A New Earth, An Old Deception

Awakening to the Dangers of Eckhart Tolle's #1 Best Seller

By: Richard Abanes

Narrated by: Rich Reneau

Abanes has presented solid answers in his book to those confused by the proclamations of Eckhart Tolle by revealing and reassuring the Truth to Christian and non-Christians alike. This audio edition captures the essence of the message and feel of the book.©2008 Richard Abanes (P)2009 Casscom Media

Could listen to 2 chapters only

What disappointed you about A New Earth, An Old Deception?

The preview sounded interesting to me, reviewing info about Eckhart Tolle's life and how he came to write his New Earth book. Once I realized it was it was a proclaimed Christian writers put down of what he referred to as "New Age", I decided to listen to it anyway because I like to gather as much knowledge of religions as I can learn.
I love God and spiritual information as my chosen pursuit. Higher thinking and talk of souls are my favorite subjects.
The speaker had a nice voice that was easy for listening.
I became interested in the author's opinion and his thoughts about the Christian interpretation of Eckhart Tolle's book. It was my hurry that lead me to by the book without clearly examining the title that states an old deception. The sun was shining and I wanted to download a new book quickly to my Iphone so me and the dog could get out there into our day.
The theme of this writing quickly became semantics and a nit picking of every word written in New Earth. It was mean spirited and the narrator started to speak in an incredulous tone. I don’t read stuff like that, once it gets ugly I don’t want it in my head.
Iphone books speak into speaker right into my ears, I don’t do murder stories or hate of any kind. This is not what I call entertainment. We bring about what we think about.

To me, I believe you can take any message and pick it apart by over examination of the word by word until you lose the artistic quality of the work.
Obviously many people love this sort of talk, and need it to continue to prove that their teachers message of Christianity as interpreted in the King James Bible is the one and only truth available on the planet. Many people are attracted to disdain and violence is very popular.

Raised as a Christian in St Johns United Church of Christ in the 50's and 60's I learned to love Jesus and understood this to mean He showed us our potential. Knowing love and healing through the strength of faith. The Divine is with us at all times, forever, during and beyond our life on earth. Attending church is community coming together to affirm and reinforce this knowledge as we are of service to our brothers and sisters.
I have lived to hear the writers, speakers, and ministers state judgemental exclusions of groups of people. Anger and disapproval is the I feel. A witch hunt for perceived sinners. These folks tend not to be angry with me, I qualify as acceptable. I am a white, American, hedro-sexual, in a 30 + year man and woman marriage. I am not a republican, so that could be a problem. I have 3 grown children and 7 Grandchildren. I have a do gooder job plus my intention is a full 10% tithe. My big problem that disqualifies me as a loveable to an exclusive agenda is my all inclusive attitude. Also I embrace Transcendentalism and writers like Henry David Thoreau. The outdoors and being in nature speaks to me. Reading all spiritual text of the the world is a goal of mine, and I have explored many books considered Divine scripture. I take what I need and respect the rest as truth embraced by many other devote people who are seeking spiritual food and answers. God of my understanding is omnipresent and not likely to be screwing it all up. You may ask why is the world so screwed up then, that’s a question for your prayers.

Eckhart Tolle's book is not to be taken literally as a word by word diagram of exactly how life is to be lived or how people should feel. No book or teaching should be taken as the closed source of everything. We have brains to use and change is constant. Open at the top is a good plan. It's a book about the spiritual thoughts of this man. I do believe thought is evolving, surely we are learning and changing becoming our higher selves with the billions of thoughts we each experience every hour, every day.

Spiritual endeavors of more than only the people of the Bible are very important to me, and so many others. Closed systems with one way attitudes scare me.

Many people are be driving away from teacher’s statements about Christianity because of this nastiness. Many are attracted to it. I pray for peace and for us to love one another with a spirit of all inclusive respect. God as I know God is so much more than any human attempt to be petty, political or to devote themselves to finding fault in others.

Tried to like the book but couldn't listen to another second of it. It was ruining my dog walking experience on a beautiful day.

PEACE

Has A New Earth, An Old Deception turned you off from other books in this genre?

I want to listen to books by Christian writers but keep finding they are not speaking in a language that can accept. I hear Joel Osteen speaks in a loving way. References to death, crucifixion, and hell, wear me out.
But I will try Joel

How did the narrator detract from the book?

Nice voice, did a great job of expressing the nastiness syllable by syllable

You didn’t love this book... but did it have any redeeming qualities?

No

Any additional comments?

Followers of teachers who are searching for sinners who are telling declared lies will maybe like this book.

It was listed as a best seller.

I wish the creators of this work much love, acceptance, joy and prosperity.

Author Missed the Point

What would have made A New Earth, An Old Deception better?

If it didn't exist.

What could Richard Abanes have done to make this a more enjoyable book for you?

Eckhart Tolle is creating a New Understanding with his book "A New Earth". That is the point of the book. Richard Abanes clearly misses this and continues to reflect on Eckhart as the Message and not the messenger. But to speak directly to Richard about this I can only image him saying that I am just trying to be "right" about this. I am not trying to be right - but making a simple observation that I do not see the world working peacefully - and no religion including Christianity has been able to accomplish this. In many cases religions only seem to cause more separation, fear and hatred (judgement) toward others. I am not defending Eckhart - but only observing that his message is one of self observation to understand that peace comes from within all of us. And if we want New Earth, it is simply to SEE the world differently. In actuality, what we want to see is already presently here and now.

Richard Abanes is just another ego defending its position - trying to be right about Echkhart trying to give a message. I do not think Eckhart is trying to be right about anything, his is simply attempting to share his experiences and his insights on how we can find peace and make earth a better and NEW experience.

For this book to be more enjoyable, Richard Abanes would have to actually understand Eckhart's message. Which he clearly missed in his interpretation. Skip this book. It will only reinforce already destructive belief systems. If you want peaceful change, read A New Earth - it is about peace and life.

What character would you cut from A New Earth, An Old Deception?

The Author.

Any additional comments?

This book simply reinforces the same old belief systems that have gotten our world to the point where it is now. If you think the world is peaceful, read this book and enjoy it. If you want to actually change the world, it is best to skip this book.

Very Deceived By Title

I bought this audio book, not paying close attention to the author. I thought I was purchasing an Eckhart Tolle book, and was very upset when I listened to hear someone discounting the insights of the wise and enlightened teacher - Eckhart Tolle. The teachings of Tolle have changed my life. His teachings have helped me through some very difficult times. Richard Abanes is just not ready to receive and understand the meaning of Tolle's teachings. Don't be fooled as I was with the title. This book only tries to put down the teachings in a very conservative Christian tone.

Poorley written, poorly argued

Even the most devout Christian might find this book annoying. About a third of it is just confirming paragraphs from the bible, such as "Corinthians verse 13" without connecting those quotes with what Eckhard Toole says in his books...

Bottom line: if you're looking for an intelligent argument against Toole's views, you wont find it here.
If you want to find out again how the Bible is always right and the rest are always wrong, even when they agree with the Bible, try it on.
Half way through the book I was still looking for the main argument...
Toole never trashed Christianity, so it is not comprehensible why the author needs to fight him...

But if someone is so dogmatic why would he ever read Toole in the first place?

I cant believe this got published.

Eckhart Tolle gets my vote

What would have made A New Earth, An Old Deception better?

I was looking for a real argument that could potentially challenge and change my current Eckhart Tolle / Buddhist path. So, with all the ranting, fear mongering, and hatred toward Eckhart, I believe the author demonstrated an inability to persuade me. And he inadvertently only assured me that my current path was correct. So in answering the question "What would have made A New Earth, An Old Deception better?" , keep the title and change the author.

What could Richard Abanes have done to make this a more enjoyable book for you?

He should have meditated. Taking pointers from many Christians like "Teresa of Avila - Interior Castle". Then written the book in a mindful state without the rantings of a uncontrolled thinking mind spouting words born of greed, hatred and delusion.

How did the narrator detract from the book?

Richard's incessant reference to scripture and persistence in blindly following it, detracting from any real argument he could have made that could have persuaded me. Eckhart's message is clear and simple - I only wish he could have been the same - I was all ears, but it was annoying.

You didn’t love this book... but did it have any redeeming qualities?

Its only redeeming quality was that others who reviewed this, were equally disappointed. And that maybe less of this kind of idiocy will be published in the future.

Any additional comments?

It anyone can challenge Eckhart's message then great but be careful, you may find yourself doing yourself and those that follow you an injustice. People like Richard should rethink and then go a step further and stop thinking.

Deceptive Title

Very disappointed. I thought this was a book from Eckhart Tolle, but it was a book against his teaching.