Eckhart Tolle
Eckhart Tolle
Eckhart Tolle
Eckhart Tolle
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Eckhart Tolle
Born
Ulrich Leonard Tlle
February 16, 1948 (age68)
Lnen, Germany
Occupation
Writer, public speaker
Language
English, German, Spanish
Genre
Spirituality, psychology, metaphysics
Notable works
The Power of Now (1997)
A New Earth (2005)
Website
eckharttolle.com
Eckhart Tolle (/krt tl/ ek-art tol-; German pronunciation: [kat tl],
born Ulrich Leonard Tlle, February 16, 1948) is a German-born resident of
Canada,[1][2] best known as the author of The Power of Now and A New Earth:
Awakening to your Life's Purpose. In 2011, he was listed by Watkins Review
as the most spiritually influential person in the world.[3] In 2008, a New York
Times writer called Tolle "the most popular spiritual author in the United
States".[4]
Tolle has said that he was depressed for much of his life until he underwent,
at age 29, an "inner transformation". He then spent several years wandering
"in a state of deep bliss" before becoming a spiritual teacher. Later, he moved
to North America where he began writing his first book, The Power of Now,
which was published in 1997[5] and reached the New York Times Best Seller
lists in 2000.[6]
The Power of Now and A New Earth sold an estimated three million and five
million copies respectively in North America by 2009.[7] In 2008, approximately
35 million people participated in a series of 10 live webinars with Tolle and
television talk show host Oprah Winfrey.[7] Tolle is not identified with any
particular religion, but he has been influenced by a wide range of spiritual
works.[8] He has lived in Vancouver, British Columbia since 1995.[9]
Contents [hide]
1
Early life and education
2
Inner transformation
3
Career
4
Teachings
4.1
Influences
4.2
Reception
4.2.1
Reception by Christian theologians
5
Selected publications
5.1
Books
5.2
DVDs
6
References
7
External links
Inner transformation[edit]
One night in 1977, at the age of 29, after having suffered from long periods of
depression, Tolle says he experienced an "inner transformation".[8] That night
he awakened from his sleep, suffering from feelings of depression that were
"almost unbearable," but then experienced a life-changing epiphany.[12]
Recounting the experience, Tolle says,
I couldnt live with myself any longer. And in this a question arose without an
answer: who is the I that cannot live with the self? What is the self? I felt
drawn into a void! I didnt know at the time that what really happened was the
mind-made self, with its heaviness, its problems, that lives between the
unsatisfying past and the fearful future, collapsed. It dissolved. The next
morning I woke up and everything was so peaceful. The peace was there
because there was no self. Just a sense of presence or beingness, just
observing and watching.[14]
Tolle recalls going out for a walk in London the next morning, and finding that
everything was miraculous, deeply peaceful. Even the traffic."[12] The feeling
continued, and he began to feel a strong underlying sense of peace in any
situation.[7] Tolle stopped studying for his doctorate, and for a period of about
two years after this he spent much of his time sitting, in a state of deep
Career[edit]
After this period, former Cambridge students and people he had met by
chance began to ask Tolle about his beliefs. He began working as a
counselor and spiritual teacher.[8] Students continued to come to him over the
next five years. He relocated to Glastonbury, a major centre of alternative
living.[14] In 1995, after having visited the West Coast of North America several
times, he settled in Vancouver, British Columbia, where he met his wife to be,
Kim Eng.[8][12][17][18]
Tolle's first book, The Power of Now, was first published in 1997 by Namaste
Publishing.[5][7] Only 3000 copies were published of the first edition. Tolle has
stated, "I would personally deliver a few copies every week to some small
bookstores in Vancouver ... Friends helped by placing copies of the book in
spiritual bookstores farther afield".[5] The book was republished on a large
scale by New World Library in 1999.[5][8] In 2000, Oprah Winfrey
recommended it in her magazine, O.[15] In August 2000 it reached the New
York Times Best Seller list for Hardcover Advice.[6] After two more years, it
was number one on that list.[19] By 2008, the book had been translated from
English into 33 languages;[5][7][8] since then, it has been translated into Arabic.
[20] Tolle published his second book, Stillness Speaks, in 2003.[21] In July 2011,
The Power of Now appeared on the list for the 10 best selling Paperback
Advice books for the 102nd time.[22]
In 2005, Tolle published his third book, A New Earth,[4][23] which assumed the
number one position on the New York Times Best Seller list several times
between March and September 2008.[24][25] By the end of 2008, it reached the
list for the 46th time.[26] The high sales of A New Earth in that year followed its
selection by Oprah Winfrey for her book club in January.[8] In the four weeks
following the announcement, 3.5 million copies of the book were shipped.[27]
Tolle partnered with her to produce a series of webinar sessions beginning in
May 2008.[27] The weekly webinar sessions included discussions between
Tolle and Winfrey, silent meditations, and questions from viewers via Skype.[10]
Each webinar focused on a specific chapter of A New Earth.[10] The third
webinar attracted more than 11 million viewers.[10]
Teachings[edit]
Influences[edit]
According to a 2009 article in the New York Times, Tolle is "not identified with
any religion, but uses teachings from Zen Buddhism, Sufism, Hinduism and
the Bible".[8] Tolle has said: "I feel actually that the work I do is a coming
together of the teaching 'stream', if you want to call it that, of [Jiddu]
Krishnamurti and Ramana Maharshi."[12] Tolle himself has mentioned texts
such as the Tao Te Ching, the Bhagavad Gita and other Hindu scriptures, the
Buddhist scriptures, the Old Testament, the New Testament, and A Course in
Miracles; he has mentioned various individuals such as Zoroaster, Lao Tzu,
Mahavira, Gautama Buddha, Heraclitus, Parmenides, Jesus, Epictetus,
Marcus Aurelius, Rumi, Meister Eckhart, Hafiz, Rinzai Gigen, Ralph Waldo
Emerson, Carl Gustav Jung; and he has emphasized the mystical schools
within religions such as Gnosticism in Christianity, Sufism in Islam, Hasidism
and Kabbala in Judaism, Advaita Vedanta in Hinduism, and Zen and
Dzogchen in Buddhism. He has met and spoken with Barry Long and Don
Miguel Ruiz, and he wrote a foreword for The Diamond in Your Pocket by
Gangaji.[5][12][15][23][29][44]
Reception[edit]
In 2008, an article in the New York Times referred to Tolle as "the most
popular spiritual author in the [United States]".[4] In 2011, the Watkins Review
put him at number 1 in a list of "The 100 Most Spiritually Influential Living
People".[3][45] By 2009, total sales of The Power of Now and A New Earth in
North America had been estimated at three million and five million copies
respectively.[7]
The books have received a wide range of praise and criticism. One book
reviewer characterized The Power of Now as "awash in spiritual mumbojumbo",[46] while another reviewer wrote, "Tolle's clear writing and the obvious
depth of his experience and insight set it apart".[47]
Some critics characterize Tolle's books as unoriginal or derivative. A 2009
New York Times article said he is "hardly the first writer to tap into the
American longing for meaning and success".[4] Sara Nelson, the editor-in-chief
of Publishers Weekly, said Tolle's writings have been successful due to
surging public interest in books that tell you how to be happier, more peaceful
than for the Christian" and that Tolle's theology "is only a footnote to the
therapy he holds out to his audience".[50]
Roman Catholic priest and theologian Richard Rohr credits Tolle for helping
to reintroduce ancient Christian mysticism to modern Christians: "Tolle is, in
fact, rather brilliantly bringing to our awareness the older tradition ... [which is]
both the ground and the process for breaking through to the theological
contemplation of God, and acquired contemplation of Jesus, the Gospels,
and all spiritual things. He is teaching process, not doctrine or dogma. He is
teaching how to see and be present, not what you should see when you are
present. Tolle is our friend, and not an enemy of the Gospel. There should be
no conflict for a mature Christian."[51][52]
Anglican bishop Michael Ingham has said: "I don't have any criticism of his
message. I think the proper attitude to take with new spiritual movements is
one of wait and see."[7]
Selected publications[edit]
Books[edit]
DVDs[edit]
References[edit]
1
2
3
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
Jump up
^ "About Eckhart Tolle". Eckhart Teachings.
Jump up
^ "Eckhart Tolle - The Energies Around You".
^ Jump up to:
a b "The Watkins Review Announces Its Spiritual 100 List". Marketwire.com.
2011-03-29. Retrieved 2012-09-08.
^ Jump up to:
a b c d e f g McKinley, Jesse (2008-03-23). "The Wisdom of the Ages, for Now
Anyway". New York Times. Retrieved 2009-10-19.
^ Jump up to:
a b c d e f Tolle, Eckhart (2005). The Power of Now (2005 edition). Hodder and
Stoughton Ltd. ISBN978-0-340-73350-9.
^ Jump up to:
a b Best Sellers. New York Times (2000-08-12). Hardcover advice. Retrieved
2010-06-04.
^ Jump up to:
a b c d e f g h i j k l Ken MacQueen (2009-10-22). "Eckhart Tolle vs. God".
Macleans.ca. Retrieved 2009-10-24.
^ Jump up to:
a b c d e f g h i j Eckhart Tolle Biography. New York Times (2008-03-05). Times
Topics.
Jump up
^ About Eckhart Tolle. EckhartTolle.com. Retrieved March 24, 2015.
^ Jump up to:
a b c d e f g h i j k l Ether Walker (2008-06-21). "Eckhart Tolle: This man could
change your life". The Independent.
Jump up
^ Ruhr Nachrichten (2008-05-27). Amerikas Guru stammt aus Lnen
('Americas guru comes from Lnen'). Retrieved 2010-06-03.
^ Jump up to:
a b c d e f g h i j k l Dialogues With Emerging Spiritual Teachers, by John W.
Parker Sagewood Press, 2000.
Jump up
^ Douglas Todd (2002-10-05). Profile: Eckhart Tolle of the present, future
and mother. The Vancouver Sun. Retrieved on 2016-04-21.
^ Jump up to:
a b c d e Claire Scobie (2003-08-31). Why now is bliss. Telegraph Magazine.
Retrieved on 2010-02-02.
^ Jump up to:
a b c d e Cathy Lynn Grossman (2010-15-04). 'Life's Purpose' author Eckhart
Tolle is serene, critics less so. USA Today. Retrieved 2010-05-24.
16 Jump up
^ "EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW with Eckhart Tolle | PositiveLife.ie | Positive Life
Magazine". PositiveLife.ie. Retrieved 2012-09-08.
17 ^ Jump up to:
a b c d Eckhart Tolle Biography. Eckhart Tolle's official website. Retrieved
2009-10-22.
18 Jump up
^ Douglas Todd's backstage report from the Vancouver Peace Summit. The
Vancouver Sun (2009-09-27). Retrieved on 2010-03-12.
19 Jump up
^ Best Sellers. New York Times (2003-01-12). Hardcover advice. Retrieved
2010-06-04.
20 Jump up
^ "KALIMA publishes Eckhart Tolle's 'A New Earth and the Power of Now' in
Arabic as well.". WAM: Emirates News Agency. 2010-04-01. Retrieved
2010-05-24.
21 ^ Jump up to:
a b Tolle, Eckhart (2003). Stillness Speaks. New World Library.
ISBN978-1-57731-400-4.
22 Jump up
^ Best Sellers. New York Times (2011-07-17). Paperback advice. Retrieved
2011-07-19.
23 ^ Jump up to:
a b c Tolle, Eckhart (2005). A New Earth. Penguin Books.
ISBN978-0-14-103941-1.
24 Jump up
^ Best Sellers. New York Times (2008-03-02). Paperback Advice. Retrieved
2010-05-24.
25 Jump up
^ Best Sellers, New York Times (2008-03-02). Paperback Advice. Retrieved
2010-09-07.
26 Jump up
^ Best Sellers. New York Times (2008-12-19). Paperback Advice. Retrieved
2010-06-04.
27 ^ Jump up to:
a b Oprah Winfrey Book Pick 'A New Earth' Shatters Records. Associated
Press via Fox News (2008-02-28). Retrieved 2010-05-24.
28 Jump up
^ About Eckhart Teachings. Eckhart Tolle's official website. Retrieved
2009-10-22.
29 ^ Jump up to:
a b "Eckhart Tolle Australian TV Interview". Today Tonight, Seven Network
(2009).
30 Jump up
^ Douglas Todd (2009-09-28). Dalai Lama in Vancouver: Pursuit of peace
and compassion a complex path. Vancouver Sun. Retrieved 2010-05-24.
31 Jump up
^ The history of the Dalai Lama Center for Peace and Education. Official
website. Retrieved 2010-06-04.
32 Jump up
^ "Eckhart Tolle Books: Guardians of Being". Eckhart Tolle's official website.
Retrieved 2009-10-15.
33 ^ Jump up to:
a b Tolle, The Power of Now (2005 edition), p. 6
34 Jump up
^ Tolle, A New Earth, p. 15
35 Jump up
^ Tolle, A New Earth, p. 261262
36 Jump up
^ Tolle, A New Earth, p. 96
37 Jump up
^ Tolle, A New Earth, p. 27
38 Jump up
^ Tolle, A New Earth, p. 29
39 Jump up
^ Tolle, A New Earth, p. 140
40 Jump up
^ James Rainey (2009-06-05). Jim Carrey and friends opt for consciousnessraising over Lakers. Los Angeles Times. Retrieved 2010-06-22.
41 Jump up
^ Eckhart Tolle (2006). Findhorn Retreat: Stillness Amidst The World. New
World Library. ISBN1-57731-509-X.
42 Jump up
^ "Music to Quiet the Mind". eckharttolletv.com. Retrieved 21 July 2015.
43 Jump up
^ "Music to Quiet the Mind - track listing". allmusic.com. Retrieved 21 July
2015.
44 Jump up
^ Eckhart Tolle Free TV. Eckhart Tolle's official website. Retrieved
2010-06-04.
45 Jump up
^ "100 Spiritual Power List by Watkins, 2011 | Esoteric News".
Watkinsbooks.com. Retrieved 2012-09-08.
46 Jump up
^ Andrea Sachs (2003-04-21). Channeling Ram Dass. Time magazine.
Retrieved 2010-05-24.
47 Jump up
^ Phipps, Carter (2000). Time is the Enemy. Enlightenment Next magazine.
Retrieved 2010-06-04.
48 Jump up
^ James Robinson (2008-03-09). Penguin borne aloft by the power of
Oprah's persuasion. The Observer. Retrieved on 2010-11-27.
49 Jump up
^ "Eckhart Tolle: Does the Mask of "Stresslessness" Hide a Deep, Bitter
Anger?". Retrieved 2013-07-28.
50 ^ Jump up to:
a b Stafford Betty (2008-04-18), "Eckhart Tolle's message is positive, but is it
Christian?". National Catholic Reporter, 44.17, p. 22(2)
51 Jump up
^ http://www.cac.org/images/
eckharttolleandthechristiantradition_richardrohr_2009-05-09.pdf[dead link]
52 Jump up
^ https://www.eckharttolle.com/article/Spirituality-And-The-Christian-Tradition
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