Some spiritual teachers instruct followers to “accept the present as if they had chosen it,” encouraging a shift from perceiving events as imposed to perceiving them through a mindset of consent. Critics argue that such guidance is harmless only if one clearly distinguishes between psychological acceptance and actual responsibility for external events. However, the distinction can become blurred in practice: if someone repeatedly trains themselves to relate to every circumstance as if they were its author, they may begin to internalize a sense of responsibility for situations they did not cause. The present moment contains events ranging from the trivial to the catastrophic, and no individual is responsible for historical tragedies or large‑scale harms. Yet a person who treats every moment as self‑chosen can unintentionally generate a burden of responsibility that exceeds their real agency. This self-imposed burden may feel as though one were accountable for the whole shape of one’s circumstances, leading to an overwhelming and unwarranted sense of guilt. In this way, even a purely psychological exercise of “acting as if you chose it” can, if taken too literally or too broadly, produce a harmful illusion of total responsibility for events beyond one’s control.
Tolle in The Power of Now emphasizes accepting the present moment fully, including the pain and suffering it contains. He writes:
“How much time do you think you will need before you are able to say, ‘I will create no more pain, no more suffering?’ How much more pain do you need before you can make that choice? If you think that you need more time, you will get more time—and more pain. Time and pain are inseparable.”
Some critics argue that this approach can feel psychologically demanding, as it encourages individuals to confront and accept suffering without deferring responsibility to external circumstances or future resolution. While Tolle’s intention is to guide readers toward a state of inner freedom by fully acknowledging the present, this method can be experienced as intense or even harsh, particularly for those facing significant trauma. The emphasis on immediate acceptance places a strong responsibility on the individual to engage with suffering as it occurs, which can feel overwhelming or difficult to navigate.