But what to write? SO much has happened in the last 15 months–globally (still [mostly] lovin' Pope Francis!), nationally (lots to say about that, but another time), and personally (funny how at almost-50 I'm still learning who I am).
So I thought maybe to kick off Version 2.0 of this blog I'd take a look at one of the most meaningful and grounding sources I know: Eckhart Tolle.
Tolle has been foundational in my spiritual walk, as I know he has been for millions. And, no, I did not first encounter him on Oprah! Tolle, according to a 2009 New York Times article, is "not identified with any religion, but uses teachings from Zen Buddhism, Sufism, Hinduism and the Bible." So he can speak to people of any faith or of no particular faith at all. One requirement in gaining anything at all from Tolle is to disengage the critical thought process of the intellect (although on one level his teachings make a whole lot of sense) and to allow your spirit and your soul to engage these ideas. This holds true for all honest contemplative work, which is why non-dual thinkers from all faiths or none find resonance in his writing.
So several years ago I was feeling spiritually restless in my Christian walk. The traditional (and by that I mean mainline American Evangelical) theology and practice had gradually but persistently soured for me. I finally was able to tap into some more mystical and less dogmatic writing and teaching, and I eventually became convinced that the old-school Christian way was not the only way. (I know, some of the more staunch "believers" are either shuddering or have already tuned my out; I'm okay with that.) This was definitely a period of awakening for me. I began to see the depth and wisdom of less establishment flavors of my own faith as well as other faith traditions. And I am not discounting atheism either, but I would think there must be at least some sort of spiritual or transcendent aspect to one's life to live fully.
Anyway, back to Tolle. With an open an honest heart and spirit, I think most can find truths both simple and profound in his teachings. And I know they're not for everyone, and that's fine. But I find myself returning to many of Tolle's sayings when I feel out of balance, like a wheel that's off center and is just not turning freely. So my intention is to share some of my favorites and perhaps expound or just take a look at how they apply. This first time I'm sharing one of the simplest and yet most helpful.
Awareness is the greatest agent for change.To me the key to this thought is that first word. Unless we are truly aware–of our surroundings, others, and mostly ourselves–we are incapable of true and lasting change. How often do we careen through life, perhaps railing against this or that, demanding that things change. (Picture Lucy Van Pelt with her fist in the air yelling at the world!) But how often do we truly see things as they are? And certainly we must ask this question first and foremost of ourselves. Do we truly understand why we did or didn't do something? Or why some external stimulus has such an effect on us? But we must also look more honestly at others and at the world around us. Do we have all the facts, or just the first level of information, which may or may not be true at all? And even if we do know all or most of the "information," we may be completely oblivious to how those facts affect another or how someone else interprets or reacts to them. Going back to my own Christian background, Jesus cautioned "Judge not that you be not judged," and " How can you say to your brother, ‘Let me take the speck out of your eye,’ when there is the log in your own eye?"
Yes, there are things in the world and in ourselves that need to be changed. And I would say we usually don't fully understand any of them. So let's work on getting those logs out of our eyes. How, you ask? Must leave something for the next post!
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