Bring awareness to the many subtle sounds of nature - The rustling of leaves in the wind, Raindrops falling, The humming of an insect, The first birdsong at dawn.
You don't need to condemn. Just observe, That is sin. That is insanity. That is unconsciousness. Above all, don't forget to observe your own mind. Seek out the root of the insanity there.
Interpretation
What this quote means
This quote emphasizes the importance of self-observation rather than judgment and encourages inner reflection to understand one's own mind.
Eckhart Tolle highlights the necessity of observing both the external world and one's inner thoughts without passing judgment. He suggests that condemning others stems from a place of unconsciousness and insanity, and that true wisdom lies in self-awareness and understanding the root causes of our own thoughts and behaviors. This quote serves as a reminder to look inward, as the journey to clarity and sanity begins with the exploration of one's own mind.
Themes
In practice
Example use cases
In a meditation class, to emphasize the importance of self-exploration instead of judgment.
More from Eckhart Tolle
All quotes βBody awareness not only anchors you in the present moment, it is a doorway out of the prison that is the ego. It also strengthens the immune system and the bodyβs ability to heal itself.
Whenever you become anxious or stressed, outer purpose has taken over, and you lost sight of your inner purpose. You have forgotten that your state of consciousness is primary, all else secondary.
Nothing that was real ever died, only names, forms, and illusions.
Suffering has a noble purpose: the evolution of consciousness and the burning up of the ego.
Sometimes surrender means giving up trying to understand and becoming comfortable with not knowing.
Similar quotes
In the practice of sitting meditation you relate to your daily life all the time. Meditation practice brings our neuroses to the surface rather than hiding them at the bottom of our minds. It enables us to relate to our lives as something workable.
Remember: no attachment should grow, no clinging should grow. They are all against your independence, your freedom, your individuality.
If you are situated at a great distance from the enemy, and the strength of the two armies is equal, it is not easy to provoke a battle, and fighting will be to your disadvantage.
Fasten your seat belts, it's going to be a bumpy night! - As Margo Channing in All About Eve
I was born not knowing and have had only a little time to change that here and there.
I think someday you're going to be a great writer," he said. "But" he added maliciously, "first you'll have to suffer a bit. I mean really suffer, because you don't know what the word means yet. You only think you've suffered. You've got to fall in love first.