I find it interesting, the religious backlash that I'm seeing online about the book, "A New Earth." At first I started to get upset, because that is usually my first reaction when any one religion thinks its version of salvation has cornered the market on spirituality. Then I realized that me being upset was just a disguise for my ego needing feeding. After all, how can there be something "wrong" with this book? I'm reading it aren't I? I'm so fabulous and wise and spiritual that I am able to judge those that judge me, right?! Pffft. Narcissist, much? As I examined this in myself, my anger and upset faded. And I realized that there was a "me" in my head, a witness if you will, that was talking to the "me" that that experienced upset. That witness is who I really am, the soul that experiences the body. And does the soul need to be right? Nope. But my ego sure does. I'm learning. I recommend the book to anyone who wants to read it... simply because it will do no harm. It might bore you... then put it down or leave it somewhere for someone else to find. It might fascinate you or you might feel like you've read it all before. It might help.
And I no longer feel angry, in fact I am heartened by the backlash. In it I hear the message that something is stirring through humanity. Whenever I have learned a significant lesson in my journey, the Universe immediately shows me multiple opportunities to express that lesson in my actions,thoughts, feelings. Usually I do not realize the opportunity until it has passed, but once and awhile it clicks before I act and in those moments I have found God in myself. I imagine it would be much the same on a larger scale, such as the earth. I wish the world (and I) could stop being so afraid of God and just allow the spark of God that is in every thing in the Universe just exist. Wouldn't that be nice? Maybe a new earth, even. Good night.
Must confess to not being a fan of Tolle and his ilk. But I realize I stand outside a vast, powerful happening movement in that.
P.S. -- commented on your comment, in context
"Wouldn't that be nice?" YES!
@ToReadYou - You made me realize a clarification. It did not upset me that some do not find the book to be true for them, that is as it should be. Nothing is completely universal (in my opinion) other than Love, so it would stand to reason that some philosophies may agitate people or leave them numb to it completely. It is when that disinterest is manifested with fear as though a different way of thinking is always a threat to another. Does that make sense? Cause I Love you and I don't care what you believe or not or whatever... and you don't scare me or make me want to avoid you because you or anyone feel differently about Spirit or God or nature or noodles than I do.
I wish I were as humble in this regard as you, Jenny. I am heartened to read this.
Well, they say that even bad publicity is good publicity so it is obviously (to me) happening for a reason...
I have purchased the book but haven't sunken into it yet. I wish I had purchased it before Oprah's online course so that I could have gone through it with them but again.....there is a reason.
I saw a bit of her talk show yesterday....not sure I am impressed...the one that impressed me today is the guy and I will try and find the title but it was about how the world needs to change and how America is on eot the few places with all of it's faults that can actually be an example...it talked about having a town square mentality and how no one but us has been able to integrate it into our society as well as anyone else...because for the most part most people are tolerant of each others beliefs...I will look on NPR as that was where I heard the author speak
Os Guinness: author of "The Case for Civility: Why America's Future Depends on It"
That 's who I heard today and it really fascinated me enough to want to get the book...they thing I foiund interesting is the title was supposed to be why our future depends on it...meaning the world not just America
Ren, re Oprah... you do not have to do it with them. I am working the workbook on my own and in my own way. I have only been able to watch two of the "classroom" broadcasts, but I can download them any time. The book is taking me longer than it would normally because I have so much going on right now with Ed and the girls... but in my time I will finish it. So will you.
I can't do it with them either; I am sharing the experience with someone at work - not at the same pace by any means and not the same experience by any means which makes it that much more interesting. I find the contraversy interesting but not surprising.
Your hairs look mahvelous (we have the same style now! YaY! let's be in high school!) and as for the reading, I've indulged in a memoir called "The Glass Castle" that makes my life look tame in comparison. I laughed. I cried.
Hey, even Hitler liked dogs. FOFLMAO!
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I Love You. And now that I'm closer (again) I'll come for a visit. Fer shure.
Well, I think you are right on.
i just started reading it too. no great revelations so far. just confirmation that this path i'm on is exactly where i need to be and is leading me in the right direction. i haven't paid any attention to the religious backlash. i expected it but i refuse to indulge in it.
"Narcissist, much?"
Yes, please
Hard to be a "disinterested spectator" to one's own anger but that is what it takes to smooth the way through life. Love this write. So on target. Just about anything that blends Christ or Buddha upsets a traditional and they will whine about it on every right wing radio station.
now see every comment I want to write starts with how RIGHT this is - so now I'm thinking about my own ego ... LOL. Thank you for walking us through the steps of your realization and experience of presence. This is a powerful post indeed.
I need to read this.
Breathe deeply, Steve
It is always good to stand up for what you believe in is what I believe.
My only thoughts on the religious/spiritual backlash of the book is that I wonder how things might be different if people paid as much attention to their own spirituality as they did to everyone else's.
Just an observation... I'm not, haven't, nor do I really plan to read the book, but just what I've gathered...
Came here by way of Tom. Love the blog... and love the way you have closed the post. If only we could stop and realize the strength of that one saprk within us!
I love this book and I am on the second reading and I am taking the course as well. Good stuff.
I love the hair, your dress and I'm so glad you all had fun and the girls are well (I'm reading "backwards" time-wise because I missed the beginning of the coffee house and so many things).
You know me: now I will HAVE to buy a copy of this and read it. I love religious controversy... whenever there is an uproar over a book, it usually means "the church" feels threatened. Is this a pattern with me? Is my advanced age turning me into Diogenes? Hmmm...
After all, how can there be something "wrong" with this book? I'm reading it aren't I? I'm so fabulous and wise and spiritual that I am able to judge those that judge me, right?! Pffft.
Comments (23)
Must confess to not being a fan of Tolle and his ilk. But I realize I stand outside a vast, powerful happening movement in that.
P.S. -- commented on your comment, in context
"Wouldn't that be nice?"
YES!
@ToReadYou - You made me realize a clarification. It did not upset me that some do not find the book to be true for them, that is as it should be. Nothing is completely universal (in my opinion) other than Love, so it would stand to reason that some philosophies may agitate people or leave them numb to it completely. It is when that disinterest is manifested with fear as though a different way of thinking is always a threat to another. Does that make sense? Cause I Love you and I don't care what you believe or not or whatever... and you don't scare me or make me want to avoid you because you or anyone feel differently about Spirit or God or nature or noodles than I do.
I wish I were as humble in this regard as you, Jenny. I am heartened to read this.
Well, they say that even bad publicity is good publicity so it is obviously (to me) happening for a reason...
I have purchased the book but haven't sunken into it yet. I wish I had purchased it before Oprah's online course so that I could have gone through it with them but again.....there is a reason.
I saw a bit of her talk show yesterday....not sure I am impressed...the one that impressed me today is the guy and I will try and find the title but it was about how the world needs to change and how America is on eot the few places with all of it's faults that can actually be an example...it talked about having a town square mentality and how no one but us has been able to integrate it into our society as well as anyone else...because for the most part most people are tolerant of each others beliefs...I will look on NPR as that was where I heard the author speak
Os Guinness: author of "The Case for Civility: Why America's Future Depends on It"
That 's who I heard today and it really fascinated me enough to want to get the book...they thing I foiund interesting is the title was supposed to be why our future depends on it...meaning the world not just America
@soul_survivor -
Ren, re Oprah... you do not have to do it with them. I am working the workbook on my own and in my own way. I have only been able to watch two of the "classroom" broadcasts, but I can download them any time. The book is taking me longer than it would normally because I have so much going on right now with Ed and the girls... but in my time I will finish it. So will you.
I can't do it with them either; I am sharing the experience with someone at work - not at the same pace by any means and not the same experience by any means which makes it that much more interesting. I find the contraversy interesting but not surprising.
Your hairs look mahvelous (we have the same style now! YaY! let's be in high school!) and as for the reading, I've indulged in a memoir called "The Glass Castle" that makes my life look tame in comparison. I laughed. I cried.
Hey, even Hitler liked dogs. FOFLMAO!
--------
I Love You. And now that I'm closer (again) I'll come for a visit. Fer shure.
Well, I think you are right on.
i just started reading it too. no great revelations so far. just confirmation that this path i'm on is exactly where i need to be and is leading me in the right direction. i haven't paid any attention to the religious backlash. i expected it but i refuse to indulge in it.
"Narcissist, much?"
Yes, please
Hard to be a "disinterested spectator" to one's own anger but that is what it takes to smooth the way through life. Love this write. So on target. Just about anything that blends Christ or Buddha upsets a traditional and they will whine about it on every right wing radio station.
now see every comment I want to write starts with how RIGHT this is - so now I'm thinking about my own ego ... LOL. Thank you for walking us through the steps of your realization and experience of presence. This is a powerful post indeed.
I need to read this.
Breathe deeply,
Steve
My only thoughts on the religious/spiritual backlash of the book is that I wonder how things might be different if people paid as much attention to their own spirituality as they did to everyone else's.
Just an observation... I'm not, haven't, nor do I really plan to read the book, but just what I've gathered...
Came here by way of Tom. Love the blog... and love the way you have closed the post. If only we could stop and realize the strength of that one saprk within us!
Kudos.
@ZSA_MD - Thank you so much... Namaste.
I love this book and I am on the second reading and I am taking the course as well. Good stuff.
I love the hair, your dress and I'm so glad you all had fun and the girls are well (I'm reading "backwards" time-wise because I missed the beginning of the coffee house and so many things).
You know me: now I will HAVE to buy a copy of this and read it.
I love religious controversy... whenever there is an uproar over a book, it usually means "the church" feels threatened. Is this a pattern with me? Is my advanced age turning me into Diogenes? Hmmm...