Eckhart Tolle

[AlpsStranger]

So in what way is Tolle saying that you should disconnect from reality?

He rather seems to be saying the reverse to me: that a great deal of unhappiness happens because of a disconnect with reality.

Maybe I've misunderstood him and/or you.

Perhaps, I didn't really watch the video. If I'm mistaken about its nature then I apologize.

 

[Farm Boy]

If something horrible happens ( a friend or loved one dies, for instance ) then I think it's appropriate to mourn bitterly for a while. I always dislike religious funerals because they try to tell me that I didn't really lose someone. Well, yeah, I kinda did, and I resent you telling me I didn't.

Ashes to ashes, dust to dust? I've never seen a Methodist service that didn't expressly point out that the living left behind have very much lost. It's their loss and pain that the funeral is for, not the deceased who is now beyond such cares. Do other mainstream religions do that differently?

 

[AlpsStranger]

Ashes to ashes, dust to dust? I've never seen a Methodist service that didn't expressly point out that the living left behind have very much lost. It's their loss and pain that the funeral is for, not the deceased who is now beyond such cares. Do other mainstream religions do that differently?

Most of my extended family's services have been Nazarene and such, and in my experience they emphasize the idea that this person isn't really dead. It may very well be different for other denominations.

 

[Farm Boy]

Most of my extended family's services have been Nazarene and such, and in my experience they emphasize the idea that this person isn't really dead. It may very well be different for other denominations.

Even if they live in the kingdom of heaven, they're living in the kingdom of heaven. They aren't with us grubby people of the earth anymore except on how they have changed us. That really isn't how they go about it? I guess I hadn't really thought too much about the Nazarenes being pseudo Catholic about it with the whole intercession of saints and spirits and all that. Interesting!

 

[Borachio]

Yes. All the funerals I'm been to have been sad affairs simply because that's the last time anyone will see them. (Here on earth anyway. Opinions differ about what happens when you die yourself.) Isn't it natural to be sorry that someone has gone? It's mostly a sense of loss for oneself rather than sorrow for the end of a life. Which can be a relief in a way, according to circumstances.

 

[Borachio]

If there is unhappiness in you, first you need to acknowledge that it is there. But don't say, "I'm unhappy." Unhappiness has nothing to do with who you are. Say: "There is unhappiness in me."

Then investigate it. A situation you find yourself in may have something to do with it. Action may be required to change the situation or remove yourself from it. If there is nothing you can do, face what is and say, "Well, right now, this is how it is. I can either accept it, or make myself miserable."

The primary cause of unhappiness is never the situation but your thoughts about it. Be aware of the thoughts you are thinking. Separate them from the situation, which is always neutral, which always is as it is. There is the situation or the fact, and here are my thoughts about it. Instead of making up stories, stay with the facts.

For example, "I am ruined" is a story. It limits you and prevents you from taking effective action. "I have fifty cents left in my bank account" is a fact.

Facing facts is always empowering. Be aware that what you think, to a large extent, creates the emotions that you feel. See the link between your thinking and emotions, be the awareness behind them.

Don't seek happiness. If you seek it, you won't find it, because seeking is the antithesis of happiness. Happiness is always elusive, but freedom from unhappiness is attainable now, by facing what is rather than making up stories about it.

Unhappiness covers up your natural state of well-being and inner peace, the source of true happiness.

Well?

 

[Global Skeptic]

Well?

Looks fine!

 

[Borachio]

That's not a big help.

Though I suppose it is, in a way.

But can't you poke a few holes in it?

 

[Farm Boy]

Well, his first line definition of "I am unhappy" is a bit gamey. You can say "I am unhappy" and mean "I feel unhappy right now." That owns the emotion and empowers you. You are not necessarily saying "I am unhappy" like your name is Unhappy or like it is a permanent personality trait. That kinda rubs on me.

 

[Borachio]

Yes. I agree. Saying "There is unhappiness in me" is simply nothing anyone would ever say. Outside of some New Age workshop.

But I suppose the point is to try and feel some distance between yourself and your state of (temporary) unhappiness.

Too often I, at least, can get completely overwhelmed and identify with what I'm feeling at any one moment.

 

[Global Skeptic]

That's not a big help.

Though I suppose it is, in a way.

But can't you poke a few holes in it?

Well, not really as seen from my understanding of reality. In other words the holes I can create are constructed in a forced way, but I can try.

If there is unhappiness in you, first you need to acknowledge that it is there. But don't say, "I'm unhappy." Unhappiness has nothing to do with who you are. Say: "There is unhappiness in me."

First how it makes sense - I am not unhappy, because me being unhappy is not a case of the verb be being like the computer screen is front of me. The latter is an objective and physical fact, where as I am not happy the am is a cognitive construct; i.e. a subjective and mental fact.
Compare this list for similarities and difference for the verb be:

• A is A
• A is B
• 2+2 is 4
• Gravity is physical
• The dog is black(color)
• God is Truth
• The man is evil
• You are wrong

Now the hole:
Trolle is sick in the head, because what he says is insane. It would mean that the fact that the government steals my money using force and that this makes me angry and unhappy is not the truth.

See, I told you I am biased for Trolle and not against him, because what he is saying is that evil, wrong, bad and unhappiness are social, cognitive, mental and subjective constructs.

 

[Borachio]

Hahahahaha.

See now. You obviously try very hard to make sense. Thanks for trying.

And I'm sure it's my comprehension that's lacking. But I very often don't understand you at all. All of the individual words make sense. And many of the sentences too. But tying them into a one big piece - that's a whole different ball game.

 

[Global Skeptic]

Hahahahaha.

See now. You obviously try very hard to make sense. Thanks for trying.

And I'm sure it's my comprehension that's lacking. But I very often don't understand you at all. All of the individual words make sense. And many of the sentences too. But tying them into a one big piece - that's a whole different ball game.

Well, don't sweat it You don't have to get into life energy and any new-age woo-woo to understand Tolle. Nor do you have to turn it into philosophy like me. The quote you gave is straight forward enough - stop thinking/feeling unhappy and be realistic. It is no different that this one:

The Serenity Prayer:
"God, grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change,
The courage to change the things I can,
And wisdom to know the difference."
American theologian, Reinhold Niebuhr

Even an atheist like me can understand the wisdom in that

 

[Borachio]

"GIVE ME SERENITY, NOW!!!" I screamed at the top of my lungs.

I never liked that serenity prayer. It's far too mawkish for my taste. And come to that Tolle could soon get on my nerves. Except he seems to express himself quite well and simply. I haven't read much of his stuff that I disagree with. Up to now.