Eckhart Tolle discusses the importance of experiencing the mystical and sacred aspects of life by stopping incessant thinking. He explores the concept of presence as the presence of God, beyond traditional notions. Eckhart explains how thinking and self-objectification act as barriers to this direct experience, drawing parallels with the Greek myth of Narcissus.
Understanding sacredness requires transcending the mind's labeling to achieve presence as a connection to a vast intelligent presence in the universe.
Transcending egoic self-identification through presence allows for an awakening to deeper consciousness beyond narrative-based constructs.
Deep dives
Discovering Sacredness and Presence
Eckhart Tolle delves into the concept of sacredness in our lives. He emphasizes the importance of becoming familiar with the mystical aspect of our existence. Tolle highlights that understanding sacredness requires transcending the incessant thinking and labeling of the mind to achieve presence. He describes this presence as not just a traditional idea of God, but a vast intelligence pervading the universe. Tolle connects presence with the Greek myth of Narcissus, illustrating how identification with a narrative self creates barriers to experiencing true sacredness.
Ego Dissolution and True Identity
Tolle discusses the myth of Narcissus to elucidate the formation of the human ego. He explains how individuals create mental images of themselves, leading to self-identification and ego development. Tolle emphasizes that this egoic self-identification is a heavy burden filled with regrets, grievances, and anxiety. He suggests that true liberation comes from transcending this narrative-based ego and connecting with a deeper sense of being beyond the constructed self.
Awakening Through Presence and Consciousness
Tolle guides listeners on how to awaken to a deeper consciousness through presence. He encourages individuals to stop the mind's incessant thinking and allow a gap in their mental noise to experience stillness. By being alert and present in the moment, one can tap into a dimension of pure awareness and recognize the sense of being beyond thoughts. Tolle emphasizes the significance of being rooted in the present moment to access a heightened state of consciousness.
Entering the Vertical Dimension of Life
Tolle introduces the concept of accessing the vertical dimension of life through various entry points. He suggests using breath awareness, inner body awareness, and sensory perception to deepen one's connection with the present moment. By transcending conceptual interpretations and engaging deeply with nature or surroundings, individuals can experience a profound sense of aliveness and connectedness beyond mental labels. Tolle emphasizes the importance of balancing conceptual knowledge with non-conceptual awareness for a more enriched existence.
In this podcast, Eckhart says it’s vitally important that we become familiar with the mystical aspect of our lives. However, he explains it is not something we can easily define, nor can we truly understand sacredness until we catch a glimpse of it. For that to happen, Eckhart says we must learn to stop the mind with its incessant thinking and labeling so we can become present. Eckhart reveals that on a deeper level, presence is actually the presence of God. Not the traditional idea of God, but a vast intelligence that permeates the entire universe. For many he says thinking and objectifying others, as well as ourselves is a barrier to this direct experience. He explains the concept is beautifully illustrated by the Greek myth of narcissus.