In our fast-paced and often chaotic lives, finding moments of peace and connection can seem like an elusive goal. However, spiritual teacher and author Eckhart Tolle offers a simple yet powerful practice to bring us back to the present moment and connect with a deeper sense of awareness: observing our breath.
Eckhart emphasizes the transformative power of breath awareness as an entry point into a state of presence. This practice, he suggests, can infuse our daily lives with a profound sense of aliveness and tranquility. By directing our attention to the breath, we naturally transition our focus from the mind, with its incessant stream of thoughts, to the body, which serves as a gateway to our inner energy field.
As we breathe in and out, we can become consciously aware of the rising and falling sensations in our abdomen. At first, we may notice subtle feelings of energy, but with continued practice, this awareness can expand to encompass the entire body. This inner energy field, or what Eckhart refers to as inner body awareness, is more than just a physical sensation—it is the presence that animates and organizes our physical form.
This practice of inner body awareness is not just about quieting the mind. It connects us to a deeper intelligence that coordinates the myriad functions of our body with remarkable precision and harmony. This intelligence, though often working below the level of our conscious awareness, becomes more accessible through mindful observation of our breath and body.
While attending to our breath and body, Eckhart encourages us to experience this practice in real-time, even while listening to his words. By doing so, we simultaneously engage multiple sensory channels—perceiving auditory stimuli and inner sensations—which deepens our sense of presence. Presence, Eckhart notes, is not confined to the head alone; it pervades the entire body and, over time, can expand outward to include the space around us.
This space around us, although mysterious and difficult to define, is imbued with a presence of its own. Eckhart suggests that this space is not empty; though it lacks physical form, it is filled with an aliveness that transcends the material world. As our inner awareness grows, we begin to sense that we live within a vast, intelligent presence—what Ralph Waldo Emerson poetically called the “lap of immense intelligence.”
Through this mindful attention to breathing and inner body awareness, we discover that the presence within us is intimately connected to the presence that surrounds us. It is a unifying experience that dissolves the perceived boundaries between self and the rest of the universe. We come to realize that we do not end at the edges of our physical body; rather, we are an integral part of the boundless expanse of universal consciousness.
Eckhart’s teachings remind us that the path to presence is not about escaping the mind or seeking refuge in a temporary state of oblivion. True presence means rising above habitual thinking, not falling below it. It involves tapping into the spaciousness within us when thought subsides, recognizing that this inner space is an essential aspect of our being.
In a world where many are struggling to find meaning and escape the pangs of egoic suffering, this practice offers a beacon of hope. It is a call to return to the source, to reconnect with the aliveness that underpins all of existence. By integrating this simple yet profound practice into our daily lives, we open the door to a richer, more fulfilling experience of presence.
Whether you are seeking a way to navigate life’s challenges with greater ease or simply wish to cultivate a deeper sense of peace, observing your breath and nurturing inner body awareness can serve as a powerful and accessible practice. Eckhart’s gentle guidance on this journey invites us to explore the mystical dimensions of presence within and around us.
To delve deeper into the practice of presence and inner body awareness, consider reading Stillness Speaks by Eckhart Tolle.
For a more immersive experience of Eckhart Tolle’s teachings, we invite you to watch the video embedded at the top of this blog post. Engaging with his insightful words and practical guidance may inspire you to deepen your practice and embrace the profound presence that awaits.
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