Are you ready to be awakened?

This is the question that Eckert Tolle ask s in his book "A NEW EARTH: AWAKENING TO YOUR LIFE'S PURPOSE". His goal is to he lp people bring about a shift in consciouness in order to lead a happier, more f ulfilled life. He does not try to add new information or beliefs to one's mind, nor to convince one of anything, but to simply reevaluate how one views the pres ent moment. He urges people to live in the "now", or present moment, as it is th e only moment that really exists. Tolle spends much of the book explaining the dsyfunction of the "normal" state of mind, which he explains is caused by the ego. The ego is basically the voice in your head. This is the voice that makes you have to have the newest fa cial cream, or be the first person to possess the new game boy. This is the madn ess that controls your life. This belief manifests in various cultures. In hindu ism it is called maya, the veil of delusion. According to Buddah, the mind in i t's normal state generates dukkha, which can be translated as suffering, unsatif actoriness, or just plain misery(pg.9). In Christain teachings, the state of nor mal humanity is that of "original sin". Although often misinterpreted, to sin me ans to miss the mark. In this case, to miss the point of existance. There is an inherited dysfunction in the unconscious mind caused by the ego that we need to become aware of. unless you know the basic mechanisms behind the ego, one will n ot be able to recognize it,and will be tricked into identifying with it again an d again. One begins giving themselves an identity at a very young age. Human bein gs tend to define, or identify, themselves with possesions and words. The word " I" embodies the greatest error and the deepest truth, depending on how it is use d(p.27). It is one of the most frequently used words in the English language, as well as the most misleading. The word "I" helps to create an illusionary sense of identity, which leads to a misperception of who you are. From the word "I" em erges possessive words such as "me," "my," and "mine." When a child learns these words he or she begins to identify him/herself with words and possesions. This is MY toy, MY blanket, My religion. One becomes attached to these things, as th ey become part of their identity. If one was told that a car was totaled, chanc es are they would not be upset. However, if one was told that their own car was totaled, it most likely evoke anger or sadness, as a part of thier identity was taken away. In reality the car has nothing to do with who you are, it only exist s in the ego's false misconception of self. The problem with this is that is doe s not work. The eho's satisfaction is short lived, so you will keep looking for more, buying more, consuming more. The ego lives through comparison, and we live in a culture that equates self worth with how much and what you have. If one ca nnot push through these unconscious thoughts and be aware that your ego is const antly comparing your possesions to others, you will spend your entire life chasi ng after things in hope of finding your sense of self and completion through pos sessions. One's attachment to things will diminish by itselfs once one no longer seeks to find his or herself in them (pg 62).