How did I get two New York Times best-selling authors to agree to collaborate on a book with me? I want to inspire and encourage each of you to live the magnificently happy and fulfilling life that you deserve. My book with Eckhart Tolle and Byron Katie, Peace in the Present Moment (Hampton Roads Publishing, October 2010) was the result of a journey to presence and to finding my life’s passion and purpose. This story is intended to teach “what you believe, you can achieve.”
It began with a marriage filled with verbal torment. For years my ex-husband verbally abused me and one day, in an emotionally violent rage, he threatened to kill me. That pivotal moment is when I finally found the courage to leave the marriage. Today, I have learned to forgive my ex-husband because that experience became the catalyst which changed my life. Instead of losing my life ~ I found it!
When I read Eckhart Tolle’s book, “A New Earth,” it taught me the importance of being present and awake. And when I read the “The Flowering of Human Consciousness,” I felt as if Eckhart was in my head. Words had never before touched me in this way; I was opening up to the a new way of experiencing life.
As I began my metamorphosis, for some unknown reason, the sight of flowers enthralled me. I felt the soul of each flower and was transfixed by its unique inner beauty. Where had they been my whole life? Why had I not seen them before?
Eckhart says that “seeing beauty in a flower could awaken humans, however briefly, to the beauty that is an essential part of their own inner most being, their true nature.” When he wrote that he was “increasingly drawn to and fascinated by flowers,” I understood exactly how he felt. I felt conscious without thought when I was photographing flowers!
Something Oprah Winfrey said came to mind: “believe your thought and act upon it!” I knew my photographs of flowers were unique and spirit-filled. Then came an epiphany, a vision … I saw my photographs paired with Eckhart’s quotes and I instinctively KNEW that he would connect with my flowers as profoundly as I connected with his words.
Acting on that thought, I designed a mock-up book of my photos paired with quotes from “A New Earth.” I then visualized and felt what it would be like to have this book on the shelves of Barnes and Noble. I wasn’t wishing for this ~ I had a knowing deep within me that the book already existed!
Synchronistic events began to occur in my life. At a conference, I ordered a candle to be shipped to my home, and when it arrived it was the wrong color. I called the woman who sold it to me at the conference and left her a message. When she called me back, she said “things always happen for a reason.” I believe that as well, but couldn’t imagine what the reason was for this error. As we continued our conversation, we talked about our lives, spiritual paths, and my dream to have the book of photos and quotes come to life.
It was then that the “reason” for the call revealed itself. The woman told me that she had written a book and, believe it or not, her publisher had just done a children’s book with Eckhart Tolle. My connection to Eckhart Tolle manifested itself because of this telephone conversation. So yes folks, “thoughts become things!”
This wonderful woman then offered to contact her publisher to see if he would be open to hearing about the book. A few days later, she confirmed with me that I could indeed email some photos and my idea to the publisher, Bob Friedman. Because he was doing this as a favor, she asked me to keep my message short and sweet as he was very busy with “manuscripts from floor to ceiling to review.”
I sent Bob Friedman an email describing my vision. Although he loved what I had to say and said it was a great idea … he also said that we could never get Eckhart Tolle to agree but would be happy to put me in touch with other spiritual authors. However, my inspiration, vision, dream and passion was the connection to Eckhart Tolle. I told Bob Friedman that if we could just get Eckhart Tolle to look at my work, I KNEW that he would feel the same inspiration and passion that I did.
Instead of mailing the mock-up, I asked if I could fly up and meet with Bob so I could present my “vision” in person (wanting to see his face when he opened the book.) He agreed and we decided on a time when the CEO would be there as well. After my meeting with Bob, he called in the CEO and the marketing director, and they all loved the mock-up. Again, they reiterated that it was a LONG SHOT to get Eckhart Tolle to even look at my book, but since I was so inspired and determined, they agreed to send it to Eckhart’s publisher, Namaste.
Weeks and months went by. Because I was manifesting that it was already DONE, I didn’t once question whether Eckhart would get to see the mock-up, or whether he would like it. And then the phone call came in from Bob Friedman. He said, “I am in shock, but because of your genuine spirit, passion and belief, we are on second base. Namaste loves it and has agreed to show it to Eckhart Tolle.” I never for one minute doubted that this would happen!
After some time, I received a phone call that Eckhart loved the idea too!! He wanted to do the book with me!! I was very excited but, because I had been vibrating in the knowing that it was DONE, the news didn’t surprise me! My friends and family, on the other hand, were shocked and impressed. They couldn’t believe that I could manifest something like this. I was living my purpose and on my way!
Eckhart said he wanted to include Byron Katie in the book as well, which was another wonderful happening. I eagerly signed the contract and was told that the book was due out later that year. But, four months later, I got a phone call from the CEO of Hampton Roads telling me that they had decided not to print the book. He said that they were canceling the contract because of the economy ~ that it wasn’t financially feasible to do a four-color book.
When I got off the phone, I was disappointed but didn’t get upset. I knew this was just part of the journey because the book was already DONE. With my belief in tow, I called the CEO back a few days later and had an incredibly positive conversation. I talked about how the world needed to be inspired by this great combination of quotes and flowers. I talked from my heart and soul. And then… he agreed! We were back on track and the contract was renegotiated. ‘Peace in the Present Moment‘ was published in October 2010….
“If you change the way you look at things, the things you look at change.” Wayne Dyer
I never met Eckhart Tolle during this whole process. In June 2012, I attended his retreat at The Omega Institute in Rhinebeck, NY. Eckhart spoke for days, and I loved every minute of it. He was enlightening, funny, motivating and inspirational. The first night I tried to talk to someone who could get me to see Eckhart, to no avail. I finally spoke to Eckhart’s manager, who told me that he doesn’t see or speak to anyone personally at conferences. They keep him very protected, he rarely does book signing and I was told that press interviews are virtually impossible to schedule.
My persistance paid off when Eckhart’s manager finally agreed to ask him if he would meet with me privately. I gave a copy of Peace in the Present Moment to his manager so that Eckhart would know who I was. The next morning, he told me that Eckhart had been too tired to discuss a meeting, but said he would try again that evening.
The following day I heard someone call my name. I looked around and saw Eckhart’s manager over a sea of 500 people. I waved to him. He came up to me and said Eckhart would love to meet me at the end of the conference. Of course! I knew it would be an incredible experience.
At noon on a Wednesday ~ a day I will never forget ~ I was escorted into Eckhart Tolle’s room. Eckhart wanted to hear my story from start to finish, wondering how I was able to miraculously get to him. It was an incredible 40 minutes. Eckhart thanked me for creating our book! How amazing. He hugged me for what felt like five minutes. It was a dream come true. We signed one another’s books and took some pictures and then he asked me to sign a book for Oprah, because he was going to be seeing her soon and wanted her to have a copy. That was another dream come true! We all know how much Oprah loves Eckhart Tolle!
Peace in the Present Moment sold out in the Omega bookstore. Those who bought copies asked me to sign them and tell them my story. Hopefully, I inspired many people to use Eckhart’s teachings and manifest just like I did. Being able to uplift and encourage others was an incredibly satisfying experience.
Today, I continue to manifest amazing things into my life. I attracted the man of my dreams by using the law of attraction and the power of the present moment. And, I am living the life I always imagined … knowing full well that all of us can be “awakened to our life’s passion and purpose.” I have found mine – have you found yours?
Bio ~ Michele Penn
Michele Penn is an author, inspirational speaker, award winning photographer. Creator of the book Peace in the Present Moment with New York Times best-selling authors Eckhart Tolle and Byron Katie. She lives in Sarasota, Florida, with David, the man of her dreams, where she finds great inspiration from a community rich in art-appreciation. In Peace in the Present Moment, Michele Penn’s breathtaking floral photographs add peace and a deep stillness to the wisdom of Eckhart Tolle and Byron Katie. Her close-up photos, which Michele likes to call floral “soul shots” are a symbol of enlightenment. Her attention to detail and ability to capture the soul of the flower sets Michele apart and makes her work truly inspirational.
With her second book, Dance in the Garden, Michele combines her “soul shots” with quotes from some of the most influential people of our time. She intends to motivate the reader and bring them into a space of stillness to quiet the mind.
Michele was raised in Short Hills, New Jersey, attended Millburn High School and graduated with a bachelor’s degree from Syracuse University. Her three beautiful children, Freddy, Nicole and Melanie, fill her life with inspiration. As an award-winning photographer, inspirational speaker and business owner, her intent is to enrich other people’s lives.
Michele is also one of 32 authors in Faces Behind the Pages that Inspire, a collaborative effort of some of the most amazing and inspirational Pages on Facebook.
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