Is Eckhart Tolle Beyond Critique?

[Corrans]

You really are a male, American version of me! I can't get over it. Amazing. Loving your videos.

[thegreatdandino118]

over esteem great men and the people become powerless tao te ching

[Iceland1944]

There is no "Christian stage". You were never a Christian. If you were, you would have the following verse in your heart. "Jesus answered, 'I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father (God) except through me.' You also preach becoming the master of your life. I personally never want to be the "master of my life", because I know how destructive that can be when man tries to control things on his own. Eckhart is just another new age guru, and he will be forgotten.

[vajraloka1]

if i may say ,echart is a certain realisation, it is a stillness consciouness ,become aware of awareness, and bliss and peace ensue. there are other levels especially tantric realisation, higher level called shaja samadhi, siidha levels etc.the realsisation that objects and "the unstill" (that which springs FROM conscioussness is also THAT brings one out of the stuck in stillness into shiva shakti awareness.......or so it seems ot me..

[werspansio]

type in cesar milan on youtube, also anything with mooji.

[MichaelBoryAlis]

Eckhart is just one more mortal enroute to the morgue.

Where are the truly Illuminated - THE IMMORTALS.

[tosan1]

what a waste of time watching this video. Just say what you got to say at the BEGINNING so only those who are interested in your elaboration of your life story watch it through the end.

[tosan1]

You are very bad communicator!

[gooty64]

You can your time back.

[dtrepp22]

just say no, to people addicted to themselves.

[bizzwoofer]

establishment is totally pussy, anything but cliche, faggots

[bizzwoofer]

Tolle talks like hes above it all, but all in all, doesnt say anything that special (or even coherantly, at times.)

[carriemaizey]

Good you're looking at everything. You're still very young. Long way to go,

[kwixotic]

"Go within" = self inquiry.

[thethirdq]

This is a top quality video and the effort really shows!!!

[MasterQang]

stev ! you are in the cage of your ego

[paulsmithlac]

good  video

[NinetiesYouth]

Eckhart Tolle is way up there

He calibrates at about 700 on David Hawkins' scale

[joysblues]

Stoopid

[sidhuntergatherer]

Steve you're a great communicator.

[vagabondsteve]

@sidhuntergatherer Thank you!

[GABRIEL1977P]

thanks for videos! they are great!



[freedomfromthemind]

Inclined to judge severely and find fault - Critical. Forms "Critique".

Why find fault? Is it because there is a little 'me' who is trying to establish itself, by establishing the 'fault' in 'another' which is not 'me'?

I think that when you seek to stop defining your self 'me', you'll not seek to find fault in this and that, and just simply be here and now, love what is, because what is is the reality, everything else is just thought.

Namaste

[MrMusicobsession]

Just a suggestion if i may, the introdution of one of eckharts book "Stillness Speaks " explains a little about what you are saying, in a different kinda way.. Peace!

[MrMusicobsession]

Yeh so true mate, may i just point out though, Eckhart points out quite often his teachings are pointers not knowledge, he is not after praise , he does not need it, he has everything he needs, i think people don't take everything he sais seriously, anyway thanks nice vid. :)

[PooGEr97]

I like the present moment.

[PooGEr97]

My dad had me listen to an Eckhart Tolle tape. I didnt know what to think of it, but now a year later, I am realy involved with the hole Power of Now thing. You said something about writing. I just now realize that I am allready past stage 5 in soo many ways. I am doing more self-involved things and, just, letting go of reality letting the present moment be. Now to get back on track about writing, guess what I am doing rite now, in the present moment.

[PooGEr97]

Wow. I had to pause the video to type this. Eckhart Tolle stayted that you need to go through a certain amount of suffering to learn yourself, sort of speak. Now, unless I am too young and ignorant to understand the teaching, then I think I am at stage 5. I used to be and still am very quite after going through some sort of Gothic phase in my life. But now i think I am suming up the streangth to make the "jump"

[pectopunch]

watch?v=qpcyPGwS5t4

[susanshelit]

This is from october 2009 so maybe it has come allready in your life. I want to point you towards Abraham - Hicks.

I think you are magnificent btw ;)

[vagabondsteve]

@susanshelit Thanks for the suggestion and your kind words.

[FEENEYSON]

Another thing. They are not his words. They are spoken through him from a place of creativity and knowledge. The very place everything we see around us arises from. If you quiet your mind and simply listen you will experience not "understand" this. You can never understand anything he says as it can never be understood. You can only experience it. You as in the real you. Not the fake form pretending to be YOU.

[FEENEYSON]

@vagabondsteve There is nothing to justify as such. You have to experience it yourself. The reason he says that words cannot describe it is because they are only words, the tools of the MIND. You have to experience it for yourself. It is beyond the mind therefore beyond words. Of course your mind naturally asks questions. The ego is your identification with your own thoughts. If you observe your thoughts instead of identifying with them then they lose their grip over you and you are free.

[TukenNuken]

...I'm all for people questioning everything they believe in, including their own existence. If there is such a thing as evil then it's thinking that what you believe in is the absolute unquestionable truth.

[TukenNuken]

A part of that comment you read kind of got stuck in my ears. "I'm all for people believing whatever they feel is right."

I can't count all the times I've heard someone say something like this and I wonder, why people think like this? It might seem like I'm making a big deal out of a small thing, but to me it seems like a huge mistake. Hitler believed in what he felt was right and killed 7 million people(Stalin 20 million).

I'd say something like this...

[FEENEYSON]

eckhart tolle is beyond everything. if you fail to see his message then you fail in life. if you look past his teaching for "more" you have completely missed the point of the teaching.

[vagabondsteve]

@FEENEYSON Can you please elaborate.

[FEENEYSON]

@vagabondsteve The point of eckhart's teachings is to look beyond the "self" we think we are and to find and realise our own real "self" not the form based self we think we are. If his teachings are used for self improvement then we have not realised our true self as that can never be improved. We are perfect already. The point of his teaching is to realise this. If we attempt to go beyond what he says it's simply our own ego looking for more. As i'm sure you know, more is never enough.

[FEENEYSON]

@vagabondsteve One more thing. A person seeking spiritual identification is also lost. It is our ego once again trying to enhance it's image by being "more" spiritual. It is no different than wanting to be "more" rich or successful etc. You will have totally missed the point of his teachings if your ego is only trying to enhance it's self image by being "spiritual". If you are on a journey to find yourself then you will only succeed by remebering who you really are and forgetting the illusion.

[vagabondsteve]

@FEENEYSON Thank you. I'm still unclear what you specifically disagreed with about the video.

[FEENEYSON]

@vagabondsteve I don't disagree at all. Bar one thing. You say he has his role in your learning. He isn't the one that's speaking. The words are not his as such. I'm sure you understand. I believe that you want to find yourself. Your true self. Well you should forget who you are or are trying to be. Including your mind's analysis of what he says. If you do this I believe what he says will be all you need to hear as it will resonate within. Peace steve.

[vagabondsteve]

@FEENEYSON This all sounds very new-agey. Everything is spoken in abstraction and justified that 'truth' can't be spoken or understood. If they're not his words then whose words are they? What is this 'true self' you speak of? What's the purpose of the mind/ego? How do you forget who you are?

[stellarshore]

Eckhart Tolle is a joke. He jumped on the back of Eastern idea with the dollar. I've read his book "the power of now", mostly crap. He basically banks on ppl being idealistic and gullible. We start to forget the true nature of desire and our character. He is now rich and ppl are now confused. Bastard.

[vagabondsteve]

@stellarshore Eckhart Tolle transformed my life. What specific thing did he say that you think is a joke?

[lillibeth13]

@vagabondsteve Wow. I can strongly relate to the steps you outlined in this video. Thanks Steve!

[lillibeth13]

I absolutely agree and relate with the point you made while you were a Christian. Sometimes when we have deep admiration for a teacher or a pastor, we slowly begin to become more dependent on them and learn to never question the validity of their claims. I personally left the Church because of this. I also wanted to know why. However, leaving the Church hasn't effected my faith in God, but rather, when I looked within and learned more, my faith grew stronger.

Is this what happend to you?

[ritherz]

@vagabondsteve You should look into Jiddu Krishnamurti. After I read A New World, I started watching some krishnamurti vids on youtube... opened a whole new realm for me. :)

[vagabondsteve]

@ritherz I watched a few of his videos and found him hard to listen to. However, thanks for the recommendation.

[07kern22]

@vagabondsteve connfusion is great! It is the undoing of something that is stuck.

[vagabondsteve]

@07kern22 How so?

[TheStrossus]

@stellarshore Obviously you do not understand his message... that's fine.. go back to sleep.

[sjtherage]

The place to go..."within you"...right on!

[sjtherage]

That is sooo true. It is dangerous. It is like Idol worship.

[sjtherage]

@sjtherage ha ha ha, now I am replying to myself, just wanted to say that the above quote was typed before it came out of your mouth...ha ha ha...so sorry for any misunderstandings. I comment as I go along in the video, it's kind of my style.

[sjtherage]

Yes, yes, yes, I agree, it is about enjoying the journey isn't it? Being grateful at the daily discoveries of each step, some steps that go up, down, curve to the east and west instead of pressing the elevator's buttons to reach a "certain" floor.

[sjtherage]

It is very sweet that you give Eckart Tolle credit for helping you. You seem like a very appreciative person.

[sjtherage]

"Tune in to your intuition, your inner compass, and then, have the courage to follow!"

Wow... beautiful. !

[sjtherage]

Sounds like you looovvvveee to learn! That is so healthy for the brain! Good for you! Moving on....wow..."once you realize there is no one answer, there is no one truth, unless it happens from within"... very interesting...I feel that kind of relates to me right now. "No one answer"....sounds right on to me Steve! : ) Doesn't it seem that everything is relative?

[sjtherage]

Sounds like you looovvvveee to learn! That is so healthy for the brain! Good for you! Moving on....wow..."once you realize there is no one answer, there is no one truth, unless it happens from within"... very interesting...I feel that kind of relates to me right now.

[FeelOfFriction]

Have you ever looked into psychedelic plants?

[vagabondsteve]

@FeelOfFriction No, have you? If so what was your experience?

[sjtherage]

@vagabondsteve Tell, me , do you consider yourself to be sentimental/ the type of person who has strong ties with old friends from your past? Just curious! ; ) I would think that (with what little I've learned about your personality so far) that it would be kind of difficult to show a lot of devotion to old ties as you progress spiritually. Not that I am implying that you believe you are above anyone in your past. You just seem to be explorative and adventurous in a future-focused way! : )

[DavidStanica]

@sjtherage I think he is an Enneagram Type 7. So yeah, future focused & all you said. Like me :P. 7wing8

[inspirediam]

This is an excellent video. Your message speaks very much to that which I believe to be true as well. Thank you for sharing. We are all teachers/students, no need to follow any man.

[1Earth0Karma8]

Eckhart Tolle is a product of the system. The deception continues and it lies within the mind-CONsciousness-system. Support an Equal Money System and lets get rid of all these so called "enlightened ones" as there is no such thing, as it is seperation to think that one is "enlightened".

[1Earth0Karma8]

Or expose the teacher for the product of the system that he is.

[str3ber]

Tolle got me started as well. Now I'm very in to Mooji, check him out on youtube!

[dratorak1]

Most of what Eckhart Tolle says are concepts borrowed from Krishnamurti

[Bunnydancer777]

I have had this happen with me too...and i slide back and forth alot..came to the same conclusion but can't seem to get it to stick.

Journalling is VERY helpful...huge amounts of synchronicity shows up in my life and it gets mindblowing.

Creativity is a good way to get in touch with this inner teacher...and writing, by free form un-edited, putting your stream of consciousness on paper is a great way to unleash it.

[1Earth0Karma8]

@Bunnydancer777 You want it to stick. There is something you should look into. The tools that are provided by desteni are by far the best that I have ever encountered, so far.

[Bunnydancer777]

@1Earth0Karma8

Wow...i just ran into this one

Consciousness Chess Board Defenses of GALACTIC LIGHT FORCES

Which is EXCELLENT and true.

don't know about the rest of her stuff but will check it out.

[samkeskin]

Brilliant video Steve

I bet you're an introvert

[vagabondsteve]

@samkeskin Why do you think I'm an introvert? You're right btw. Google a fantastic article by Jonathan Rauch called "Caring for Your Introvert". Thank you for commenting and sharing this channel with your friends.

[samkeskin]

@vagabondsteve Having watched most of your videos and being one myself, it's so obvious you're an introvert. You like to talk about deep and meaningful stuff and have probably scared off a few dates in doing so (like me) haha. I read "Caring For Your Introvert" a year ago and it was an amazing awakening for me

May I suggest you watch Alain De Botton's video on Nietzche. Just search youtube "Nietzsche on Hardship". There's 3 parts. I hope your day is a horrible one : )

[vagabondsteve]

@samkeskin Thanks for the video suggestion. Yes, definitely an introvert. My interests, personality, and habits are definitely unique to most which makes dating more challenging.

[universallegazy]

Steve it's such a joy to see you and here you. Its like i would take a mirror and watch my self talking and expressing my reflections of life. Yes i do feel alone a lot of times. But watching you make me feel less alone. Thanks Steve. All the best John

[FrogmortonHotchkiss]

Eckhart is boring and I can see how someone would decide not to watch his vids any more after seeing a few, but I would not presume from this 'he has taught me everything and I need him no more; I've moved up a rung on the ladder.'

No one is perfect, but nevertheless, I might suggest that had Tolle's teaching truly 'done its job' you would not be seeking any more.

Yes, I suppose it is the destiny of some to browse around until they settle, but AIM to settle and face the problem.

[thoughtsbecomething1]

You sound like me. absorbing everything. It started with "The Secret" movie. I then got books and videos and studied all the teachers, if in one of these books they mentioned someone or another book, I would buy that. Then it was Eckhart Tolle, he had that online skype nightly show this Ophra, I watched that. Then i studied Buddhism, now Im studing Taoism, which i like best so far. I just went to the library looking for Taoism. I saw others like wayne dyer...I felt like a kid in a candy store!

[187libra]

Steve, There's way better stuff out there. Tolle's not very good anyways.

[vagabondsteve]

@187libra What's the better stuff? Why isn't Tolle not very good?

[silvercoasts]

@vagabondsteve i initially thought tolle is the ultimate! no doubt he is awesome but as 187libra said there is way better stuff out there. i accidentally got my hands on "I AM THAT" by nisargadatta . and as i read it i felt myself evaporated into a void. i felt my instances of trance n that book has made my relation with NOW more up-close and profound than i ever cud ave imagined!

[marissagoettling]

Brilliant Brother! Well said. I'm adding you right now but I hear you. I have to stop seeking and start listening. The ego attached to teacher makes sick sense. Thank YOU for taking the time. My greatest teacher is inside. I have to stop seeking. I needed to hear this. Thanks. I'm so glad for you right now!

[formaldehyde28]

Yeah dude you rule.  keep it up. here's a neat paraphrase I can't take credit for:

"what is the use of so many words? meditate. then all questions will be answered."

[vagabondsteve]

@formaldehyde28 Great quote whose it from?

[formaldehyde28]

@vagabondsteve Bhagawan Nityananda, read it in a Dennis Hill book.

[amandajw08]

Great idea thanks

[LionelMcSassafras]

I loved your point about "putting too much stock in the person of [insert teacher here]"; i don't know if that's how you actually phrased it, but you get what i'm saying

it is always useful for me to remind myself that the "teacher," whoever it might be at a certain time, is really a projection of my own mind and a temporary handicap as I keep investing my faith and belief in the truth of what that person is saying

as nisargadatta said, everyone will eventually need to "be their own guru"

[vagabondsteve]

@LionelMcSassafras Thanks for the great quote, "be your own guru".

[ryancatriona]

sorry, but you're missng the point about tolle. his basic message is buddhist and is fundamental to all spiritualities. self love, staying present are the fundamental tools for life. sorry but you really are thinking too much. i am not into guru worship but what's most amazing about tolle is his humbleness.

[vagabondsteve]

@ryancatriona What point am I missing? Eckhart's teachings are life-changing. However, my point was that even Eckhart shouldn't be above critique? The point is that we often blindly follow spiritual teachers which is unhealthy for them and us. Do you disagree with this or did you miss the point? Thank you for your comment.

[danger0usknowledge]

I think one time you called Tolle boring. I don't agree but that was

probably the most rational criticism I've heard. Usually it's wild comparison to

more charismatic teachers. Satchidananda was a funny great

talker with a great old testament beard. The retreat I went on was just

after he was caught with the ladies & he losing many followers.

Sri Chinmoy didn't say anything at all, but then again,

he didn't have to. He also was a serial ladies man.

[LeCanadienerrant]

I must say that I am a bit disappointed when I read the headline "Is Eckart Tolle Beyond Critique?" I was expecting you to reveal some nastiness like Eckart run off with Oprah or something sensational like that.

No you are just expressing some tiredness in your pursuit of the truth and that is very understanding. Like you my search bring me to many other new teachers like Adyashanti, Byron Katie and Arjura Ardagh but it's all worth it and I would throw away the babies with the bath water

[paul02724]

This is my first time watching your video. Just curious, what do you do for a living?

[2Bgrego32]

i think the problem is not echkart, you have tried everything else looking for your path and now is time to stop thinking linear go beyond yourself into the six dimension..type this here and watch this interview ..you wil know what i mean...hopefully!

"Almine Visionary, Seer, Inter-Dimensional Traveler "

[vagabondsteve]

@facespacegreen I appreciate appreciation. Thank you for your kindness.

[bat5jamma]

Hey thanks for the video. It had some really good pointers. I also wanted to share something that I've come to realize and that is-- that every perspective is right for the one perscieving it that way. The thing is that all of our perspectives change from moment to moment. So we should try not to get stucking seeing things only one way.

[vagabondsteve]

@bat5jamma Well said!

[TukenNuken]

At some level I did realize what had happened. That somehow my ego had gotten into it. It didn't bother me much though, because I realized that what had happened was to some degree inevitable.

I have a question though...What were these "Stages" you were talking about and could you give an address where I could find them?

Anyway...thank you for this great video!

[vagabondsteve]

@TukenNuken The video I did on the topic is called: "The Transitions of Awakening". Thank you for your comments.

[TukenNuken]

Wow...This is great! This video really helped me to understand some things.

Eckhart Tolle was the first "teacher" of that kind that I came in contact with and I really felt the truth in what he was sharing. I had some pretty amazing experiences and insights.

At some point though I just didn't seem to get it anymore. I felt as if I had somehow became immune to his teachings.

I also noticed that I was reading comments just to argue with someone who didn't agree with something he said.

[dlind36]

I agree with your commentary on Tolle. The fact that some people are eager to defend him from the slightest form of skepticism demonstrates your point about egos becoming intertwined with certain self-proclaimed spiritual teachers. The preface of his book The Power of Now divides the world into people who embrace his message and people who do not - "This does not mean that everyone responds favorably to the book. In many people ...the old consciousness is still deeply entrenched." Manipulative.

[dlind36]

Very insightful. I think a lot of people can relate to the stages you have outlined, and it is true that we go back and forth between stages.

The Matrix was definitely an eye-opener for people of my generation, but it's funny how people in their teens (students of mine) already find the Matrix quaint and dated and don't fully relate to it. This all ties back in to your point about what resonates for a given individual (or in this case, a given generation) at given time.

[TadRapidly]

all I did was correct his pronunciation of Tolle's name.

[TadRapidly]

no, I'm speaking for myself.

[AndVenusSmiled]

Well said!

[cbaxley]

There is no right or wrong. They are human mental concepts.

This has been known since Shakespeare at least.

[LeCanadienerrant]

Thank you VagabonSteve for the opportunity to criticise and you make me feel that it matters. English is a second language to me as you would guest and it means a lot that I can join the club and participate. Is that just an Ego manifestation with me ? I don't know but You make me feel like I matter. Merci beaucoup

[vagabondsteve]

I have greatly appreciated your kind words and comments. It's our being (not ego) which wants to share ideas with kindred spirits. Thank you for contributing to the discussion.

[rickgatliff]

Just breathe.

[TadRapidly]

Toe-Lay. Not Tole. Toe-Lay.

[vagabondsteve]

Your right. Thanks.

[TadRapidly]

Who or what feels vindicated in criticizing? The Ego, an illusory construct. So criticize all you want, people, it doesn't mean a damn thing.

[vagabondsteve]

It means a lot because it helps us improve our craft and promote dialogue. Your critique about my mispronunciation of Tolle's name was helpful. So it does mean a damn thing. Thank you for your critique.

[TadRapidly]

Lets say its meaningful but it's not. :-) I love you, Steve.

[vagabondsteve]

Thanks for the love. I'm confused, if it's not meaningful why did you critique me in the first place?

[TadRapidly]

it wasn't a critique, it was a correction. :-)

[vagabondsteve]

Just so I understand... corrections are meaningful but critiques are meaningless? : - )

[TadRapidly]

The correction on Tolle's name comes from the source. he is Eckhart Tolle and he knows how his name is pronounced so I passed on the correction. A critique is an opinion and is therefore pretty worthless because it is based on one's own personal past conditioning. To critique others is to assume that you know what is best FOR THEM. Only God knows what is best for each person's soul, therefore criticizing others is an illusion. One can only speak for oneself when it comes to "what's best".

[vagabondsteve]

This is an interesting discussion. So if someone was contemplating murder you would not advise them otherwise because it is just your opinion? Would you tell them, "One can only speak for oneself when it comes to "what's best". Is there no right or wrong in your world because in some cultures killing someone is acceptable.

[TadRapidly]

I think one should take the actions that one feels compelled to take. If I'm compelled to say "don't do it" then I'll say it. I just won't try to convince myself that it was the absolute "right" course of action. I am too small and insignificant to make that conclusion so all I can do is act according to my inclination. "Right" or "wrong" is basically impossible to determine in a conditioned mind. What if killing that one person helps to save one thousand people? We have to do what we have to do

[vagabondsteve]

So in your world there is no right or wrong? Yikes!

[TadRapidly]

I can judge right or wrong for myself. Judging it for others is not my business. Can I have an opinion about other's behavior? Sure. But I'm not going to delude myself that I'm RIGHT. Do you feel comfortable telling someone that what they're doing is absolutely wrong or absolutely right? In what context? In what time period? To what end? For the benefit of who? See what I mean? Looking through our tiny looking glass and drawing conclusions that we deem "right" is pure ego-land and delusional.

[vagabondsteve]

I have no problem telling someone that murder, rape, torture and child molestation is WRONG! Do you honestly disagree? I don't understand why religious/spiritual principles fosters such extremism within some people. "The Middle Path" my friend.

[TadRapidly]

I say do what you are inclined to do. If you are inclined to say that these things are wrong then say it. That's YOUR donation to the totality. And in that it is completely valid. I personally think the same way, BUT, I allow for paradoxical outcomes. There's nothing "extreme" about pointing out the folly of human reasoning. There is something much greater going on here than what one person thinks is right or wrong. That's all I'm saying. Incredible insight can come from incredible suffering.

[LeCanadienerrant]

Well VagabonSteve you are ready for politics ! You turn around the bush for 10 minutes to give a critic of Eckart Tolle and we are not much more informed than before . Please don't be offended Eckart is not that easy to encaptulised, I would not do any better myself.

As for been boring it is interesting that Eckart Tolle admit it himself in his lecture that he is a very simple human being. I am still mesmerised by his persona and wander what he does with the immense wealth and stardom ?

[kefsound]

Thank You!

[knightstar82]

There is nothing new in what Eckhart Tolle teaches. He merely borrows parts of religions such as buddhism, christianity, etc. What he has done is make spirituality more accessible to the western mind. Which can only be a good thing.

[SOCRATES012]

hey steve, hope youre well friend. thanks for this one.

Have you come across Mooji's channel here on YT yet?

[vagabondsteve]

Yes, I found it a bit too syrupy.

[SOCRATES012]

what do you mean by syrupy?

[vagabondsteve]

Too much focus on the teacher.

[SOCRATES012]

interesting. i find him to have a very optimistic way of inspiring others to know who we are, and how life is perfect all the time.

I like Eckart too :)

[kdog80]

you are right of course..look at the 12 levels of ascention

[kdog80]

i notice a change and color ascheme in spiritual peoples eyes..very dark or very blue. your eyes are almost black at this point.

[vagabondsteve]

Thank you for commenting. Do you have any links for those who want to further research your comments?

[randomgi]

I thought the same thing.

[jonsi317]

oh and steve, great video man.

why do i feel like i'm always at all of those 9 stages all the time? lol

i think we arrive at those stages 1 at a time & in that order but feel that when we move from one to the next it's not a matter of leaving one behind. i feel new doors of perception open and when subsequent newer doors open, the doors that opened previously don't then close.

right i'm off to watch part 2...;o)

[vagabondsteve]

Yes, it requires a lot of patience with ourselves and the process. Thanks for commenting.

[jonsi317]

part two ;o)

the majority of our awareness can get taken up quite quickly & easily with clock time; "life". if our strands of awareness become loose/distracted they vibrate more; turbulent life.

when we've got a good handle on both ends - the now & the timeless - we just pull on those and tighten our awareness and more control over how tight our lives can become.

getting, keeping & having your shit together, basically

strength & peace

[jonsi317]

i think when we can lay out (or perhaps layer out) our many levels of awareness - from bodily awareness/physical existence all the way through to eternal nature awareness/timelessness - we should be able to feel each of those in quite different ways.

then we find we can feel and direct each awareness quite differently. certain levels we anchor in the now yet attach at the other end of that awareness to where time has no meaning. end of part one ;o)

[DouglasUrantia]

Hey Steve, when are you gonna start taking your life seriously....get it together dude.....;)

[Basie10]

A spiritual teaching is like a medicine, you take it when you are sick, and it may help you, but if it really works, there will come a time when you no longer need it anymore.

thank you steve your videos continue to be illuminating

[vagabondsteve]

Well said, thanks!

[utw888]

There must be many who can relate to these stages of growth. What do you suppose it is that we are all seeking & why?

[vagabondsteve]

Inner peace... because being tortured by the mind, ego, and endless desires is exhausting.

[secretsareboring]

I didn't know who Eckhart Tolle was, so I googled and youtubed... that guy is NOT a public speaker. I became irritated watching 20 sec of him speak. I actually felt like it was doing something bad to my brain. As for the "power of now". Yeah that's great. Let's get "now". Let's not plan for work on Monday, let's not work on looming deadlines. I have not read Tolle's version of this philosophy. But in my crappy opinion "now" is unrealistic escapism. It would be better to learn "life".

[vagabondsteve]

Thank you for your interesting comment. Eckhart Tolle is not for everybody. Would you mind expanding on your idea that "it would be better to learn "life".

[secretsareboring]

If we just focus on now, we're not really learning how to deal with the future or the past. I think real life encompasses past, present and future - and I think it ALL matters. By only focusing on "now" I think it's really like saying "everything about the past is meaningless, and the future is horrible". I think that's a cop-out. If it's horrible, lets find ways to get good at life, so it can be better.

[TheStrossus]

Thank you for your reply Steve.

You are so right. And I realize what your point is. I am greatly appreciative that you replied to me.

I look forward to your future videos.

Take care.

[danger0usknowledge]

i saw Tolle live and he is not bland. In light of

his accomplishments I was expecting that maybe

he might be bored of talking about the same now

over and over...in fact he even mentioned that

briefly like he was stuck in some Mobius great return.

Then he talked about the ppl who wanted to

walk out but were afraid to appear *unenlightened*

so they stayed & fell asleep. Only 2 left &

I didn't hear any snoring.))

[BillyOhRayBob90210]

@danger0usknowledge: I don't know if you were referencing my comment or not. But I just want to say that I don't think Eckhart is bland or the content of what he says is bland. However, I think his talking STYLE is bland. I mean, seriously, if a 13-year old girl was talking about her boyfriend troubles at school in the same way and same speed that Eckhart speaks, I think you would say her talking style is bland, right? I know Eckhart talks slowly for a reason, but I am just saying.

[BillyOhRayBob90210]

@danger0usknowledge: Furthermore, I just want to add that I don't think it is super necessary for spiritual teachers to talk as slowly as Eckhart. I want to make it clear that I do like Eckhart. However, I think there are other spiritual teachers who talk about the same topics that Eckhart does (and even more in-depth topics), but do so in a more lively manner (ie. Caroline Myss, Deepak Chopra, Byron Katie, Wayne Dyer, Esther Hicks/Abraham, Darryl Anka/Bashar, etc.)

[vagabondsteve]

Great points Billy... thank you for adding to the discussion.

[MammaNole]

Indeed the answers are within. :) Thanks Steve!

[jakluk4]

loved listening about your path to awakening, Steve. Thanks for sharing my friend :)

[billybobhobnob101]

A craftsman shouldn't build a temple for any particular tool.

[BillyOhRayBob90210]

This is so weird for me to see this video because I JUST got through watching and commenting on your old video called "Seeing Eckhart Tolle Live." HAHA! It makes me think that synchronicity is for real. HAHA! Anyway, I think that anyone who is offended because you criticize Eckhart's bland talking style is being controlled by THEIR ego. Anytime a person feels offended about ANYTHING, I think it is ego. Anyway, I enjoyed the vid. I think it's good to keep spiritual gurus in check sometimes.

[TheStrossus]

Who criticized Eckhart's talking?

[BillyOhRayBob90210]

@TheStrossus: You asked, "Who criticized Eckhart's talking?" Steve did! If you watch Steve's old video called "Seeing Eckhart Tolle Live," and go to the 1:51 mark, he says, "At times, I do struggle with his bland format, presentation. It lacks a certain passion or zest." Maybe "criticize" isn't the right word, but that is how I interpreted it.

[meme1212]

As usual, excellent observations, Steve. The answer (and the question) is within, as you say, and the only one who can find your answer is you. As far as teachers, gurus, etc, there's an old Zen koan that says, "If you meet the Buddha  of the road, kill him." Humans, being what they are, will deify a spiritual messenger rather than listen to the message itself -- just look at what happened to Christianity, as an example.

[chessdude67]

Thank you, Steve. That's what I'm doing. I've put down my Eckhart books, and have been doing what you suggested. I'm going inward. I thank you for your message you sent back to me.

This video is very helpful to me.

peace.

Tim

[misseptember]

look up for indigos child/kids, man you look like one of them lol, yet another thing you could add to your basket in your spirtual walk =p