The Power of Marketing the Now?

May 6, 2008 at 5:06 AM
8 comments

    I've been hearing a lot of about Eckhart Tolle in the news and media, and it got me to thinking about one of life's amusing little ironies. There is a huge market in spiritual books that discuss how to live in the present, put stress aside and focus on experiencing the Now. I think that there is a secret path to enlightenment here, but unfortunately, it's not being shared by the teachers. And that secret is that earning a little bit of money from transactions with a lot of people puts you in a better frame of mind. Want to experience the Power of Now? Earn enough that your next decision is completely your own. Be able to literally do whatever it is that you like.
    I don't mean that to come across as cynical, or at least only cynical about the fact that this "secret" isn't being shared by all of these teachers. Mr. Tolle, according to reports, comes across as quite serene. That serenity is the serenity of success. That's what it's like to not be worried about anything pertaining to finances, or obligations. Same with Oprah. Sure, she has many projects, and probably feels stress about making them successful. But she has the resources to make that happen.
    So, I'll play guru. GO FORTH AND MAKE SOME HONEST MONEY! Even the honesty has self-interest; who wants to get tied up in court? The Power of Now is realizing all the possibility NOW has to offer. There are a ton of things you can do right NOW. The key is finding the things to do in the NOW that expand the possibilities of what you can do NEXT.
    My little pep talk for everyone who stops by. Oh, and on the Law of Attraction: imagination is only step one. What you attract involves the ongoing conversation you have with others (see my prior post oh what constitutes a conversation).

8 comments

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NOW is actually all the time we have to act. We cannot act in the future and the past can't be changed. The "Power of Now" is to take an action that will propel us in the direction of our dreams. There is great spiritual peace and serenity that comes with doing something useful that helps in the long run.

Steve

Right on, Aaron! "The Power of Now is realizing all the possibility NOW has to offer. There are a ton of things you can do right NOW. The key is finding the things to do in the NOW that expand the possibilities of what you can do NEXT."

I often talk to my clients about possibilities ... some people have a very difficult time conceptualizing what is possible for them. For those, I suggest considering the possibility of a possibility and we work from there. Another KEY that is left out of a lot of messages on 'the secret' and 'the law of attraction' is: you have to actually put in some effort (action). You can sit and dream and imagine manifesting all you want but nothing will happen if you do not take a step toward it! Another prime example of baby steps to success.

Great post.

Sue Crutcher, Life Empowerment Mentor

Now is the only time we have to act, but isn't the only period of time that needs to be taken into account; seeing into the past and the future is a blessing, not a curse. Ruminating on failures and worrying about upcoming events are curses, but they are curses because they don't accomplish anything. I think what people should recognize about life is that change is constant, and the feelings that we have at the present will change, even if they are feelings of peace. A lot of what is sold to people is the idea that you just need the right state of mind, and that state of mind is feeling peaceful. I think peaceful feelings can be useful, but there are other emotional states to make use of as well.

I agree with the ideas that are being presented by many of these authors, I just don't think they tell the whole story. There is a material world that we currently need to deal with, and one of the best things we can do in the present is to improve the world around us, for ourselves and others.

Throw you're keys in the air. Catch them. That was Satori. Focus.

You are rattle the bars of the monkey's cage.

Tim

This is a great post! People get sucked in to the promises of modern gurus who spout "The Secret" type info without realizing that these folks make a lot of money and lead good lives --not because of harnessing some secret power in the universe -- but because they've harnessed the power of our wallets.

Not that there aren't some real truths being taught by authentic people....

Jennifer Skinner, Wardobe Planning Expert

Couldn't have said it better myself better. Most of these popular books focus on one (or a few steps) and rarely mention their theme is only *part of* a bigger picture.
Then again, you sell more books by implying you have that one secret to happiness that most humans are searching for...

Good point Jenn. Doesn't it all go down to getting that sense of belonging to a group? It seems like a way to offset our feelings of inadequacy.

But there's a fine balance between wearing what projects the image you want to portray and wearing what everyone else does (or arguably better clothing than everyone else).

Yann
Personal Development & Success Coach

Thank you for this great topic, Aaron. I agree with what Steve says!

All the best,

April Braswell
Romance Coach, Online Dating Coach

This reminds me of a saying that I try and keep in mind
"worry is a prepaid interest on a debt you may never owe"
Not sure who said it but it has always stuckwith me
Focus Your energy
Matthew Shields

The Power of Marketing the Now?

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