{{Short description|2005 self-help book by Eckhart Tolle}} {{Infobox book | name = A New Earth: Awakening to Your Life's Purpose | image = A New Earth by Eckhart Tolle.png | caption = First edition (US) | author = Eckhart Tolle | genre = Spirituality, Psychology | publisher = Viking Press (UK)<br>Dutton (US) | pub_date = 2005 | media_type = Print, Audiobook | pages = 336 | isbn = 0-452-28996-3 | oclc = 191751630 | preceded_by = | followed_by = }}
'''''A New Earth: Awakening to Your Life's Purpose''''' is a 2005 self-help book by Eckhart Tolle. In 2008 it was selected for Oprah's Book Club and featured in a series of 10 weekly webinars with Tolle and Oprah Winfrey.<ref name="CS Monitor">{{cite news | url=https://www.csmonitor.com/Commentary/Opinion/2008/0505/p09s01-coop.html | title=The old error of 'A New Earth' | newspaper=The Christian Science Monitor | date=May 5, 2008 | access-date=August 4, 2013 | author=Jones, Peter}}</ref> It has since become the only book to be selected twice in the book club's history, as it was also selected in January 2025.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Oprah's 110th Book Club Pick: A New Earth by Eckhart Tolle |url=https://www.oprah.com/oprahsbookclub/oprahs-110th-book-club-pick-a-new-earth-by-eckhart-tolle |website=oprah.com}}</ref><ref>{{Cite AV media |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EFyMXM398YI&t=163s |title=Eckhart Tolle: "A New Earth" {{!}} Oprah's Book Club |date=2025-01-07 |last=Oprah |access-date=2025-05-15 |via=YouTube}}</ref> As of June 2025, the book has sold 15 million copies worldwide and has been translated into 50 languages.<ref name=":0">{{Cite AV media |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jf8PhnEib5k |title=Eckhart Tolle: "A New Earth" {{!}} Oprah's Book Club Bonus Episode |date=2025-06-24 |last=Oprah |access-date=2025-06-27 |via=YouTube}}</ref>
An article in ''Success'' magazine describes ''A New Earth'' as a "self-improvement book" that encourages its readers to live their lives in each present moment and to create happiness for themselves without emphasizing material possessions.<ref name="Success"/> Tolle's intent is to change the way human beings think, and he envisions a world population that is increasingly humble, enlightened, and pure.<ref name="Success"/> According to Tolle, the book's purpose "is not to add new information or beliefs to your mind or to try to convince you of anything, but to bring about a shift in consciousness".<ref>{{cite book | title=A New Earth | publisher=Penguin Group | author=Tolle, Eckhart | year=2005 | pages=6–7}}</ref>
In the book, Tolle asserts that everyone can find "the freedom and joy of life" if they live in the present moment.<ref name="Whetsell">{{cite web|url=http://www.nysna.org/images/pdfs/communications/journal/spg_smr08.pdf |title=A New Earth: Awakening to Your Life's Purpose.(Book review) |publisher=Journal of the New York State Nurses Association |date=March 22, 2008 |access-date=August 4, 2013 |author=Whetsell, Martha V. |url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101127180223/http://nysna.org/images/pdfs/communications/journal/spg_smr08.pdf |archive-date=November 27, 2010 }}</ref> The book describes human dysfunction, selfishness, anxiety, and the inhumanity we inflict on each other, as well as mankind's failed attempts to find life meaning and purpose through material possessions and unhealthy relationships.<ref name="CS Monitor"/> It asserts that thoughts can have a powerful and beneficial "effect on the healing process"<ref name="Whetsell"/> and puts forth a concept of "evolutionary transformation of human consciousness" which prompts the reader to participate in "honest self-evaluation [that] can lead to positive change."<ref name="Whetsell"/>
==Synopsis== Early chapters of the book give simple explanations and provide a foundation for further concepts and ideas.<ref name="Success"/> In "Chapter One: The Flowering of Human Consciousness", Tolle discusses the "inherent dysfunction in humanity" and proposes ways that readers may rise above it.<ref name="Success"/> 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.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Tolle |first=Eckhart |title=A new earth: awakening to your life's purpose |date=2016 |publisher=Penguin Books |isbn=978-0-452-28996-3 |edition=10th anniversary |location=New York |pages=22}}</ref> He then develops these concepts in chapters two, three, and four by offering his descriptions of the ego and its "vices."<ref name="Success"/> In the book, Tolle defines the term ego as an "illusory sense of self"<ref>Tolle, Echart (2005) Penguin Group, ''A New Earth'', p. 27</ref> based on one's memories and thoughts.<ref>Tolle, ''A New Earth'', p. 29</ref> 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".<ref>{{Cite book |last=Tolle |first=Eckhart |title=A new earth: awakening to your life's purpose |date=2016 |publisher=Penguin Books |isbn=978-0-452-28996-3 |edition=10th anniversary |location=New York |pages=117}}</ref>
In chapters five and six Tolle uses the phrase ''pain body'' to describe the human tendency to carry "an accumulation of old emotional pain".<ref>Tolle, Eckhart (2005) Penguin Group, ''A New Earth'', p. 140</ref> 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.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Tolle |first=Eckhart |title=A new earth: awakening to your life's purpose |date=2016 |publisher=Penguin Books |isbn=978-0-452-28996-3 |edition=10th anniversary |location=New York |pages=244–245}}</ref> 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".<ref name="Success"/>
== Reception ==
The American talk-show host Oprah Winfrey chose ''A New Earth'' for her book club in January 2008,<ref>[http://www.oprah.com/package/oprahsbookclub/anewearth/pkganewearthwebcast/20080130_obc_webcast_anewearth Oprah's Favorite Books] ''The Oprah Winfrey Show''</ref> and in March it was featured in a series of ten weekly webinars broadcast on her website.<ref name="CS Monitor"/> By March 23, 2008, the book had reached number one on the ''New York Times Best Seller'' list for "Paperback Advice".<ref>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.</ref> 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.<ref>[http://www.oprah.com/article/oprahsbookclub/anewearth/pkganewearthwebcast/20080130_obc_webcast_marketing Are You Ready to be Awakened?] ''The Oprah Winfrey Show''. {{Archive url|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080728141255/http://www.oprah.com/article/oprahsbookclub/anewearth/pkganewearthwebcast/20080130_obc_webcast_marketing|date=2008-07-28}}</ref><ref name="op">[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|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080309002427/https://www.usatoday.com/life/people/2008-03-02-oprah-tolle_N.htm|date=2008-03-09}}</ref> Within four weeks of the book club announcement 3.5 million copies had been shipped.<ref>[http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,333550,00.html Oprah Winfrey Book Pick 'A New Earth' Shatters Records] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121021232609/http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,333550,00.html |date=2012-10-21 }}, ''Associated Press'' via ''Fox News'', Thursday, February 28, 2008.</ref> By 2009, an estimated 5 million copies had been sold in North America.<ref name=Macleans>{{cite magazine |last=MacQueen |first=Ken |title=Eckhart Tolle vs. God |url=http://www.macleans.ca/2009/10/22/eckhart-tolle-vs-god/ |magazine=Macleans.ca |date=2009-10-22 |access-date=2009-10-24 }}</ref> As of June 2025, the book has sold 15 million copies worldwide and has been translated into 50 languages.<ref name=":0" />
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.<ref name="Success">{{cite web | url=https://www.questia.com/library/1G1-187034117/new-awakening-controversial-book-continues-to-stoke| title=New awakening: controversial book continues to stoke interest | publisher=Success | date=August 1, 2008 | access-date=August 4, 2013 | last=Blaskovitch |first=Sarah}}</ref> 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.<ref name="Success" />
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== {{Reflist}}
== External links == {{wikiquote}}
* [https://eckharttolle.com/a-new-earth-excerpt/ ''A New Earth'' at Official Website of Eckhart Tolle] * [https://www.oprah.com/oprahsbookclub/a-new-earth-exercises-for-your-awakening Study materials (webcasts, transcripts, workbook, meditations)] at Oprah.com
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{{DEFAULTSORT:New Earth}} Category:New Age books Category:Books about spirituality Category:Self-help books Category:2005 non-fiction books Category:Books by Eckhart Tolle Category:Viking Press books Category:English-language non-fiction books