Eckhart Tolle - Some further notes and recommendations for approaching his teachings - The Power of Now and related teachings.

 

Here are some further notes on Eckhart Tolle's material and teachings. I'm writing this for those attacted to his teachings, and the introductory ideas expressed in his books, talks and audio sessions. There are some who may stay with Eckhart's teachings for quite some time, or indefinately, others may receive the inner guidance to move on however, to deeper work and more thorough teachings and approaches to 'enlightenment' outside of what Eckhart teaches.

Key issues and things to note:

- Eckhart does a great job in all his books, talks, lectures etc. in detailing the issues around thinking, self-ing, conceptualising, and habitually thinking about the past and future. He also does a great job in examining how the ego works, the "pain body", and personal and social issues in general as a result of this. HOWEVER, the solutions that he provides are just too surface level to do any of this justice. He makes a great case for change, he explains the "what", and the "why" perfectly.. but the "how" is not sufficient or deep enough. Just provided snippets of approaches, or a shotgun approach in doing things such as watching thoughts at one point, or going into bodily sensations at another, or staying present, etc. without any structured framework or approach isn't going to cut it.

As a result, many of his students are stuck asking the same questions over and over, and left trying to work out how to meaningfully and effectively put these tools and lack of approach into practice.

- Eckhart doesn't openly acknowledge his teachers and the sources of the material that he puts forth as his own.. based on some magical awakening event story of what occurred for him one night. If we dig deeper and look at some of his source material, such as Barry Long's teachings, A Course in Miracles, and bits and pieces from other mystics and teachers (more recently in Advaita), it becomes really obvious that these previous sources are almost taken word for word with a slight variation in language. The "fountain of all knowledge" effect is lessened by this, but it's just more honest. The whole organisation around ET thrives on him being some enlightened teacher who has come up with all of this on his own due to his own awakening that apparently didn't require any pevious work or practice. This just isn't correct, and frankly, is a bit of a red flag.

- Eckhart's teachings have changed over time, according to the various interest and flavour of the month.. lately it's more about awareness, consciousness, and neo-advaita type pointing, whereas originally is was more about mindfulness, concentration, and awareness being focused attention in the body or on the mind stream. This is sort of interesting, but prompts one to wonder why the change, and why the need to appeal to the mass audience (apart from the monetary advantage of doing so). Why the need for such a massive organisation built up around ET The Teacher, if the whole point of the message is to be nothing, nobody and live with as little structure and baggage as possible?

- ET's ideas about 'enlightenment' as just too simplistic. He mainly defines 'enlightenment' as disidentification with the mind, and the mind-made self. Further, he makes it sound like no big deal.. so we can all quite easily make it 'enlightenment', without having to do any of the usual hard yards that progressive paths have stressed over the centuries such as conduct, ethics, developing concentration, developing sustained mindfulness, having devotion to the teacher/path, etc. etc. It's all reduced to just living 'in the now', stopping thinking, and feeling/dissolving the pain body (with quite minimalistic instructions, mostly taken from other approaches that use somatic work or body scanning etc.)

Taking the above into account, here's some GOOD material that can assist with the gaps in his teaching.. look for these audio lectures if you can find them, since they're the closest to what we might consider "meditation" or structure, which is clearly lacking in most of the talks, books, etc.

Recommended material:

1. Gateways to the Now -- an audio with 3 parts that goes for around an hour (with another hour of music), that details 3 ways to enter 'the now', being via the inner body, silence, and acceptance

2. Practicing the Power of Now - which has taken out the practical parts of The Power of Now, and made these parts into a manual so to speak. Although the practices even here aren't deep enough to likely effect permanent change or insight, they're all in one spot at least for review and consumption.

3. Essential Meditations with Eckhart Tolle - this 7 hour audio compilation is one of the better ones that focuses more on the idea of meditation and how to implement some of the teachings and philosophy that ET talks about elsewhere

4. Meditations for a New Earth - Although this is mostly given by Kim Eng, it does contain some good structured practices that can be used daily to give life to the information presented elsewhere.

5. Non-live material - When starting off, leave out the live audience material and hours and hours of live talks.. preferring the specifically given content and books such as Power of Now, Stillness Speaks, or the above audio lectures. The live talks tend to cater for large audiences attending a huge talk who are looking for a bit of entertainment and a bit of spiritual chit chat, and thus the live talks tend to contain mainly teaching stories and surface level pointers that are repeated throughout all the talks over time. The non-live material is more structured, and also was created for a specific purpose and thus it's more effective at delivering the message.

Overall:

Eckhart Tolle and his teaching material contains a lot of benefit in terms of providing an easy to understand philosophy around topics such as mindfulness, self, ego, emotional pain, and the ideas behind why and what is needed to be transcended for spiritual growth and liberation. There's tonnes of free content available online as well, which is generous. This makes ET appealing to beginners on the path, and also those interested in spiritual talk, conversation and entertaining ideas around the path.

However, the "how" isn't developed deep enough, and the teachings generally remain on the surface, in an attempt to cater for as wide an audience as possible. Because of the sheer volume of content available, trying to sort the wheat from the chaff is also a challenge for beginners with these teachings. As such, many seekers have encountered ET's ideas, and agree on their value, but end up confused, or doubful as to where and how to EXACTLY implement these teachings to give lasting change and the sort of 'enlightenment' that is promised in much of the talks and books.

These teachings are worth delving into, trying, checking out, and confirming for oneself.. but do keep in mind that they're more of a starting point on the path rather than a destination or complete approach.

The idea of 'enlightenment'.

A quote from Sri Nisargadatta ('I Am That'):


"The idea of enlightenment is of utmost importance. Just to know that
there is such possibility, changes one's entire outlook. It acts like a
burning match in a heap of saw dust. All the great teachers did nothing
else. A spark of truth can burn up a mountain of lies. The opposite is
also true. The sun of truth remains hidden behind the cloud of
self-identification with the body."

----

Some spiritual teachers seek to destroy the image or false idea of 'enlightenment', and thus give the antidote of 'non-existent enlightenment'. That is to say, they negate the possibility and existence of enlightenment, and explain it as a non-event, a concept and something that does not exist.

This can serve for those who have conceptual images of enlightenment that pertain to an individual attaining something extra on top of what the individual already is.

Unfortunately, non-existent enlightenment also becomes a belief, in that the individual then takes it that there is nothing other than the self-identified state of being an individual, and 'suffering' is a part of life etc. Nihilism and other philosophies often follow. Other solutions to this problem are then inadvertently sought after.

In contrast, Sri Nisargadatta explains that the idea of 'enlightenment' is very important. For the self-identified individual, this idea becomes a beacon of light in that it provides a 'way out'  from suffering, limitation, and the mess that one inevitably finds oneself in as an individual in the world. Seeking may then happen, or not, but a shift occurs with the introduction of this idea. Of course, further down the track, this idea will need to be dropped, as it will become an obstacle in itself. But initially, this idea must be taken up, as the first step or first instant of a new direction away from the same beaten path that the conditioned individual has held for time immemorial.

As the individual comes to know itself as an image, and identified consciousness becomes purified from the habit of identifying with external objects and confusion, then it can be seen that there is nothing to attain apart from What is obviously apparent and existent, and has been so for all eternity. Until then, the idea of 'enlightenment' has an important place in the world of the individual for those who identify as an individual.

Is there a place for Kundalini and "Kindalini awakenings" in the nondual teachings?

Q: Is there a place for Kundalini and "kundalini awakenings" in the nondual teachings?

A: No, not really.

The question of "kundalini" and "kundalini awakenings" often comes up with newcomers entering the nondual teachings, and especially those who may have encountered Hatha yoga, New Age teachings, and spiritual schools that arose in the 20th Century (e.g. Theosophy, Spiritualism, Western Occultism etc.)

There are scores of modern spiritual teachers who are still espousing much nonsense about kundalini, "raising consciousness", and the role of kundalini as a necessity in one's "spiritual progress".

Unfortunately, most of this is rubbish, and often dangerous, based on superficial readings of Patanjali, or misinformed teachings and bad translations of texts that entered the mainstream in the early 20th Century.

Unless one is studying traditional Hatha Yoga, under a qualified and experienced teacher one-to-one, it would be well advised to leave aside completely the practices of pranayama, forced breathing, chakra work, and anything related to 'awakening the kundalini'. Sadly, there have been many who have not heeded such advice, or have been misled by 'well-intentioned teachers paving the road to hell', and who have ended up with permanent damage to their body-mind.

Back to the question.

The reason that there is no place for 'kundalini' or 'kundalini work' in the nondual teachings is that kundalini work and its related energy activities are nothing more than an arising, a temporary happening, that occurs in the body-mind as a result of the interplay of the 5 elements and 3 gunas. Consciousness as the mind-body identified individual has an experience, which it thinks is important, and thus builds up new experiences based on the belief that it has somehow progressed or changed into a better version of itself. This energy, of which, the individual believes it can manipulate, does give rise to temporary psycho-physical changes in the body-mind. Further, the ego-initiated effort of manipulating such energies in the body-mind strengthens the ego's belief in its own autonomy-- which is not helpful in bringing about its apparent end. 

Since the individual and the body-mind are ultimately an appearance in the nondual field of awareness, their import is the same as per the results attained from activities such as jogging, climbing a mountain, swimming underwater, fasting, and other such actions that the individual thinks it can perform to change its apparent reality-- all of which have zero effect on the nondual situation as it is appearing here and now-- which is actually perfect, not in need of change, and whole.

Some sages, such as Sri Nisargadatta, have said that the jnani has no interest at all in Kundalini, since the jnani is completely beyond and prior to such activity. Knowing this directly, where is the need for any particular experience? Others, such as Sri Ramana Maharshi, have commented that the activity of self-inquiry would actually achieve the same result as any 'kundalini' experience, with the difference that any result would happen of its own accord, without the involvement of the ego, and in a naturally unfolding (and smoother fashion). "My own experience" here, has verified both of these comments. It was reported by some that Gurdjieff equated the experiences of kundalini with his literary invention of the 'Kundabuffer' and its maleficent effects on people (due to wrong use).

In summary, if a teacher starts talking about kundalini, and kundalini awakenings, then one should run in the other direction.

Notes on 'The Disappearance of the Universe' (Gary Renard) in relation to ACIM & non-duality

Notes on 'The Disappearance of the Universe' (Gary Renard) in relation to ACIM & non-duality

I must say that I really enjoyed this book, both as a journey in its own right, and also in its unique 'interpretation' of A Course in Miracles. The story itself was entertaining and laid out some basic concepts in nonduality & ACIM from a simple, everyday perspective. There was also some entertaining reading related to world events etc.

For most readers, this book probably acts as a big motivating factor in picking up 'A Course in Miracles' (or starting again), and also in clarifying some of the more complex concepts in ACIM, which are prone to misinterpretation, dumbing down etc.

That said, the book does sometimes attempt to explain some conceptual points about the Course or nonduality, based on abstract quotes from ACIM- which seem not to have much in common with the idea being discussed (or rather seem to be a large 'stretch'). Further, for a book about nonduality and enlightenment, there's an awful amount of importance placed on events, time sequences, and personalities (like who's who back in history, and who will 'get enlightened' at what time in the future). Any truly 'enlightened being' would have likely worked out or come to the self-evident realization, however, that there are no 'enlightened' individuals or personalities.. ever. Such distractions detract from the philosophy of ACIM as well as nonduality in general.

Still, I can't fault the author's overall work too much here (which is motivational & inspiring for the most part), and its unique take on A Course in Miracles-- which IMO forms one of the better interpretations I've come across.

My only other comment on the above would be to keep in mind that this book, like countless others related to ACIM, presents ONE interpretation of the Course, and shouldn't be construed as the 'final note' or 'best interpretation' or 'The Course'. Ultimately, the Course does stand on its own, and speaks to different students in very different ways. If a student diligently and patiently follows the Workbook and Course, they will ultimately come to their own conclusions over time, and be left with a far better Guide than any written material or secondary opinion may offer.

 

A few "first steps" for someone new to spiritual awakening.

I found this article on a website by Tom Stine. These eight tips are probably worth more than a whole bookstore filled with metaphysical and spiritual books. Since they are so common sense and clear, I've reposted here.

Just basic common sense tips. These tips also highlight where 90% of spiritual aspirants get lost, or fool themselves into believing they are doing work when in fact nothing is being done besides "armchair spirituality", conditioned thinking and talking.

Enjoy (and thanks to Tom Stine for writing these).


Tom Stine: 8 “First Steps” for Someone New (or Old) to Spiritual Awakening

* Start sitting. As I often say, you probably can’t sit too much. I’m far less interested in what you do while sitting, more interested in that you spend time sitting often. However, I think it safe to say that fantasizing and planning your day are not the best uses of your time. Rather, spend time doing absolutely nothing. You are not trying to still your mind, you are not trying to focus on breathing or a thousand other meditation techniques. You are just sitting still, maybe noticing what is here, what is now, what is your current experience. There are no mental tricks or games or practices. Just sitting and being. That’s really enough. Maybe try doing some sitting, allowing everything to simply be, for 15 minutes every day.

* A little bit each day, put your attention on awareness. (Many ways for doing this)

* Find a teacher or two or three, and pay attention to their teachings. Don’t try to precisely comprehend it all, but instead allow the teachings to “soak in.” You don’t need to become a follower of these teachers, take them as your “gurus” or send them all your money. But having someone (or several someones) to guide you along the way can be very, very helpful.

* Read a wide variety of spiritual books. These books can be very helpful. Don’t try to find “the answers” in those books. Rather, allow them to move you and guide you, not satisfy your minds desire to figure out everything.

* Make-up your own damn mind about what’s what in the spiritual world. Don’t believe a single word any teacher says, any books says, nothing(!), unless it really resonates with you. You don’t need to be an out and out skeptic. But don’t take anyone’s word for it. So what if Swami Salami says that enlightenment is the greatest thing since sliced bread. Is it? Do you know that? How about sitting with it and seeing what arises in you?

* Attend a few satsangs. Satsang means “talk or gathering about truth,” and attending, - watching or listening to one can be extremely helpful. If you don’t live near a teacher with whom you resonate, then watch satsang online (and no, that isn’t just a plug for online live satsang with yours truly). There are a number of teachers doing satsang and posting videos online. YouTube has more videos on spiritual awakening than you could ever hope to watch. For those of you who live in Hooterville like I do, the Internet is a veritable godsend.

* Recognize one very important truth about spiritual awakening and spirituality in general: most of what passes for spirituality is not going to help you in the slightest. I know that sounds extremely critical, but I don’t intend it to be. The issue at hand is really simple: what is going to help you the most on your journey? That’s all the matters. And the crazy part is that there is no “one-size-fits-all” path or approach that works for everyone. In a very real sense, you have to discover the unique path that is for you and you alone. And so the obvious realization: most of what’s out there just isn’t going to work. That’s why I keep encouraging you to…

* Sit some more. Really. I know I am making a big deal about sitting, both in this article, during satsang, and in the Shortcuts, but it really can’t be over-emphasized. It is a rare person who sits too much. If you will notice, most of the teachers and gurus out there, as well as most historical “enlightened” folks, did a lot of sitting. It’s about seeing how the mind/ego ticks. Most people won’t see through it without some time getting familiar with it. Sitting is the best way to do that. Remember, how is less important than actually doing it.

(Original article here: http://tomstine.com/8-first-steps-for-someone-new-or-old-to-spiritual-awakening-a-beginners-guide-part-1/)


As I understand from his website, Tom seems to have finished posting new material on his website, and has gone offline since then for various reasons. However, there is still some very worthwhile material on the site which I would highly recommend for reading.

DP.