Have the Teachings of Eckhart Tolle Changed Your Life Yet?

Metaphysical Mind #28

Hello Friend,

In this issue of Metaphysical Mind I will talk about living in the present moment, “The Power of Now”, and the core teachings of Eckhart Tolle.

A few months ago, I asked all readers of Metaphysical Mind for suggestions of topics I should write about in the Ezine. One of the subscribers responded with:

“I would love to know how to wake up in the morning and feel incredibly motivated, positive and not worrying - at present this only happens after I have fully woken up. Last thing at night before sleep I find it easy to be thankful for all the blessings in my life!”

I responded by letting the subscriber know that the key to this situation is accessing the power of the now. Eckhart Tolle’s popular book “The Power of Now” properly outlines and explains this process.

The key to stop worrying is living completely in the present moment. When you are witnessing the present moment, you must completely focus all of your awareness into that moment. In the now, there can be no worries.

Right now, in this moment, there is nothing wrong. All worries arise from leaving this moment, and worrying about past or future events.

During sleep, we are completely immersed in the now. As you fall asleep you slowly move into the now. In the present moment, it is very easy to be positive, motivated, and grateful.

Tolle’s Teachings

Eckhart Tolle is definitely one of my favorite spiritual authors. I find his information to be extremely practical and relevant to my life. If you are not already familiar with his teachings, I have included the core teachings that appear to arise from Eckhart Tolle’s works (Source: Wikipedia):

1. You are not your thoughts. You are the awareness behind the thoughts. Thoughts are often negative and painful, yearning for or fearing something in the future, complaining about something in the present or fearing a matter from the past. However, the thoughts are not you; they are a construct of the ego. Awareness of your thoughts without being caught up in them is the first step to freedom.

2. Only the present moment exists. That is where life is (indeed it is the only place life can truly be found). Becoming aware of the 'now' has the added benefit that it will draw your attention away from your (negative) thoughts. Use mindfulness techniques to fully appreciate your surroundings and everything you are experiencing. Look and listen intently. Give full attention to the smallest details.

3. Accept the present moment. It is resistance to the present moment that creates most of the difficulties in your life. However, acceptance does not mean that you cannot take action to rectify the situation you are in. What is important is to drop resistance so that you let the moment be, and that any action arises from deeper awareness rather than from resistance. The vast majority of pain in a person's life comes from resistance to what is.

4. Observe the pain-body. Years of conditioned thought patterns, individually and collectively, have resulted in habitual emotional reactions with an apparent personality of their own. During 'pain-body attacks' we become completely identified with this 'pain identity' and respond from its agenda--which is to create more pain for ourselves and others. Observing the pain-body is awareness itself arising--as it allows humans to separate from this unconscious identification with pain.

“Enlightenment means choosing to dwell in the state of presence rather than in time. It means saying yes to what is.” -– Eckhart Tolle

Jason