djconklin--

Ex. do's/don'ts
I attended a church one time when I was a fairly new Christian after being saved in another church that taught a very spiritual walk. The new church was called a "holiness" church. The doctrine of that particular church said women shouldn't wear slacks, shorts, bathing suits, etc. No makeup, jewelry or anything else that they considered worldly. I tried being obedient but over time I got really confused. They had vacation bible school in the summer and the little kids were not allowed to wear shorts. I got into that for awhile but it branched out to my children and then into my homelife and I became a very distressed soul torn between doing what they were telling me was the right and holy thing to do. There's an awful lot of division in doctrine in the kingdom and some of it very harmful to the psyche.

Consider this question...What does it mean to die to self?

djconklin

I believe Christ is speaking about a greater self than just the act of selfishness. What he is saying is that we are born with a self structure than cannot remain pure because it contains a sin nature. That is why he laid down his life...we were without hope. This true self we are talking about encompasses a whole lot more than the act of selfishness. It is my opinion that the self is more as Mr. Tolle describes it to be...a controlling entity that keeps us its slave because we do not recognize it for what it is.

I think the purpose of this book is to help bring us closer to God. To let go of the ego so we can get there faster.

I would like to respond to the comments/questions/concerns about dying to self. First let me admit that I have yet to read the book and am still deciding on whether or not I will participate. I am one who feels that Christ is Truth as it is written in the Bible. However, I like to be aware of what others are reading so that I am prepared to respond. This discussion of self I find to be very interesting because it is what has drawn my interest to the book. Many of us who study and ingest the Bible as spiritual food view "man" as a tripartite figure being made up of body (physical), soul (mind/consciousness/ego) and spirit (eternal). God's original intention in creating us was to contain Him who is eternal and become one with Him. However, a different choice was made (by ego) and a separation was made (sin) but the avenue for being with one with Him remained (that is our spirit) although in a deadened state. When we believe and accept Christ as our savior we are regenerated and the separation is mended allowing the Holy Spirit (who is Christ who is also the Father) to enter into our spirit, which is the eternal part of ourself for receiving God. At the same time we make a decision now to live according to the Spirit (Father/Son/Spirit) in our spirit rather than according to our self. That is the denial of self or dying to self. So, if we allow ourselves now to be led by the Spirit in our spirit we would make different decisions. It does not become a choice of right or wrong but a choice of self or Christ. Yes this is easier said than done but that is why we saturate ourselves with His Word, to know him and who He is. It is also through prayer and acknowledgement that we cannot do this without Him. In essence, we give up our control and give it to Him. Often this means doing things differently than before and living differently than before. As our appetite for Him increases we find that our taste for our "soulish" life decreases. As we pray for Him to fill our spirit we are drawn more to Him and His will for us. Our hope eventually is that His Spirit would expand in our spirit to take over our soul life so that we are living according to and in Him in oneness. Sorry for just "barging" in on the conversation but I felt compelled to respond. Peace.

YAY!!!

Well said 3.376!

I'm so glad to see so many thoughtful and well rounded Christians!

I'm getting pretty annoyed at the Bible thumpers (valor, John, Mommy, etc) who seem to hijack every possible conversation, start endless new threads and basically make themselves so annoying that it stops anyone but them from talking. They haven't even read the book!

So ridiculous. People like them make Christianity seem bigoted, and it's obviously not if you read what Jesus actually said.

I call myself Christian and this is one of many books I have read........ If you don't want to read it don't but please let us who want to ... read it and not bicker over others fears, of whom who haven't even read the book... but fear.... sad so sad..... the book is more right than you know!!!

I am a Christian who, during my 20's started questioning my belief. As a result, I did something that I was discouraged from doing by many other Christians - study other belief systems, understand what they believe and why. After that journey and more serious study of the Bible for myself, my faith in the God of Isreal and his Son Jesus Christ is stronger than ever. I did learn some things from the other belief systems that help me to live out my Christian life - but my foundation is sure and I am not afraid of it ever being eroding by reading other view points. My relationship with Christ is more vibrant after having visited other systems and a study of God's word through the power of His Holy Spirit. I say all that to say this, if a person is truly a Christian, nothing can seperate you from the true God and the saving grace of his son. As Christians, there are many things we do not know about God, His Word, and at times, even His Will. Oh but if we are persistent in Him, we will understand. We do not lose faith because we do not have all the answers but we do have faith; i.e. sure in what we hope for and confident in what we do not see. This is what the ancients were commended for. Remember Abel, Enoch, Noah, Abraham, Job, the Hebrew boys, Samuel, David, Daniel, Nehemiah, Elijah, Elisha, Rahab, Esther, Deborah, Paul, Timothy, . . . Martin Luther King, Jr., Rosa Parks, and so many, many others. As a Christian, be sure of what you believe. Don't just rely on what your pastor/teacher/bishop/priest/etc. have told you. Prayfully search the scripture for yourself in the power of the Holy Spirit. If you are sure of your faith, read whatever God leads you to read. . . and he'll protect your mind. "For God hath not given us the spirit of fear, but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind. -2 Timothy 1:5-7, KJV" And remember what Jesus said, "My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me. I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; no one can snatch them out of my hand. My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all[a]; no one can snatch them out of my Father's hand. John 10:27-29"

Have just started reading ,and all ready I like what is bieng said,I'm a christian also,and find nothing wrong with the book.Hope by the time I'm done I see and experiance much happyness to come.This world needs a rude awakening.

First I want to say I LOVE this book. Many, including Oprah (I think) see ANE as going along with the bible's teachings. But - I have 1 major major question though. The churches I've been to (&Christians) state that one must accept Jesus (& only Jesus) into their lives as they're savior to get into heaven when you die & also that you need to worship God/Jesus. BUT - ANE states that heaven is already within us - not JUST a place where we go when we die - & basically that the concept of worshiping Jesus & believing he is the only way to heaven is basically false. I get a very strong feeling from ANE & other books that what they are teaching is that we need to learn what Jesus (& Budda, etc) are teaching (which are the concepts in ANE & Secret...) & NOT necessarily just worship him. 2 very very different views/concepts. Anyone else think of this as well? Lisa

This books has made the words of Jesus come alive for me. I am reading Marcus Borg's book The Heart of Christianity. Amazing how they fit so well together. A true of awakening of the Holy Spirit for me.

Asking the question "Are you a Christian or believe Eckhart Tolle" is, imho, like asking "Do you walk to school or carry a lunch?"

Not having been raised Christian and only knowing what I have learned on my own about Christianity, I really don't get what all the fuss is about.

Be. Be here now. Be at one with all. Be present. I don't see how that is "against" any Christian thought.

What I "get" when I read Tolle is a deep sense of peace and acceptance, comfort and contentment. I love the references to the Bible and Jesus and have understood better what I have read about Christianity.

pizza70 - Do not be deceived by those who say Jesus is only a teacher or prophet. There is no other philosopher, teacher or "prophet" who has claimed to be God other than Jesus the Christ. There is no other way to God, or to live in God, with God, but through God who is Jesus. Why not accept the way that the God provides...why look for "other ways"? It's really not that complicated because all He asks is that you believe, take Him as your life and live according to His Spirit living in you. Of course this means, stepping away from your "self". As for not going to heaven, I will agree that no where in the Bible does it specifically say we are going to heaven. When we die our spirit goes to a waiting place called the Hades (not to be confused with Hell or Torment), this is a place of that consists of both peace or separate from God, but this is not heaven. Where you end up has to do with your relationship with Him while you are here. "Going to heaven when you die" is just a common misunderstanding which I believe is based on the fact that the Creator abides in the third heavens and in addition to the scriptures (in John 14) that talks about Christ going (away) to prepare a place that we can be with him. Then He goes on to say that He is going so that He can come. This sounds a little confusing but you have to keep reading. When Christ told the disciples that He was going away to prepare a place for them to abide He was talking about Himself as the Spirit to live with Him in the Father (which are all one). His becoming Spirit enabled Him to then come back to us and live in our spirits. When we become believers we take Christ as our life and abide in Him, in spirit, as He also abides (lives) in us. Therefore when he says "in my Father's house are many abodes" he is talking about all the believers that co-abide with Him, therefore there are many "abodes" (or believers) in the Fathers house because we are all houses for God...see, it's a spiritual thing not a physical thing. After Christ comes back, the book of Revelation says that the New Jerusalem (which is a reference to heaven) will come down and that there will be a new heaven and new earth. What this is, we don't know but, you can begin to experience the kingdom life (heavenly life) in your spirit now, then some great day those who have accepted Christ as the way will experience it in reality for eternity. Peace

Now this is my AHA moment. Finally someone with the strength and faith to speak the truth without any dilution or doublespeak! The first sentence of this post is all I needed to read. Everyone can say and think what they choose to because of free will, but that won't necessarily them right. God came to us in the flesh as Jesus to show himself to us so we could KNOW that He is there! This occurred over two thousand years ago and many of those who saw God in the flesh didn't believe in Him. My faith in God is not based on feeling, it is based on fact. My God is alive and His spirit is given to those who choose to believe. We cannot as humans overcome this earth ourselves because we are of the flesh. We are spiritual beings bound up in the material world. We are created, loved, and purchased by God to be His children with all that this implies. And before any of you critics try to silence me, let me say that I have experienced the greatest hell on earth when my beautiful fourteen year-old daughter was killed while walking hand in hand with her best friend six years ago. I could not, and would not want to exist without the knowledge that she is with God and that I will be with her when my time is through. I make it through each day with only that thought. I had no choice in what life dealt me, but I do have FAITH. Some days it burns bright, and other times it is barely a shadow in the back of my mind, but in my very heart and soul I know God won't break His promise to us. We will be delivered through Jesus Christ our Lord. Yes, my philosophical friends, this is the only way. Peace to you all, and "love one another."

Well Said--Thank you,

I can understand you are frustrated. As people make adjustments to others "ideas, beliefs, thoughts, spiritual life", may our hearts stretch out to love. You say Tolle's book isn't about religion ~ indeed it has much to do about religion. He quotes much scripture and a quick glance at Tolle's notes shows how much. Tolle quotes Jesus and gives his thoughts on what Christ said. Many times to affirm his own statements. Take time to review how many pages Tolle focuses on religion. Tolle takes a very negative stand on religion (p. 17) Tolle talks about his perspective on Heaven (p. 23) Tolle shares his thoughts about "the source, conciousness = spirit, light, truth, grace, Presence, eternity, ...." this list goes on. This book is very much about GOD! Tolle even calls it "spiritual". If we are to talk about this book and the thoughts the book presents, lets do it recognizing all it says.