Awakening to Presence: Eckhart Tolle on Balancing Human Existence and Transcendent Being

In our pursuit of understanding the deeper meaning of life, we often encounter the work of Eckhart Tolle, a spiritual teacher renowned for his teachings on mindfulness and presence. One of the thought-provoking concepts he explores on his YouTube channel is the distinction and integration between being a human and embodying a deeper state of being.

English lacks a single word that encapsulates both men and women, unlike languages such as Swedish or German which use ‘Mensch’ to signify ‘human being’. Because of this, when we use the term “human being” in English, it illuminates two vital dimensions of our existence: our human aspect and our being aspect.

The human side encompasses our past, our mental and emotional conditioning, our personal desires, and our life situations. This is the realm where ego and personality play dominant roles. As humans, we navigate through life with aspirations, emotions, and a sense of self shaped by our history and environment. On the other hand, the dimension of being is a deeper, often overlooked facet of our existence. This is the transcendent consciousness that remains constant, the timeless essence of who we truly are beyond the confines of our human identity.

Often, individuals are so deeply immersed in their human identity that they forget or remain unaware of their essential nature as beings. This beingness is synonymous with pure consciousness, free from the bounds of time and the episodic nature of human experience. Awakening to this dimension can transform how we live our lives, allowing us to embody both our temporal human nature and our timeless being.

Eckhart Tolle suggests that awakening begins with brief glimpses—moments of intense peace and aliveness where thinking subsides, leaving behind pure awareness. These moments are often triggered by nature, where we experience a profound sense of presence. However, this awakening is not contingent on our environment; it can occur even amidst the hustle and bustle of city life through mindfulness and the intentional release of habitual, self-serving thoughts.

This journey of awakening involves recognizing and diminishing the ego, which thrives on problems and conflicts. The ego, or the fictitious self, often unconsciously creates suffering by clinging to its issues and enemies, thus reinforcing its sense of identity. By becoming more present, we cease feeding the ego with compulsive thinking and reactive behavior.

As we awaken, the being dimension gradually merges with our human experience. This integration transforms our human conditioning, making us less dysfunctional and reducing the unnecessary suffering created by our unconscious mind. Though certain conditioned patterns remain, they no longer dominate or cause significant distress. Instead, the presence of being shines through, much like light through a lampshade, transforming our behavior and perception in profound ways.

Even amidst challenges, awakening alters our responses. Instead of reacting unconsciously, challenges become opportunities to deepen our presence. By becoming more present during difficult situations, we turn what were previously sources of unconsciousness into catalysts for further awakening.

The process of spiritual awakening, as outlined by Eckhart Tolle, invites us to harmonize our human and being aspects. It encourages us to live mindfully, embracing the present moment as a gateway to our deeper consciousness. Through this practice, we can lead a life of greater peace, presence, and inner transformation.

For those intrigued by these concepts and seeking a deeper understanding, Eckhart Tolle’s videos offer rich insights into the nature of consciousness and personal growth. Watching these discussions can provide valuable guidance on your own journey towards spiritual awakening and inner peace.