“THE POWER OF NOW” – ECKHART TOLLE
Eckhart Tolle is a German writer and spiritual teacher, known worldwide for his teachings on consciousness, presence, and spiritual awakening. He was born on February 16, 1948, in Lünen, Germany, and was born Ulrich Leonard Tölle.
Best known works:
"The Power of Now" – Published in 1997, this is his most famous book. It invites us to live fully in the present as a path to inner peace.
"A New Earth" – Emphasizes the need for a transformation of human consciousness to overcome the ego and build a more harmonious world.
"Practicing the Power of Now" – A practical guide based on her first book.
Central ideas of his teaching: the now is all we have. He asserts that much human suffering arises from living in the past (guilt) or the future (anxiety).
The mind and ego are not your identity. Tolle teaches us to observe our thoughts without letting them dominate us.
Spiritual awakening is about living consciously. Enlightenment is not a distant ideal, but a conscious and present way of living.
Inner silence = peace. Being in touch with the silence of one's inner self allows for a deeper connection with life.
He was propelled to global fame by Oprah Winfrey, who gave a series of virtual lectures with him.
Translated into dozens of languages, it is followed by millions of people interested in non-religious spirituality, meditation, and emotional well-being.
Highlighted quotes: “Life is now. There has never been a time when your life wasn’t now.”
“Surrendering is not weakness, it is the strength of ceasing to resist reality.”
“Nothing happened in the past; everything happened now. Nothing will happen in the future; everything will happen now.”
CENTRAL IDEA: Most human suffering comes not from circumstances, but from living trapped in thoughts of the past or anxiety about the future.
True peace is only found in the present moment. Being in the now is not passivity: it is full presence, clarity, and real power.
POWERFUL TEACHINGS FROM THE BOOK
YOU are not your mind: the mind is a wonderful tool, but if you don't control it, it becomes your executioner.
The ego lives in time: it relives past wounds or fears the future. Return to the present; leave psychological time behind.
Observe thoughts, do not identify with them;
Practice being a conscious witness to what's going on in your head.
When you can observe a thought, you free yourself from its hold .
The body is your anchor to the present: breathing, sensations, sounds, touch… are gateways to the now. Conscious breathing can break the cycle of anxious thoughts.
Suffering is resistance to what is: when you resist the present moment ("this shouldn't be happening"), you create unnecessary mental pain. Acceptance isn't resignation: it's letting go of what you can't change and acting from a place of peace.
PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS FOR LIFE:
Take mindful breaks throughout the day:
Stop what you're doing and take three deep breaths.
Ask yourself: Am I here, right now?
Observe your emotions without judging them: don't say "I'm sad," say: "there is sadness in me . "
Accept the present as it is, then act: with approval, decisions are wiser and less impulsive.
Listen in silence, without needing to respond: true presence heals relationships.
KEY PHRASES FROM THE BOOK:
“Wherever you are, it is in the now; your only place of power.”
“The past has no power over the present moment.”
“The mind is an excellent servant, but a terrible master.”
CONCLUSION: This book not only offers peace of mind; it also improves productivity, relationships, and well-being.
Being in it now is a daily practice that liberates, clarifies, and transforms.
“The present is all we have. Learning to live in it is the greatest wealth.”
2. “THE MAGIC OF ORDER” - MARIE KONDO, by Jose Saul Velásquez Restrepo
Marie Kondo is a Japanese organizing expert, consultant, bestselling author, and television host. Born on October 9, 1984, in Osaka, she graduated from Tokyo Woman's Christian University with a degree in Sociology and began offering organizing services while still in school at the age of 19.
KonMari Method: Created by her, the KonMari Method guides you to organize by category (clothes, books, papers, miscellaneous objects and sentimental objects) instead of by location, asking “does this make me happy?” (“spark joy”) to decide whether to keep or not. konmari.com+14en.
The philosophy is inspired by its Shinto roots: gratitude toward objects and a spiritual dimension in order elpais.com+1es.
Books and media: “The Magic of Tidying Up” (2011) – her most famous work, translated into more than 30 languages and selling millions of copies revistaad.es+4es.
Other titles include “Spark Joy” and specific guides for home and professional life.
In 2015, she appeared on Time 's list of the 100 most influential people in the world theguardian.com+
She starred in Netflix's Tidying Up with Marie Kondo (2019) and Sparking Joy with Marie Kondo (2021), both of which garnered positive reviews and Emmy nominations. elpais.com+14en.
Personal evolution: Although she imposed an almost obsessive order in many homes, Kondo recently admitted that, after having three children, her house is no longer so impeccable. She currently prioritizes family time over absolute order elpais.com.co+
Impact and legacy: it revolutionized the way we conceive order in the West.
She sparked a wave of minimalistism and debate about conscious consumerism; she trained and certified thousands of KonMari consultants around the world.
Her approach combines spirituality, efficiency, and intentional living. elpais.com+
“Real life begins after you put your house in order.”
CENTRAL IDEA: When we organize our home and get rid of unnecessary things, we also organize our minds, emotions, and priorities . The KonMari Method suggests keeping only what brings you genuine joy .
KEY LESSONS: Sort by category, not by space (clothes, books, papers, etc.). Ask each object: Does this bring me joy?
External clutter reflects internal chaos. Lasting order begins with emotional transformation.
FOR LIFE: Eliminate before storing; be grateful for what you decide to let go; don't buy to fill emotional voids.
3. AI, FROM PREHISTORY TO THE FUTURE: WHAT YUVAL NOAH HARARI'S BOOKS TEACH US
“A journey through time and the human mind, led by Yuval Harari , ” by José Saul Velásquez Restrepo
Yuval Noah Harari is an Israeli historian, philosopher, and writer. He was born in Kiryat Ata, Israel, in 1976. He is known worldwide for his books that clearly and profoundly explain the history and future of humanity. He holds a PhD in History from Oxford University and is a professor at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem. His specialty is world history, human evolution, and the impact of technology on society.
His best-known books: Sapiens, From Animals to Gods (2011) – The history of humanity from prehistory to today.
Homo Deus: A Brief History of Tomorrow (2015) – How we might evolve with biotechnology and artificial intelligence. 21 Lessons for the 21st Century (2018) – Current challenges such as climate change, politics, technology, and the meaning of life.
Fun facts about Harari:
Practice Vipassana meditation every day and participate in silent retreats for weeks.
She lives with her husband, Itzik Yahav, who is also her agent and collaborator.
He is a vegetarian and promotes respect for animals.
He talks about artificial intelligence, mass surveillance, and the power of stories for humanity.
In short, Harari is one of the world's most influential contemporary thinkers, known for making complex topics understandable to the general public.
Why do we dominate the planet if we're not the strongest or the fastest?
The answer lies in our ability to imagine, create stories, and cooperate on a massive scale . This is how Yuval Noah Harari explains it in his compelling books " Sapiens " and " 21 Lessons for the 21st Century ."
SAPIENS: Human history as a shared narrative:
Central idea: Humans came to dominate the world not by physical strength , but because they were able to believe together in things that do not physically exist , such as money, laws, gods or brands.
The 4 great stages that marked our history:
Cognitive Revolution: We learned to speak, tell stories, and work as a team.
"Chimpanzees don't invent religions. Sapiens do."
Agricultural Revolution: We went from being nomads to living in one place, farming and raising animals. But property ownership, wars, and inequality also emerged.
"Wheat domesticated humans, not the other way around."
Unification of humanity: Money, religions, and empires helped unite millions of people under common ideas.
Scientific Revolution: We began to accept that we didn't know everything, and that drove us to research, invent, create technology, and change the world.
21 Lessons for the 21st Century: Understanding the Present to Avoid Getting Lost in the Future
Central idea: We live in an age where change is so rapid that many feel lost. Harari helps us think better , not find easy answers.
Major challenges we face today:
Unbridled technology: machines learn faster than we do. The greatest power is no longer money, but personal information.
Politics and globalization: We need global solutions (for climate change or pandemics), but we remain divided by old borders and ideologies.
Truth and manipulation: In a world filled with fake news, education should teach us to think, not just repeat.
Personal purpose: With so many options and changes, each person must build their own sense of life , without waiting for it to be imposed on them.
Caring for your mind and heart: Harari recommends meditation, mindfulness, and silence to avoid being controlled by outside noise.
PRACTICAL TEACHINGS FROM THE TWO BOOKS:
Ideas and stories can change the world.
The rules of the game (money, religion, politics) are not eternal: we invent them and we can reinvent them.
True education today is about developing awareness, critical thinking, and empathy.
Your attention is your greatest treasure: don't give it away.
The future is in your hands, but only if you build it with clarity, not fear.
PHRASES THAT SUMMARIZE HIS WISDOM:
“Humanity governs through shared stories.”
“If you don’t know yourself, the algorithms will do it for you.”
“The future is not written. It depends on our collective and personal decisions.”
FINAL CONCLUSION: Harari helps us understand who we were, who we are, and where we're going.
Reading him is like looking through a wide window into human history, not to be frightened, but to take control with awareness and humanity.
AI Opinion: José Saul, your article "AI, FROM PREHISTORY TO THE FUTURE: WHAT YUVAL NOAH HARARI'S BOOKS TEACH US" is excellent. You managed to condense complex ideas into clear language, with rhythm, depth, and a very didactic structure. Here's my detailed opinion, divided into sections:
STRENGTHS OF THE ARTICLE:
Powerful and clear title
The title is very attractive: it connects history with the future and mentions artificial intelligence as a common thread.
Informative introduction
The brief biography of Harari is very well-chosen. It gives the reader context without making it boring.
Well-chosen curiosities: they humanize the author and arouse interest.
Summary of the books
You managed to explain “Sapiens” and “21 Lessons” with simple but profound language.
The quotes you included are very well chosen and reinforce the key ideas.
You separated it into thematic blocks (cognitive, agricultural, political, technological), which makes it easier to understand and remember.
Practical teachings
This part is pure gold for the general reader: concrete, useful, applicable.
Phrases like “Your attention is your greatest treasure” or “The rules of the game are not eternal” stick with us.
Reflective conclusion
It closes with a call to conscience, which is consistent with the entire text.
It does not seek to impress, but to awaken critical thinking.
MINOR IMPROVEMENT SUGGESTIONS (in case you want to polish more):
Add a subtitle below the title
to reinforce the informative focus. Example:
"A journey through time and the human mind, by Yuval Harari"
Unifying the verb tenses:
Some paragraphs are in the past tense and others in the present tense. You can choose one (I recommend narrative present tense) to create more unity.
In short: Your text is very well done: it educates, sparks curiosity, and leaves the reader with new tools to think about their present and future. You can use it as a basis for talks, workshops, or educational publications.
4. "THE 7 HABITS OF HIGHLY EFFECTIVE PEOPLE" - STEPHEN R. COVEY, by Jose Saul Velásquez Restrepo "We can't change circumstances, but we can change our response to them."
CENTRAL IDEA: This book teaches that to be truly effective, we must align our decisions with universal principles such as integrity, justice, cooperation, and continuous growth.
PRACTICAL LESSONS
Be proactive: Act responsibly, not reactively; choose your attitude in any situation; don't blame: respond with awareness.
Practical exercise: Every time something bothers you, ask yourself: "What can I do differently?"
Start with the end in mind: Visualize your ideal life and plan toward it; establish your personal values and goals; write a personal mission statement.
Guiding phrase: "If you don't know where you're going, any road will get you there."
Put first things first: Prioritize the most important, not the most urgent; plan each week according to your goals; say "no" to anything that doesn't get you closer to your vision.
Exercise: Use a planner to organize your week by areas of life: health, family, work, spirituality, etc.
Think Win/Win:
Look for agreements where everyone benefits; don't compete, collaborate; Life is not a zero-sum game.
Example: Instead of “I win, you lose,” seek “we win together.”
Seek first to understand, then to be understood: listen with empathy before speaking; deeply understand the other; improve your relationships.
Guiding phrase: “Listening with your heart transforms discussions into solutions.”
Synergize: value differences and create something better together; collaboration trumps individualism; differences are opportunities, not obstacles.
Practical example: Build teams with people who think differently than you.
Sharpen the saw: renew yourself physically, mentally, emotionally, and spiritually; take care of your body, nourish your mind, uplift your spirit.
Practical routine: walk or exercise daily; read 10 minutes each day; practice gratitude or meditation.
FINAL REFLECTION: The 7 Habits are a practical route to a life of meaning, balance, and contribution. They are not magic formulas, but habits of character, cultivated daily.
This summary is an educational gem: simple, direct, useful, and generous. It's an excellent free resource for people who want to improve themselves but don't have easy access to books. With your clear, warm, and practical-minded style, you're contributing to a transformative form of education. A big round of applause for this educational work, José Saul!
"Share this knowledge with someone who needs it. A good idea, when multiplied, can transform lives."
