Chuck Norris

First and Foremost, before I get started, let me thank you for your over-the-top support for our troops in Iraq. You are a patriot!  

This is obviously a delicate and emotional subject. Its one thing to banter politics and quite another to criticize someone’s religion. So before I continue, let me get my alibis out of the way. Nothing I say is personal and the last thing I want to do is attack someone's faith. 

Please don’t let the name “INTHENOW” mislead you to any foregone stereotypical conclusion about me, or my political stance. I have 22 years of military service and probably like you, consider myself a patriot and traditionalist in most respects. In my 51 years of life, I’ve learned that the truth is usually hidden somewhere in the middle between black and white, right and left, etc. On most issues, I try to keep an open but critical mind in search of the perfect shade of grey. However like most folks, I’m not without my absolutes that guide me through life.  

I assume you’ve read both “The Power of Now” and “A New Earth” and are not just relying on critiques as your source. I listened to the audio version of the former last year, after my staunchly conservative friend of 35 years insisted on it. And I’ve just started the latter…which so far seems to be a rehash of The Power of Now. I would’ve gladly joined the Tolle discussion, but I live in Italy with a 256kbps connection…not an option for me.

I spent some hours at the Oprah website blogging with others about the book. What amazed me the most, was the sheer number of people who came away with such diverse interpretations after reading the same chapters. I began to wonder if there was more than one version in print. However, there seemed to be two underlying themes to the plethora of posts; total rejection or complete acceptance. I fall in neither category and we know where you stand.

From what I read, Tolle’s not advocating that his text is religious. In fact he makes it a point to define religion and spiritualism as two different concepts. He further goes on to say, “This book’s main purpose is not to add new information or beliefs to your mind or try to convince you of anything, but to bring about a shift in consciences, that is to say, to awaken.” He reiterates this theme throughout the book. It’s not about finding or redefining your faith...it’s about seeing it from a completely different perspective.

You said: “The fact is Tolle's "A New Earth" is being adopted and transformed into Oprah's new Easter”

I’m not sure what you mean. I think you’re inferring that Tolle and Oprah are somehow scheming to replace traditional Easter with something else. Maybe I’m gullible, but I think their efforts are motivated by a sincere desire to help others. You might disagree about the value of the content they’re espousing, but to infer a left oriented hidden agenda to replace Easter is, I think a bit much. However, I’ll assume you’re exaggerating to make a point that I’m missing.

You said: “Like most self-help spiritual texts of this type, it is a blend of half-truths and half-fabrications One easily could save the purchase price of "A New Earth" -- and subsequently avoid its misleading remarks -- by reading the Bible, which gives a much more thorough and accurate picture of life's purpose and the methods for overcoming its obstacles.”.

This is unnecessary and detracts from your article. It’s completely subjective and without supporting reference…including the Star and C.S. Lewis. What makes you qualified to make such a sweeping statement without supporting proof? Misleading to whom? In what way? These are the kind of subjective unsubstantiated statements the opposition seeks to discredit you with. I could just as well say the Koran is crap, or point to a particular version of the old or new testament, and proclaim this one “gives a much more thorough and accurate picture of life's purpose and the methods for overcoming its obstacles.” These kind of unsupported remarks have already misled those on this board who have not read the book. No doubt you could open the bible and point to a reference that supports your stated belief and discredits any others…beware false prophets. Again, totally subjective based on your religious perspective and interpretations. “This is the only path to the one true god.”

Your premise (besides trying to discredit the book) appears to be that the true religion is “hard” to come by…you have to “work” at it…it’s not “easy”. And if it comes easy, it must somehow be cheap or false. Tolle would agree with you. He cites more than one example of people becoming enlighten, awakened, conscious (use whatever term you want) after extreme pain and suffering. Only when they hit bottom, did their perspective change.

You also note that Tolle mentions many works of theological and spiritual literature and quotes prophets from across the religious spectrum. All true. But what you’re failing to tell your readers is why. What he does is highlight the parallels and underlying connecting themes of most religious teachings. This is nothing new. Theologists have been studying this for a long time. How do you think he supports his assertions…he uses references…someone’s already done the work. His point is that typically religions divide us; they tend to give us all or nothing choices…my way or the highway.  

.Tolle doesn’t deny that Jesus is the son of god…or that he isn’t. He doesn’t dispute Mohamed or espouse Buddha. He advises that if you’re already at peace with whatever religion you practice, then look no further…put down the book a go in peace.

You do yourself and your readers an injustice by telling them not to read the book. I hope they’re wise enough to read it and make their own decision.       

I’ve read the Bible and listen to the Power of Now. I don’t ascribe to everything in either book…but I’m a better man for listening to both.