The Power of Now by Eckhart Tolle

Being
  • Being = "a state of," it is a verb
  • Being = I am = an experience = the present, the now

Obstacles of Being (= the mind)
  • The greatest obstacle of Being = identification of the mind
  • The mind is meant to protect You. It is in constant fear for your safety (psychological, mental, emotional, physical).
  • Through our unconscious identification with the mind, we give up the driver seat, and allow the mind to be in charge.

How to free yourself
  • How to free yourself = know that You are not the mind
  • How to do this? Watch the thinker. See that you are not the thinker, You are the observer.
  • What's the difference?
    • The thinker: ever-going voice. Often rehearsing, imagining, judging, etc.
    • The observer: The space in between the thoughts.
  • More on the thinker: Ever notice how that voice is usually your worst enemy? Generally negative & repetitive?
    • The thinking voice has been conditioned through your life and the collective consciousness. The voice is not pure. It is not, You.
  • Freeing yourself
    • Watch your thoughts. Don't judge them. Just watch them. Be curious "what do I think about?"…NEW DIMENSION ALERT.
    • Now there's the thinker and the observer. Do you realize the difference?
    • Now that you're awake, You can take the driver seat back from the mind.
  • Separating from the mind is the most important step on the journey of enlightenment.

Cravings, desires, etc. / Identity
  • You crave fulfillment.
  • When the mind is in control, it will seek out things to distract you from that craving.
  • Sex, money, accomplishments, work, food, etc. will temporarily appease that craving. But notice how you are always left craving more?
  • You will never be fulfilled with the identities of the outside world. (I am a doctor, I am rich, I am strong, etc.) This cycle will never end if you continue identifying and attaching to things.
  • Meet your higher Self, understand your true identity. "The secret of life is to die before you die and find that there is no death"

Pain body
  • Think of it as an invisible bucket, an invisible entity.
  • It has been collecting all the residual pain built up throughout your entire life.
  • It is a magnet, both internally and externally (negative energy is contagious).
  • Guess what it eats? More pain.
  • The pain body lives though feeding on life experiences that are on the same energy.
  • If you are unconscious, if you allow the pain body to take control, it will hunt out situations that create a “pain buffet.”
  • These  situations can look like projecting pain (antagonist) or seeking situations to receive pain (victim).
  • Don’t feed the pain body.
  • How?
    • Observe it
    • The pain body can only hurt you if you are identified with it.
    • If you observe it, you'll realize it's not You.
    • When this happens, You will shine through. (Darkness cannot exist in the light).