What seekers of the light have been experiencing and calling 'the shift' is now possible for everyone. Millions are reading "The New Earth. Awakening To Your Life Purpose". It's as though Eckhart Tolle comes alive through his written words, and like a gentle guru, eloquently guides us toward peace within.

Tolle describes the war between our own Ego and Essence and urges us to find 'presence' within. So, what's all the fuss about the 'big, bad' Ego? Well, imagine a immense, rock-solid fortress surrounding your precious soul. That fortress is your 'Ego'. We think this fortress protects us from evils like debt, disease and hatred. But it does not.

Each Ego is uniquely constructed from a combination of defenses like sarcasm, arrogance, defiance, judgment, temper, deceit and withdrawal as well as superficial wants, needs and goals. We think that having these things will bring contentment. But after a while, we need more. Ultimately, our Egos trick us.

While they can calm us in the short term, 'things' are transitory; they come and they go. And while we can keep fearful things at bay by relying upon our defense mechanisms, Tolle explains that ultimately we could win the battles, but lose the war. And suffering continues.

War, genocide, disrespect for our environment and greed are destroying our planet and plundering our souls. Tolle writes that mankind could be in peril if we don't conquer our Ego. As we courageously examine our lives and venture outside the fortress walls, we realize that the finger showing the way to fulfillment is pointed toward our own mind. We must change the way we think.

Tolle urges us to discover 'presence'. This is the antidote to suffering. Jesus, Buddha and other enlightened Masters urged us seek the quiet stillness within.

The shift in individual consciousness from Ego to Essence is transforming millions. Tolle suggests some wonderful exercises for entering 'presence' such as the washing hands exercise.

The Enneagram is a great tool for detaching from our Ego. Of all the books written on the subject, our favorite is The Enneagram Made Easy. This an entertaining and enlightening self-help guide by Baron and Wagle that Lyn and I use in our Enneagram workshops at East West Books. It contains a great self-test that you can take to discover your type!

Here's how the Enneagram works. Each of the nine personality types suffers from a particular 'fixation' (a place where the Ego is stuck; repeating a habitual and self-defeating coping strategy). The One, for example, judges things as right or wrong and can be forever vigilant to do 'the right thing'. But what's judged as 'right' for one might be 'wrong' for another. By affirming that they and others are perfect just the way they are, the One creates a little space between the thought (the voice in the head) and the thinker. Catching the thought as it is being formed creates a new habit. Similar to lucid dreaming, we catch ourselves in the act; an evocative and empowering practice!

As this new practice becomes a habit, the little space expands. As self-defeating coping strategies collapse, the reader's peace of mind, tranquility and 'presence' begin to fill that space. Tolle calls this experience 'burning the Ego'.

We think you'll love these two books. These authors pave the way for all of us to lovingly detach from our Ego and co-create heaven on earth.

Linda Charles is a Certified Graphoanalyst and Intuitive who, with her associate, Lyn Guerrini-Rohrer, Certified Hand Analyst, teaches electrifying workshops and conducts readings at East West Books every second and fourth Saturday. See Hand in Hand's schedule of workshops at http://lynandlinda.squarespace.com.