Eckhart Tolle Archive

Treating chronic pain through radical acceptance

June 7, 2011 · Category: Adyashanti, Buddhism, Eckhart Tolle, Health, Meditation, Mindfulness, Witness Consciousness

A new friend asked for my advice about using meditation to treat chronic pain. I would assume that, like me, you have consulted many doctors and they aren't able to do much to help. In this case, one of the most powerful therapies is what we might call "radical acceptance." The basic premise is that we often don't realize how much of our suffering is of our own creation, created by how we react to the pain in our body. Sometimes the core of pain itself can be like a grain of sand in an oyster; but through our irritated reaction, it ...

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An enlightened view of enlightenment

December 13, 2010 · Category: Adyashanti, Buddhism, Eckhart Tolle, Intellectual, Mindfulness

I haven't written much on Mudita Journal about the concept of enlightenment, but it's been in the background for me for several years, ever since I discovered the teachings of Adyashanti (and Eckhart Tolle, before him). Perhaps I should write a post about it, sometime, for the benefit of those who are unfamiliar, who see it as a "mystical" concept, or who are skeptical that it has any value. Meantime, I know a few of my readers are acquainted with Adyashanti — or "Adya," as students often call him — and his teachings. In any case, a friend said the ...

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The gentle art of blessing

December 11, 2010 · Category: Adyashanti, Buddhism, Eckhart Tolle, Mindfulness

I was contacted today by a fellow student of Adyashanti's teachings, who lives in Albuquerque and was wondering about the status of the group I had tried starting there, years ago. It turns out she has a blog as well, called A Peaceful Human Race. Reading it, I was moved by this post: for the last couple months, i've been reading the gentle art of blessing by pierre prandervand. a little excerpt from the book can give you a taste of what this book is about, or you could click the title of the book above, order, and check it out yourself. pradervand ...

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Suffering as a form of spiritual guidance

January 5, 2010 · Category: Buddhism, Eckhart Tolle, Intellectual, Mindfulness, Witness Consciousness

In response to my post on the significance of suffering, Andrew ends his insightful comments with: So in that sense I think the issue of suffering is important: I think denials of it lie at the root of many problems. I do wonder, though, if this gets at what you are talking about. I sense you may be referring to something more. Good points. And yes, I am groping for something more, here. In a nutshell, it's this: I have come to the view that suffering, if you respond to it correctly, will open you to a sense of deep and profound connection with ...

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Mudita Forum is now at Google Groups

March 18, 2009 · Category: Buddhism, Eckhart Tolle, FLOW, Individualism, Integral, Intellectual, Meditation, Mindfulness, Mudita Forum, Objectivism, Witness Consciousness

Check out the new Mudita Forum, if you think you might be interested. The purpose of Mudita Forum is to provide a stimulating, thoughtful environment for discussing Eastern consciousness-raising practices — such as meditation, mindfulness, and the cultivation of presence — while using Ayn Rand's philosophy of Objectivism as a basic philosophical frame-of-reference. The old group got lost when I was changing servers a couple years ago, but recently I've been contacted by new people wishing to join. My hope for the new group is that it will be much like the old one: low-volume, high-quality, and stimulating on many levels. I sent invites ...

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Applying Eckhart Tolle’s Teachings

September 19, 2006 · Category: Buddhism, Eckhart Tolle, Mindfulness

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 ...

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What is Mind Identification?

July 15, 2006 · Category: Buddhism, Eckhart Tolle, Meditation, Mindfulness, Objectivism

I just posted the following on the Rebirth of Reason web site, in response to Luke Setzer's negative review of Eckhart Tolle's book The Power of Now. Luke writes: "[Eckhart Tolle's] thesis that 'mind identification' serves as the source for all strife in the world stands squarely at odds with reason as man's only means of knowing and his method of survival." Actually, this is not true. To explain why, we have to look at what mind identification consists of, and what the alternatives would be in everyday life. First, here's a working definition: 'Mind identification' is an unconscious process by ...

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Meditation and Chronic Pain

June 2, 2006 · Category: Buddhism, Eckhart Tolle, Health, Meditation, Mindfulness

A new friend has pointed me to a conversation on his blog about meditation and chronic pain. He invited me to comment since he knows I've got some experience with the topic. The original questioner asks: How do you deal with Chronic Severe Pain? It takes energy to have patience, and long term agonizing pain disrupts the spirit, makes meditation impossible, sends shock waves through the whole body constantly, relaxation cannot happen. Enlighten me. For help in this area, I highly recommend the book Break Through Pain by Shinzen Young. It is the best book I've read on the subject. I can relate ...

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Maybe PT-141 Will Take Me Into the Now

April 23, 2006 · Category: Eckhart Tolle, Health, Meditation

The Guardian has an fascinating article about a new drug, an inhaler called PT-141, that stimulates sexual desire in women as well as men. The article explores some interesting dynamics at the intersection of sex, health, and pharmacology. Here's one apropos bit: 'I see a lot of couples in my practice who don't know how to relax,' says Leonore Tiefer, a professor of psychiatry at New York University School of Medicine. 'That's fine - it's a big asset to them in their corporate lifestyle, where they can work 80 hours a week. They're trained to multi-task. Well, it doesn't seem that that is ...

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On the Motivation to Meditate

January 27, 2004 · Category: Eckhart Tolle, Meditation, Mindfulness

Kirez posts some interesting comments on his experiences with attempting to adopt a more regular meditation practice. Enjoyable reading. My meditation practice is aided greatly by the fact that, when I don't meditate, I feel lousy inside. That, and having discovered the joys of listening to Eckhart Tolle (or simply enjoying, and matching, the presence of his voice) in the car.

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