Eckhart Tolle

Eckhart Tolle burst on the scene in 1999, with the publication of his book, The Power of Now, which became a #1 New York Times bestseller and has been translated into 31 languages. It is widely regarded as one of the most influential spiritual books of all time, and Tolle is recognized as one of the most inspiring spiritual teachers.

Eckhart Tolle was born in Germany in 1948, and his original name was Ulrich Tolle. He changed his name to Eckhart in homage to the German mystic Meister Eckhart. Until about age thirteen, he lived in Spain with his father. He moved to England in his early 20s and was educated at the Universities of London and Cambridge. At age 29, after suffering long periods of depression and confusion, he experienced enlightenment, completely dissolving his old identity and radically changing the course of his life. He spent the next few years integrating, deepening and understanding the transformation that had taken place. When he felt ready to share his inner journey, he began to work with individuals as well as groups as a counselor and spiritual teacher.

Eckhart Tolle is not wedded or aligned to any one religion or spiritual tradition. His influences include the sayings of Jesus, Meister Eckhart, Advaita Vedanta, A Course of Miracles and the Lin-chi school of Zen Buddhism. At the core of his teachings lie the seeds for individual and global transformation. He believes that being in the present moment is the key to peace and happiness. “If we are able to be fully present and take each step in the Now; if we are able to feel the reality of such things as the inner-body, surrender, forgiveness, and the Unmanifested, we will be opening ourselves to the transforming experience of The Power of Now.” Staying in the present produces an awareness beyond the mind. Tolle speaks of our identification with mind and ego and refers to this identification as the “pain-body.” Some of other his teachings are, you are not your thoughts, only the present moment exists, accept the present moment, and observe the pain-body.

“As you go about your life, don’t give 100 percent of your attention to the external world and to your mind,” Eckhart Tolle says. “Keep some within. Feel the inner body even when engaged in everyday activities, especially when you are relating with nature. Feel the stillness deep inside it. Keep the portal open.”

Tolle has also published, Practicing the Power of Now, Stillness Speaks, and A New Earth: Awakening to Your Life’s Purpose, which shows how transcending our ego-based state of consciousness is the key to personal happiness. His latest release, Eckhart Tolle’s Findhorn Retreat, a book and two-DVD set, will be out in September 2007. Eckhart Tolle recently announced an extensive 2007 schedule of talks and intensives in USA, Canada, and Europe. Eckhart Tolle has also recorded many audios. He currently lives in Vancouver, British Columbia.