A New Earth

Synopsis

Early chapters of the book give simple explanations and provide a foundation for further concepts and ideas. In "Chapter One: The Flowering of Human Consciousness", Tolle discusses the "inherent dysfunction in humanity" and proposes ways that readers may rise above it. According to Tolle, in the new consciousness one no longer derives one’s sense of identity from the "incessant stream of thinking" and its accompanying emotions but we would recognize ourselves as the space where thoughts and emotions happen. He then develops these concepts in chapters two, three, and four by offering his descriptions of the ego and its "vices." In the book, Tolle defines the term ego as an "illusory sense of self" based on one's memories and thoughts. To become free of the ego, he writes, is a "very small job": "All you need to do is be aware of your thoughts and emotions, as they happen".

In chapters five and six Tolle uses the phrase pain body to describe the human tendency to carry "an accumulation of old emotional pain". In chapters seven, eight, and nine: "Inner Space, Inner Purpose and Who You Truly Are", Tolle makes many distinctions: between "knowing yourself and knowing about yourself"; between the "Dreamer" and the "dream"; between the objects of consciousness and the space of consciousness; between outer space and inner space; and between outer purpose and inner purpose. Tolle asserts: "Be aware of your breathing as often as you are able, whenever you remember." These "conscious breaths" would do more for one's awakening than attending countless spiritual courses. In chapter ten, "A New Earth", Tolle gives his readers suggestions for implementation of his ideas in their personal life but cautions them by saying: "You are still an ordinary human. What is extraordinary is what comes through you into this world".

Reception

The American talk-show host Oprah Winfrey chose A New Earth for her book club in January 2008, and in March it was featured in a series of ten weekly webinars broadcast on her website. By March 23, 2008, the book had reached number one on the New York Times Best Seller list for "Paperback Advice". According to Barnes & Noble, the book became the fastest-selling title in the history of Oprah's Book Club, out of the 61 selections since the book club's inception in 1996. Within four weeks of the book club announcement 3.5 million copies had been shipped. By 2009, an estimated 5 million copies had been sold in North America. As of June 2025, the book had sold 15 million copies worldwide and was translated into 50 languages.

Some Christian readers have criticized the book, saying that it states that a person can control their own destiny rather than God necessarily doing so. In addition, a journalist for Success magazine wrote in August 2008 that some readers reported having a hard time understanding and incorporating Tolle's message into their lives.

The book was originally published in 2005 by the Dutton/Penguin Group. Its second printing was published in 2006 by Plume publishing. A third printing was published 2008 by the Penguin Group. A New Earth is also available as an unabridged audiobook read by the author.

References

References

1. Jones, Peter. (May 5, 2008). "The old error of 'A New Earth'". The Christian Science Monitor.
2. "Oprah's 110th Book Club Pick: A New Earth by Eckhart Tolle".
3. Oprah. (2025-01-07). "Eckhart Tolle: "A New Earth" {{!}} Oprah's Book Club".
4. Oprah. (2025-06-24). "Eckhart Tolle: "A New Earth" {{!}} Oprah's Book Club Bonus Episode".
5. Tolle, Eckhart. (2005). "A New Earth". Penguin Group.
6. Whetsell, Martha V.. (March 22, 2008). "A New Earth: Awakening to Your Life's Purpose.(Book review)". Journal of the New York State Nurses Association.
7. Tolle, Eckhart. (2016). "A new earth: awakening to your life's purpose". Penguin Books.
8. Tolle, Echart (2005) Penguin Group, ''A New Earth'', p. 27
9. Tolle, ''A New Earth'', p. 29
10. Tolle, Eckhart. (2016). "A new earth: awakening to your life's purpose". Penguin Books.
11. Tolle, Eckhart (2005) Penguin Group, ''A New Earth'', p. 140
12. Tolle, Eckhart. (2016). "A new earth: awakening to your life's purpose". Penguin Books.
13. [http://www.oprah.com/package/oprahsbookclub/anewearth/pkganewearthwebcast/20080130_obc_webcast_anewearth Oprah's Favorite Books] ''[[The Oprah Winfrey Show]]''
14. McKinley, Jesse. [https://www.nytimes.com/2008/03/23/fashion/23tolle.html "The Wisdom of the Ages, for Now Anyway"]. ''[[The New York Times]]''. March 23, 2008.
15. [http://www.oprah.com/article/oprahsbookclub/anewearth/pkganewearthwebcast/20080130_obc_webcast_marketing Are You Ready to be Awakened?] ''[[The Oprah Winfrey Show]]''. {{Archive url. link. (2008-07-28)
16. [https://www.usatoday.com/life/people/2008-03-02-oprah-tolle_N.htm Oprah brings Tolle's 'Earth' to the classroom] ''[[USA Today]]'', February 3, 2008. {{Archive url. link. (2008-03-09)
17. [http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,333550,00.html Oprah Winfrey Book Pick 'A New Earth' Shatters Records] {{Webarchive. link. (2012-10-21 , ''[[Associated Press]]'' via ''[[Fox News]]'', Thursday, February 28, 2008.)
18. MacQueen, Ken. (2009-10-22). "Eckhart Tolle vs. God".
19. Blaskovitch, Sarah. (August 1, 2008). "New awakening: controversial book continues to stoke interest". Success.