Tolle’s perspective on the human mind and body permeates his work as he discusses the different ways they can draw people closer to—or push them farther from—consciousness. In his examination of how to best bring oneself into the present moment, he frames the body and the mind as opposing forces. For Tolle, the mind is compulsively thinking, usually ruminating on the past or projecting into the future; this makes it an obstacle to living in the Now. Moreover, this thinking is a function of the ego, as thoughts try to bolster a sense of identity and separateness from others and often fuel selfish desires and the need for control. Quieting one’s thoughts and attaining a state of “no-mind” to become completely immersed in the present moment is crucial to experiencing consciousness (19). According to Tolle, the only way to use thoughts as a tool for enlightenment is to observe one’s own thinking and identify with the observer, rather than with the reactions and patterns of the egoic mind.

In contrast, Tolle discusses the body as a tool to tap into the present. His enthusiastic perspective on the body emphasizes its potential as a gateway to consciousness.