Table of Contents
1. Perceptive Awareness: A Foundational Spiritual Practice
2. Innocent Perception: Approaching Experiences with Fresh Awareness
3. Zen and Alertness: Truly Listening to Attain Consciousness
4. Integrating Alertness into Daily Life
5. The Role of Stories in Teaching Awareness
6. Continuous Awareness: The Ultimate Spiritual Goal
7. The Importance of the Present Moment
8. Pointers to Awareness: Self-Reflective Questions
9. Observing the Levels of Awareness in Others
10. Public Recognition and Spiritual Presence
Conclusion
1. Perceptive Awareness: A Foundational Spiritual Practice
Eckhart Tolle emphasizes the importance of perceptive awareness beyond intellectual interpretation, considering it a foundational spiritual practice. He suggests that if perceptive awareness were one's only spiritual practice, it would be quite enough.
2. Innocent Perception: Approaching Experiences with Fresh Awareness
Innocent perception involves approaching sensory experiences (smell, taste, touch, sight, hearing) with fresh awareness and without preconceived notions. This practice helps maintain alertness and control over habitual thinking.
3. Zen and Alertness: Truly Listening to Attain Consciousness
Tolle narrates a Zen story to illustrate the necessity of heightened alertness in spiritual practice. In the story, a disciple learns to truly listen and thus enter the state of Zen consciousness by focusing on the sound of a distant mountain stream, as guided by the Zen master.
4. Integrating Alertness into Daily Life
The practice of alertness should be integrated into all perceptions and interactions, not forcing alertness but maintaining a relaxed awareness. Tolle suggests associating awareness with various perceptions, such as sight, sound, or even no perception at all.
5. The Role of Stories in Teaching Awareness
Tolle uses various stories, including a Christian parable, to demonstrate how constant awareness can prepare one for spiritual insights. In the parable, a servant waits attentively for his master, illustrating the state of continuous presence.
6. Continuous Awareness: The Ultimate Spiritual Goal
The ultimate spiritual goal, according to Tolle, is to achieve a continuous background awareness. While some people experience this sporadically, and a rare few maintain it consistently, Tolle suggests that it is the destiny of each human to reach this enlightened state, although many may not attain it in this lifetime.
7. The Importance of the Present Moment
Emphasizing the present moment, Tolle discourages pondering the continuity of awareness in the future. Instead, he urges focusing on the immediate presence of awareness, asking oneself, "Am I aware now?"
8. Pointers to Awareness: Self-Reflective Questions
Tolle describes certain thoughts as "pointers" that lead beyond conventional thinking, particularly the self-reflective question, "Am I aware now?" This powerful pointer can bring about a rise in one's vibrational frequency and heightened alertness.
9. Observing the Levels of Awareness in Others
Tolle suggests that one can observe the level of awareness in others, noting that many possess some level of spiritual awareness, even without formal teaching. He shares anecdotes of recognizing the presence of awareness in others before being recognized himself.
10. Public Recognition and Spiritual Presence
Sharing personal anecdotes, Tolle touches on being recognized in public due to his spiritual presence. He finds this paradoxically pleasing despite his attempts to blend in, as he can recognize the presence of awareness in others before they recognize him.
Conclusion
To be aware as a creator is a continuous journey of cultivating perceptive awareness, approaching experiences with fresh innocence, and integrating alertness into daily life. By embracing the present moment, using self-reflective pointers, and observing the levels of awareness in ourselves and others, we can strive towards the ultimate spiritual goal of continuous background awareness. While the path may be long, the rewards of living in a state of heightened consciousness are immeasurable.
Sources:
- "The Power of Now" by Eckhart Tolle
- "A New Earth" by Eckhart Tolle
- "Stillness Speaks" by Eckhart Tolle