Eckhart Tolle: Essential Teachings

In this episode, Eckhart discusses one of his key messages: our primary purpose here on Earth is a spiritual one. He says it is our job to free ourselves of the mind-made sense of self, which has never been more destructive.  He says all ancient teachings point to this timeless message. Eckhart goes on to explain if we don’t come to some understanding of that truth in this lifetime, then we have completely missed the point.  Eckhart says that nomatter what we achieve in this world, it will not provide the lasting satisfaction we’re looking for. We will not fill the inner void which is where our spirituality should be. Careers, money, property prestige won’t do it. There may be some temporary sense of excitement or accomplishment. But it won’t last long. Eckhart says we must look to our beingness for salvation…then the transcendent dimension becomes a discovery, not an achievement. Want more podcasts from OWN? Visit https://bit.ly/OWNPods [https://bit.ly/OWNPods] You can also watch Oprah’s Super Soul, The Oprah Winfrey Show and more of your favorite OWN shows on your TV! Visit https://bit.ly/find_OWN [https://bit.ly/find_OWN]

In this episode Eckhart talks further about the pain body. He compares it to the character Gollum, in Lord of the Rings. He says the pain body, feeds on suffering and creates misery for everyone.  However, Eckhart explains once we recognize the pain body for what it is, we don’t have to be held hostage anymore. Our awareness is the first step toward freedom. Eckhart goes on to say that people with a heavy pain body are often eager to awaken spiritually. The discomfort becomes so great, they take action to alleviate it. Eckhart admits he was such a person.  Early in life, he was deeply unhappy with himself… until age twenty nine, when he underwent a profound spiritual transformation. Eckhart explains the pain body may seem like a huge obstacle. However, paradoxically, he says it can also act as a powerful catalyst to awaken.  Want more podcasts from OWN? Visit https://bit.ly/OWNPods [https://bit.ly/OWNPods] You can also watch Oprah’s Super Soul, The Oprah Winfrey Show and more of your favorite OWN shows on your TV! Visit https://bit.ly/find_OWN [https://bit.ly/find_OWN]

In this podcast, Eckhart says one of the hurdles we must confront regularly is our unconscious thinking.  He says our relentless, self-centered thoughts actually feed the ego and keep us mired in a fictitious sense of self. He explains the ego loves problems and strengthens its grip by creating suffering for ourselves and others. Eckhart says if we’re not growing spiritually, when crises strike, they will make us even more unconscious. But there’s a paradox. Eckhart explains suffering can actually push us to awaken. When we can’t take the pain anymore, we finally surrender. He says most unhappiness is not the result of life’s difficulties…it’s our reaction to them. Eckhart says when we have a foot on the path, misfortune is no longer an obstacle. Instead it becomes an opportunity for spiritual growth. Want more podcasts from OWN? Visit https://bit.ly/OWNPods [https://bit.ly/OWNPods] You can also watch Oprah’s Super Soul, The Oprah Winfrey Show and more of your favorite OWN shows on your TV! Visit https://bit.ly/find_OWN [https://bit.ly/find_OWN]

In this podcast Eckhart talks with an audience in Stockholm, Sweden. He says the idea is to inhabit The Now. Ironically, he says most of us try to escape it…through activities, addiction or our thinking. We would rather be anywhere other than here. We say: “I’ve got too much going on. I don’t have time for presence. ” Eckhart explains this mindset can wreak havoc with our lives and create dysfunction. He says the most important thing any of us can do is to embody consciousness. He says evolution on this planet is actually happening through us. And on a larger scale, we are inseparable from the awakening universe. Want more podcasts from OWN? Visit https://bit.ly/OWNPods [https://bit.ly/OWNPods] You can also watch Oprah’s Super Soul, The Oprah Winfrey Show and more of your favorite OWN shows on your TV! Visit https://bit.ly/find_OWN [https://bit.ly/find_OWN]

In this podcast, Eckhart elaborates further about finding freedom from the bondage of self. He says the first step is to confront our thinking and resist the urge to identify with every thought we have. Eckhart says rising above thinking paves the way to liberation. Many people try to free themselves through substances like alcohol, drugs, food and sex.  While these might provide some fleeting relief Eckhart says what we’re really doing is falling below thinking and spiraling down into unconsciousness and addiction. Eckhart warns that we arequickly moving towards a crisis point for humanity and the planet. However, reaching this pivotal moment does not have to spell disaster. On the contrary, Eckhart says it’s precisely during a crisis that we have the greatest opportunity to evolve and when the need is most dire,large-scale transformation becomes even more possible. He says many people are ready for a shift in consciousness. Eckhart urges us onward because he says awakening is no longer a luxury it’s a necessity for our survival. Want more podcasts from OWN? Visit https://bit.ly/OWNPods [https://bit.ly/OWNPods] You can also watch Oprah’s Super Soul, The Oprah Winfrey Show and more of your favorite OWN shows on your TV! Visit https://bit.ly/find_OWN [https://bit.ly/find_OWN]