Biography:Eckhart Tolle

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Short description: German writer
Eckhart Tolle
Tolle in 2010
Tolle in 2010
BornUlrich Leonard Tölle
(1948-02-16) February 16, 1948 (age 76)
Lünen, Germany
OccupationWriter
LanguageEnglish, German, Spanish
NationalityCanadian
GenreSpirituality, self-help
Notable worksThe Power of Now (1997)
A New Earth (2005)
Website
eckharttolle.com

Eckhart Tolle (/ˈɛkɑːrt ˈtɒlə/ EK-art TOL-ə; German: [ˈɛkhaʁt ˈtɔlə]; born Ulrich Leonard Tölle, February 16, 1948) is a German spiritual teacher and self-help author best known as the author of The Power of Now and A New Earth: Awakening to Your Life's Purpose.

After being recommended by Oprah Winfrey, his first book, The Power of Now,[1] reached The New York Times Best Seller list in 2000.[2] The same happened to his 2005 book A New Earth.[3][4]

Biography

Childhood

Ulrich Leonard Tölle was born in Lünen, a small town north of Dortmund in the Ruhr region of Germany in 1948.[3][5][6] He felt afraid and anxious growing up in post-war Germany, where he played in bombed-out buildings. He later stated that pain "was in the energy field of the country."[7] At the age of 13, he moved to Spain to live with his father, who did not insist that he attend high school, so Tolle elected to study literature, astronomy, and languages at home.[5] At 15, he was "heavily influenced"[5] by a gift of the five spiritual books by the German mystic Joseph Anton Schneiderfranken.[5] When he was 19, Tolle moved to England and taught German and Spanish for three years at a London language school.[8]

"Spiritual awakening"

One night in 1977, at the age of 29, after long periods of depression, Tolle says he experienced an "inner transformation".[9]

I couldn't live with myself any longer. And in this a question arose without an answer: who is the ‘I' that cannot live with the self? What is the self? I felt drawn into a void! I didn't know at the time that what really happened was the mind-made self, with its heaviness, its problems, that lives between the unsatisfying past and the fearful future, collapsed. It dissolved. The next morning I woke up and everything was so peaceful. The peace was there because there was no self. Just a sense of presence or "beingness," just observing and watching.[8]

He began to feel an underlying sense of peace in any situation.[10] He stopped studying for his doctorate, and for a period of about two years, he spent much of his time sitting, "in a state of deep bliss," on park benches in Russell Square, Central London, "watching the world go by". He stayed with friends, in a Buddhist monastery, or slept rough on Hampstead Heath. His family thought him "irresponsible, even insane".[8] He changed his first name from Ulrich to Eckhart; by some reports this was in homage to the German philosopher and mystic Meister Eckhart.[5][11]

Career

Former Cambridge students and acquaintances began to ask Tolle about his beliefs. He started working as a counselor and spiritual teacher.[9] Students continued to come to him over the next five years. He moved to Glastonbury, a center of alternative living.[8] In 1995, after visiting the West Coast of North America several times, he settled in Vancouver , British Columbia, where he met his future wife, Kim Eng.[9][12]

The Power of Now, Tolle's first book, was published in 1997 by Namaste Publishing.[1][10] The book was republished on a large scale by New World Library in 1999.[9] In 2000, Oprah Winfrey recommended it in her magazine O.[11] In August 2000, it reached The New York Times Best Seller list for Hardcover Advice.[2] After two more years, it was number one on that list.[13] By 2008, the book had been translated from English into 33 languages.[9][10][14] In July 2011, it appeared on the list for the 10 best selling Paperback Advice books for the 102nd time.[15]

His second book, Stillness Speaks, appeared in 2003.[16] That year, he stated that he had no intention of creating "a heavy commercial structure", nor of setting up an ashram or centre. He believed one "could develop organically"[8] and said "one needs to be careful that the organization doesn't become self-serving".[10] Nevertheless, his website sells his books and "a dizzying range"[5] of materials offering spiritual guidance,[5] and a separate website streams video of monthly group meditations.[10]

In 2005, Tolle published A New Earth;[3] it was ranked number one on The New York Times Best Seller list 46 times by the end of 2008.[4] Its high sales followed its selection by Winfrey for her book club in January.[9] In the four weeks following the announcement, 3.5 million copies were shipped.[17]

In 2008, Tolle partnered with Winfrey to produce a series of webinars,[17] each one focusing on a chapter from his books, with discussions, silent meditations, and questions from viewers via Skype.[5] The third webinar attracted more than 11 million viewers.[5] By October 2009, the webinars had been accessed 35 million times.[10] In 2016, Tolle was named in Winfrey's SuperSoul 100 list of visionaries and influential leaders.[18]

In September 2009, he appeared with the Dalai Lama at the Vancouver Peace Summit.[19][20] The same year, he published Guardians of Being, a picture book illustrated by Patrick McDonnell, the creator of the comic strip Mutts.[10][21]

In 2018, Watkins Mind Body Spirit published some of Tolle's nature photography.[22] Tolle commented that "both art and nature can serve as portals into the transcendent dimension, your essence-identity."[23]

Reception

Popularity

By 2009, total sales of The Power of Now and A New Earth in North America were estimated at 3 million and 5 million copies respectively,[10] and The New York Times stated that Tolle was "the most popular spiritual author" in the United States.[3] In 2011, the Watkins Review put him at number 1 in a list of "The 100 Most Spiritually Influential Living People".[24][25]

By the press

The books have received a wide range of praise and criticism from reviewers. In 2000, Carter Phipps wrote that "Tolle's clear writing and the obvious depth of his experience and insight set it apart".[26] In 2003, Andrea Sachs characterized The Power of Now as "awash in spiritual mumbo-jumbo",[27] while in 2008, an article in The New York Times stated that Tolle is "not identified with any religion, but uses teachings from Zen Buddhism, Sufism, Hinduism and the Bible".[9]

Some critics have characterized his books as unoriginal or derivative. James Robinson in The Observer in 2008 called his writings "a mix of pseudo-science, New Age philosophy, and teaching borrowed from established religions".[28] A 2009 article in The New York Times stated that he is "hardly the first writer to tap into the American longing for meaning and success".[3] Sara Nelson, the editor-in-chief of Publishers Weekly, said Tolle's writings had been successful due to surging public interest in self-help books.[3]

Others have praised his re-working and synthesis of traditions. New Age writer William Bloom wrote that "Tolle is offering a very contemporary synthesis of Eastern spiritual teaching, which is normally so clothed in arcane language that it is incomprehensible", thereby providing "a valuable perspective on Western culture".[5] Publisher Judith Kendra says, "The ideas [that Tolle is] talking about have been in existence for thousands of years in both Eastern texts and with the great Western mystics, but he's able to make them understandable".[5] Musician Annie Lennox said he "has some kind of special quality that I've never encountered before".[5]

By Christian theologians

Many Christians view Tolle's ideas as "profoundly non-Christian".[5]

James Beverley, professor of Christian Thought and Ethics at the evangelical Tyndale Seminary in Toronto, says that Tolle's worldview "is at odds with central Christian convictions" and that "Tolle denies the core of Christianity by claiming there is no ultimate distinction between humans and God and Jesus".[10] John Stackhouse, a professor of theology and culture at evangelical Regent College in Vancouver, says that Tolle "gives a certain segment of the population exactly what they want: a sort of supreme religion that purports to draw from all sorts of lesser, that is, established religions".[10] Stackhouse has described him as one of several spiritual teachers who "purport to have investigated the world's religions (quite a claim) and found them wanting, who routinely subject those religions to withering criticism, and who then champion their own views as superior to all these alternatives".[29]

Conversely, Stafford Betty, scholar of religion at California State University, Bakersfield finds common ground between Tolle's worldview and that of Christian mystics. He notes that "one of the key elements in Tolle's teaching is that deep within the mind is absolute stillness in which one can experience 'the joy of Being'".[30] Roman Catholic priest and theologian Richard Rohr credits Tolle for helping to reintroduce ancient Christian mysticism to modern Christians: "Tolle is, in fact, rather brilliantly bringing to our awareness the older tradition...both the ground and the process for breaking through to the theological contemplation of God, and acquired contemplation of Jesus, the Gospels, and all spiritual things."[31]

In 2008, The Independent noted that "Tolle's theories are certainly seen by many as profoundly non-Christian, even though Tolle often quotes from the Bible," but that "Tolle does have fans in academic, even Christian, circles".[5] It cited Andrew Ryder, a theologian at All Hallows College in Dublin, who wrote "While he may not use the language of traditional Christian spirituality, Tolle is very much concerned that, as we make our way through the ordinary events of the day, we keep in touch with the deepest source of our being."[5]

Works

Books

  • The Power of Now: A Guide to Spiritual Enlightenment, Namaste Publishing, 1997 ISBN:978-0-96823-640-6
  • Stillness Speaks: Whispers of Now, New World Library, 2003 ISBN:978-1-57731-400-4
  • A New Earth: Awakening to Your Life's Purpose, Dutton, 2005 ISBN:978-0-52594-802-5
  • Practicing the Power of Now: Essential Teachings, Meditations, and Exercises from The Power of Now, New World Library, 2001 ISBN:1-57731-195-7
  • Oneness With All Life: Inspirational Selections from A New Earth, Penguin, 2008

ISBN:978-0-45229-608-4

Graphic novels

Children's books

  • Milton's Secret: An Adventure of Discovery through Then, When, and The Power of Now (Charlottesville, VA: Hampton Roads Publishing Company, 2008), ISBN:978-1-57174-577-4

References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 Tolle, Eckhart (2005). The Power of Now (2005 ed.). Hodder and Stoughton. ISBN 978-0-340-73350-9. 
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 Best Sellers. The New York Times (2000-08-12). Hardcover advice. Retrieved 2010-06-04.
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 3.4 3.5 McKinley, Jesse (2008-03-23). "The Wisdom of the Ages, for Now Anyway". The New York Times. https://www.nytimes.com/2008/03/23/fashion/23tolle.html?_r=1. 
  4. ↑ 4.0 4.1 "Paperback Advice: Best Sellers". The New York Times. 2008-12-19. https://www.nytimes.com/2008/12/28/books/bestseller/bestpaperadvice.html?scp=5&sq=Paperback%20Advice%20December%202008&st=cse. 
  5. ↑ 5.00 5.01 5.02 5.03 5.04 5.05 5.06 5.07 5.08 5.09 5.10 5.11 5.12 5.13 5.14 Walker, Ether (2008-06-21). "Eckhart Tolle: This man could change your life". The Independent. https://www.independent.co.uk/news/people/profiles/eckhart-tolle-this-man-could-change-your-life-850872.html. 
  6. ↑ Rottgardt, Beate (27 May 2008). "Amerikas Guru stammt aus Lünen". Ruhr Nachrichten. http://www.ruhrnachrichten.de/lokales/luenen/Amerikas-Guru-stammt-aus-Luenen;art928,269109. 
  7. ↑ Todd, Douglas (2002-10-05). "Profile: Eckhart Tolle – of the present, future and mother". The Vancouver Sun. https://vancouversun.com/news/staff-blogs/profile-eckhart-tolle-of-the-present-future-and-mother. 
  8. ↑ 8.0 8.1 8.2 8.3 8.4 Scobie, Claire (2003-08-31). "Why now is bliss". Telegraph Magazine. http://www.theage.com.au/articles/2003/09/28/1064687666674.html. 
  9. ↑ 9.0 9.1 9.2 9.3 9.4 9.5 9.6 "Times Topics: Eckhart Tolle Biography". The New York Times. 2008-03-05. https://web.archive.org/web/20090202162129/http://topics.nytimes.com/top/reference/timestopics/people/t/eckhart_tolle/index.html?8qa&scp=1-spot&sq=Eckhart+Tolle&st=nyt. 
  10. ↑ 10.0 10.1 10.2 10.3 10.4 10.5 10.6 10.7 10.8 10.9 Ken MacQueen (2009-10-22). "Eckhart Tolle vs. God". Macleans.ca. http://www.macleans.ca/2009/10/22/eckhart-tolle-vs-god/. Retrieved 2009-10-24. 
  11. ↑ 11.0 11.1 Grossman, Cathy Lynn Grossman (2010-04-15). "'Life's Purpose' author Eckhart Tolle is serene, critics less so". USA Today. https://www.usatoday.com/news/religion/2010-04-15-tolle15_CV_N.htm. 
  12. ↑ Todd, Douglas (2009-09-27). "Douglas Todd's backstage report from the Vancouver Peace Summit". The Vancouver Sun. https://vancouversun.com/sports/Douglas+Todd+backstage+report+from+Vancouver+Peace+Summit/2039840/story.html?id=2039840. 
  13. ↑ Best Sellers. The New York Times (2003-01-12). Hardcover advice. Retrieved 2010-06-04.
  14. ↑ "KALIMA publishes Eckhart Tolle's 'A New Earth and the Power of Now' in Arabic as well.". WAM: Emirates News Agency. 2010-04-01. http://www.wam.org.ae/servlet/Satellite?c=WamLocEnews&cid=1267001058491&p=1135099400124&pagename=WAM%2FWamLocEnews%2FW-T-LEN-FullNews. 
  15. ↑ "Paperback advice: Best Sellers". The New York Times. 2011-07-17. https://www.nytimes.com/best-sellers-books/2011-07-17/paperback-advice/list.html. 
  16. ↑ "Stillness Speaks. Eckhart Tolle, Author. New World Library $17 (160p) ISBN 978-1-57731-400-4". Publishers Weekly. https://www.publishersweekly.com/978-1-57731-400-4. 
  17. ↑ 17.0 17.1 Oprah Winfrey Book Pick 'A New Earth' Shatters Records. Associated Press via Fox News (2008-02-28). Retrieved 2010-05-24.
  18. ↑ "Meet the SuperSoul100: The World's Biggest Trailblazers in One Room". O Magazine. 2016-08-01. http://www.oprah.com/spirit/supersoul100-the-worlds-biggest-trailblazers-in-one-room. 
  19. ↑ Todd, Douglas (2009-09-28). "Dalai Lama in Vancouver: Pursuit of peace and compassion a complex path". Vancouver Sun. https://vancouversun.com/life/Pursuit+peace+compassion+complex+path/2041171/story.html. 
  20. ↑ "History". The Dalai Lama Center for Peace and Education. http://dalailamacenter.org/about/history.php. 
  21. ↑ "Eckhart Tolle Books: Guardians of Being". Eckhart Tolle's official website. https://www.eckharttolle.com/books/. 
  22. ↑ "Eckhart Tolle's Photographs of Nature: Awakened Artists". https://www.awakenedartists.com/single-post/2018/11/17/Eckhart-Tolles-Photos-of-Nature. 
  23. ↑ de Cadenet, Alexander (2017). "The Spiritual Dimension of Art: An Interview with Eckhart Tolle". Watkins Mind Body Spirit (50 (Summer 2017)). https://issuu.com/watkinsmindbodyspiritmagazine/docs/mbs50_sampler_opt_1_. Retrieved 2018-11-30. 
  24. ↑ "The Watkins Review Announces Its Spiritual 100 List". Marketwire.com. 2011-03-29. http://www.marketwire.com/press-release/The-Watkins-Review-Announces-Its-Spiritual-100-List-1418721.htm. 
  25. ↑ "100 Spiritual Power List by Watkins, 2011 | Esoteric News". Watkins Books. http://www.watkinsbooks.com/review/watkins-spiritual-100-list. 
  26. ↑ Phipps, Carter (2000). Time is the Enemy . Enlightenment Next magazine. Retrieved 2010-06-04.
  27. ↑ Sachs, Andrea (2003-04-21). Channeling Ram Dass. Time magazine. Retrieved 2010-05-24.
  28. ↑ Robinson, James (2008-03-09). "Penguin borne aloft by the power of Oprah's persuasion". The Observer. https://www.theguardian.com/media/2008/mar/09/pressandpublishing. 
  29. ↑ "Eckhart Tolle: Does the Mask of "Stresslessness" Hide a Deep, Bitter Anger?". John Stackhouse. http://www.johnstackhouse.com/2009/10/22/eckhart-tolle-the-mask-of-stresslessness-hiding-a-deep-bitter-anger/. 
  30. ↑ Betty, Stafford (2008-04-18). "Eckhart Tolle's message is positive, but is it Christian?". National Catholic Reporter 44 (17): 22 (2). http://natcath.org/NCR_Online/archives2/2008b/041808/041808t.htm. 
  31. ↑ Rohr, Richard. "Eckhart Tolle and the Christian Tradition". Archived from the original on February 7, 2017. https://web.archive.org/web/20170207003840/https://eckharttolle.com/article/Spirituality-And-The-Christian-Tradition. 

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