new earth vs. christianity

I am sorry you feel like you have to choose. I think there is room for both. I know many don't agree and yet there are many that have read the book for themself, like you, and see that A New Earth allows them to enrich their own faith. If I needed to listen to another's opinion, I would first make sure they have read the book themself and not trust 2nd or 3rd hand sources to guide their opinions. Then, if they still believe religious beliefs and ideas in A New Earth are incompatible, at least you know you are each starting from a mutual point to explore together if you choose. Anything less is wasting everyone's time. This book is not meant for everyone. This book is simply ideas that have been found throughout the ages and compiled in a succinct manner for others to explore. It doesn't answer any question, only helps to direct us within so we may ask these questions of ourself. Anything beyond that is more about the person's perspective and agenda than the ideas themself.

That being said, if you would like a more in-depth discussion of these ideas, I would search the community for posts by Student 99. There is a search community button on the upper right side of the board. He is well versed in the ideas that Eckhart teaches as well as religion, particulary Christianity. He has made searching for his posts easy, by adding "ANE500" and "ANE1000" at the bottom of most of his posts. His posts are loving and supportive of all people, places, spaces and faiths, a true model of what this New Earth should represent.

I hope you find the peace you are seeking. I wish you well along the way.

I believe that the New Earth gives a better understanding of our place /position in the universe and how we can be free to accept the Holy Spirit and to allow Him/It to work in us for our betterment and for a more peaceful world.

As you deepen and stabilize your experience of presence you'll know how to fit your religion into it. You may find your thoughts about religious doctrine and dogma changing or even dropping away altogether, and simultaneously developing a greater insight into what Jesus was saying based on your own experience of your true essence and from that a deeper appreciation for Jesus. I don't feel you necessarily have to expain yourself to anyone else, but you should be able to see more clearly how your family remains tied to their belief system and that can foster a deepening compassion and understanding of them.

Imclancy; TRUST FROM within YOUR HEART..!

Let know one tell YOU how to Feel the Love From Within...

For that Love IS God....!

Rather It IS learned through Church, OR this Book or another.

YOU are the ONE who understands what is being said to YOU,

Rather the Church, a Book, Or a Song, Gives YOU the wisdom to know HOW to Find the Truth.

THE TRUTH IS ALL FROM WITHIN YOURSELF..!!!

For ME; I started with a church, and later found the "Godly from Within" Speaking to me. And that's what I trust..! For He does Speak to us ALL. Listen and Trust YOUR OWN INNER VOICE. For it is the Godly Within US ALL..!

LET THY SELF BE KNOWN.

TRUST AND YE SHALL RECIEVE.

SEEK AND YE SHALL FIND.

FOR THE GODLY WITHIN, IS WITHIN US ALL....!

KEEP SHARING THE LOVE....

SO OTHERS MAY LEARN TOO...

HopesB4u2

Romans 12:2 "Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is-his good, pleasing and perfect will."

A New Earth isn't about religion. It neither denies it, nor confirms it. The collective thought/label of Christian may be, however, shifted. I mean really, how many times does Jesus use the disclaimer.. 'those with ear, hear, and those with eyes, see'? He's speaking to those that are becoming aware... be transformed... that is precisely the message of the Gospels. New wineskins and all... and how do we do this? By being still. By a renewing of your mind.

The deep spiritual truth in the Bible is always present, has always been present. But for those with ears to hear, eyes to see... life looks like this:

Galatians 5:22-23 "But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law."

There are a few people in my church that know of centering prayer, which is a silent prayer... sitting in silence with God. And there are few others that intuitively 'get' this understanding of awareness as the being-ness/inner presence which is always connected to/with God. These are the people that I speak with about the book, and honestly, I want to talk about this book... but I've listened a bit more deeply than usual to how people speak about being Christians and the bible... and I have heard some serious ego... it's sounds like fear mixed in with superiority.

So for me... I haven't rushed into my thoughts.. I've sat with God silently.. for if I'm not 'right' in my understanding, God will most assuredly correct me.

Role of parent can become compulsive and ruins relationship with child. This section makes me wonder if Tolle has ever been a parent. Is he speaking from theory or practice?

The ego motivates itself to enhance itself and look after its self interest. This used to be called ambition. Is Oprah not one of the most ambitious women in the world?

Hi Imclancy,



I understand where you're coming from. I grew up in a very conservative church environment. When I moved away from the town I grew up in, I got to meet different people from all over the country, and in other countries. After talking and asking many questions; of politcs, religion/spirituality, and life in general, I soon realized some of the views/opions/ideas I had been brought-up to "believe" we not true. Or at least not as I was told. I was told from a young age how different people were, whether that be race, religion, nationality or something else. My eyes had been opened a bit to more possibilities and world views. That being said.....




When I heard about "ANE" I found it intriuging. After reading several chapters, and watching several webcasts, I actually wanted to go out and find a new church community here in my new home town. I found a church that was non-denominational, because that fit me. Not to say thats for everyone, just saying. I feel so much closer to God/ Jesus, now After implementing the techniques/ideas in "ANE".



Bless you and have fun on your Journey,

-Awake Nashville-

Good for you, awakenashv. Glad to hear that you realize the benefits of being open-minded.

Somehow your post reminded me of the early explorers. They too had to be open-minded and explore the unknown. Venture out. None of these early explorers fell off the face of the earth. They discovered A Whole New World! Yikes! That's what we are all discovering right now in 2008. A Whole New Earth.

redsocks77

As a parent and daughter, I will be happy to speak to this statement you made regarding people who identify with their roles, Georgedewf. Everyone has a purpose in the world to fulfill, whether that is as a parent, a certain job title, etc ... It is when they begin to identify completely with this role, when they see it as all that they are and feel that if they were to lose it their life would be ruined, then it becomes a problem. As an example, my own mother is a schoolteacher and has been for more than 25 years. She is so identified with this role, that she feels compelled to treat everyone as if they were her students. She believes it is her duty to tell people what they should do, and if she does not tell them to their face, she will often criticize their actions as though she had a right to do so. This leads to a lot of unhappiness for her, because she is so lost in her role as a teacher, she can be very judgmental or disagreeable when things do not turn out the way she feels that they should.Now, on your comment about Oprah's ambition. There is a difference when you are acting from a place of consciousness when trying to achieve a goal, and when you are doing everything in your power to get what you want, no matter who might get hurt in the process. Ambition in itself is not a bad thing. It is when you identify with your ambitions and allow your ego to control your actions, that it then becomes a problem. This is what Tolle meant when he wrote that sentence. For all of her ambition and her achievements, Oprah gives so much back to the community and the world, that it seems to me she truly is acting from a place of higher consciousness.

I have been a Christian for 25 years and I read ANE last month. I carefully took notice of each place where Tolle quotes from the Bible and mentions Jesus. There is no question that his book is not compatible with biblical Christianity. Jesus Christ was not pluralistic! With no uncertainty, He proclaimed that He was the only way to God and salvation. Tolle wants to show that Christ is one of many wonderful teachers, but Jesus wouldn't have been a wonderful teacher had he lied about the exclusivity of His Gospel. Jesus was God on earth (not each of us, as Tolle indicates), and would have soundly called readers away from Tolle and this book.

I have thought of the many ways in which to respond to your message bjohnson, and each time I had to smile (those who have read know exactly what I'm talking about :)) Eventually laughter ensued and now all I can say is Thank You.

The "vs." suggests an either/or situation ... that it's either ANE or Christianity. ANE isn't about beliefs. Believe whatever you want. It's about learning to go into the stillness that is inherent in everyone ... the stillness that quiets the mind and allows inner peace.

There shouldn't be the bible versus anything. Only God's way or Satan. The bible stands on it's merits and is the basis and is Essential to follow in Christianity. Anyone wanting to apply A New Earth or consider it, is a conscience and individual decision? I agree with some but not all of ANE, from what I understand, but that is because the bible takes precendence in my belief. I always question whether churches or denominations are Christian or not? The Bible standards and principles are there to use in order to check.

Peace

~Ruth

I can understand where you are coming from. In my early teens I started to lose my faith, but was brought back to it as I got a bit older. At the same time though, I started to become aware of other religions. I've read a bit about other religions, not too in depth, but enough to realize that they all are so very similar! Many are just a way of life, a way to feel closer to what I consider to be our God, our Lord. Other religions (Catholicism for example) are so strict and rigid that it almost doesn't even allow for spirituality to come through (for me anyway). I think that if you open your mind enough to be able to understand what religion is and what human beings use it for, you can make that connection between your religion, spirituality, and A New Earth. It's all along the same lines. As for your husbands family, they are humans, they have the same Life in them as you have in you. Accept that and move on. If they do not agree with your beliefs etc that's their problem, not yours. You do what you need to do. Take care of yourself, your life, and you'll feel closer to God than they will. Good luck!

I know it has been a long time since you posted this but I am glad someone had the strength of character and faith to stand up for the truth. ANE is just a new age book in disguise. I think Oprah can't decide to stand up for the truth of the Bible--all of it, not just the parts she likes, so she brings out books and authors like this one to make herself feel better. Too bad she has such a heavy influence over so many.