Eckhart Tolle discusses the danger of deferring satisfaction and the importance of being present in the current moment. He explores the connection between goals and satisfaction, and emphasizes the need to find joy in present experiences. The podcast also delves into the concept of awakening from the dream state and the evolution of human consciousness.
Deferring satisfaction and constantly projecting into the future can lead to a pattern of never finding satisfaction in anything.
Honoring and fully enjoying the present moment allows us to align with the purpose of the universe and increase fulfillment and happiness.
Deep dives
The Danger of Deferring Satisfaction
In this podcast episode, Eckhart discusses the concept of deferring satisfaction and its potential dangers. He explains that many people see their current activities as only means to an end, constantly projecting themselves into the future. However, this way of living is self-defeating because it can lead to a pattern of never finding satisfaction in anything due to the habit of always deferring it. Eckhart emphasizes the importance of honoring the present moment and giving our full attention to whatever we are doing, as this can bring clarity and joy.
Awakening to the Fourth State of Consciousness
Eckhart describes the idea of awakening to the fourth state of consciousness, known as Turiya. He compares it to waking up from a dream, first from the dream state into ordinary wakefulness, and then from ordinary wakefulness into the fourth state of awareness. He highlights the essence of spirituality as realizing this inner spaciousness or stillness. Eckhart invites listeners to be present in the moment, observing their own consciousness and the stream of thoughts without getting absorbed in them. The goal is to experience the deep state of awareness and live in a state of lucid living.
Finding Satisfaction in the Present Moment
Eckhart contrasts the conventional wisdom of deferring satisfaction with the transcendent wisdom of finding satisfaction in the present moment. He advises against reducing actions to mere means to an end and emphasizes honoring and fully enjoying the present moment. By doing so, we align with the purpose of the universe and increase the likelihood of achieving our goals while also experiencing fulfillment and happiness. Eckhart encourages conscious living, where awareness is always present in the background, allowing us to be fully engaged in activities and experience the quality of each moment.
In this podcast, Eckhart talks about setting goals and deferring satisfaction. He says for many people, the activities they’re engaged in are just a means to an end. He believes they are not present in what they’re doing now, because they’re projecting where they want to be in the future. Eckhart explains this is a self-defeating way to live because while we may need to defer satisfaction to reach a goal, there is also aninherent danger to it. He says after years the pattern may become so engrained; we no longer find satisfaction in anything we do because we’re so used to deferring it. Eckhart says we must honor whatever we are doing in the present moment and if we give it our full attention then it is possible to feel clarity and joy.