September 2025 Newsletter Update
Introduction
Many of us spend our time either trapped in a regret-filled past or anxious about a future we want to control.
The Power of Now spiritual guide Eckhart Tolle provides you with several methods for directing the relationships of your past, present, and future.
At the heart of Tolle’s practice is living in the present moment as a way to avoid most of the pain. His book focuses on the connection between the mind and suffering. He shows the self-destructive ways in which we use our minds.
The Power of Now has helped millions of people to improve their lives.
Chapter 1: Improve Your Life
Do you know the steps to improve your life?Well, the first step may be easier than you imagine.
Do you tend to live in the past or in the future? Are you living with regret or worry? Do you neglect the present moment? Only the present. Nothing ever occurs in the past or future. Things happen only in a continuous stream of present moments.
Whenever you feel something, experience it in the present. There are no advantages to worrying about the future or dwelling in the past.
Thus, you’ll experience no major problems, only small ones to deal with as they arise.
Live in the present! Stop fearing the future.
Chapter 2: Part of You Needs Pain to Survive
What if you manage to live in the present? You have no worry about the past or future. What happens when you then experience pain? If pain is felt in the present moment, how can you deal with both physical and emotional suffering?
Pain is self-created inner resistance to external things. You have no control over them. Your pain manifests itself on an emotional level as a negative feeling.
Another aspect of self-created pain is the “pain-body,” a part of the self that needs you to feel pain so it can survive.
Since the pain-body is composed of your painful experiences. It grows and strengthens whenever you experience pain.
This cycle can continue until the pain becomes an essential part of you. You have fully identified with your pain-body.
For example, when something annoys you, you feel yourself getting angry. Your pain-body has taken control.
The good news is that because it’s self-created, you can do something about it. Find out how in the next chapter.
Chapter 3: Ego
Have you ever wondered why some people seem to sabotage themselves? Why are so many people unhappy?
Your ego mind controls your thoughts and behavior without you noticing.
Do you know the extent to which your ego controls your life?
Your ego depends on your misery for its continued existence. It obstructs happiness at every turn.
Some people sabotage their own happiness. They decide to stay in destructive and painful relationships.
The ego leads you into conflict with others. It makes you unhappy with your current situation. It can then gain control over your behavior and thinking.
For example, whenever two or more egos come together, drama ensues. This is seen in offices and households.
You may find yourself suddenly in a fiery debate over a minor issue. For instance, whose turn is it to clean the kitchen?
If you allow your ego to control, it will bring you much suffering.
Chapter 4: Focus on the Body
Separate yourself from your mind and pay attention to your body.
The mind handles pain.
It produces pain by continually bringing up memories of the past or by planning for the future. Thus, it prevents you from living in the present.
You constantly worry about things you’re unable to change. That leads to pain.
Start shifting your focus from the mind to the body.
Your body knows what’s best for you. Listen to your body. You will get what is important in your life.
Nobody has ever found insight while concentrating on the mind and ignoring the body.
A vivid illustration is seen in the Buddha’s six-year abstinence.
He did this to separate himself from his body. Did he feel more peace? No!
He gave up these practices. Then he felt at one with his body once more.
Chapter 5: Free Yourself from Pain
Before you realized your mind creates pain. It interferes with living in the present.
How do you detach from your mind? Become fully conscious of it.
One way is observing the mind. This creates a gap in the flow of thinking. Notice how much the continuous flow of your mind occupies you.
This is a primary tool for interrupting your mind and thus separating from it.
A second method is to observe your mind without judging. Judging is an act of the mind. Thus, you are back to using your mind again.
If in the middle of your work you feel like running, follow that impulse. Go outside and run.
You may hear an inner nagging voice. “Right now, you should be working rather than wasting time!”
Rather than judging that voice, smile, and accept it.
You’re learning to notice your mind without following it.
Chapter 6: State of Permanent Alertness
Another mind technique is active waiting. All your attention is focused on the now moment.
With active waiting, there’s no time for daydreaming, planning, or remembering. These distract you from the present.
For example, while taking an exam, you waste no time worrying about the results. You remain fully present and pay close attention to the exam.
Entering a state of active waiting shortly before and during the exam can help you.
You also pay attention to your body. It has to be ready for anything to occur. This focus on the body is crucial to living in the present.
Many spiritual teachers recommend this state of waiting to their pupils. They believed it led to a good life.
Chapter 7: Improve Relationships
After following the steps previous chapters, you’re now able to live in the present. You are no longer completely dependent on your mind.
How will that change your daily routines? For example, your relationships?
It’s difficult for a “regular” person to share their life with someone who lives fully in the present. The ego of the non-present person feeds on problems.
The person who is present, calm and at peace is experienced as a threat.
The non-present person’s ego reacts by creating further problems. They may insult, disrupt the peace, or continually refer to past incidents.
Why would they do that?
Darkness cannot survive near the light. It is difficult for a person still controlled by the ego to be near a person living in the present.
Strong opposites cannot exist in proximity. If you place a candle in the darkness, the darkness disappears. If you put water on fire, the flame extinguishes.
Yet, living in the present can greatly improve your relationships. Instead, you can see them as independent people.
The inner peace being present enables you to hear your partner without judging.
If you live in the present, then living with you can be difficult for your partner.
It can become a new test of your relationship. In the long run, however, it can offer a great opportunity for positive change.
Even if you live fully in the present, some feelings of sadness and pain are unavoidable.
Chapter 8: Surrendering to the Present
Most pain is self-created. There is also pain inflicted by those still controlled by their destructive mind.
So, what can be done?
With traumatic pain, you can accept it.
For example, if someone dies, you feel sad. When you accept that this can’t be changed, you avoid suffering. Thus, you stop wishing it were different.
By being present, you avoid most of the pain in your life.
Furthermore, your inner strength assists you with the painful facts of life.
Chapter 9: Accepting the Present
Living in the present is an inner process of feeling and insight. If you are stuck in the mud, you choose to free yourself.
Living in the present provides you with new ways to solve problems. You solve problems, one by one. This is more manageable.
Live in and focus on the present. Keep the past and future in their place.
You have the strength to change things for the better.
Conclusion: Key Messages
1. Live in the present. Separate yourself from the overthinking mind. This improves your life.
2. A part of you needs pain to survive. This creates most of the pain you experience.
3. The “ego” is a part of your mind that stops you from being happy.
4. If you want a richer and almost painless life, separate yourself from your mind. Focus on your body.
5. Observing the mind without judgment is the best way to separate from it. This frees you from pain.
6. Practice a state of permanent alertness.
7. Living in the present may be difficult for your partner. Yet, it can improve your relationship.
8. Some pain is unavoidable. Surrendering to the present never means ignoring sad or hurtful feelings.
9. Surrendering to the present never means living a passive life.
Suggested Reading: The Art of Communicating by Thich Nhat Hanh
The Art of Communicating offers valuable insight. You can become a more effective communicator by practicing mindfulness.
Drawing on Buddhist wisdom, it outlines ways you can become a respectful listener and express yourself well. This improves your relationships with your loved ones.
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