Eckhart Tolle Discussion
I just posted the following to Mudita Forum. I’m pleased by the growth of this forum and I’m happy that our membership—and the interest in the topics we discuss—has grown beyond dyed-in-the-wool Rand admirers. I expect this to make our discussions even more interesting and fruitful.
As listowner, I’d like to express my pleasure at having the Zen meditation teachers Craig Richards and, now, Michael McAlister in our group. I appreciate their ability to bring the fresh Zen perspective to our discussions and dialogues. Ultimately, whether we agree or disagree on the topics we discuss is less important than whether we grow in the process, and expand our understandings of the spiritual path—and I know that Craig and Michael are, as teachers, uniquely suited to facilitating this process for us (and for themselves).
Returning to a subject I’ve mentioned before, I’d like to begin arranging our discussion of Eckhart Tolle’s book The Power of Now. Specifically, I’d like to encourage any listmembers who are potentially interested in the discussion, but are unfamiliar with Tolle’s works, to buy the audio version of this book so they can follow along and participate.
While reading the book can expose you to the content of Tolle’s teachings, hearing Tolle read the book himself exposes you to the practice of his teachings, which is even more valuable. Eckhart seems to truly live the value of what he is teaching, and this shines forth in his spoken word.
I don’t expect to have time to write a formal review of the book in the near future, but there are many reviews available on the Internet, and there are others on this list who can share what they have found valuable in Tolle’s teachings. Perhaps those of you who are familiar with his work could write in, if only briefly, and share your perspective, by way of an introduction to our discussion.
Speaking for myself, what has been most valuable to me in Eckhart’s teachings is the sense that they put me in touch with what Nathaniel Branden calls one’s “sage self”—the luminous, still clarity of consciousness that feels sometimes like a glimpse into the future of human development. When I listen to Eckhart, I am reminded of the stillness and peace and wisdom that is always available to me inside, though it has often been covered up by chronic mental activity.
This is really only the tip of the iceberg, however, as Eckhart (through his audio recordings) has become my primary spiritual teacher over the last six months, and it’s hard to encapsulate just how much I have learned from him and feel that I have grown in in the process. But, overall, I feel more at peace, more insightful about the inner workings of my mind, and more awake to the aliveness of life. I argue less and I spend more time enjoying people on their own terms.
Eckhart has much to teach. At the same time, there is a new-age-guru feeling to the reception he has gotten in the United States, which can be a turn-off, especially to hard-headed realists. Yet the Rand admirers whom I personally know to be the most committed to their own spiritual growth—by which I mean, are constantly striving to understand their relationship to the rest of the universe, and their role in it, and how to improve it—have been moved deeply upon listening to the first CD of The Power of Now.
I look forward to hearing other listmembers’ thoughts about Eckhart Tolle, and about the coming discussion. Please contact me if you’re interested in writing a kick-off essay to introduce one or more of the following chapters. (In general, I’m leaning towards having kick-off essays that are shorter, easier to write, and less formal than our kick-off essays for the McLeod discussion.)
Here are the chapters:
1. You are not your mind
2. Consciousness: The way out of pain
3. Moving deeply into the now
4. Mind strategies for avoiding the now
5. The state of presence
6. The inner body
7. Portals into the unmanifested
8. Enlightened relationships
9. Beyond happiness and unhappiness there is peace
10. The meaning of surrender
And here is a link to compare prices around the Internet on the audio CD version of The Power of Now.
Feel free to write me or the list with comments, questions, and suggestions about the upcoming discussion.
I would like to have a lengthy discussion about this book, but just now happened upon your site through Dean’s site. When will this discussion begin? Can you give me a few days to read this or is the discussion already over?
What about Celestine Prophecies?
Very best regards,
Jennie
I belong to a local study group for “The Power of Now” and find it a great help.
Thought, I’d look see if there was something on line as well.
Do you have an on-going discussion group or is there one coming up?
I would love to be a part of an on-line group.
Thanks,
Doreen
I am ridiculously late to this thread, but I’ve only just found it through google.
In my opinion, The Power of Now is the most relevant book of all time.
For those who may be interested, here is a link to a nice summary of the first few chapters of The Power of Now:
http://users.tpg.com.au/wookie99/
Thinking that we need guidance in life is an interesting concept. Some, do and some dont! Many of us have the ability to be in the moment, be safe in our own space, have inspiration come from lack of conscious thought!
No one label defines us in the world. Once we understand that there are no answers to everything, we can be a piece with our self’s.
I applaud Opra and her ability to help the world.