"The beginning of freedom is the realization
that you are not "the thinker." The moment you start watching the thinker, a higher level of consciousness becomes activated. You then begin to realise that there is a vast realm of intelligence beyond thought, that thought is only a tiny aspect of that intelligence. You also realise that all the things that truly matter - beauty, love, creativity, joy, inner peace - arise from beyond the mind. You begin to awaken."
- Eckhart Tolle, Practicing the Power of Now
Hi everyone, Can you guess what I did last week?! That's right I was at the convention centre listening to Eckhart Tolle live. It was quite surreal having him there in person after so many years of reading his books and listening to his teachings. He spoke for two hours without a break and it was heartening to be in a packed audience and know that there are plenty of people on the same wavelength. I picked up one of his books, Practicing the Power of Now to find a quote to use today and didn't have to look further than the first page for the above paragraph. It sums it up nicely! It also highlights the aspect that can be the most difficult to get our heads around - that we are not our thoughts and beliefs; that our thoughts and beliefs are not necessarily true; and that true intelligence lies in the energy field beyond thought. We are often trying to attain freedom from our thoughts without realising it - through overworking, intense exercise, new experiences, meditation, overeating, alcohol or drugs. These are not necessarily good or bad behaviours but it's interesting to become aware of the intention behind them. Even though we are so often trying to become free of our thoughts, we still put so much emphasis and praise on thinking, on being clever and on academic achievement. Humans have the unique ability to think, so we understandably take that to mean that thinking is the most important thing. In reality, thinking is just a tool. What is most important? A real feeling of connection with something greater than our 'superficial I'. A connection to our 'deeper I'. These were words Eckhart used last week. Of course, this is just a concept, we want to actually experience it. Take a moment now. Take a breath, drop your awareness into your belly or your feet or your hands. Be there, just for a moment. Really be there. Notice what you feel...the physical sensations... the peacefulness... that's the way in (well one of them!). Notice how you stopped being caught in thought just for a moment. A melting moment. A deliciously peaceful melting moment. It's relatively easy to have these moments when we're on our own, more difficult when we're doing something or around other people and much more difficult when we're in a situation that has triggered us. I guess that's why this little book is called Practicing the Power of Now* . It takes practice. I can hear you groaning! Can't I just experience it without effort? Maybe one day. But if you're anything like me, you'll need awareness AND application to start with... I reckon it's worth it because it feels soooo good when you have those moments. Maybe you can find your own unique way into your 'deeper I'. Maybe baking is the way in - anyone got a good melting moment recipe?! (gluten and dairy free...now there's a challenge!) Happy melting momenting! Carla :) *Eckhart's other books are Stillness Speaks, The Power of Now and A New Earth. They are all available at the library in a range of formats - book, ebook, audiobook. There is also a podcast called Eckhart Tolle: Essential Teachings.
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