Eckhart Tolle may be Oprah's new spiritual guru of choice--inspired by his long time bestselling self-help favorite The Power of Now, but this weekend in the article "The Wisdom of the Ages, For Now Anyway," New York Times reporter Jesse McKinley wonders how much audiences--and Oprah herself--really know about this man whose spiritual-you-can-change-your-life with positive thinking message is worshipped like a religion in its own right.
Who is Eckhart Tolle, really?
McKinley reports: "For all his fame, many details of Mr. Tolle's personal history are murky. A biography provided by his American paperback publisher, Plume, offered few hints beyond his educational background, including a stint at Cambridge and his current hometown, Vancouver, British Columbia, where he lives with his business partner and girlfriend, Kim Eng. A spokesman for the university confirmed Mr. Tolle began work on a doctorate degree there in 1977, but did not finish. Mr. Tolle's own representatives had fewer specifics. "We don't have a lot of knowledge about Eckhart Tolle as a person," said a woman who answered the phone last week at the Vancouver office of Eckhart Teachings, and who asked not to be identified. "And I'm the only one here."
That's very little to go on for a man who sells millions of books (and makes millions from the peole who deliver themselves into his hands for salvation).
McKinley also spends a good deal of time recounting what is known about Mr. Tolle from his book appearances (and Oprah appearances) and discussing his spiritual philosophy, in addition to soliciting comments from his followers about what it is exactly that captivates them. Worth reading in full...
Also very much worth reading for Tolle aficionados (and his detractors too):
Fellow Idol Chatter blogger Todd Havens is "taking" Oprah's weekly online Monday classes in all things Eckhart Tolle and blogging what he's learned. Tune in to Todd's first post here, and check back weekly for more.
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Has anyone seen any corroborated info to suggest that Tolle is a) involved with freemasonry, b) aware of the new world order, or c) someone that David Icke might want to talk about? Please post any info here, I will be checking back.
If you bite the hook because you have responded to the bait, then you are caught.
Is it not perfectly clear that the point is to be aware of the bait, the hook and simply leave it at that?
This comment could simply have been not added.
However, to observe thought itself,and the above opinionation and aggressively egoistic arguments, the products of thought ( which are essentially the time-bound movements of fear ) without any need to respond,control or argue is the first step towards an inner revolution/evolution. For any contradiction to be posited is still ego-driven mental mischief which is, of course, the normal human condition and which is the most miserable entrapment.
Does it really matter? It's the "message" that speaks to people - and that comes from beyond any one individual. He is simply a facilitator - you don't have to worship the man - just revol in the message he is attempting to express. Everything else (selling books, speaking, getting paid...) that's just what humans do to survive. Fanaticism is easily controlled by observing the content (message) and not the delivery vehicle (Tolle).
Each of us has a story. To focus on Tolle's story or lack of is missing the point. You are thinking and judging and that is what the ego wants. If you truly are interested in experiencing what he means by presence; be silent, no thoughts and feel. That experience must be individually felt.
While I can agree with parts of almost all of these posts, Nicole you my dearheart are a beautiful person and in a way above all of our posts to this thread. The one of true and tolerant love for her fellow man. Thank you.
Your Friend,
Karen Tirio
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