The Power of Now: A Guide for Spiritual Enlightenment

By: Eckhart Tolle

Why hello there….August. When it comes to mental well being there are many facets that are considered. Oftentimes, as therapists we look to the Wellness Model or the Wellness Wheel. When using this approach in counseling we consider many facets of life ranging from physical well-being, financial well-being, social-well being and so forth. This encourages exploration of mind, body and what we will discuss here: spirit. Also known as spiritual well-being. When entering counseling, it is a person’s choice to explore this in whichever way is comfortable. This can be from a religious standpoint or a broader spiritual perspective. We consider this area for a person to explore, to gain more understanding of a person’s worldview or world perspective. When someone is able to explore spirituality on a deeper level this encourages their efforts in exploring the meaning of life or even how they are able to understand the world. 

In Eckhart Tolle’s The Power of Now: A Guide for Spiritual Enlightenment, the author encourages the reader to gain more awareness of self by developing a deeper understanding of your WHY. What makes you tick? Digging to a deeper level of consciousness gives the opportunity to know self on a greater level and truly experience enlightenment in life. Sections of this book explore areas such as avoidance in life, experiencing presence (true presence), enlightened relationships and being at peace. When it comes to mental health counseling, these are all areas that will be explored in therapy. It is encouraged for each person to gain insight into self and fully deepen your understanding as your form of operation. Within the book, the idea of acceptance in understanding such as perception of something positive and something that is perceived as negative is a time for enlightened thought. For instance, when the perspective of something is negative doesn’t that give the opportunity for further learning? Inevitably turning into positive. The author asks, “ Do you truly know what is positive and what is negative?” What beautiful food for thought. 

-Jenna Kagarise, MA, NCC