Eckhart Tolle (born Germany, 1948 as Ulrich Tolle) is a contemporary spiritual teacher and writer on spirituality. Eckhart Tolle is not aligned with any particular religion or tradition. [1] Year 1948 (MCMXLVIII) was a leap year starting on Thursday (link will display the 1948 calendar) of the Gregorian calendar. ... Spirituality, in a narrow sense, concerns itself with matters of the spirit. ...

Biography

Tolle was educated at the Universities of London and Cambridge. He was born in Germany but lived with his father in Spain from about age 13 until he moved to England in his early 20s. He did not attend formal schooling after age 13, but rather took language and other courses. He attended night colleges to obtain the necessary entrance requirements for University in England. The University of London is a university based primarily in London. ... The University of Cambridge (often Cambridge University), located in Cambridge, England, is the second-oldest university in the English-speaking world and has a reputation as one of the worlds most prestigious universities. ... For other uses, see England (disambiguation). ...

At the age of 29, he experienced a spiritual transformation that marked the beginning of an intense inward journey and the beginning of his function as a counselor and spiritual teacher. He now lives in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. Enlightenment (or brightening) broadly means the acquisition of new wisdom or understanding enabling clarity of perception. ... Look up Counselor in Wiktionary, the free dictionary. ... Guru - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia /**/ @import /skins-1. ... For other uses, see Vancouver (disambiguation). ... Motto: Splendor Sine Occasu (Latin: Splendour Without Sunset (diminishment)) Capital Victoria Largest city Vancouver Official languages English Government - Lieutenant-Governor Iona Campagnolo - Premier Gordon Campbell (BC Liberal) Federal representation in Canadian Parliament - House seats 36 - Senate seats 6 Confederation July 20, 1871 (6th province) Area  Ranked 5th - Total 944,735...

The name change from Ulrich to Eckhart seems to be a reference to German mystic Meister Eckhart. The Meister Eckhart portal of the Erfurt Church. ...

Teachings

Eckhart Tolle is said to have attained enlightenment at the age of 29 after suffering long periods of depression, dissolving his old identity and radically changing the course of his life. Tolle's non-fiction bestseller, The Power of Now, emphasizes the importance of being aware of the present moment as a way of not being lost in thought. In Tolle's view, the present is the gateway to a heightened sense of peace and aliveness. "Being in the now" also brings about an awareness that is beyond the mind. This awareness helps in transcending "the pain-body" that is created by the identification of the mind and ego with the body. His later book, A New Earth further explores the structure of the human ego and how this acts to distract people from their present experience of the world. His other works include Stillness Speaks, a book that modernises the ancient sutra form. Enlightenment (or brightening) broadly means the acquisition of new wisdom or understanding enabling clarity of perception. ... In everyday language depression refers to any downturn in mood, which may be relatively transitory and perhaps due to something trivial. ... Look up Identity in Wiktionary, the free dictionary. ... For the book by Chuck Palahniuk titled Non-fiction, see Stranger Than Fiction: True Stories. ... A bestseller is a book that is identified as extremely popular by its inclusion on lists of currently top selling titles that are based on publishing industry and booktrade figures and published by newspapers, magazines, or bookstore chains. ... In biological psychology, awareness describes an animals perception and cognitive reaction to a condition or event. ... Moment refers to either of two related concepts in mathematics and physics: Moment (physics) Moment (mathematics) See also Moment (magazine), a Jewish general publication. ... A peace dove, widely known as a symbol for peace, featuring an olive branch in the doves beak. ... In biological psychology, awareness describes a human or animals perception and cognitive reaction to a condition or event. ... For other uses, see Mind (disambiguation). ... Transcend Information, Inc. ... eGO is a company that builds electric motor scooters which are becoming popular for urban transportation and vacation use. ... For other uses, see Body (disambiguation). ... eGO is a company that builds electric motor scooters which are becoming popular for urban transportation and vacation use. ... Sūtra (sex) (Sanskrit) or Sutta (Pāli) literally means a rope or thread that holds things together, and more metaphorically refers to an aphorism (or line, rule, formula), or a collection of such aphorisms in the form of a manual. ...

The aim of Tolle's teachings is the transformation of individual and collective human consciousness--a global spiritual awakening. Consciousness is a quality of the mind generally regarded to comprise qualities such as subjectivity, self-awareness, sentience, sapience, and the ability to perceive the relationship between oneself and ones environment. ... A spiritual awakening is a religious experience involving a realization or opening to a sacred dimension of reality. ...

Core teachings include:

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.

Influences

Eckhart Tolle is not aligned with any particular religion or tradition. Influences which are alluded to in The Power of Now are the writings of Meister Eckhart, Advaita Vedanta, A Course in Miracles, mystical Islam, Sufism, and Rumi's poetry and Zen Buddhism's Lin-chi (Rinzai) school. The book also interprets sayings of Jesus from the Bible. The Meister Eckhart portal of the Erfurt Church. ... Advaita Vedanta (IAST ; Sanskrit ; IPA ) is a sub-school of the Vedānta (literally, end or the goal of the Vedas, Sanskrit) school of Hindu philosophy. ... Second hardbound edition of A Course in Miracles, as published by Foundation for Inner Peace. ... A woodblock print by Yoshitoshi, (Japan, 1887) depicting Bodhidharma the founder of Chinese Zen. ... There is a disputed proposal that this article should be merged with Rinzai and Linji. ... This article is about Jesus of Nazareth. ... This Gutenberg Bible is displayed by the United States Library. ...

Some disciples of the Australian teacher Barry Long see Long's influence in Tolle's writings as well. Tolle attended Long's seminars in London in the mid-1980s, some years after his own self-described awakening. Tolle himself mentions briefly in an interview with John Parker [2] that by listening to and having some conversation with Long, he understood things more deeply. In the same interview Tolle also mentions the influence of the Western-born Buddhist monk, Ajahn Sumedho, and also speaks passionately of his appreciation of the teachings of Jiddu Krishnamurti and Ramana Maharshi. He sees his own teaching as enabling the respective messages of the two latter to merge as one. Barry Long (August, 1926 - December 6, 2003[1]) was an Australian spiritual teacher and writer. ... This article is about the capital of England and the United Kingdom. ... The 1980s refers to the years from 1980 to 1989. ... The name John Parker may refer to John Parker, an American judge who served at the Nuremberg Trials John Parker of South Carolina, a member of the Continental Congress (1786-1788) John Parker, Presidential Candidate (2004) of the Workers World Party John Parker, (1906-1987) British politician, Labour MP for... Ajahn Sumedho is a widely venerated modern figure of Theravada Buddhism. ... Jiddu Krishnamurti or J. Krishnamurti, (May 12, 1895–February 17, 1986) was a well-known writer and speaker on fundamental philosophical and spiritual subjects, such as the purpose of meditation, human relationships, and how to enact positive change in global society. ... Sri Ramana Maharshi (December 30, 1879 – April 14, 1950) was a Hindu[1][2] Sage who lived on the sacred mountain Arunachala in India. ...

Reception

The first of his four books was The Power of Now, a #1 New York Times best-seller that has been translated into over 30 languages. He has also recorded numerous audio interviews and a video. American talk-show host Oprah Winfrey considers The Power of Now to be one of her favorite books.[3] The New York Times is an internationally known daily newspaper published in New York City and distributed in the United States and many other nations worldwide. ... A bestseller is a book that is identified as extremely popular by its inclusion on a list of top-sellers. ... Oprah Winfrey, (born January 29, 1954) is a multiple-Emmy Award winning host of The Oprah Winfrey Show, the highest rated talk show in television history. ...

Quotations

• “All forms are Impermanent.”

• “All structures are unstable.”

• “Compassion is the awareness of a deep bond between yourself and all creatures.”

• "To meet everything and everyone through stillness instead of mental noise is the greatest gift you can offer to the universe."

• “True salvation is freedom from negativity, and above all from past and future as a psychological need.”

• “Is suffering really necessary? Yes and no. If you had not suffered as you have, there would be no depth to you, no humility, no compassion.”

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

• “As you go about your life, don’t give 100 percent of your attention to the external world and to your mind. Keep some within. Feel the inner body even when engaged in everyday activities, especially when you are relating with nature. Feel the stillness deep inside it. Keep the portal open.”

Works

Books

• The Power of Now: A Guide to Spiritual Enlightenment, New World Library, October, 1999 ISBN 1-57731-152-3 (HC) ISBN 1-57731-480-8 (PB)
• Practicing the Power of Now: Essential Teachings, Meditations, and Exercises from The Power of Now, New World Library, October 10, 2001 ISBN 1-57731-195-7 (HC)
• Stillness Speaks, New World Library, August, 2003 ISBN 1-57731-400-X
• A New Earth: Awakening to Your Life's Purpose, Dutton, October 11, 2005 ISBN 0-525-94802-3

is the 283rd day of the year (284th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2001 (MMI) was a common year starting on Monday (link displays the 2001 Gregorian calendar). ... is the 284th day of the year (285th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2005 (MMV) was a common year starting on Saturday (link displays full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar. ...

Audio tapes

• What is Meditation?
• Practicing the Power of Now
• Companion to the Power of Now: A Guide to Spiritual Enlightenment, June 2001
• Living the Liberated Life and Dealing With the Pain Body, October 2001
• The Realization of Being: A Guide to Experiencing Your True Identity, October 2001
• Know That "I Am", January 1, 2002
• Even the Sun Will Die: An Interview With Eckhart Tolle, July 2002
• The Eckhart Tolle Audio Collection, September 2002
• The Essence of Now, 2002
• Choose to Awaken Now, 2002
• In the Presence of a Great Mystery, 2002
• Realizing the Power of Now: An In-Depth Retreat With Eckhart Tolle, June 2003
• Entering the Now, August 2003
• Gateways to Now, September 1, 2003
• Whispers, January 1, 2004
• The Flowering of Human Consciousness, May 2004
• Living a Life of Inner Peace, October 10, 2004
• Practicing Presence: A Guide for the Spiritual Teacher and Health Practitioner, November 1, 2004
• Eckhart Tolle's Findhorn Retreat: Stillness Amidst the World, October 10, 2005
• Through the Open Door: Journey to the Vastness of Your True Being, January 30, 2006

is the 1st day of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ... Also see: 2002 (number). ... is the 244th day of the year (245th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2003 (MMIII) was a common year starting on Wednesday of the Gregorian calendar. ... is the 1st day of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2004 (MMIV) was a leap year starting on Thursday of the Gregorian calendar. ... is the 283rd day of the year (284th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2004 (MMIV) was a leap year starting on Thursday of the Gregorian calendar. ... is the 305th day of the year (306th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2004 (MMIV) was a leap year starting on Thursday of the Gregorian calendar. ... is the 283rd day of the year (284th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2005 (MMV) was a common year starting on Saturday (link displays full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar. ... is the 30th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2006 (MMVI) was a common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. ...

External links

• Eckhart Tolle's official website
• The Power of Now
• Eckhart Tolle: a fan site - includes quotes and excerpts, forums, interviews, articles and photos.
• Now-For-You A forum to discuss the teachings of Eckhart Tolle
• www.eckharttolle.eu European online store for Eckhart Tolle Books, CDs, Audiobooks, Cards and other products
• Videos on Google
• Eckhart Tolle Spanish Group
• Spanish Silence Groups