Eckhart Tolle: Essential Teachings

In this episode, Eckhart discusses one of his key messages: our primary purpose here on Earth is a spiritual one. He says it is our job to free ourselves of the mind-made sense of self, which has never been more destructive.  He says all ancient teachings point to this timeless message. Eckhart goes on to explain if we don’t come to some understanding of that truth in this lifetime, then we have completely missed the point.  Eckhart says that nomatter what we achieve in this world, it will not provide the lasting satisfaction we’re looking for. We will n...

In this episode Eckhart talks further about the pain body. He compares it to the character Gollum, in Lord of the Rings. He says the pain body, feeds on suffering and creates misery for everyone.  However, Eckhart explains once we recognize the pain body for what it is, we don’t have to be held hostage anymore. Our awareness is the first step toward freedom. Eckhart goes on to say that people with a heavy pain body are often eager to awaken spiritually. The discomfort becomes so great, they take action to alleviate it. Eckhart admits he was such a p...

In this podcast, Eckhart says one of the hurdles we must confront regularly is our unconscious thinking.  He says our relentless, self-centered thoughts actually feed the ego and keep us mired in a fictitious sense of self. He explains the ego loves problems and strengthens its grip by creating suffering for ourselves and others. Eckhart says if we’re not growing spiritually, when crises strike, they will make us even more unconscious. But there’s a paradox. Eckhart explains suffering can actually push us to awaken. When we can’t take the pain anymore, we finally surrender. He says most un...

In this podcast Eckhart talks with an audience in Stockholm, Sweden. He says the idea is to inhabit The Now. Ironically, he says most of us try to escape it…through activities, addiction or our thinking. We would rather be anywhere other than here. We say: “I’ve got too much going on. I don’t have time for presence. ” Eckhart explains this mindset can wreak havoc with our lives and create dysfunction. He says the most important thing any of us can do is to embody consciousness. He says evolution on this planet is actually happening through us. And on a la...

In this podcast, Eckhart elaborates further about finding freedom from the bondage of self. He says the first step is to confront our thinking and resist the urge to identify with every thought we have. Eckhart says rising above thinking paves the way to liberation. Many people try to free themselves through substances like alcohol, drugs, food and sex.  While these might provide some fleeting relief Eckhart says what we’re really doing is falling below thinking and spiraling down into unconsciousness and addiction. Eckhart warns that we arequickly moving towards a crisis point for humanity and the planet. How...

In this podcast, Eckhart talks about how many of us strive to become a bigger, better version of “me.” We do that through myriad achievements, wealth, status or possessions. Eckhart says it’s like the person who believes buying a more palatial home will somehow signify they’ve made it. He believes people become so invested in outcomes they neglect the journey. He says even spiritual seekers fall into this trap when they chase after enlightenment which can become another form of ego. He explains these behaviors are all a misguided quest for fulfillment and identity. Eckhart cautions against looking f...

In this podcast, Eckhart talks with an audience in Adelaide, Australia. He says participating in the retreat will allow everyone to have a taste of presence, rather than know it as a mere concept.  He explains that many of us place little value on the current moment because we believe fulfillment can only happen at some point in the distant future. He says the anticipation of things-yet-to-be is so strong, we miss opportunities in the here and now because the thinking mind takes over and muddies the water. Eckhart shares an experience he had at the age of seventeen, whe...

In this episode, Eckhart explains that many of us must go through a lot of unhappiness before we awaken. He says he’s never met anyone whose life is not difficult and fraught with challenges. He believes it’s a good thing when we become dissatisfied with what we call “my life.” He says our spiritual growth often begins when we realize there must be something morebecause our suffering pushes us to find it. He goes on to explain that our real life is actually in the here and now separate from the past and the future which is eternal and...

In this episode, Eckhart talks about the fact that many people live in a continuous state of waiting for the next thing that will magically transform their lives: a relationship, job, house, even more money. He says we’re misguided when we believe something outside ourselves will provide lasting fulfillment; this mindset is considered normal. But Eckhart says normal won’t free us from our inner turmoil. He says even during the best of times, we feel something important is missing from our lives. Eckhart explains when we’re continuously doing - waiting for the next thing - we become forg...

In this podcast Eckhart talks about bringing together the human and the being aspects of ourselves. He says we would be consigned to a miserable fate if all we were was human because being trapped by a limited identity there would be no possibility of self-transcendence. Eckhart points out even big egos have little selves and their achievements, even if considerable, often make people so unhappy, they don’t help transform the world. Eckhart explains when the human and the being come together, the being shines through our humanness, reflecting the light of consciousness. He says the greatest miracle of all is that...