The Secret vs. A New Earth - Well...Who's Right?

Hello Friends,

Hope all is well. I came across a nice blog created by Scott B. called Keeping The Secret last night as I as researching new widgets for my blogs(Great service by the way. You can see some of my new ones on the side panel). We share similar interests. He even has a "quotes" section.

Scott invited viewers to comment on a question he received in an email. It has to do with comparing the teachings of "The Secret" in relation to Eckhart Tolle's book A New Earth: Awakening to Your Life's Purpose (Oprah's Book Club, Selection 61). This was the question and my response.

I am reading Tolle’s book A New Earth, and have read The Secret and all the Abraham books by Esther and Jerry Hicks. I have even read part of a Seth book by Jane Roberts! What I want to know is: is the secret compatible with the teachings of Tolle. He speaks of”wanting” as a manifestation of the ego which is an illusion. The secret says that wanting is the whole purpose of life, desiring and manifesting more and more. I know the secret does not mean “wanting” in the sense of feeling lack so maybe the 2 are compatible. Would be grateful for any feedback from you or other members.

Thanks, Jane

This was my response:

Hi Jane,

I’ve been reading the Tolle book and what I believe he is saying is generally the same principles mentioned in the “The Secret” and Esther and Jerry Hicks are saying.

Tolle cautions us to be aware as to why we are wanting the good things in life. There is nothing wrong with wanting things, but when those possessions become our identity, the problems with ego start to arise.

For example, Tolle mentions the Rolling Stones song, “I can’t get no…Satisfaction.” He says this is the theme song of the ego. The ego needs an identity, whatever it is. For some people, it’s having expensive toys. Like Tolle says, there is nothing wrong with these toys, but when we start to “need” these toys to validate our worth, it can lead to problems.

What happens, is once we reach our goal, the ego will say, “I need more.” “This is not enough.” Mr. and Mrs. Jones still have more than “I” do.” So the ego seeks out more things in order to match up with the Jones’. Or even worse yet, what we think the Jones’ think we should be. How insane is that? Tolle mentions that if when you get what you are wanting and you have a feeling of not enough, then that want was driven by ego.

Tolle also talks about the “I” that the ego identifies with and the true “I” that is in all of us. The ego’s sense of “I” is the cars that we drive. The house that we live in. The friends that we have. These are the things that satisfy the ego for a time. But it always needs more. This is not your true “I”.

The true “I” is the one that is present. That is to say, living in the “Now”. Tolle makes a point of saying that the past doesn’t exist. Nor does the future. All there ever is…is right NOW(Read “The Power Of Now” if you haven’t yet). Even when you are thinking of a future event, when it does take place it happens…now. So there’s no point on stressing about past or future events.

The ego always draw its’ opinions and actions from past events and future anxieties. Once we decide to do away with the ego and start living from moment to moment, things will start to come us easily and for he right reasons.

Instead of wanting a lot of money in order to appear to have status in the eyes of your “friends”, use the money to make a difference in society. If you make it your intention to have a lot of money to be able to give, the Universe will start to give you more money to be able to give with. Just remember there are plenty of other ways to be a giver even if you don’t have the money yet. Start now by being thankful for what you already have, and the Universe will give you more to be thankful for.

I am thankful for blogs like “Keeping The Secret” which are bringing awareness to the masses. I was encouraged to see the response to this book and to the Tolle Webinar. It shows that the level of consciousness is growing. In times such as these, it is definitely needed. Many blessings on your journey, Jane. Make it a fun one.

Dexter(QuoteGuy)

Let me know what you think. Also please leave comments about this question at Keeping The Secret. I'm sure Scott would appreciate it.

Here are two videos for you to watch. The first video is the first 20 minutes of the movie "The Secret". The second video is the first 10 minutes of the Webinar Tolle is holding with Oprah. It looks like there are 11 parts to this series. You can watch all 11 clips or simply go to oprah.com for the full version.

Many blessings and thanks for listening.

Eckhart Tolle & Oprah: "A New Earth" Web Event

Hello Friends,

Hope all is well. Tonight begins a ten week webinar with Oprah Winfrey and Eckhart Tolle author of A New Earth: Awakening to Your Life's Purpose (Oprah's Book Club, Selection 61). The event begins at 9PM eastern time. Go to Oprah.com to sign up for the event.

I encourage all of you to join the webinar. Eckhart Tolle is an amazing author and teacher. His book The Power of Now: A Guide to Spiritual Enlightenment is one that opened my eyes to living in the moment. The NOW. Tolle believes that we allow the ego to control our thoughts and actions. And by allowing the ego to have control, we end up living in a state of unconsciousness.

I'm excited for this event. This is an opportunity to get into the mind of one of the great thinkers(or should I say un-thinkers)of today. Check out these two videos. The first is Oprah talking about why she added it to her book club. The second video is Tolle speaking about "not reacting to content." It may give you a little insight into what his teachings are about. The good thing about youtube is when the video is done, a bunch of related videos come up after the one you have just watched. I encourage you to watch these as well.

Be sure to sign up today and begin to "Awaken Your Life's Purpose." Blessings!

Conscious vs. Unonscious Living

Hello Friends,

Hope all is well. I've been reading a lot lately. I just finished The Power of Now: A Guide to Spiritual Enlightenment by Eckhart Tolle. I highly recommend reading this book.

"Our lives are not determined by what happens to us, but how we react to what happens."

In Tolle's book he talks about living in the NOW. He explains that in reality, neither the past or future ever exist. There is only ever, Right Now.

According to Tolle, there is Conscious living and Unconscious living. Being in a state of consciousness is what we should be striving for. It is a state in which you truly understand your "inward" self in relation to your "outward" self.

The way to live consciously is to first identify any unconscious behavior. For example. Say you are wanting to lose weight so that you can be healthier. This is a "conscious" decision because it is something that will be good for you.

Two days into your diet you decide to eat three Whoppers, fries, and coke. King Sized. This would be an example of an unconscious decision. You know that your decision is not a good one but still you do it. Unconscious behavior stems from memories of the past or looking to much into the future.

Eating three Whoppers is an activity, that in the past, brought you joy and satisfaction. Choosing to diet threatens your comfort level or "ego". I'm realizing that the ego is the biggest hindrance to anyone achieving any goal.

The ego wants you to be comfortable. It tries to tell you who you are. The ego says, "you will never lose weight." "Why even try. You'll lose your lunch buddies." "Everyone will criticize you." The ego has a very powerful voice and we tend to listen because we lack the necessary foundation to stand strong.

Tolle tells us to recognize unconscious behavior as soon as it arises. The second you hear those voices, recognize it as unconscious behavior. Recognizing unconsciousness brings you closer to conscious living.

This can be done with anything in your life that you are wanting to change. Say you are prone to fits of rage. As soon as you feel an episode coming, recognize it for what is is and move on. Once you recognize the behavior you will not act on it because you see that action as being unconscious.

So how will react this New Year when you start to hear the voices in your head. The ego is a very powerful thing, but can be controlled if you start to get to heart of what is feeding your ego. Identify what needs changing in your life and do it now. Live for the moment. Don't worry about the future. It doesn't exist. Don't live your life based on past experiences. It doesn't exist. All that exist is right now. That's all we have. Who cares what happened in the past. Who cares what is going to happen in the future. If you live for right NOW, the Universe has already provided everything that we could ever want or need.

Here's a quick video of some quotes by Ekhart Tolle. Apply the concepts to your life and living in the NOW will become totally natural for you. Many blessings, and thanks for listening.