eckhart Tolle's "The Power of Now"?

                    Hmmm. I see what you mean. It actually makes a lot of sense for Atkinees. If more people were less focused in the results and more focused on eating and exercising healthy on this WOE TODAY and making that the true focus, then the longterm results would take care of themselves with no frustration at the wait. It would be about being the best you can be, enjoying the power of making good choices and feeling your strength in this NOW.
                    JILL

                    HW 298
                    HW (this time) 248
                    GOAL ONE 228                     (take 2)
                    GOAL TWO 213 (personal goal)
                    GOAL THREE 199 ONE-DERLAND
                    FINAL GOAL 165

                     It's not about the results. Its about the process.

                    "I've never come home after a workout and said, MAN, I wish I had NOT exercised today!"



                    Comment

                    • #11
                      Re: Anyone read/familiar with Eckhart Tolle's "The Power of Now"?

                      yep ... that's pretty much it.
                      My name is Barb ... and I'm a carboholic

                      S/C/G 180/160/150


                      Minigoals
                      Goal#1: 169 and daily walks with the dog. Met
                      Goal#2: 159 and Schutzhund with the dog ... but not getting out of breath. Longer, faster paced walks with dog 3x/week. MET
                      Goal#3: 150 , Hiking 3 times a week for a total of 15 or more miles, Bike 1-2 times a week.

                      Comment

                      • #12
                        Re: Anyone read/familiar with Eckhart Tolle's "The Power of Now"?

                        Thanks Barb and Jill for the help in processing this...

                        I'll get there sooner or later!

                        (oops! )
                        • M/37
                        • Started March 17, 2009
                        • Pounds lost to date: 57
                        • Pounds to go: 15

                        Comment

                        • #13
                          Re: Anyone read/familiar with Eckhart Tolle's "The Power of Now"?

                          whatever works!
                          JILL

                          HW 298
                          HW (this time) 248
                          GOAL ONE 228                           (take 2)
                          GOAL TWO 213 (personal goal)
                          GOAL THREE 199 ONE-DERLAND
                          FINAL GOAL 165

                           It's not about the results. Its about the process.

                          "I've never come home after a workout and said, MAN, I wish I had NOT exercised today!"



                          Comment

                          • #14
                            Re: Anyone read/familiar with Eckhart Tolle's "The Power of Now"?

                            Originally posted by Slapshot View Post
                            In fact, I visualize my future success as a motivating tool during my workouts or times of struggles. If it wasn't for the prospect of a better "me" a few months for now, I'm not sure I could focus 100% of this WOE "Now," know what I mean?
                            Slapshot, there is nothing wrong with visualizing how you're going to feel and look when you get to goal. In fact, that's a very powerful technique, as you've discovered. For example, the "Weight Loss and the Mind" podcast teaches visualization as a way to motivate and empower yourself, along with a number of other tools.

                            I haven't read "The Power of Now" yet but I've listened to the MP3s of "A New Earth" that Tolle did with Oprah. He does talk about how it's only in the present moment that you can do anything. The present moment is all we really have. He talks in terms of challenges, not problems. If there is something in your life that you want to change, take action now.

                            That doesn't preclude reviewing what you did in the past or planning what you want to do in the future. These things can be very helpful; for example reviewing what has/hasn't worked on your WOE, or planning your exercise for next week. But don't get so caught up in it that you do not appreciate where you are right now. Does that make any sense?

                            I know that I personally focus too much on what that **** scale reads, even though I know I'm in this for the long haul. I get impatient and want the weight off NOW! If I can step back and take a few deep breaths, I can come back to the present moment and stop acting and thinking so irrationally. Until the next time, of course!

                            Comment

                            • #15
                              Re: Anyone read/familiar with Eckhart Tolle's "The Power of Now"?

                              I haven't really read anyone else's replies (sorry) and I'm not 100% sure this will help...but what automatically came to my mind when I read your post was "Today is yesterday's future".

                              Do I "wish" I was at my goal alraedy? Obsiously I do - yes...but I keep a few quotes around me: "I may not be where I want to be but at least I'm not where I was!" as well as "Don't let the fear of the time it will take to accomplish something stand in the way of your doing it. The time will pass anyways; we might just as well put that passing time to the best possible use."

                              The way I look at things is where am I today? I am 26 pounds lighter than I was back in January. If I hadn't started when I did - or if I never had at all, I'd still be "wishing" I could lose weight or figure out the way to do it.

                              The only thing I can do now is continue doing what I know works. If I stop and eat junk food, I KNOW that I will gain weight which makes me unhappy. If I, however, continue every day to eat the atkins way - I will eventually get to my goal.
                              If someone would have told me on December 31st that I'd still be going strong and 26 pounds lighter on June 11 I'd have thought they were crazy because on December 31st I kept WISHING I was there instead of DOING something about it.

                              But now? I'm there. Today IS that future of "when i lose the weight"...and no - it's NOT all of the weight I'd like gone - but it is some of the weight that is gone forever.

                              My wedding is a year from now and I hope to weigh 160 pounds. I KNOW that the way I'm living / eating is the RIGHT way for my body and while it may take some time - I've GOT that time...I've got 1 full year until that date and what I'm doing NOW in the PRESENT works.

                              So yeah - anyways, that's just my thoughts in this crazy brain of mine.
                              Find my blog at: http://keriannmb.blogspot.com/

                              Diagnosed Insulin Resistant in October 2007.
                              Committed to Atkins January 2009.

                              ~I lost 1 pound 30 times!~

                              "Don't let the fear of the time it will take to accomplish something stand in the way of your doing it. The time will pass anyways; we might just as well put that passing time to the best possible use."

                              Started Date: 03/January/2009 - 196 lbs
                              Current Month: February 2010 - 163lbs
                              WEDDING DATE: 26/JUNE/2010 - I WILL BE A BUFF BRIDE!



                              Comment

                              Previous 1 2 template Next
                              Working...
                              X