Eckhart Tolle

Eckhart Tolle ( ; ; born Ulrich Leonard Tölle, 16 February 1948) is a German “spiritual teacher”

In 1961 he moved to Spain to live with his father, where he "refused all forms of formal education between the ages of 13 and 22, preferring instead to pursue his own creative and philosophical interests". At 15, he was "heavily influenced" After attending the University of London, he enrolled in a postgraduate program at the University of Cambridge in 1977.

Spiritual experience One night in 1977, at age 29, after having suffered long periods of depression, Tolle says he experienced an "inner transformation". Recounting the experience, he said: 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. In a 2012 interview he said he saw the name Eckhart on the cover of a book in a dream, and knew he had written the book; soon thereafter, he ran into a psychic friend who called him Eckhart out of nowhere, so he changed his name. Career as spiritual teacher Former Cambridge students and acquaintances began to ask Tolle about his beliefs. He started working as a counselor and spiritual teacher. reaching number one two years later. By 2008, the book had been translated from English into 33 languages. In July 2011, it had appeared on the list of the 10 best selling Paperback Advice & Miscellaneous books for 102 weeks.

His second book, Stillness Speaks, was published in 2003. That year, he said he had no intention of creating "a heavy commercial structure" or of setting up an ashram or centre. He believed one "could develop organically" It was ranked number one on The New York Times Best Seller list 46 times by the end of 2008.

In 2008, Tolle partnered with Oprah to produce a series of webinars, The same year, he published Guardians of Being, a picture book illustrated by Patrick McDonnell.

In January 2025, Oprah selected A New Earth for her book club for a second time, making it the only book to have been chosen twice in the club’s history.

Reception

Popularity In 2008, The New York Times said that Tolle was "the most popular spiritual author" in the United States.

By the press and others

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". In 2003, Andrea Sachs called The Power of Now "awash in spiritual mumbo-jumbo."

Some have praised his reworking and synthesis of traditions. New Age writer William Bloom wrote, "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". A 2009 New York Times article said Tolle is "hardly the first writer to tap into the American longing for meaning and success". 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."

Conversely, 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".

In popular culture

The children's picture book Milton's Secret was adapted into a film in 2016 under its original title, featuring, among others, Donald Sutherland and Michelle Rodriguez in leading roles. Tolle and his teachings take a central role in Kendrick Lamar's 2022 album Mr. Morale & the Big Steppers. Throughout the album, Tolle is positioned as Lamar's spiritual teacher, and Tolle narrates some tracks.

Personal life In 1995, after visiting the West Coast of North America several times, Tolle settled in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. There he met his partner, Kim Eng.

Selected publications

Books The Power of Now: A Guide to Spiritual Enlightenment. Namaste, 1997. . Practicing the Power of Now: Essential Teachings, Meditations, and Exercises from The Power of Now. New World Library, 2001. . Stillness Speaks: Whispers of Now. New World Library, 2003. . A New Earth: Awakening to Your Life's Purpose. Dutton, 2005. . Oneness With All Life: Inspirational Selections from A New Earth. Penguin, 2008. .

Graphic novels Guardians of Being. New World Library, 2009. .

Children's books Milton's Secret: An Adventure of Discovery through Then, When, and The Power of Now. Charlottesville, Virginia, United States: Hampton Roads, 2008. .