A New Earth, an Old Deception: Awakening to the Dangers of Eckhart Tolle's #1 Bestseller

The best part about a book like this, is that it won’t move a spiritual teacher like Eckhart Tolle one way or another. Dogma of any kind is unhealthy and dangerous and at the very essence of what Tolle is pointing to about the mind and it’s grip on us. What Tolle is pointing to is at the heart of every religion and spiritual teaching. I wonder how much of this book is a religious rant and how much of it is a publicity stunt.

I was searching for the book A new earth by Eckhart Tolle & this book came up as a possibility. There most likely would not even be this guys book , had it not for Eckhart's book A new earth. My question is this, Why do you feel compelled to write something & publish this book after his was already written. The Bible is what it is already. Perceived by many on this earth according to their own perception of it's meaning & messages. Which result in ones own perception of the truth. Which is why there are so many religions. So it appears that you felt motivated by another reason.

My entire educational career, apart from my graduate studies, has been spent in Catholic run schools. I have gained much and very little. The teachings from an ancient book, also written by men, has done little to help me find inner peace. What I did gain was much psychological garbage (sin, guilt, doubt, fear). After reading "The Power of Now", one of Tolle's books, I feel more inner peace within myself than ever before. I felt a truth in the words, as others have also put it. People who have entrenched their entire life, career, and identity in something that later becomes questionable, will do anything to destroy what threatens their ego. Read this book; buy it. See how much wasted energy has gone into dismantling every sentence from the original text, just so you may see how people get attached to biblical references that have blinded people and caused so much death and destruction for centuries.

I really enjoyed reading this book. Obviously, the 5 star votes are from Christians and the 1 star votes are from New Age followers trying to sabotage the rating. This book's focus is on how Mr. Tolle has abused Biblical truths about Jesus Christ's work and person in a very twisted and muddled way to propagate his own flavor, and agenda of New Age teaching. It is filled with dozens of quotes from his books that are of serious concern. In his books he says that his teachings are compatible with Christianity. However, this well written book explains distinctly the many errors that Tolle makes with his "religious license" to interpret the Bible in any way that he pleases. I have read portions of a couple of Tolle's books and it is easy to see how in his murky vagueness that people might fall for this kind of feel good fluff that expects no moral accountability in these troubled times that we live in.

Richard Abanes has done a service not only to the church, but to those who have loved ones in danger of being deceived by the latest New Age lies. This book is a template for how Christian apologetics should be done as it not only defines the errors of Tolles philosophy, it gives the Gospel response to them. This is a systematic, easy to read refutation of yet another deception set alongside a clear presentation of Biblical truth and the Gospel. I commend it to pastors and lay people alike and a copy should be in every church library.

This book does an excellent job exposing the nonsense that is being espoused by Eckhart Tolle. It is nice when someone takes the time to stand up and point out when the emperor has no clothes. I can hear all the superstitious and pathetic Oprah fans who are hoping that this latest drivel will actually be the real answer to their problems. Sorry, this latest kook of the month has no more substance that all the other flash in the pan Oprah prophets (profits?) I appreciate Richard Abanes taking the time to weed through the baloney. His book has fulfilled a real purpose, and hopefully a few of Tolle's victims will put down their BonBon's long enough to read this revealing expose.

I am the author of this book. And I want all of you readers out there to know that this volume is NOT -- I repeat, NOT -- and attack on Eckhart Tolle (or Oprah Winfrey). On a personal level, I like Eckhart Tolle. As I even note in my book: "He often expresses himself using extraordinarily sincere and heartfelt arguments, poignant observations, and deeply personal anecdotes." I also state very plainly: "[I]t is my sincere belief that Tolle's motivation for teaching what he is teaching is heartfelt and, in his own way, loving -- i.e., he wants people living happier, more fulfilling lives, in full appreciation of how precious they are as individuals. And he also wishes that the world were a better place for everyone; a place with less violence, hatred, strife, anger, and pain. Most of his views, in fact, I must admit, are rooted in his desire to help people escape their suffering -- not only emotional but also physical." HOWEVER, this does not mean I agree with everything Tolle says, especially when it comes to how his views contradict my own personal experience of knowing "God." So in this world of civil discussion and exchange of ideas, I have offered a different perspective, which hopefully will help others understand why Tolle's views are incompatible with the God-centered spirituality found in the Bible. My goal was to share my heart, my faith, and yes, even some criticisms of Tolle -- but all in a way that would stimulate not only conversation, but also spiritual growth in ALL of us. This is not about attacking, or hating, or fearing, or ego. It is about forward spiritual progression for everyone through a mutual sharing of those things we hold most sacred and dear. Do I disagree with Tolle on a number of important issues? Yes. And this book simply expresses why I feel the way I do. And, more importantly, it points to what I believe -- indeed, what I "know" -- is a better way. Richard Abanes author, A New Earth, An Old Deception