Eckhart and the Ego

I have been reading Eckhart Tolle's new book A New Earth. Eckhart's books are valuable, bringing valuable messages of spirituality to those not reached by other teachings. I also feel that what Oprah is doing to spread Eckhart's message is a great thing.

I know that some of these points may be unfamiliar to some - I will go into more of the basics of what I am communicating here in later posts.

However, I would like to comment on some points in the book - ones that may be confusing to some readers. In fact, I disagree with some fine points and languaging that Eckhart uses.

Eckhart comes across as very negative towards the ego. While believing that the ego is the real you, and believing that this world is the ultimate reality are illusion, too much negativity towards the ego is damaging. Eckhart calls the ego "insane." While it certainly leads to dysfunctional thoughts and actions, much of the ego are patterns that have developed over thousands of years. In prehistoric and ancient times, many of these patterns were necessary for our ancestors to survive in the world they lived in. These patterns are not "insane," but not healthy, and often destructive to us today.

The major thought here is: the more negative energy we now direct towards the ego, the stronger it becomes. However, for recognizing the ego for what it is - that it is both personal to us, based on our own individual life "stories," and also is the collective "ego" of all humankind is the first step.


Transcend the Ego

The next, and most important step is realizing that the ego can be "trained" and "transcended, " with the goal being unity within us as individuals. Instead of directing negativity towards something that is part of us, through meditation, and practicing being in connection with Source/God, we can gently transcend the ego, and work with it, when we need it.


The Need for Healing

I also feel that Echart's description of the "pain-body," as he calls it, is both helpful and confusing. He describes the "pain-body" as some scary, out-of-control part of us that constantly seeks out more pain. His description of the "pain-body" is incomplete, ignoring the fact that we have made subconscious judgments about our selves and our lives, and this causes us to repeat unhealthy patterns.

His answer about overcoming the wounded part of us is both correct and unrealistic. While we can transcend the hurt part of us through being connected to Source, he says that this "takes no time at all." This is simply untrue for most people who are deeply wounded.

While some people are able to instantly be in Presence and connection Source, individuals move at their own speed towards healing and enlightenment. These things are simply meaningless to someone who has not already reached a certain level of healing in their lives. This is why part of my work with people includes not only assisting them to heal their emotional, energetic, and spiritual wounds, but also teaching methods of transcendence.


Finding your own Path

Another astonishing statement in the book is ". . . why should anyone feel the need to remove themselves from their current work or living situation?" This statement does not even seem to flow with the surrounding text, (which is quite good). Obviously, many of us need to make changes in our work and/or living situation, and these are important, necessary steps of growth. In fact, removing yourself from abusive situations is one of the most important thing you can do for yourself. We can manifest positive energy wherever we are - this is true, but that statement should have been edited before the book was released, as it will be confusing.

Eckhart's thesis here is that when people achieve a certain level of consciousness, and are manifesting that in their lives, they may not need to make drastic changes in their work, and lives. While this may be true for those who have reached a certain level of healing and consciousness, it is certainly not true for many as they grow along their path, and learn who they really are, and their real individual life purpose. Individual life purpose is not even addressed in the book, though the title suggests that is will be.

Yes, our main life's purpose is to manifest the Presence of God/Source in life, and act from that consciousness. However, each of us has a unique role to play in that - a role that often needs to be discovered.

So, read Eckhart's book, realizing that no teacher or book is perfect, learning and gaining what you need to from it.

Special Important Note

I should note at this point, that, even though I find the teachings of sant mat enlightening, and practice that type of meditation from their teachings, including the use of the mantra "HU," I do not and can not endorse any of the American groups groups or teachers claiming this teaching as their own.

There have been several groups and gurus, since the mid-20th Century, that have stolen from the sant mat teachings, and some have even claimed those teachings and the HU mantra as their own. Most of these gurus and groups may use some teachings that are true and helpful, but their motives are deceitful. These groups should be completely avoided.

Duality vs. Unity

Many of the world’s religions teach the principle of duality – that the physical and the spiritual are in direct opposition, or that the physical world is not real at all – it is an illusion. Even teachers who are spiritually aware teach that the “mind” or, the “ego” is not real, and that it is an illusion, because it appears to be in opposition to the real “I.”

Recently, I saw a bumper sticker saying “not of this world.” This is a result of the fact that many Christians are taught that their bodies are “evil,” and/or that the world is “evil.” Christians are supposed to follow the example of those who “no longer want to be here,” and want to “go home” to heaven. This is unfortunate, as we all are called here to learn in our lives here. Wanting to leave can hinder that growth. (However, in some cases, people who have experienced unity with source, can also say that they are free from the illusion that this world is the ultimate reality.)

The teaching of duality and “illusion” has changed over the centuries, with much of its original meaning lost through inaccurate translations and other misfortunes.

The point of duality teaching is that our spiritual goal IS UNITY. This includes unity within ourselves, with God/Source, and with others. Yet, duality seems to exist: between the physical and the spiritual, between the mental “I” and the observer “I.”

Duality seems to exist because the knowledge we have in this world is only partial, and incomplete. That does not mean it is an illusion, evil, or unreal. The physical universe is just as real as spiritual reality. We must deal with our bodies, health, and the physical realities of this world (which myself and others call the “earth school.”) You must use your ego/conscious mind to deal with life here in the physical world. (Yes, intelligence and education are still important, though they alone do not lead to spiritual growth or enlightenment.) However, the “illusion” comes in thinking that the physical world is the Ultimate Reality.

If I believe that I am my body, that the voice of my ego/mind is the real me, and that this world is the only and ultimate reality, then I am under the power of an illusion. However, if I come to understand that reality is actuality the unity of physical and the spiritual, the seen and the unseen, and, the unity of my ego and the observer I working together.

How can the unity of the physical and the spiritual, and the unity of the ego and the “true I” be attained? There are two ways: one is spontaneous enlightenment, seems to only happen to a few people. For the majority of us, mediation is the way to move our awareness away from just seeing the physical, to being aware of the unity of all things, spiritual, physical, and in worlds we do not know.

Though I am always open to learning more, I have stopped my search for the best meditation method for me. The use of chanting/toning, usually the word “HU,” either inwardly or out loud has been extremely beneficial for me, like a rocket, when I compared it with other methods. I also occasionally use other mantras, and believe that certain types of music and sound can be extremely beneficial to healing and spiritual growth.

Though all methods of meditation are valid, I believe those using sound outwardly (chanting, toning, singing, instruments) or sound inwardly (toning or chanting silently) are the most powerful, because of the power of sound, which we will explore more as we go along.

References:
The Mysticism of Sound and Music by Hazrat Inayat Khan

Basic Spiritual Principles from the Sant Mat Tradition

1. Ultimate Reality is beyond any beginning or end, infinite, beyond birth, beyond the senses, all-pervading yet beyond pervasiveness. It must therefore be understood as the Supreme Being. This Essential Element is known as the Lord of All and is the foundation of all things.

This Being is beyond both the inanimate and animate aspects of nature. It is without qualities and beyond qualities. Its nature is infinite, imperishable, all-powerful. It is beyond time and space, beyond sound and beyond form. It is the One without a second.

The Supreme Being is beyond the scope of mind, the intellect and the senses. This entire universe is powered by the energy of this Being.

This Being is not human. It has existence beyond the illusion (that the physical world is all there is), and there is nothing that exists outside of it. It is the Being which is eternal, existing from the beginning. Santmat considers this Being as the Divine Reality and this (knowing or merging with) Being is the goal of all spirituality.

2. The individual soul is an inseparable part of the Supreme Being.

3. The physical world of nature was created.

4. The soul bound by illusion (maya) remains in the cycle of death and birth. This is the cause of all suffering. In order to escape from this cycle of death and birth we must experience realization of this Supreme Being.

5. By practicing devotion through meditation, he practitioner consecutively transcends the realms of darkness, light, and sound which cloak the Truth -- the Divine.

6. Lying, stealing, intake of intoxicating substances, adultery, and violence (including harming other beings) are five things to be avoided.

7. Consider the following as the requirements to attain liberation:

• Trust and belief in the Divine.

• Commit to seek the Divine within.

• listen to the teaching of the spiritual discourse [satsang].

• Diligent meditation practice.

-- Sant Sevi Ji Maharaj, "The Harmony of All Religions"

Positive Spirituality

Often my clients ask me, "What do you believe?" It's not a question I can answer briefly, since what I believe comes from different teachers and sources.

However, I have started to put together a basis of these teachings to assist my clients and others. I call this framework Positive Spirituality. It is light on dogma, tradition, and ritual, and emphasizes spiritual practices, such as meditation.

I will expand on Positive Spirituality in further posts.

Positive Spirituality

Basic Principles:

• There is one God of all creation.

There is one God who is the Ultimate Source of all. (though we may reverence to other deities, based on our path.) At the root of all the world’s religions, there is the same Truth. That Truth is: that through mystic traditions, there are methods taught to connect with the essence of the true God. However, this truth has been hidden, condemned, lost and forgotten in many religious traditions. Mysticism, including meditation, looks beyond dogma, scriptures, rites, rituals, and “spiritual authority” to connect our essence with the Source of All.

• Our true self is soul.

Within each of us is a soul, a great spiritual potential created in God's image and likeness. This soul - not the body and mind with which we now identify - is our real self.

• The true purpose of life is to reconnect with our soul.

Life's supreme goal - the achievement to which all saints, prophets, and mystics summon us - is to regain our lost identity as soul. From this experience flows a peace that is not dependent on life's circumstances - a profound peace that is eternal. This experience is the true source of the happiness that we all crave. From this place, we begin to work out and erase karma quickly.

By reconnecting with soul, we connect with God.

When we connect with soul, we are on the path to connect with God. As we become more aware of our True Self, which I have called soul, we continue to gain in awareness of our connection with God, and all that is.

• Meditation is the surest way to spiritual growth.

This goal is not metaphorical or based on feelings or suppositions. It is as a matter of personal, verifiable experience of myself and others. (This personal, verifiable experience is the basis for many mystical traditions. Note that it does not depend on learning or faith in dogma.) The meditation techniques I teach lead to a progressive unfolding of the higher self. The practice does not require rigorous physical postures, special breathing exercises, or an extreme way of life. It is a natural method that can be practiced by anyone, regardless of age, education, or religion.

• A competent teacher speeds our progress.

It's a common sense principle of life: studying with one who is farther along on the path accelerates our learning. However, I am a guide, not a guru, authority, or master. We each are our own greatest teachers. But, conversely, this life is set up so that we also progress faster with the assistance and input of others. That is what I can offer.

• Spirituality is life-affirming.

A healthy spiritual path does not demand that we renounce our families or society. Just the opposite. Our inner lives, after all, are not separate from our outer lives. We teach that we should lead normal lives, striving for excellence in our careers, families, and communities. While doing so, a true spiritual path reminds us that we not lose sight of our spiritual goals. We call this balancing of outer and inner lives Positive Spirituality. As we advance within through meditation and behold God's Light within us, we see that same light shining in others. As a consequence of that realization, a natural spirit of love and compassion becomes the basis of our outer lives.

We believe that Positive Spirituality expresses the deepest values of every great spiritual tradition: love for God, compassion and service for God's creation and others; and, a daily life imbued with ethical values. Positive Spirituality gives us the tools for personal growth, to make these goals a reality.

What I teach draws from different sources and influences, though many of the principles come from the following:

1. Sant Mat, also known as Shabd Yoga, or Rhadhasoami.
2. Sikhism, which also incorporates Sant Mat.
3. Sufism, the mystical tradition of Islam.

This does not mean I am a convert to Sikhism or Sufism in a formal sense, but incorporate many of these principles in Positive Spirituality.