Applying Eckhart Tolle’s Teachings
Reader William Vietinghoff asked me if he could pose some questions here for other students of Eckhart Tolle’s work. I told him I’m happy to oblige.
He writes:
I am aware of Eckhart Tolle’s work in audiobook form. I have heard The Power of Now, Practicing the Now, Gateways to the Now, and Stillness Speaks.
Let me preface my questions by saying that as a result of his approach / suggestions I use the opportunities when I am driving or walking (and not distracted by people) to draw my attention to my inner self, to my surroundings, to awareness of my body, as practice in keeping out thoughts.
I clearly have periods in which I am successful, but as you know, thoughts and concerns creep in intermittently.
Even though I think I achieve the state he is recommending, I am not satisfied that I am totally in the Now. It is though there were thoughts (about potential problems, difficult tasks, etc.) waiting in the wings, waiting for an opportunity to begin the thought process and break my concentration on driving or walking.
Tolle repeatedly advises: “Accept the Now.” These are his words.
Here is my first question: There are many, many times when my mind is at rest, but I feel this “tug” to begin letting my mind parade my concerns past me. I am not sure that I have really “accepted” the Now at that point. My question, again: What constitutes acceptance? — as opposed to merely experiencing the now?
Second question: I believe I heard Tolle say “go deeper into your self” or words to that effect. How can I go deeper when I believe I am into myself as much as I will ever be?
Perhaps the answers to the above are simply keeping doing what you are told to do and the answers will come of themselves.
Anyone have suggestions?
Eckharts sugestions include recognizing your senses.
What method works for one may not work for another.
However, I find that focusing my attention on the pulse in my hands then along my limbsneck - head and finally my heart give me the sense of simply being. Much like recognizing the evocative purring of a cat. When the sound becomes distinct and rythmic. It then evolves into a natural connection with that which he describes as the essence of who you are. Feel it vibrate effortlessly......
Hello - I came across this post a few weeks ago (after discussing Tolle on my own weblog) and decided I’d come back here if something arose to say.
With regard to William’s first question, it seems to me that you may be identifying too closely with your mind. As Patrick suggests, it helps to focus on a part of the body instead - or, if you are able, the whole energy field of the body. Then you may not be so impatient to think. Try listening to Tolle’s audio, The Realization of Being, where he runs through this in detail during a workshop session.
On question 2: Self-Enquiry by Sri Ramana may give you some guidance here. You can download it free at http://www.ramana-maharshi.org
Thie was recommended to me at the Eckhart Tolle discussion forum, which is an excellent source of suggestions re Tolle’s teaching: http://eckhart-tolle-forum.inner-growth.info
I hope this is helpful to William... and anyone else who might happen by.
This is simply my personal take on your first question.
Experience of the now means your concentration and awareness are completely focused on the now. However, you may continue to judge aspects of this experience as good, bad, or neutral.
Acceptance is experience without judgement. Whatever the experience it is accepted as being exactly as it should be.
Tolle’s basic tools are simple.
1. Watch (don’t engage) any thought of past or future the moment it arises in your mind.
2. Watch (don’t engage) any thought which resists something that is happening now.
3. Watch any emotion that arises within you the moment it arises.
4. Keep at least some of your attention in your inner body at all times. Feel the aliveness within you.
5. The moment you find that you are thinking about past or future, you are automatically present.
Scott
It is gratifying and reassuring to read the answers that people have taken the time and insight to provide to my original question. They are understandable, to the point, and meaningful.
i love this teaching of e.tolle.this is a wonderful teaching to be hear & now.7to calm down your mind .readers comments are also very meaning. thanks a lot
In regard to applying the teachings of Tolle:
The great mistake is attempting to achieve. Period! If you wish to strive for a place that Tolle is talking about (or rather “pointing toward”) you are trying to achieve a conceptualized mind-based idea of what the Now should feel like as the ideal place that you must somehow get to. That is the denial of the Now. The idea is not to stop thinking, (although as you remain Present that will ocurr less and less) but the idea is not to identify with the thinking. You remain rooted in the Awareness in which the thinking occurs. If you remain in that heightened state of Awareness you can catch the thought energy as it passes through you (some of it has a high frequency and others have a lower frequency). Just watch each thought mindfully. Identify how they feel in the body. Is this a thought that is worth pursuing? Does it somehow serve you or others? Watching each, without investing your Self in them, weakens the ego from gaining a foot hold and thus hiding your Divine Self. Don’t be afraid of thinking, just do not invest your Self in your thoughts, and thus lose your Self in the world or form.
I’ve battled depression for years and fought taking antidepressants. I’ve gotten to a pt where I’m considering taking them. I’ve read everything by Tolle and I’m wondering what others think he’d think of antidepressants. According to scientists it is very difficult to overcome depression without some kind of medical aid.
I pray, eat well, meditate, exercise, live a pretty balanced life.
What do you folks think?
Thanks!
Sarah
Sarah,
Personally, I would recommend it highly. Some of the newer anti-depressants (e.g., Lexapro) have far fewer side-effects than the stuff people were using in the 80s.
I took Lexapro for a couple years a while back, and found it helpful. I am highly sensitive to the effects of drugs, as well as their side-effects, so I took a very low dose — 10mg daily, if I recall correctly. It was half of the smallest dose they make.
It helped me sleep better (with the exception of the first night, when I couldn’t sleep at all ... taught me to take it in the morning for a while).
I found that it helped improve my physical and mental wellbeing by about 2% each month, steadily building up my mental and physical reserves.
By January of 2006, I felt like I had kind of plateaued, so I tried titrating myself off, and it worked great. I was able to discontinue its use without any relapse.
So now I’m back to 100% “pure” (chemically, at least) and have maintained all the benefits.
Regarding Tolle, I’m pretty sure he would say get all the help you can ... and stay very present to the experience.
Joshua
Thanks so much for your response, Joshua. You helped me with my decision immensely, especially since you’re acquainted with Tolle’s teachings.
I worry that if I get help, I am escaping the now. I also wonder if thorough depression is my opportunity for enlightenment. If I seek help, am I losing my opportunity? Is that silly?
Best,
Sarah
I am in the middle of The Power of Now’, and am also reading an article in Discover mag. about Big Bang theories. Julian Barbour writes about ‘time’ as a collection of ‘nows’ which can be thought of as”pages of a novel ripped from the spine of the book, and tossed randomly on the floor. Each page is a separate entity. Arranging the pages in an order makes it seem as if a story is unfolding, but, still each page is independent.”
Isn’t that interesting?
Pandy: Yes, certainly interesting. And possibly psychotic!