www.EckhartTolle.com
Dear Friends,
Welcome to the Eckhart Teachings February 2011 newsletter. We are thrilled to announce two new retreats coming up this spring with Kim! We have also just announced our spring recording session for Eckhart Tolle TV, which will be held in early April. You will find details about all of these events in the 'Event Announcements' section of this newsletter. We are also anticipating the exciting launch of our new website which will be coming up very soon!
All the best to you and yours,
Natalie
Eckhart Teachings
In the February edition
* Eckhart on Our Creative Universe
* In the February Issue of Eckhart Tolle TV - "The Wisdom of Epictetus"
* Inspirational Quotes
* Event Announcements
* Images of Stillness
* Present Moment Reminders
* Inspirational Story
* Featured Title: Touching the Eternal
* Follow Eckhart on YouTube, Facebook & Twitter
Our Creative Universe
Q: What kind of guidance would you offer to people to remember, or be aware that we are a creative force in a creative Universe?
ET: The awakening process has two aspects, or two dimensions, to it. One is the finding the Source within, as yourself. Then, [there is] bringing that into your life more and more – so that your daily life becomes interspersed with that Stillness. As your life becomes interspersed with that Stillness, the ego then begins to fade. You embody a different energy field – as if something from another dimension were coming through you into this world.
The most essential thing is the foundation for all subsequent “awakened doing”, as I sometimes call it. The world is full of people who are doing, but it’s mostly unawakened doing. This comes out of unhappy states, and creates more unhappy states. Our first task is to bring that dimension, the other dimension, into this world. With your normal everyday life, see if Presence can flow into the smallest things – listening to another person, walking from here to there, and so on. Presence implies acceptance of whatever is, in the Now, in alignment with the form of the Now, as a spiritual practice. The more you are aligned with the form of the Now, the more this energy comes through.
It’s vital for us to be grounded in the Presence of everyday life. The foundation is continuous acceptance of the is-ness of Now. Through that, Presence arises more and more. You work with the present moment, as your teacher so-to-speak. Bring a “yes” to it. With that, the Presence comes. You have to first come to an acceptance of the is-ness of things – not the world situation – just your limited reality. After a little while you will notice that there is another aspect to Presence. It’s not just still - there’s also a dynamic aspect to Presence. That’s where “awakened doing” comes in.
First it changes the way in which you deal with others. One day, something else wants to be done that needs doing. You might perceive it as something that you need to do. Suddenly you know what it is that you need to do. It comes from within, or it comes from without – some situation in your life. Then, “awakened doing” begins to happen. That doing is not the egoic doing, where whatever you do is a means to an end. There is deep enjoyment in the doing. There is not an excessive desire to achieve, but you achieve actually more - because there’s so much enjoyment in the doing that the end result looks after itself. A very different kind of doing arises, that is not motivated by desire. The normal way is thinking “I need to achieve this”.
As Presence moves through you, it’s not based on desire anymore, it’s based on enjoyment. It’s not based on wanting or needing anything, because you’re coming from fullness. The action is not designed to fulfill you. It’s not designed to add something to you. The action is coming out of the fullness in which you already dwell – so there’s no neediness in it.
Obstacles arise, as they will, especially if you do things that go against the conditioning of the world – you may find obstacles. You also may find enormous power helping you.
Obstacles may come in the form of uncooperative people, or situations, but enormous power will also flow into what you do and help you in many ways. Just the right thing, just at the right moment, just the right person. When obstacles do arise, they are not regarded as enemies. The ego regards any obstacle to its course of action as an enemy.
An obstacle is accepted for what it is, and you work with it – not against it. Or you work around it, or you take its energy and turn it around. It becomes incorporated into what you have to do. You don’t see any more enemies in the form of unhelpful situations, uncooperative people. Everything is embraced for what it is, accepted for what it is, and transformed. It’s not so much that you are doing it, you become a vehicle for the doing. It happens through you. The power comes when it wants to come.
For several years after the shift that happened to me, there was not much happening externally – and after that, gradually, people came to ask questions. There was some doing, some speaking happening. Answers were suddenly coming, and that lasted for several years. I knew somewhere that there was a power here, but it’s not reaching many people for some reason. It wasn’t happening yet. It was fine, people would come once or twice a week and ask questions. A workshop here, a workshop there, and then big spaces.
I was once in a country church in England, in a small village in Somerset, and the church was completely empty – and suddenly the words came out of me that said “Use me”, and “I’d like acceleration please”. I don’t know who I was talking to. The words, where they came from, I don’t know. The Consciousness was listening, it seems. At first nothing happened and I went back home. A few weeks later, I woke up knowing that I had to leave England and move to the west coast of North America. I did not know why. That was the beginning, and eventually the writing started there. That was the acceleration happening. I did not know [at the time] that it was part of the acceleration that I had asked for. And then things accelerated more and more. Be careful with what you ask for.
I don’t have the sense that I am “doing” any of this. I just go with it. Am I speaking as a person? No, its Consciousness speaking, using this mind, to express what is most helpful for this moment. So be in the service of that. You are in the service of that. Get rid of the idea that you have to “do” anything as a separate entity. Be open to what it is that wants to be done in this world, then conscious doing happens through you. Every so-called “individual” has a different function in this world. The more you get out of the way, you do it by bringing Presence into everyday life, then the answer of what it is that wants to be done comes through you.
It’s a wonderful adventure to be aligned with that. There is a lot that wants to come through at this time. It doesn’t choose between people, it doesn’t say “You are special, I’m going to choose you”. Whenever a person becomes transparent to it, it comes through. It doesn’t ask “Who are you, what are your credentials?” It doesn’t ask, “What is your personal history? Are you worthy?” It’s timeless Presence. It’s not interested in your past history, whether you were the most virtuous person. Wherever the opening is, the light comes through.
In the February Issue of Eckhart Tolle TV
"The Wisdom of Epictetus"
Dear Friends,
This month, Eckhart shares insights from one of his favorite books on perennial philosophy, as he explores the transformational teachings of the Greek Stoic Epictetus. Eckhart says, "It's looking at the fundamental truth through slightly different lenses," when he shares teachings from such a classic work.
Also this month, Kim Eng leads us in a gentle qi-gong exercise she calls "Gathering the Qi," and Eckhart answers the following questions from Eckhart Tolle TV members:
-Is forgiveness just a requirement of ego? As we awaken, do we lose the need to forgive?
-My mother has suffered a lot and is often lost in thought. How can I help?
-How do I pursue an artistic career without being driven by the ego?
-What's the difference between opinion and judgment?
-How do we balance "being the space" and playing creatively with forms?
-My subconscious need for superiority sabotages me pretty often. Any suggestions?
We hope you enjoy Eckhart's sharing of the teachings of Epictetus. If you'd like to hear more from Eckhart on the classic texts that have been the most meaningful to him, please check out previous Eckhart Tolle TV issues on: A Course in Miracles, "Meditations" by Marcus Aurelius, "The Tao Te Ching" Part One & Two, and a complete issue devoted to exploring the writings of Ralph Waldo Emerson.
Warm Regards,
Erin Jacobson
Director of Communications
Eckhart Tolle TV
Inspirational Quotes
If you were conscious, that is to say totally present in the Now, all negativity would dissolve almost instantly. It could not survive in your presence.
Almost every ego contains at least an element of what we might call victim identity. Some people have such a strong victim image that it becomes the central core of their ego. Resentment and grievances form an essential part of their sense of self.
The modalities of awakened doing are acceptance, enjoyment, and enthusiasm. Each one represents a certain vibrational frequency of consciousness. You need to be vigilant to make sure that one of them operates whenever you are engaged in doing anything at all – from the most simple task to the most complex.
- Eckhart Tolle
Event Announcements
Presence Through Movement Retreat
Joshua Tree, CA
Date: April 29 – May 2, 2011
Teacher: Kim Eng
Price: $790 - $1,015
(includes 3 nights accommodation, meals and tuition)
Let go of who you think you are and you will realize who you are in your essence: the presence behind all thought, the stillness behind all motion. Joining Kim Eng for this retreat will help you learn how to access inner stillness and sustain it in everyday life as you experience the joy that comes through an unconditioned dimension of consciousness.
Presence through Movement is the use of the physical form – the body – in order to access the formless dimension within ourselves, the state of consciousness that is Presence. Her work translates the teachings found in The Power of Now and A New Earth into a structured practice used to cultivate Presence. She uses real life examples of bringing awareness into everyday existence. No prior knowledge is required. The exercises and movements are gentle, enjoyable and suitable for most people, regardless of age or physical fitness.
For more info or to register email Shannon@EckhartTolle.com
Meditations for A New Earth: Finding the Stillness Within
Kripalu Center for Yoga and Health
May 15th - 18th 2011
Teacher: Kim Eng
Price: $577 - $1,213
(includes 3 nights accommodation, meals and tuition)
Experience the peace and aliveness of the Now through simple, body-based practices that serve as portals into a new way of being in the world. Kim Eng, Eckhart Tolle’s partner and associate, will teach you how to access the formless dimension within your physical form—a dimension that connects you to the depth of this moment and the state of consciousness that is Presence.
In this special retreat with Kim, you will learn:
* Yin Yoga poses to help you slow down and direct the focus of your attention inward
* Qigong to stimulate and open the body’s energy channels
* Tai chi, a harmonious synthesis of action and stillness.
These practices activate the body’s life force, clear energy blockages, and increase physical well-being and aliveness. No prior knowledge or experience is required. The exercises are gentle, enjoyable, and suitable for most people regardless of age or physical fitness.
For more info or to register, click here
Eckhart Tolle TV Recording - Vancouver, BC
Date: Saturday April 2nd & Sunday April 3rd, 2011
Teacher: Eckhart Tolle and Kim Eng
Location: Norman Rothstein Theatre, Vancouver, BC Canada
Tickets: 1-day Pass $189 USD or 2- day pass $378 USD
You are invited to join Eckhart Tolle and Kim Eng Saturday August 27th and Sunday 28th, 2011 in Vancouver, where they will be recording teachings made exclusively for Eckhart Tolle TV. Attendees will have the choice to participate for either one or two days of teachings in a rare intimate studio setting. Here is an opportunity to hear Eckhart discuss topics not ordinarily covered in his public lectures, including teachings from his favourite spiritual texts, guided meditations with Eckhart and Kim, questions and answers with audience. If you are interested in attending this event, a minimum of a one-month Eckhart Tolle TV subscription is required, available for $14.95 plus the cost of the event. Please visit the link below for ticket information.
New to Eckhart Tolle TV? CLICK HERE to register & purchase tickets to the event.
If you are already a member of Eckhart Tolle TV, log in to your account and click the "Eckhart's Recording" tab at the top of the Member Home page to purchase tickets.
Images of Stillness
Eckhart Teachings often receives inspirational works of art including photos, drawings, paintings, and sketches. Sometimes these images are created as a tribute to Eckhart and his teachings, and sometimes they are inspired by other sources such as the beauty and serenity of nature. This new section is dedicated to sharing your images of Stillness.
If you would like to submit your original painting, sketch, photograph, or other piece of art for possible use in an upcoming newsletter, please email Info@EckhartTolle.com with the subject line “Images of Stillness”.
Present Moment Reminders
Receive weekly inspirational reminders from Eckhart! When you sign up for the Present Moment Reminders, you will receive a short email to your inbox with a reminder to recognize the beauty and peace that arises from this very moment.
Recent Present Moment Reminder:
"So really what it comes down to, it's God. Wherever you look, it's God appearing as this, that, that and what you really love and appreciate in each form is the divine formless out of which each form comes. But to be able to sense that you have to sense it in yourself first. And that is seeing the beauty in everything, that's really what it means."
To sign up for Present Moment Reminders CLICK HERE
Inspirational Story
Dear Eckhart,
The January [Eckhart Tolle TV] talk where you suggest a parallel story (the falsely accused Zen Master story) be written, where one person reacts unconsciously, and another responds consciously to the same situation, made me burst into laughter! In fact, I am visiting my daughter right now, who is living a true-life story similar to the Zen Master story, the conscious response version. I keep encouraging her to write it, but she is too busy living it! Here's a brief summary:
Ten years ago while she was three-years married to the man of her dreams, and pregnant with their second child, her husband came home one day and told her he had fallen in love with a student (they are both professors at university, and the student was a professor in training). She lost her temper, hit him, and broke his nose. He had to have surgery.
Then, she recovered. Within a few days, the three adults involved sat down, and decided to do the best thing for the children. The husband would live with his new love, and my daughter would live alone. They would divide all the parenting between two households. Now who would think this impossible, cumbersome, difficult plan would work? Everyone around her was encouraging her to be outraged, to get even, to take the kids away from him etc. All the usual reactions were available, and not taken.
Now ten years later, two children have the blessings of three parents. They have the blessings of two complete households, two sets of toys, two bedrooms, two pets, one in each house; the three adults take turns taking their sabbaticals and teaching assignments abroad, while the other two remain home in MN. It never matters who the two parents are that parent the kids. Any combination works.
The kids (my granddaughters) cannot imagine 'normal' kids who have only one household, and only one or two parents! All three of the adults cannot imagine how the usual model - two parents, one household - could ever work.
My daughter has shared only recently with me, the enormous pain she endured, sitting alone in her house on the nights while her babies were at the other house, one of them drinking the breast milk that she pumped and packed to go along. Yet she did endure. That pain-body flavor (me, the abandoned woman) has dissolved through her, I believe. Maybe just a piece, but I see it as astonishing.
Her 'baby', now 9, has recently been shunned by her peer group at school. But she is safe. She has her mom's precedent. Day by day, I see her enduring, silently, slowly becoming shiny and peaceful.
Blessings,
Elizabeth
How have the teachings changed your life? Send us your inspirational story and we may feature it in an upcoming newsletter. Send an email to Info@EckhartTolle.com with the subject line "Inspiring Story".
Featured Title
Touching the Eternal - The India Retreat (DVD - Retreat Series)
Take part in this seven day in-depth retreat with Eckhart on the banks of the holy Ganges. Amidst the snow-capped Himalayas and the tremendous beauty of scarlet sunsets, a group of determined souls from around the globe met to sit together in silence. With Eckhart's guidance, the rigors of living in India served as teachers pointing to the release of attachment to form and to seeing deeper into the inner. Join them in this transformational experience and allow yourself to be guided through words and stillness into the state of presence. This is the surrendered state of consciousness in which the very limitations of form become an opening into the divine. Containing over eighteen hours of teaching, Eckhart speaks with humble authenticity, wisdom and humor on a wide range of subjects, including:
Children and spirituality | Conscious suffering | Self-esteem | Couple partnerships | Falling in love
Addiction | Guilt | Forgiveness | Prayer | Death and dying | Loneliness | Devotion
Regular Price: $129.95
Now on Sale For $103.96
Click here to purchase Touching the Eternal (DVD)
Follow Eckhart on Youtube, Facebook, & Twitter
Over 25 videos of ‘Complete Thoughts’ are available now to watch on
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@EckhartTolle @KimFuChi
Eckhart’s profound yet simple teachings have already helped countless people throughout the world find inner peace and greater fulfillment in their lives. At the core of the teachings lies the transformation of consciousness, a spiritual awakening that he sees as the next step in human evolution. An essential aspect of this awakening consists in transcending our ego-based state of consciousness. This is a prerequisite not only for personal happiness but also for the ending of violent conflict endemic on our planet.
Copyright © 2011 Eckhart Teachings, Inc.
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