“The Power of Now” by Eckhart Tolle is a transformative book that teaches readers how to achieve inner peace and live in the present moment.
Marcus Aurelius, Roman Emperor from AD 161 to 180, recording his private notes to himself and ideas on Stoic philosophy in Meditations1, wrote about the power of present as well, 2000 years before Eckhart Tolle. Who was inspired by whom?
Here are seven lessons you can learn from this powerful book (or from Marcus Aurelius):
1. BE PRESENT
One of the main teachings of the book is the importance of being present in the moment. According to Marcus Aurelius (and E.T., surely), the past and the future are mere illusions, and the only true reality is the present moment. By focusing on the present, we can free ourselves from the negative thoughts and emotions that come with dwelling on the past or worrying about the future.
2. LET GO OF YOUR EGO
Tolle suggests that our ego is the source of much of our suffering. The ego is our sense of self, and it often leads us to compare ourselves to others and seek validation from external sources. To find inner peace, Tolle suggests letting go of our ego and embracing the present moment without judgment.
3. ACCEPTANCE
Tolle teaches the importance of accepting the present for what it is. This means letting go of our resistance to what is happening and embracing the present moment without judgment or resistance. By accepting this, we can find inner peace and contentment.
4. BE MINDFUL
Tolle encourages readers to practice mindfulness, which involves paying attention to the present moment with a non-judgmental attitude. Mindfulness can help us become more aware of our thoughts, feelings, and sensations, and can help us find inner peace and clarity.
5. SURRENEDER
Tolle suggests that surrendering to the present moment is key to finding inner peace. Surrender means letting go of our attachment to outcomes and trusting that everything will unfold as it should. By surrendering to the present, we can find peace and contentment in the here and now.
Marcus Aurelius’ s vision is to accept what you cannot control. We should focus on what we can control and accept what we cannot. By accepting the things, we cannot change, we can find peace and tranquility in the present moment.
It seems like the same idea, right? So maybe we should fallow them.
6. PRACTICE STILNESS
Tolle emphasizes the importance of stillness and silence in finding inner peace. By practicing stillness, we can quiet the mind and connect with our inner being. This can help us find a sense of peace and tranquility that is often missing in our busy lives.
7. LET GO OF NEGATIVITY
Tolle suggests that negative thoughts and emotions are the source of much of our suffering. By letting go of negativity and focusing on positive thoughts and emotions, we can find inner peace and happiness. This means letting go of anger, resentment, and other negative emotions, and focusing on gratitude, love, and compassion instead.
And some more wisdom from one of AlmaFides favorite writers, Marcus Aurelius:
Be grateful.
The Roman Emperor emphasizes the importance of gratitude and suggests that we should appreciate the beauty of the present and be grateful for all the blessings in our lives. The beauty of present could mean the blue sky, the person with whom you share a conversation, the green grass, your kid’s smile.
Embrace impermanence.
Everything in life is impermanent, and that we should embrace this impermanence rather than fearing it. By accepting the impermanence of all things, we can find peace and tranquility in the present moment.
Cultivate inner strength.
Aurelius encourages readers to cultivate inner strength, or “virtue,” through mindfulness, self-reflection, and a commitment to living a good life. By cultivating inner strength, we can find peace and contentment in the present moment, no matter what challenges we may face.
1Meditations, the writings of “the philosopher” – as contemporary biographers called Marcus – are a significant source of the modern understanding of ancient Stoic philosophy. These writings have been praised by fellow writers, philosophers, monarchs, and politician’s centuries after his death.
You can read the book “The power of now” by Eckhart Tolle on Google Books.
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