Our Experience Of Life Is Not Determined By What Happens To Us…
Feb 1, 2024
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Eckhart Tolle discusses the power of inner change and its impact on the world, the importance of connecting with the inner body, recognizing the vertical and horizontal dimensions of existence, the role of awareness in responding to impulses, and the need to consider the impact of social media posts.
Our experience of life is not determined by what happens to us, but by how we respond.
Engaging in conversations without getting caught up in ego-driven reactions is possible by transcending egoic identification with opinions.
Deep dives
Helping Girls Stay in Sports
Did you know that 41% of girls quit sports by the age of 14? The main reason is their fear of not looking the right way to be an athlete. To address this issue, Dove and CVS have developed tools and resources to boost girls' body confidence and encourage them to keep playing sports.
Dealing with Fear and Negative Thinking
Eckhart discusses the importance of dealing with fear and negative thinking, especially during times of crisis. He emphasizes that intelligent action cannot occur when we are gripped by anxiety and negative thoughts. To overcome this, he suggests aligning ourselves with the 'vertical dimension,' where we are one with all that is. Paying attention to our state of consciousness is crucial for effective and wise action.
The Consequences of Unconsciousness
Eckhart explains that unconsciousness leads to destructive actions, both individually and collectively. He illustrates this point using historical examples, such as communist regimes that disregarded the unconscious tendencies of individuals, leading to disastrous consequences. He emphasizes that true change can only happen when there is an inner transformation in human consciousness, which then manifests as positive change in the external world.
Engaging in Discussions with Different Opinions
Eckhart offers advice on engaging in conversations with people who hold strong differences of opinion, whether it's regarding healthcare, guns, same-sex marriage, immigration policies, homelessness, or politics. He suggests transcending egoic identification with opinions and recognizing that opinions are mental constructs. By remaining present and detached from identification with opinions, it is possible to engage in discussions without getting caught up in ego-driven reactions.
In this podcast Eckhart talks to an audience in Chicago. He recalls fond memories of traveling to the Windy City to Harpo Studios back in 2008. For 10 weeks Eckhart and I hosted a webinar based on his New York Times bestselling book A New Earth. The book had a profound impact on me, and I wanted to share it with a larger audience. Those sessions were groundbreaking. Since then, millions of people have downloaded that webcast and listened to our conversations. If you haven't already, you really should. I believe rolling back the ego and focusing on being rather than doing opened the door to awakening for me and for many. Today, Eckhart continues his work ever reminding us that our experience of life is not determined by what happens to us it’s defined by how we respond.