Chapter 8 of “A New Earth†was a fascinating experience. Phrases like “This, too, will pass†and “Lose yourself to find yourself†resonated deep with in me. Things that have been a big part of my journey of recovery, and I’ll once again say, recovery of life, a life full of joy and free of the crutch of addictions.
Chapter 8 is all about “The Discovery of Inner Peaceâ€, a great term, and one I equate to serenity. To achieve inner peace or serenity, I had to lose the old “myself†and rediscover the good and the faith that was still within me. As temptations and old thinking arise, I have to remind myself that this too will pass, and a moment with my higher power in conscious contact has allowed many things to pass. I am allowed to find what Tolle calls “the joy of Beingâ€.
In reading Chapter 8, there were litmus tests as to whether you were really feeling and achieving inner space. I am grateful that in the new person I have become, I do, indeed have the blessing of “inner space†or serenity, and am truly grateful to the reconnect and constant contact with my higher power to allow me to find it.
And it is there for all who are prepared to fearlessly “lose themselves†and make positive discovery. But be warned, my experience tells me this doesn’t happen without willingness, some emotional turmoil, and fears! The journey is not easy.
Tolle talks much in Chapter8 about one of my pet words, “ACCEPTANCEâ€. We must accept how we, and the environment we find ourselves in right now, are as they really are. Nothing can change until we accept the reality of the moment.
In Chapter 8, Tolle talks directly about addictions. He makes many good observations, particularly in stating that addictions happen in complete unconsciousness, and awareness and acceptance of addictions are a part of recovery from them. As well, to recover, my experience is that I must consciously detach with the addiction. I am finding this to be true currently with smoking.
However, because I don’t think Tolle has lived a substance addiction, there is a dimension he doesn’t touch on. That is the special bond that helps those with addictions to have a “special†understanding of the fellow addict. I do agree with Tolle, even after a number of years recovered, I do find that sometimes my addiction still talks to me, and I have to detach from that voice and thought. That is not who I am today!
“A New Earth’ is a fascinating read. I can see how those who have not experienced a personal awakening can do so if they grasp and buy in to the philosophy. For myself, I believe that my “awakening†happened many years ago, and “A New Earth†has deepened my spirituality and exposed me to new thinking and clarity of some old thinking. It is bringing depth.
One very interesting concept Tolle talks to, I have found that being in touch with who I am, and my higher power, on many issues if I don’t act in a knee jerk fashion, I intuitively know the right answer for me without doing a poll. This, in itself, is a change.
I found much more of interest in Chapter 8, but don’t want to rewrite the book! Its fine how it is, complicated but interesting.
I know that as negatives arise, this too will pass, and that by accepting certain truths, and with time and much help, I lost myself to find myself and I truly like the person I found allot better than the one I lost!
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