The Power of Now - SoberRecovery : Alcoholism Drug Addiction Help and Information

steamvessel · 10-13-2009, 07:10 PM

Just about finished with this book, to be honest I don't really want to finish it right away. This is one of those funny books, the one that you have heard about kind of in the background here and there. I was (in a bar of all places) about a year ago after I broke up and a friend of mine was preaching to me about this book. I've read a lot of self-helps, and some have really blown me away (Psychocybernetics comes to mind). I thought the idea was intriguing, but really just lumped it with the other self-help books. I have also been drawn to buddhist beliefs for some reason even though I am not religious, I remember taking comparitive religions in college and was by far my favorite even though it's not really a religion.

Well, I started therapy and my therapist has me working on mindfulness. It seems to be everywhere I turn now, when I went to a songwriting camp there was an instructor there who told me about mindfullness as well and also Eckhart Tolle, who I have heard. Then my therapist talked about Eckhart Tolle, and it was suggested that I read it here on this board. I never linked it with the Power of Now book. Well, that was enough for me. I finally ordered it, along with several other books on Amazon. But this was the one I was waiting for, and I have been reading it intently for days now. I am kind of mind blown for real, I am waiting for somebody to tell me this guy is crazy, but I know better in my heart.

I once had a very surreal experience in college where I was "meditating?" or more appropriately getting so introspective that it turned into an almost drug like experience, but no drugs were involved. This was done under no guidance and I had never meditated before, but the experience was very real. I remember being in a canyon and I was out of body, and floating, I turned around very slowly around a bend in the canyon and I saw traces of what looked like a dragon and I immediately shunned away, this wasn't a dream. I was very much conscious and awake, and very terrified. In this moment of terror, I didn't see an alternative until I came across this vision of me standing on a high dive and a girl I was previously in love with urging me to jump. That feeling was a feeling I have never had before, it was polar opposite of the terror, eternal peace and bliss are the best words that I can come up with to describe it. I told myself that this was probably self created illusions, and the result of me breaking down perfectly good defense mechanisms for no good reason (at least this is what my psychologist told me when I explained the experience to her), but there was an element of truth in it. What I am trying to get at here is I don't know what I am more afraid of, the dragon or the love? And I don't know if they are the same thing or are in different directions.

This left me in an almost surreal experience for about 48 hours, and had to talk myself consciously out of it. It was really a similar experience to Tolle's, except I didn't get enlightened

In fact, terrified is a better word. After examining my drinking problem and reading this book, I keep going back to the question. Do I need to slay the dragon? Or is it the same thing, is it the ego?

Anyways, this was all thought provoking and was wondering if any of you have read this book and have any of your own insights?

Rusty Zipper · 10-14-2009, 04:56 AM

a great book steam,

and for me, i would say the Dragon's name is "Ego the Dragon" at times.

the transformation, or rearrangement of human consciousness takes some real effort.

anything that may help quiet the Band of Gypsys in the mind, can do no harm for me.

the book really helped teach me to think, or well, not think.

like i used to.

again, its about change.

good wishes on your spiritual journey steam.

rz

Boleo · 10-14-2009, 08:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by steamvessel

Anyways, this was all thought provoking and was wondering if any of you have read this book and have any of your own insights?

I not only liked "The Power of Now" but found Eckhart's next book "A New Earth" equally interesting.

If you like this sort of thing look into;

ZaZen
Mushin no shinin
Wunien
Pu of Taoism

Rusty Zipper · 10-15-2009, 04:22 AM

and "The Tao of Recovery" A Quiet Path to Wellness

stone · 10-15-2009, 04:37 AM

I am a Tolle fan.

Have you got "Practising the Power of Now"? It expands on the "Power of Now" in a good way. I didn't like "A New Earth" as much.

I have never had the type of vision that you describe but the feeling of peace sounds good.

Check Youtube for his talks.

unbrokenchain · 10-18-2009, 10:31 AM

alas the beauty of Tolle,
if we could only AWAKE NOW
it doesn't take time.
but we don't, we wish to continue in hiding

How long shall this go on?

as long as we wish.

the answer. of course we know that too.
I wish on this day we all wake up.

Anthony demello and adyashanti are nice voices
......gristle for the mill

jimhere · 10-24-2009, 09:13 AM

This book changed the way I approach my spiritual life-the steps, prayer, meditation, everything.
Jim

10-13-2009, 07:10 PM	#1 (permalink)
steamvessel Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Portland, OR Posts: 978	The Power of Now Just about finished with this book, to be honest I don't really want to finish it right away. This is one of those funny books, the one that you have heard about kind of in the background here and there. I was (in a bar of all places) about a year ago after I broke up and a friend of mine was preaching to me about this book. I've read a lot of self-helps, and some have really blown me away (Psychocybernetics comes to mind). I thought the idea was intriguing, but really just lumped it with the other self-help books. I have also been drawn to buddhist beliefs for some reason even though I am not religious, I remember taking comparitive religions in college and was by far my favorite even though it's not really a religion. Well, I started therapy and my therapist has me working on mindfulness. It seems to be everywhere I turn now, when I went to a songwriting camp there was an instructor there who told me about mindfullness as well and also Eckhart Tolle, who I have heard. Then my therapist talked about Eckhart Tolle, and it was suggested that I read it here on this board. I never linked it with the Power of Now book. Well, that was enough for me. I finally ordered it, along with several other books on Amazon. But this was the one I was waiting for, and I have been reading it intently for days now. I am kind of mind blown for real, I am waiting for somebody to tell me this guy is crazy, but I know better in my heart. I once had a very surreal experience in college where I was "meditating?" or more appropriately getting so introspective that it turned into an almost drug like experience, but no drugs were involved. This was done under no guidance and I had never meditated before, but the experience was very real. I remember being in a canyon and I was out of body, and floating, I turned around very slowly around a bend in the canyon and I saw traces of what looked like a dragon and I immediately shunned away, this wasn't a dream. I was very much conscious and awake, and very terrified. In this moment of terror, I didn't see an alternative until I came across this vision of me standing on a high dive and a girl I was previously in love with urging me to jump. That feeling was a feeling I have never had before, it was polar opposite of the terror, eternal peace and bliss are the best words that I can come up with to describe it. I told myself that this was probably self created illusions, and the result of me breaking down perfectly good defense mechanisms for no good reason (at least this is what my psychologist told me when I explained the experience to her), but there was an element of truth in it. What I am trying to get at here is I don't know what I am more afraid of, the dragon or the love? And I don't know if they are the same thing or are in different directions. This left me in an almost surreal experience for about 48 hours, and had to talk myself consciously out of it. It was really a similar experience to Tolle's, except I didn't get enlightened In fact, terrified is a better word. After examining my drinking problem and reading this book, I keep going back to the question. Do I need to slay the dragon? Or is it the same thing, is it the ego? Anyways, this was all thought provoking and was wondering if any of you have read this book and have any of your own insights? __________________ "We all know grabbing a drink to calm our nerves doesn't really work for us anymore. It always backfires. It can never again work it's old magic. That's not to say this isn't damned hard work." ~ Hevyn

10-14-2009, 04:56 AM	#2 (permalink)
Rusty Zipper Member Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: my room in ct. Posts: 20,979	a great book steam, and for me, i would say the Dragon's name is "Ego the Dragon" at times. the transformation, or rearrangement of human consciousness takes some real effort. anything that may help quiet the Band of Gypsys in the mind, can do no harm for me. the book really helped teach me to think, or well, not think. like i used to. again, its about change. good wishes on your spiritual journey steam. rz __________________ *Rule 62*

10-15-2009, 04:22 AM	#4 (permalink)
Rusty Zipper Member Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: my room in ct. Posts: 20,979	and "The Tao of Recovery" A Quiet Path to Wellness __________________ *Rule 62*

10-15-2009, 04:37 AM	#5 (permalink)
stone Member Moon Lander Champion! Shuffle The Penguin Champion! Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: UK Posts: 18,236	I am a Tolle fan. Have you got "Practising the Power of Now"? It expands on the "Power of Now" in a good way. I didn't like "A New Earth" as much. I have never had the type of vision that you describe but the feeling of peace sounds good. Check Youtube for his talks. __________________ . As from a fire aflame thousands of sparks come forth, even so from the Creator an infinity of beings have life and to him return again. -- Maitri Upanishads

10-24-2009, 09:13 AM	#7 (permalink)
jimhere Member Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Everett, WA Posts: 2,323	This book changed the way I approach my spiritual life-the steps, prayer, meditation, everything. Jim __________________ "I used to be good for nothing. Now I do good for nothing." ~ Chuck C.

10-18-2009, 10:31 AM	#6 (permalink)
unbrokenchain Member Join Date: Sep 2009 Posts: 6	alas the beauty of Tolle, if we could only AWAKE NOW it doesn't take time. but we don't, we wish to continue in hiding How long shall this go on? as long as we wish. the answer. of course we know that too. I wish on this day we all wake up. Anthony demello and adyashanti are nice voices ......gristle for the mill

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