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Eckhart Tolle

Once in a generation, an individual comes around who is able to help millions of people improve their lives through insight, wisdom, compassion and just plain common sense. For many people around the world, that individual is Eckhart Tolle.

Eckhart Tolle a teacher of spirituality who has connected with a large number of people around the world. Why? His message is simple and speaks directly to many of the problems we currently face as human beings in an ever-changing, highly stressful world.

At the age of 29, after suffering from years of depression and suicidal thoughts, Mr. Tolle experienced a significant breakthrough in his life. It is what he learned during this inner transformation that forms the basis for much of his work. A born teacher, Tolle saw immediately after his breakthrough that his path was to share what he had discovered with others as a means of helping them improve their lives be it coping with depression, healing emotional wounds or building stronger families.

Tolle draws from a variety of influences, including: Zen Buddhism, The Bible, Meister Eckhart and others. But it is the accessible, compassionate way that he delivers that message which has made him such an important figure to so many people.

For those who may not have heard Mr. Tolle speak, or had an opportunity to read his work, here are six of his important teachings about enlightenment and how they affect the inner workings of daily life.

#1: Live in the present moment.

Mr. Tolle urges individuals to live their lives in the present day, and not worry excessively about the things have come before, or might be waiting in the future. He believes that it is the human ego which acts as a distraction and causes people to fret about things have already occurred or that we cannot control in the future. Enlightenment is achieved by those who experience the present to the fullest.

#2: Believe in self-realization

One of the cornerstones of Tolles philosophy is that only when we understand ourselves will we enjoy true happiness. It is this understanding that helps us realize that we all have an important place in the world. We must all understand that as human beings we are extremely important, since it is our destiny to see that the universe continues to unfold.

#3: Take the Bible for what it is worth

Eckhart Tolle has become a controversial figure among Christians for his beliefs about the Bible. But Tolle is not dismissing the New Testament. Instead, he states that there are spiritual truths within its pages as well as things that have become distorted or misinterpreted over time. And when an individual is truly self aware, he or she will easily be able to separate the two and therefore gain more true meaning and spirituality from the Book.

#4: Those who desire things are not yet enlightened

Tolle states clearly that wanting for things means that you are believing in the future more than in the present. In his opinion, the present holds everything we need to achieve happiness and enlightenment. He believes that individuals should never see the present as merely a means to an end - for in the moment is where to self-realization and fulfillment is going to occur.

#5: Be aware of the pain-body

Another of Tolles most significant teachings is that of the pain-body. Tolle believes that over the years we, as humans, have become conditioned to think and act a certain way. He sees these behaviors as pain-body attacks and illustrates how they cause us, and those around us, harm. By observing and understanding these attacks, we become more self-aware and therefore gain the power to stop them.

#6: Do not fight what is

Perhaps the most easily-relatable of all of Eckhart Tolles teachings is the idea that we causes ourselves pain when we fight against the things that are happening to us in our lives. This resistance against what is causes endless sadness, stress and other negative issues. Accepting what is takes every individual to a higher level, and gives us the strength to achieve great things. Currently, Eckhart Tolle is one of the worlds best-selling authors and most sought-after speakers. HIs book The Power of Now has already been translated into over 30 different languages and sat for many weeks atop the famed New York Times best seller list. Tolle has also received a tremendous boost from Oprah Winfrey, who has had the man on her show and lists The Power of Now as one of her favorite books. Winfrey recently named Tolles latest book, A New Earth as a selection in her famed Oprahs Book Club.

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Six things you learn from Eckhart Tolle that will change your life | EnlightenmentRing.com

As from a fire aflame thousands of sparks come forth, even so from the Creator an infinity of beings have life and to him return again. -- Maitri Upanishads

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From "The Power of Now"...

Quote:

Your innermost sense of self, of who you are, is inseparable from stillness. This is the I Am that is deeper than name and form.

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As from a fire aflame thousands of sparks come forth, even so from the Creator an infinity of beings have life and to him return again. -- Maitri Upanishads

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As from a fire aflame thousands of sparks come forth, even so from the Creator an infinity of beings have life and to him return again. -- Maitri Upanishads

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I was actually looking for The Road Less Travelled but the shop was out of copies, and Mr Tolle's book leap into my hand. lol

" Life isn't about waiting for the storm to pass...it's about learning to dance in the rain."

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There are some good videos of his on YouTube, if anyone is interested. I find his teachings and perspective really, really helpful.

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As from a fire aflame thousands of sparks come forth, even so from the Creator an infinity of beings have life and to him return again. -- Maitri Upanishads

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When I first heard him, I thought he was awesome. Oprah has said that he is the greatest spiritual leader of our times. Then, when I really paid attention, I thought, "He knows about the 12 steps and Buddhist religion and is now taking what he has learned and put them in a book". Buddhisim teaches that desire is the culprit of being unhappy. One Day At A Time and stay in the moment taught in 12 steps recovery is the same as Tolle's teaching. The pain body teaching is what the 12 steps do to relieve people of trauma and harm that happened in the past by digging down deep. Interesting stuff.

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As from a fire aflame thousands of sparks come forth, even so from the Creator an infinity of beings have life and to him return again. -- Maitri Upanishads

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Of course he seems to be very genuine, he's making millions by knowing people are looking for a way out of their misery.

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If you like Eckhart Tolle, you may also like Jiddu Krishnamurti. Tolle was very influenced by Krishnamurti. Tolle is a bit easier reading, though. Krishnamurti requires a greater concentration and intensity of thought. He can also be a bit grouchy.

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His "The Now" is very much like Deepak Chopra's "The Gap"

"Guess what? I got a fever, and the only prescription is more Taobell!"

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I read Tolle several years ago, liked the message & found it compatible with some fundamental beliefs I held, but did not really commit to what he said. A couple of months ago I found myself in a sad place, and I opened his book, The Power of Now. Found just what I needed: I was struggling with some attacks from other people, and Tolle wrote of being less attached to beliefs. I finally realized that was something that had plagued me for some time: I was defining myself by what I believed, so beliefs to the contrary were received as personal. I wasn't separating the two. It was a powerful lesson for me, one I am trying to put into practice.

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Zencat, Thank you for the Tolle video. It speaks volumes about some things I have encountered about myself. As a younger person with lots of energy & enthusiasim I received lots of praise for my fervor and committment to causes. Perhaps I allowed that to bleed into other parts fo my life. Being attached to strong feelings about this or that has been a trademark, something I was proud of doing because I thought it was related to integrity or something. As with other things in my life, I have come to find that it is no longer useful. Alcohol, once a soothing balm, became no longer useful. Ego sustained me for a while, I guess, and then it became a hindrance. People in AA speak of peeling away the layers of the onion--and that there are many tears associated with that. I have been sober quite a few years, but I help that I never lose the willingness to grow just a bit more.

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