Eckhart Tolle and Oprah Talk Transformation
Every Monday night for the next several weeks, Oprah and Eckhart Tolle are talking about spiritual and emotional development – and they’re broadcasting the conversations live on Oprah’s website! Oprah and Ecky (as one of my friends has playfully referred to him) are going chapter by chapter through Tolle’s bestselling book, A New Earth: Awakening to Your Life’s Purpose (which is one of the best books on spiritual and emotional development that I’ve ever read).
Oprah said this is the most exciting thing she’s ever done. Um, needless to say, coming from Oprah, who has probably done some exciting (read: blockbuster, kick-ass) things in her life, that’s saying something.
I’ve listened to the first two segments of Oprah and Ecky, and the conversations are great. Also, Oprah and Ecky take questions from the listening audience (from all over the world!), and the questions have been great.
If you’re a Christian or have a Christian background, you might like to know that in the first two segments, Oprah, Ecky and some callers spend some time discussing how Christianity (and “religion” in general) and spirituality fit together. Here’s a juicy part: Oprah describes herself as a “free-thinking Christian,” and she explains what she means by that and describes how she arrived at this point.
So what are Oprah and Ecky really talking about?!?! In the broadest sense, from my perspective and understanding, they’re talking about the spiritual and emotional developmental journey from “ego” (or false self or codependent self) to “True Self.” This is the big transformational journey most religions (at their best) and psychotherapists (at their best) try to facilitate for people.
Needless to say, I think these Oprah and Ecky conversations on Monday nights are very important and exciting! I think they’ll help some people take more steps on the transformational journey, and I think they’ll help humanity as a whole take a developmental step forward. Now that’s a big deal!
Based on what I’ve written so far, you might have the sense that these conversations are academic, theoretical or philosophical. The conversations are actually very practical and even experiential (Oprah and Ecky mix in some spiritual exercises to help listeners “experience” what they’re talking about), and you may get a lot out of them (at a minimum, you may grow in self-awareness).
If you’re interested in listening to or watching these Oprah and Ecky conversations, you’ve got some options. Most importantly, you don’t have to show up at Oprah’s website each Monday night, unless you want to watch the conversations live. All the conversations are archived and available any time (for free). Check out your options. And enjoy!
If you do watch or listen, I’d love to hear your thoughts.
March 24th, 2008 at 4:30 am
Imagine a world where Oprah would point more people to Jesus than to some author of a new “spiritual” book … Now THAT would be exciting.
April 2nd, 2008 at 6:53 pm
I agree with Laurie!
The best book ever written seems to be overlooked by this man and Oprah.
April 3rd, 2008 at 1:03 pm
Andy,
I agree with Laurie and Patty. I have begun reading The New Earth and am surprised by the amount of Eastern thought and self indulgent free thought. I’m only finishing the second chapter. I will continue and can’t wait to discuss the book with you.
Love, Mom
April 8th, 2008 at 7:11 am
It sound like neither Oprah nor Eckhart really understand who Jesus is and why He came and why He is worthy of our total allegiance. If you really have an “open mind” and Eckhart suggest we all should have, check out this video http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JW4LLwkgmqA
April 8th, 2008 at 1:04 pm
Laurie, Patty (great to hear from you, Patty!), Mom, Chris,
Thanks for chiming in and sharing your thoughts. Chris, thanks for sharing the link to that video. I watched the video this morning.
It sounds like you guys may not agree with Eckhart’s or Oprah’s views about Jesus and the Bible. Is there anything from Eckhart’s book or the Eckhart/Oprah conversations that you’ve found helpful or valuable?
Love,
A
April 16th, 2008 at 9:40 am
Padj,
I have not read the book or seen any of the webcasts but from your comments and the Smooch postings it sounds like Oprah and Eckhart don’t believe Jesus to be the Savior or even real. Is that what you understand them to believe?
Love fellow former Chi-towner,
MJ
April 24th, 2008 at 10:46 am
MJ! Hey there. Quick side note: as of yesterday, the Cubs and the Sox were in first place. That’s a solid Chi-town April!
In response to your question, I don’t know what Oprah or Eckhart believes about Jesus. Both of them, however, seem to admire Jesus greatly. Eckhart quotes Jesus quite a bit in his book, “A New Earth.”
If you do eventually read Eckhart’s book or watch the webcasts, I’d love to hear your thoughts.
May 2nd, 2008 at 1:20 pm
Hi Andy,
It sounds like you are doing very well and happy in CA. I was just in Long Beach in March for a health and fitness summit. I LOVE the weather.
I can’t say that I will be reading Eckhart’s book ever. I’m really just not interested in what they are offering. I do believe that Jesus is the only way and I know that is not what their message is. His whole persona is very bizarre to me.
I do have some fun news for you. My daughter is very good friends with your soon to be room mate Justin Flieth. He is a very nice kid and we will miss him when he moves away.
Justin was telling me he was moving to CA and would be living with this guy Andy and for some reason I knew immediately it was you. I asked more questions and sure enough I was right. Funny, what a small world we live in. Justin lives right near us.
Of course I couldn’t remember your last name and neither could he. I just knew it started with a P. So send me your full last name so I can commit it to memory.
Blessings to you,
Patty
May 5th, 2008 at 8:10 pm
Patty, hey there. Thanks for your thoughts about ole Ecky.
That’s cool that you know Justin and that he and your daughter are good friends. Justin’s a very sweet kid.
I heard from Cara Fitzgerald, a friend of his who lives out here in SD, that he was thinking about moving to SD. I didn’t know, however, that he was planning to live with me. I haven’t heard a word from him. Very strange. Oh well, I guess I’ll hear from him soon about this.
Patty, I hope you’re well … I miss you. Blessings!
Andy
May 18th, 2008 at 6:25 pm
AndyP- Hey Bro. How’s the garden? We should have our wild raspberries coming in about another month! I read some of the links for the Eckhart/Oprah book and discussions. The thing I keep wondering is with Oprah saying she believes there is more than one way to God and Eckhart not believing Jesus’ words on this point either why don’t they just outright reject Jesus? Take care, MJ
May 19th, 2008 at 1:56 pm
Ahhhh, raspberries, yum! That’s exciting. I’ve been picking about one strawberry a day for the past couple of weeks. Small garden. And I didn’t plant enough strawberries! But that one a day sure is sweet — and gone in a hurry.
Great question about how Oprah and Eckhart view Jesus and his words (as recorded in the Bible). I don’t know enough about their views of Jesus to answer.
My experience (which may be similar to your experience) is that many (if not most) people respect, appreciate and admire Jesus, no matter what religious or spiritual background they come from.
Regarding those passages in the New Testament that seem to communicate that Jesus is the only way to God and salvation, etc., there seem to be many different interpretations of those passages. Some people, for example, think that Jesus’ words about “hell” were metaphorical. Perhaps that’s how Oprah and Eckhart interpret those passages about hell. Perhaps not.
I hope that was helpful (ha!). Any thoughts?
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