Eckhart Tolle's spiritual approaches have clouded my joy in life – does anyone have any advice?
I read Eckhart Tolle and was initially fascinated by his idea that only the present moment matters and that our ego is an illusion. But the deeper I delve into his thoughts, the more empty and almost depressed I feel.
I used to enjoy working toward something, whether through exercise, overcoming challenges, or looking forward to special events. For example, I would push through strenuous workouts because I knew how good I would feel afterward. That pride and the anticipation of delayed gratification (the feeling after exercise) drove me on. But now that I'm supposed to focus on the "pure moment," it feels like I'm just plodding through it without truly experiencing the joy afterward—after all, I'm not supposed to feed my ego, gain satisfaction from the future (during the workout), or gain joy from the past (completed workout).
The anticipation that often inspired me in the past feels devalued. I'm about to graduate from high school, have lots of plans, and could be proud/relieved that I've just completed a tough exam period. But the thought that "pride" is wrong and that the future doesn't matter is destroying this joy.
I ask myself: Are my memories, my past successes, my dreams for the future really meaningless? What about wonderful trips, inspiring conversations, hobbies, etc. The thought that these precious moments are only relevant in the present and that one shouldn't enjoy the memories in retrospect plunges me into an existential crisis.
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Do others feel the same way? Have others also felt this emptiness, and if so, how did you deal with it? I want to understand how to integrate Tolle's messages into your life without losing touch with yourself as a person and your life.
(2 votes)
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I feel first that you should assume that we should consider everything but have to keep the good. This may, of course, and may also go wrong, but this should become tangible after such a “use” I find.
The second thought is the word of Jesus on Marta: “Maria but has selects the good part; that should not be taken from her!”
Here it is about being driven by things that are not priority, and if the only one is in front of you in which it comes in your life and you are able to grasp this, everything is done whatever it takes no matter which we still see etc.
In faith it takes the moment, but as a human being you have all freedoms and never you shall be put under a yoke that will crush you! The prosecutor makes life impermissible to us, or can even turn the promise into the dark when we despise.
Proud is such a word that today I find differently arranged, at least for me pure joy is often tangible when a father says he is proud of his child.
Joy also over your body, and of course you can do something to grow the muscles, is what God wants us and not be a crushed!
The concept of ego is one thing that can be used against bad habits and bad behaviors. In good habits, however, it is rather obstructible.
Proud is wrong if he justifies bad behavior. You can also be proud of good behavior.
I myself can’t do too much of his texts or his teaching behind one another. Otherwise, I’ll get into a force-enhanced mode in the constantly repeated attempt to live only in the present. Great is helpful to me if I would like to remember an important wisdom (a moment at the time of living). But if I’m too stiff, it’ll be uncomfortable and no longer targeted.
Going through a certain feeling of emptiness and pain, if one turns to the present, however, I find normal. When I meditate, not only pleasant things come up…
You don’t understand.
By the way, to confine yourself to an author can sometimes be unsatisfactory. It is important to continue to focus on the subject and to include other perspectives. Understanding yourself and developing a clear awareness is a lifelong process.
The ego is part of us. We are all selfish in any way or think first of all about what is good for ourselves. Our individuality makes us first. But as with all things, we can overdo it. Excessive egoism can lead to an increase in things.
Of course, on a much higher level of being, the ego no longer exists. But until we reach this stage, it takes time. At the moment it is a tool… just like our minds, our emotions and our personality. They’re all tools.
The real question is:Who am I?
You don’t only define yourself about your ego, your achievements, your personality, your body or what others say about you. Because what happens if you have an accident, for example, and can’t do sports anymore? What if people change their minds about you? At some point you have to leave your body, and your personality may only exist in the memories of others.
What is joy really? Will joy come from the outside or from your inside?
Did you reach your achievements from deep conviction, or did you do them to prove something to others… maybe to do your parents a favor? Did you do things on your own or just because others did them?
I already knew with 18 that much in this world is characterized by expectations and illusions. Higher, faster, more… this is the way many go. But I didn’t want to. For me, the void is a beginning to discover my true, authentic I. Not what society tells me how to interpret joy and happiness.
I decide for myself what joy and happiness mean for me. I realized that great joy is often found in small things… not only in great achievements. If I want to achieve something big, I do that because I really want it, and not because someone expects me.
Love
Sandy
Think about it – there’s a need for even action! Forget and ignore the “death” and your life is fine again.