Eckhart Tolle is a spiritual teacher renowned for his best-selling books The Power of Now and A New Earth that have been read by millions worldwide. His aim is to help people stay present with themselves by finding ways to quiet the mind. Additionally, Tolle has established a global commercial empire and is considered one of the richest people on the planet.
Tolle does not resemble your average spiritual teacher at first glance; with his soft German-accented voice and boyish face and love of vests. Instead, his appearance makes him more of an unconventional nature photographer. Yet Tolle remains one of the most sought-after spiritual teachers today; his teachings revolve around an inner space and transcendent reality which form the source of life itself and all things around us.
As soon as I sat down with Tolle in his Vancouver home, he offered me a quick smile and handshake before leading me into his living room where a large painting depicting snow-covered landscape hung. Tolle noted how this image conjured "an immense stillness, vastness. This is what we need."
Tolle's teachings center around the idea that we are all part of one consciousness and not separate individuals; that the source of human suffering lies with identifying with troubling thoughts; his educational materials range from DVDs, audio recordings, calendars and cards - with prices beginning from PS50 per individual seat for two-talk evening programs with questions and answers up to PS75 per seat for more extensive two-talk evening programmes featuring Q&A.
