Eckhart Tolle explores self-transcendence and stillness to tap into transcendent consciousness. He discusses countering possession by the mind and shifting our perspective on emotions. The podcast also explores awakening, the challenges of relationships, and the invisible nature of thoughts and consciousness.
Practicing stillness helps counteract the grip of the mind and allows for greater presence.
Shifting from identifying with emotions to observing them brings a sense of freedom and self-transcendence.
Deep dives
Importance of Self-Transcendence
The podcast episode explores the concept of self-transcendence and its significance in the evolution of humanity. The speaker explains that self-transcendence involves becoming more aware of our transcendent consciousness, which goes beyond the limits of our personality. By practicing stillness, we can counteract the grip of the mind and become more present. This shift from identifying with our emotions to observing them cultivates greater awakening and leads to a more fulfilling life.
The Power of Stillness
The episode emphasizes the vital importance of stillness in our lives. The speaker acknowledges the challenges of finding stillness in busy places like LA or New York. However, he suggests that even small moments of stillness can have a significant impact. By accessing inner stillness, we can experience greater satisfaction and joy in life. The speaker encourages the audience to practice moments of stillness to counterbalance the effects of external distractions and disturbances.
The Shift from Identification to Awareness
The podcast introduces a subtle shift in consciousness that can lead to profound transformation. The speaker suggests that instead of saying 'I am angry,' we should say 'there is anger in me.' This seemingly insignificant shift detaches our sense of self from the emotion, allowing us to observe it with awareness. It breaks the identification with the emotion, bringing a sense of freedom and self-transcendence. The episode highlights the importance of this shift in dismantling the egoic mind and accessing the deeper dimensions of our being.
In this episode, Eckhart talks with an audience explaining the primary reason for this gathering is to become more aware of our transcendent consciousness, the part of us that is beyond the limits of our personality. He says we can do that through stillness because when we practice stillness, we counteract what Eckhart calls ‘possession by the mind.’ He explains most of us are completely absorbed by thinking, without realizing it. The good news, he says, is we can change that. Eckhart believes we should resist the thought: I am angry and instead say anger is in me. With this, we don’t become the emotion. It’s a subtle shift. Eckhart says eventually these small steps lead to greater awakening.