The power of now post-reading

I hear all the time, "live in the present." Whenever I hear something along these lines I'm reminded of a Confucius picture with the inspirational quote font, "living in the past will make you depressed, living in the future will make you anxious."

I enjoyed reading Eckhart Tolle's 'the power of now'. After reading it, I took to reading others' criticisms of the book. I do feel that this book is a gateway to those seeking enlightenment and spirituality. I enjoyed this concept of us having two selves, a duality, something I often resonate with. One pure form of 'self' and one which is conditioned. I often talk about unlearning, or our child self.

To achieve absolute stillness/inner peace and in control of thoughts seems to be a great goal to strive for. At present, I think this doesn't seem possible long term. I read about others who tried such a strive for a year or so before adopting the ethos of 'inner peace' and the 'being' but not its entirety. A lot of Tolle's words make sense, there is a lot I can take out of it and apply to my own life. We cannot truly move on from our past, our traumas and triggers if we cling onto it. More specifically, if I find a SELF in the past, any bit of self, I will never move on. Tolle says we need to make the past powerless. Absolutely powerless.

Like holding a horse stance or an ice bath or anything where there demands endurance... We should surrender. As Tolle says, surrendering is not to 'give up'. I believe it is more to accept, this gives off a more appropriate connotation.

Tolle's words ring in my mind as I pull down the blinds in the living room. I notice a lot of dust on the blind cord. I clean it as I value cleanliness and health. I become more observant of the smaller things which make up my daily life, a series of moments. I become more observant of me, the THINKER and the me deep down. Thinking about how to self-improve. Thinking about pace. I believe this is all a part of the process. Thinking about things such as appealing to others, fear of the future etc. We know not to think about things we cannot control. I believe this book has been a small win for my true self trying to break through this cognitive dissonance. One step at a time.