Milton's Secret: An Adventure of Discovery through Then, When, and the Power of Now (Hardcover)

~ (Author), Robert S. Friedman (Author), Frank Riccio (Illustrator)
Key Phrases: Grandpa Howard

Editorial Reviews

From Booklist

Celebrities and spiritual teachers often labor under the same delusion—that their talents extend to writing children’s books. Here, it is Eckhart Tolle’s turn. Tolle, the author of the adult books (and Oprah favorites) The Power of Now (1999) and A New Earth (2005), along with coauthor Friedman, offers a book whose story and message are both muddled. Young Milton runs afoul of a bully (well, his name is Milton) and spends the next day or so worrying about what will happen when he sees Carter again. The Universe does send him a couple of messages. Snuggles the cat gets mauled by Brutus the Doberman across the street, but he lets it go when he is cuddled. He is living in the Now (uh . . . because he is a cat?). The rest of Milton’s inner knowledge comes in a (long) dream, but few kids will understand the truncated concept of inner light that this tries to get across. The artwork is sufficient, with one very nice picture of Milton looking out for Carter, but it doesn’t carry the tedious story. The only recommendation here comes because of possible demand, and with Tolle’s track record, that could be considerable. Grades K-3. --Ilene Cooper

Product Description

For the first time ever, bestselling author Eckhart Tolle brings the core of his teachings to children, ages 7 to 100. Beautifully illustrated and artfully expressed, this charming story will bring joy to children and their parents for decades to come.

Milton, who is about eight years old, is experiencing bullying on the school playground at the hands of a boy named Carter.

Because he is being picked on, Milton no longer enjoys going to school. In fact, he dreads each morning because of his fear of Carter.

By discovering the difference between Then, When, and the Now, Milton is able to shed his fear of being bullied. Living in the Now, he no longer dreads encountering Carter—and this changes everything.

Milton's Secret will not only appeal to the millions of adult readers of Tolle's other books, but also to any parent who wants to introduce their children to the core of Tolle's teachings: Living in the Now is the quickest path to ending fear and suffering.

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Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 4-8
  
• Hardcover: 40 pages
• Publisher: Hampton Roads Publishing (October 8, 2008)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1571745777
• ISBN-13: 978-1571745774
• Product Dimensions: 11.1 x 8.2 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (20 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #30,419 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

45 of 51 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The Outside and the Inside of the Now, October 27, 2008

By	Janet Boyer "JanetBoyer.com" (Pennsylvania) - See all my reviews (TOP 50 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)

"That night, Milton couldn't get to sleep. He was thinking about what happened--and what would happen when he ran into Carter next time...The more he thought about all of this, the more frightened he became. He thought about it so much that he became more and more scared until he completely forgot that he was in a warm bed in his little room." - From the book

In the new book Milton's Secret, bestselling author Eckhart Tolle brings his message of the liberating power of Now to young people.

Co-authored with Robert S. Friedman, Milton's Secret uses the backdrop of school bullying, as well as a dog attack on a beloved pet cat, to weave a compelling story about a cheerful, bright boy named Milton who encounters these situations--and what happens when he becomes preoccupied with the possibility of harm on the schoolyard.

Concerned the past and worrying about the future rob us of our peace and joy.

Milton discovers that although his cat Snuggles had just been attacked by Brutus the Doberman, the furry pet was able to curl up on Milton's chest, purring blissfully. Wondering about this, Milton asks his Grandpa how his cat can be so happy after just being beaten up. Grandpa replies:

"Milton, cats are not like humans. Snuggles can easily let go of what happened yesterday, and he doesn't worry about tomorrow. He lives in the Now. That's why he's happy even though not long ago Brutus was attacking him. Most people don't live in the Now because they think of yesterday or tomorrow most of the time. And a lot of the time they are unhappy."

After dinner, Grandpa notices that Milton seemed troubled and asks him about it. Milton admits that he'd been fearful because a sixth grade bully named Carter pushed him down that day--and he was afraid he'd do it again. Grandpa then explains to Milton that worrying about Then and thinking about When are all in his mind--because they are not here Now.

That night in bed, Milton thinks obsessively about what Carter did, and what he might do next time. He then dreams about Carter and Brutus, who have him trapped in an alley. Weak with terror, Milton then notices a door that looks like an entrance to a store. "Enter Now", the sign says--so Milton quickly opens the door.

The ice-cream shop and the kind ice-cream lady he knew from his waking hours had been transformed. She offers his a ball of glowing white light on an ice-cream dish. No, it's not the sundae-of-the-month choco-cadabra--it's something much better: a light bubble that pops into a glowing shower of sparkles.

The ice-cream lady explains that the light is now "hiding" and asks Milton if he can find it. He hears a strange noise like a little engine--it's his cat, Snuggles, purring happily! She then explains that this "light" is a sense of aliveness that is felt only in the Now--that it's in his cat, the flower in the counter, herself...and Milton, too!

While Grandpa showed Milton what the "outside" of the Now looked like (Then and When), the ice-cream lady in his dream demonstrates the "inside" of the Now that is experienced from within. She explains:

"...when you feel the light inside your body, you are in the Now. And you're not scared anymore. The light helps you feel strong."

A timely message for those who worry incessantly and anticipate worst-case scenarios, Milton's Secret is a wonderful introduction to Tolle's teaching on the power of Now--yes, even for adults!

My husband and I had just been teaching our 10-year old son about the Now, especially since he tended to worry about past "mistakes" and obsess about "inventing" in the future. We reminded him that every moment he spends beating himself up over perceived imperfections or anticipating a future life as an inventor, he was missing precious treasures found only in the Now--the love from his cats, the beautiful fall leaves, the warmth of his clothes, the joy of smelling, and so on.

When we first read Milton's Secret, he was amazed. "This is what you've been telling me, Mom!" he exclaimed. Sure enough, it was! And how wonderful that Mr. Tolle and Mr. Friedman birthed this collaboration that can aid parents and caregivers in demonstrating why Now is all we really have--and how worry and anticipation can rob us of the only thing we're ever guaranteed...the present moment.

Disguised as a children's book, Milton's Secret is a wonderful book for adults, as well. However, the scene on bullying, as well as Snuggles the cat getting a chunk torn out of his ear, may be too frightening for younger children. When my son first tried to read this book on his own, he seemed uncomfortable, saying that it was "dangerous". I then read it to him, and he understood that it was actually a realistic story about things that could happen to someone (or some cat)--and how we can deal with it while still maintaining our peace and sense of well being.

-- Janet Boyer, author of The Back in Time Tarot Book: Picture the Past, Experience the Cards, Understand the Present

13 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Milton's Secret - tell everyone!, December 1, 2008

By	Debra L. Rowland "Just My Opinion" (Hayward, CA USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

When I saw that the Power of Now had been moved to a picture, storybook format I bought it immediately - for myself. Let's be honest, simple is always best! WEll it is simply delightful. And I have decided to pass it along to a 10 year old girl for Christmas with the hope that it does not take her as long as it has me to realize that the Power of Now is within our reach, every single moment. The book encourages the reader (by Milton's Grandfathers wisdom) to look past the appearance or discomfort or fear of a given situation to see the truth that our reaction is a choice & to know that in this moment, all is well. Highly rcommend it & the art wokr is really well done too.

7 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Not exactly as expected, but..., January 7, 2009

By	G'ma (Texas) - See all my reviews

To create an awareness in youngsters regarding influences coming from the outside, I feel this is a beneficial read. I had read a review from elsewhere, however, and my expectations were not quite met but only because I expected it for a little bit older child. Graphics are good. The message is important.