I started reading the Secret just last week I got only half through it (story of my life). Then I heard about A New Earth and the class and decided to get signed up. I got the same impression when I stared reading A New Earth. I would suggest to keep reading. Tolle is wanting you to be Awakened to your life purpose and until you GET IT do not worry about material things. I believe if you become Awakened your visions will come. These are just my thoughts. I would like to ask the question about the two books. Oprah said she got the Secret, that is why I got it just last week when they were talking about it on the show. I do not read much, but I feel like at this time in my life +I need something more+ and hope to find it here. I hope you continue to read it as I will. I would be interested in how you are doing with the Secret also!! marysstuff@wildblue.net.

Eckhart Tolle doesn't say that we can't, or shouldn't want, material possessions. His message is that we shouldn't define ourselves by our possessions. We are not our houses, clothes, cars, jobs, etc. It's okay to own and want nice things, just be aware that at any time these things can be taken away from us and as a result we won't become any less than we already were.

What he is saying is enjoy you are a creator of your life only understand it is not who you are but do create! its all illusion but have fun with the creation of it love and light Naida

I wonder if the two views are not as mutually exclusive as it might appear on the very surface, but instead, "thoughts become things" to quote Mike Dooley from his messages from the Universe (The Secret), and detaching from the material possesions are more harmonious and helping us both learn the complexities of being human, and, how we can have healthier thoughts around while living with and having possesions. Knowing that it's not a right or life's purpose that we obtain "things" but that they too are just tools for our journey. We can use our tools to learn and work on our life lessons. Maybe these types of tools ( money, houses etc.) that we dream or think about bringing to us, also help to reach and help other people too. Look at Oprah in her work as a humanitarian and Eckart Tolle in his work.. recall that he had enough cash to finish the book with his lottery ticket and received $1, 000.00 . He was able help us on our path with his books and teachings. He taught us that he was provided with enough cash when he ran out to finish his book . My guess is he focused on wanting enought to finish his book , which would bring forth a passion

It might is also true that we won't fully understand that the two perspectives are strongly linked until we can hold that they are not opposed ideas at all.

We are human and have basic needs to continue life, one of which is clear to most of us that love for and from our friends lovers, children and family; everything else has no real importance or permanence and acording to Eckart Tolle these are not as unconditional as I had idealized, but instead our relationships and love a very fragile in the human experience too. Having said that, it seems that if we are going to enjoy the mystery and magic of living in this universe then we also can utilize and explore the magic and possibilities as we grow learning our purpose/path in order that we might also more quickly recognize that we can create this and that , have this and that, but these are not so important, nor mutually exclusive, or good or bad, but just our created structures, or objects that are not permanent.. I believe that both ideas share the reality that we are learning how incredibly complex we are as spirit and humans. I am always trying to marry the two, but in my thoughts shared with you on this, I realize that I might not have to deny my gifts and pleasures, but can do whatever I want with them.. share them , enjoy them and know that they too will come and go and come and go and come and go... just as life seems to remind us. Maybe this was an excellent exercise for me to simply share my thoughts on computer:-) Always pondering! I am not sure that I am on the right track, but would love to hear others perspectives and thoughts

PS I have experienced that the universe fills many desires for which I ask at the pace and time that I truly will most benefit and not in the time frame I set .. this is another "thought" that speaks to the Secret and transcending the idea that material things will fulfill our desire for happiness...I don't think that these ideas are separate. It might be that we just have to understand the way we place the importance on material objects there or not are not making us happy. They don't make us sad either, unless you place too much importance on them .

I think they might be mutually exclusive. In the +Secret+ you put your thoughts are the things you want or need, and a good time they are material things. If you are feeling that you want and need _things,_ you are in the ego because it is the ego that wants and needs. And if you are to feel one with all, how can you justify having more than others. Shouldn't everyone have according to their needs? I'm not trying to sound like a communist, but I find it hard to see a few with so much and the rest with so little. Perhaps this is a way we create suffering to learn from, but does that mean the poor are unconscious and that's why they are suffering? Although I believe Tolle did say some of the happiest people were people in countries that had little. I am very taken with Tolle, but this has always been a sticking point with me. Perhaps going off and living in a hut is another ego trip, look at me how holy I am, but how about us striving for decent housing, health care, and education for all as basic rights. Also, wouldn't it be great to have schools that taught Tolle's message, it would make the change in consciousness come about more quickly. Namaste, Diana

Relax and let go, taking pressure off yourself on what you are suppose to be GETTING. You will get something on where you are suppose to be. Each of us is on our own Journey, all at different levels. Have a wonderful Journey.

I wish "The Secret" had talked a bit less about how to manifest what you want, and more on investigating WHY you want to manifest what you want. The "why" is so much more helpful in understanding self than "how"

When ever I am faced with a difficult situation in my life I use to ask, "Why is this happening to me?" In the back of my mind, it wasn't a question of WHY but a matter of HOW? The answers were always in the diagnosis of that one question. When I looked back to see exactly how the events unfolded that left me in that present state of my difficult moment, I could see that there was a pattern of thought along with my actions that led me there.

The secret and A new earth seem very in sync with me in that regard. Both titles suggest a HOW TO GUIDE, It is based on how not why. How to live in the moment. How we can focus on letting go of fears to be awakened to receive our gifts, which have always been with us! How we can be aware of those unconcious thoughts that manifested in a form of ego and most importantly how our lives are connected with the actions of right now, which impacts the energy we send out to the universe and that which comes back to us. It really isn't a question of why, is it?

Its ok to have your vision board and the "Secret" principles are correct. Do not take this book as seriously as you are because his concepts and explanations do not jive with the "Secret" and there lies the error in that book of the New Earth. I channel Lord God All That Is and we have discussed this book in length and He has helped me find all sorts of misunderstandings and misinterpretations that Eckhart Tolle has zero understanding of. His inner voice is the powerful speaker. I can tell when he is speaking and when his inner voice is speaking. Take the "Secret" principles to heart ie the Law of Attraction. Also since you are spiritual, your own Guide within you can guide you to the truth of My words. As far as the Awakening occurs, it happens naturally once you are ready. It is ok to have all those material things and to ask for them, Ego is not an evil energy that must be gotten rid of. It allows us to focus in this plane of existance. He is also negating the fact that this body is high maintenance and relies on the ego to assist in keeping this body in its most comfortable condition. Loosing attachments is a horrible state to be in. I have experienced this and I cannot stand having an arms length relationship to all those I am in contact with. They, my family, children and friends, whose love I cannot feel causes me to be detached to all things. We all need love and love is the binding energetic form that is creative and needed. You need your ego to survive whether it is a good ego or a bad ego, we all have a choice to make. It is unnecessary for you or anyone on this board to take this course as it may trigger so many variables that you are not ready for. Lord God is allowing all to take place for the sake of experience but I am warning you all, that it is harsh and lasts a long long time. I am still not completely awake but I am close to be. I am a Spiritual Advisor teacher of the Akashic Records who can access soul records of others and I know and hear Lord God's Voice and He is the one who is speaking on behalf of myself.

I think if the "things" that you are hoping to aquire are for "enjoyment/ enlightenment" and not moral superiority or ego there is no harm in hoping to improve yourself ( my understanding of what I read... perhaps mistaken?).
I myself am also perplexed by the complexity and depth of some of the thoughts in this book, and have found myself thinking a great deal about the logic behind some of what I have read and what seems to be a paradox in thought. The fact that I use the word "I" has me questioning even "my" motives for writing these thoughts and the actual meaning of "my words.

"WOW" perhaps I should simply smile... and try and "feel" my hands and feet:)

Great read... trying to work it all out.

I love my vision board, I just 'did' and not once considered if it was right or wrong, in allignment with what I read or heard thus far. I love the freedom of just going ahead without judging or measuring, or assessing. I am sure its the blind faith of going ahead and doing it anyways with what I felt compelled to put on it is 'right' for me.

I am enjoying what I have read so far, but did stall on page 17 because at first didn't understand what I had read, and needed to re-read it a few times, then discuss it with my bf (who shocked the pants off me with his perspective, I never knew he had an incling of what spirituality is or how it works).Okay the part is: In fact, the more you make your thoughts ( beliefs) into your identity, the more cut off you are from the spiritual dimension within yourself. I am pretty sure, that meant, that I am not my daily practices, or neither am I defined by my disciplines, routines or understandings of what 'truth' is. Similiar to the saying I read somewhere: Going to church does not 'make' you anymore a Christian, than parking in a garage makes you a car. Its the inner workings of who we really are as human beings made from God, as a collective spirit/soul, created from Love/Light, that is who we really are.Souls,divinity,beauty,love,light, not our outsides that would include our thoughts,routines,practices. However, any of those things can lead us the way to our soul connection, but they don't define who we are. Its like traveling somewhere, where you need a GPS, or map, gasoline for your car, air in your tires, oil,clothing and food, and money to get there, you need all those tools for any journey.

So I believe in putting material items on your vision board, you acknowledge the 'need' for necessary things to continue your journey in life. If a person wanted to go on a camping trip, that would cause writing a list of 'things to bring', and I believe in creating our vision board we acknowledge the importance and monumental significance of this sacred trip we are beginning within our souls, but it also honors the 'vehicle' God gave to us, because we cannot change that we are human, and we'll have hunger,needs, and wants. I almost think in creating a vision board, we can learn to tap into 'Universal Abundance' in a materialistic way to confirm/affirm to my simple, and sometimes cynical limiting mind, that perhaps it can also provide for me spiritually as well. Its like needing to see Jesus walk on water with my own eyes to actually believe. Sometimes, I need concrete evidence. So I can see why the vision board can be an incredible medium with which the Universe can demonstrate Grace and Love and Abundance.

I believe that is when we can become completely alligned, and in focus in a panoramic way. Our desires are fulfilled layer by layer til our core is reached and opened and shared.............thus freeing us. Freeing me.

Trina

'A New Earth' appears to completely deny the supposed power of the 'Secret'. I Feel that 'A New Earth' has a much stronger message than 'Secret'. Perhaps it is time that we should leave the 'Secret' behind, and listen to a new, stronger message.

Check this quote from Page.44: