Eckhart Tolle

[Roger&Me]

Dude is just reiterating the spiritual equivalent of "common knowledge" in order to promote his own image and sell books. Hence, like I said before: meh.

 

[hobhead]

we all go though stages where we take in "self help" info . tolle propounds psychobabble to beat the band .

 

[stonerfromohio]

I really disagree that he could be trying to promote a self-image when his entire message is that there is no self-identity, and that the ego is not real.

His message has nothing to do with self-help... his entire thing is about poking holes in the belief in a separate self... this wont help you it will "kill you".

Not sure if you actually read any of his books...

Another thing he often quotes that has much truth, "Die before you die, and you will truly live".

 

[MyDoorsAreOpen]

we all go though stages where we take in "self help" info . tolle propounds psychobabble to beat the band .

Like I said, he is what he is. People who are well versed in, say Chuang Tzu will not find Tolle profound or moving. But people who aren't intellectually oriented might.

Spiritual writing is a lot like art -- what touches and reaches one person isn't necessarily going to be what does the same for the next person.

 

[Raw Evil]

Spiritual writing is a lot like art -- what touches and reaches one person isn't necessarily going to be what does the same for the next person.

Quoted for truth!

 

[stonerfromohio]

Like I said, he is what he is. People who are well versed in, say Chuang Tzu will not find Tolle profound or moving. But people who aren't intellectually oriented might.

Spiritual writing is a lot like art -- what touches and reaches one person isn't necessarily going to be what does the same for the next person.

I agree it is a lot like art, very beautiful. I love Tzu as well as tolle I can appreciate both, not sure why you think those well versed in Tzu wouldnt find tolle moving... . Truth has a million manifestations, each has its value.

 

[The_Winner]

So many misconceptions and invalid interpretations in this thread, imho.

Tolle isn't saying you should suppress your ego.
He's saying one can use his ego as a tool, instead of something that creates suffering for self or others, by simply being mindful of it's actions/being fully aware of the present moment.
It isn't an easy thing to do, when you are very identified with your ego (as most of us are), but it can be practiced with meditation for example.

It's the same "teaching", that many enlightened beings have tried to pass on to others, just with slightly different words or as Tolle says "these are just signposts".

 

[Enlitx]

Another thing he often quotes that has much truth, "Die before you die, and you will truly live".

Translated: Let go of all your inhibitions and anxiety associated with your perceptions of yourself and what is valuable. This is nothing new, people have been trying to do this for ages. The problem is that it isn't easy and it goes against the neurological developments that prime us for a goal oriented life. If it was truly profound or useful, you would see scores of people all of the sudden leading completely happy and stress free lives.

It really isn't a profound statement, and as others have said, it is the same same message being rehashed.

 

[B9]

I've considered writing: The Power of Later

A book for and by procrastinators!

May I prebuy ( is that a real word?) a copy of it now please

 

[SideOrderOfOpiates]

May I prebuy ( is that a real word?) a copy of it now please

You mean you haven't read The Power of Then?<---Click it, damnit! Heheh.

All bullshit aside, I too am currently reading The Power of Now.
Personally, I much prefer The Seven Spiritual Laws of Success by Deepak Chopra. The reason I say this, is because Deepak Chopra very clearly states various ways that you can integrate living in the present moment. IMHO, he does a much better job of describing the same theory, as well as giving you tools to apply it. Eckhart Tolle on the other hand, lacks a lot of the tools, as well as depth. One thing I love about his book though, is that he includes a personal story of his own downfall. Being an addict, I find a bit more personal solace through The Power of Now. When it comes to depth, mind expansion, ect...he's not excellent. Overall, I still enjoy the book, though. I believe a book like that can do one no harm. As a result, even if all you obtain growthwise is something minuscule...any improvement is a good improvement!

 

[.Lucid.]

He speaks of the Ego as something to be suppressed, to be diminished wherever possible.

actually its you whos missed the mark.. disidentifying with your ego is what hes really talking about, not suppressing it. its totally different.

i personally really appreciate eckhart tolle's plain and matter-of-fact manner of pointing to the unspeakable, the infinite.. but ive grown weary of talking about it with others because you either get whats hes saying or you dont.. theres really nothing to discuss.

and i dont think his books really serve the purpose of "waking people up." i think you already have to have glimpsed the infinite within yourself before you can understand what hes saying.. his books just serve to help people come to terms with the truth and develope and understanding of the unknowable.

 

[slimvictor]

Like I said, he is what he is. People who are well versed in, say Chuang Tzu will not find Tolle profound or moving. But people who aren't intellectually oriented might.

I did a college major in Buddhism, and when I came to read Tolle, there was essentially nothing new there for me.
However, he explains things simply, and makes connections, and has a modern perspective that will allow some people to grasp the concepts for the first time.
He is also a persuasive writer.

I am most certainly "intellectually oriented", and I have read both Lao Tzu and Chuang Tzu (in Chinese), but I find his work profound and moving.
I believe that he has hit the nail directly on the head.
His explanations of paths to "enlightenment" mesh beautifully with some of the paths I have tried myself, including particularly Vipassana meditation.

Seems like some people want to put him down because he is still alive, or because his books sell and he makes money.
I would urge them to look more deeply into his philosophy instead of merely deciding based on the facade.

 

[stonerfromohio]

^^^^^^

 

[webbykevin]

Any writing that inspires people into some form on direct self inquiry and to see the power of the now moment has its place.

if it can open peoples eyes to the fact that there are other ways of thinking about life and existence other than the control, fear, guilt trip doctrines of organized religion then good on the guy for trying to open peoples minds and hearts.