Book Review: Oprah's 2008 Book Club Pick A New Earth

Perhaps best known for his popular 2004 release, "The Power of Now", Eckhart Tolle has long provided a much-needed resource for spiritual knowledge and guidance within the world community. His teachings, literary work and audio ventures have gone on to sell millions in recent years. Oprah Winfrey and her book club may have something to do with that - or maybe it's the teachings themselves. We'll let you read his latest book, "A New Earth" and decide.

Eckhart Tolle's interpretation of society throughout the world is, at times, painted bleakly. While reading "A New Earth", the subject will find each chapter delving a bit further into the burden many feel in today's lackluster and morally bankrupt society. Eckhart continuously explains that one must be awake, a term used frequently throughout the book, to be able to see beyond these hard times and into a future filled with possibility and hope. In "A New Earth", Eckhart tackles the task of challenging each person to become aware of their surroundings and conscious of inner rumblings. This is done through a series of exercises and self-visualization techniques throughout the book. A great thing about these exercises is that if you mess up, you can do it over as many times as you like until you feel comfortable. Then, after that's complete, you can read on. Or, if you're not ready to confront these issues head-on, you can skip the exercises and go back to them later.

"A New Earth" captivates the reader because it speaks directly to issues that cut into the meat of society as a whole and not just one particular group of people. This book speaks to the lawyer who feels he has monetary value but no real personal value; the street artist who feels lost in the world but at home within his art; the educator who feels underpaid and underappreciated yet still has time to volunteer. Eckhart writes that the denominator in each of our circumstances is what makes us the same and is what will eventually foster self-love and acceptance for those around us and in our lives. More importantly, finding the inner strength, beauty and light within each person will eventually help us maintain a new way of thinking, imagining and dreaming. Being self-aware and conscious is what will provide all of us with a new Earth.

Another main topic in "A New Earth" is the need for each of us to take responsibility for our feelings, shortcomings, achievements and necessary losses. Eckhart encourages individual ownership over situations that seem out-of-control and without sense, arguing that everything in this world happens as it is meant to happen. Whether or not you believe in karma (also referred to as cause and effect), you will most likely take something positive away from reading "A New Earth". That in itself is recommendation enough to read this book. Besides the fact that it truly is a fantastic read.