Are You Impatient? Watch This! | Eckhart Tolle

Summary

The transcript explores the human condition of being 'lost in thought' and the stress arising from mental projection towards the future. It discusses the common dysfunction of not acknowledging the present moment, leading to a continuous state of unease and the loss of self in the cycle of doing and thinking. The speaker introduces the concept of ego and the importance of awareness or presence as a means to disidentify from negative emotions and thoughts, suggesting a spiritual awakening through this recognition.

Takeaways

• 🧘 The predominant human state is mental projection towards the future, causing stress due to the desire to be elsewhere or achieve something else.
• 🕒 Humans often unconsciously regard the next moment as more important than the present, leading to a continuous state of impatience and restlessness.
• 🔄 The 'doing' of life is necessary, but losing oneself in continuous doing is a serious dysfunction that leads to stress and a lack of presence.
• 🌐 Stress arises from the gap between 'now' and 'later,' where the mind is constantly projecting itself into the future.
• 🌀 The modern world, with its gadgets and demands, amplifies the dysfunction of being lost in doing and thinking, pulling individuals away from the present moment.
• 🧒 Even children are not immune to this dysfunction, with many suffering from attention deficit disorders due to the constant pull away from the present.
• 💭 Being lost in doing is essentially being lost in thought, as thinking underlies all actions and is often focused on the past or future rather than the present.
• 🤔 Most humans identify with their thoughts and emotions, failing to recognize the present moment for what it truly is, leading to a sense of unease and discontent.
• 🚫 The present moment is often devalued or seen as an obstacle to overcome, rather than being acknowledged for its own sake.
• 🤹‍♂️ The ego, or the egoic sense of self, is the part of us that identifies with thoughts and emotions, creating a cycle of unease and discontent.
• 💡 A simple spiritual practice of observing internal states without identification can lead to awareness and presence, which is the first step towards spiritual awakening and transcendence of the ego.

Q & A

What is the predominant state of many humans according to the script?

The predominant state of many humans is being mentally projected towards the future, always wanting to be somewhere else rather than acknowledging the present moment.

Why is the present moment often devalued or disregarded?

The present moment is devalued or disregarded because many people unconsciously see it as a means to an end or an obstacle, focusing more on the next moment or future events.

What is described as an 'inbuilt dysfunction' in humans?

The 'inbuilt dysfunction' refers to humans' inability to acknowledge the present moment and their constant mental projection towards the future, creating stress and unease.

How does the script relate doing to stress?

The script suggests that losing oneself in continuous doing, or being overly focused on future tasks, is a serious dysfunction that leads to stress.

What is the role of thought in the state of being 'lost in doing'?

Thought underlies doing; people engage in activities propelled by thoughts about the future or past, which often leads to being lost in doing and not being present.

Why are children also affected by this 'lost in doing' state?

Children are affected because even at an early age, their minds are pulled away from the present moment due to various demands and distractions, including gadgets that amplify this dysfunction.

What does the script suggest is the basic condition for most humans on the planet?

The basic condition for most humans is being lost in their thoughts and doing, which is often propelled by thoughts about the future or past.

What is the significance of the difference between saying 'I am angry' and 'There is anger in me'?

The difference signifies the level of identification with the emotion. Saying 'I am angry' equates the self with the emotion, while 'There is anger in me' acknowledges the emotion as a separate entity within the self, allowing for disidentification.

What is the role of awareness in spiritual awakening according to the script?

Awareness, or presence, is crucial in spiritual awakening as it allows for disidentification from thoughts and emotions. When awareness arises, it creates space around these mental states, preventing complete identification with them.

What does the script suggest is the source of the sense of identity for many humans?

The sense of identity for many humans comes from their thoughts and emotions, particularly those related to the future or past, which often exist in a state of unease or discontent.

How does the script define the 'egoic sense of self'?

The 'egoic sense of self' is defined as the identification with thoughts and emotions, particularly those that create a sense of unease or discontent and are often focused on the future or past.

Outlines

00:00

🔮 The Predominant State of Human Stress and Mental Projection

This paragraph discusses the common human tendency to be mentally projected towards the future, which creates stress due to the gap between 'here' and 'there'. It highlights the 'inbuilt dysfunction' where most people are unable to acknowledge the present moment, always prioritizing the next moment. This leads to a continuous state of doing and thinking about future tasks, which is described as a serious dysfunction. The speaker emphasizes the negative impact of this on mental health, including children suffering from attention deficit disorders due to being pulled away from the present. The paragraph concludes with the idea that this constant state of doing and thinking is a form of losing oneself in the mind's movement, identifying with thoughts about the future or past rather than the present.

05:00

😟 The Dysfunctional Human Condition and the Search for Identity

The second paragraph delves into the dysfunctional way humans often regard the present moment as an obstacle, leading to a continuous state of unease and the narrative of life as a problem to be solved. The Indian teacher's description of the human condition as being 'lost in thought' is cited, suggesting that thought patterns create our sense of identity. The paragraph explores the concept of the ego and the 'egoic sense of self', which is often associated with unease and discontent due to the inability to acknowledge the present. It poses questions about the true nature of self beyond the stories we tell ourselves and introduces a simple spiritual practice to observe internal emotions without identifying with them, aiming to realize the essence of self beyond thought and emotion.

10:00

🧘‍♂️ Disidentification and the Role of Awareness in Spiritual Awakening

In the third paragraph, the speaker addresses the common human error of identifying with thoughts and emotions, leading to a state of delusion and a vicious cycle of reinforcement between emotions and thoughts. The paragraph emphasizes the importance of disidentifying from these transient states by recognizing their presence without equating them with the self. It introduces the concept of awareness or presence as a means to break free from this cycle, describing the arising of awareness as the spiritual awakening that transcends personal identity. The speaker invites the audience to observe any internal discomfort and to acknowledge it without identifying with it, suggesting that this awareness creates space around the emotions and thoughts, leading to a state of spiritual awakening.

Keywords

💡Mental Projection

Mental projection refers to the psychological phenomenon where individuals anticipate or imagine future scenarios, often causing stress due to the desire to be in a different state or place than the present. In the video, it is described as a source of stress because it creates a gap between 'here' and 'there,' illustrating the constant pull of the mind towards the future rather than acknowledging the present moment.

💡Present Moment

The present moment is the current point in time, which is often undervalued or disregarded by individuals who are more focused on the past or the future. The video emphasizes the importance of acknowledging and being present in the moment, as it is the only true reality. The script talks about how most humans fail to recognize the present moment for what it is, instead treating it as a means to an end or an obstacle.

💡Stress

Stress is a feeling of strain or tension, often resulting from the gap between one's current state and the desired state in the future. The video script describes stress as arising from the mental projection towards the future and the constant desire to be somewhere else or achieve something else, which is a predominant state for many humans.

💡Doing

Doing, in the context of the video, refers to the continuous engagement in activities driven by thought and the desire to achieve future goals. The script points out that while doing is necessary, losing oneself in the act of doing is a dysfunction, as it leads to a loss of connection with the present moment and can cause stress.

💡Ego

Ego, as discussed in the video, is the sense of self that is often based on one's thoughts, emotions, and personal narrative. It is portrayed as a source of unease and discontent because it is constantly seeking validation or resolution in the future or past, rather than finding peace in the present. The ego is also associated with the identification with thoughts and emotions, leading to a cycle of self-reinforcement.

💡Awareness

Awareness, in the script, is the state of being conscious or cognizant of one's thoughts, emotions, and the present moment. It is presented as a key to spiritual awakening, as it allows for disidentification from the ego and its associated thoughts and emotions. The video suggests that the arising of awareness creates space around one's experiences, leading to a transcendent dimension of consciousness.

💡Disidentification

Disidentification is the process of recognizing and stepping back from the automatic identification with one's thoughts and emotions. The video explains that this process is crucial for spiritual awakening, as it allows individuals to see their thoughts and emotions as temporary states rather than as defining aspects of their identity.

💡Spiritual Awakening

Spiritual awakening is described in the video as a profound shift in consciousness where one becomes aware of their true nature beyond the ego and its constructs. It involves the arising of awareness and disidentification from the continuous stream of thoughts and emotions, leading to a state of peace and presence.

💡Thought

Thought, in the context of the video, refers to the mental processes that underlie actions and reactions. The script discusses how most thoughts are about the future or the past, and when they are about the present, they are often influenced by past conditioning. The video highlights the importance of not identifying with every thought that arises, as this can lead to a sense of unease and a cycle of self-reinforcing narratives.

💡Identity

Identity, as discussed in the video, is the sense of self that is often derived from one's thoughts, emotions, and personal history. It is portrayed as a problematic narrative that many individuals unconsciously regard as a problem to be solved. The video suggests that the true self is beyond these narratives and that recognizing this can lead to a deeper understanding of one's nature.

💡Attention Deficit Disorder

Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD) is mentioned in the video as an example of how the mind can be pulled away from the present moment, even in children. It is used to illustrate the broader point that the dysfunction of losing oneself in thought and doing is not limited to adults but can affect individuals from an early age.

Highlights

The mental projection towards the future creates stress due to the desire to be somewhere else rather than acknowledging the present moment.

Many humans have an inbuilt dysfunction where they unconsciously prioritize future moments over the present, leading to a state of constant stress.

Impatience and the constant need to get to the next thing contribute to the pull in various directions and the loss of oneself in continuous doing.

Losing oneself in doing is a serious dysfunction, yet it's so common that it often goes unnoticed.

Stress arises from the gap between now and the projected future, highlighting the mental projection's role in creating stress.

Even awakened beings may find themselves stressed due to the demands of the world and the influence of modern gadgets.

Children are increasingly suffering from attention deficit disorders, indicating a loss of connection with the present moment at an early age.

The root of being lost in doing is being lost in thought, as thinking underlies our actions.

Most humans are fundamentally lost in their minds, caught in the movement of thought, often about the future or past rather than the present.

The present moment is often reduced to a means to an end, rather than being recognized for its inherent value.

Many humans unconsciously view the present moment as an obstacle, contributing to a continuous underlying unease.

The Indian teacher's description of the human condition as being lost in thought resonates with the idea of being lost in one's own narrative.

The sense of identity is often derived from an uneasy narrative of 'me and my life,' seen as a problem to be solved.

Therapy may either help individuals transcend their problems or, if not effective, lead to deeper entrenchment in psychoanalysis.

The error lies in identifying oneself with thought, leading to a constant state of unease or discontent.

A simple spiritual practice is suggested to observe internal lingering emotions to realize who or what identifies with these emotions.

The difference between saying 'I am angry' and 'There is anger in me' highlights the process of disidentification with emotions.

Anger and other emotions often exist as both feelings and thoughts, creating a reinforcing cycle that is hard to break.

The arising of awareness is described as spiritual awakening, which involves disidentification from emotions and thoughts.

Awareness or presence introduces a new dimension that allows one to recognize emotions or thoughts without being completely identified with them.

Transcripts

- So the mental projection towards future creates

the stresses between, "I'm here, but I want to be there."

(chuckles)

And for many humans, that is their predominant state.

(bell chimes)

And so you need to realize most humans

have this inbuilt dysfunction.

They cannot acknowledge the present moment.

Unconsciously, they regard the next moment,

whether it's a minute from now or an hour from now

or two years from now,

always regard it as more important.

Whenever you are impatient, trying to get somewhere,

waiting for something impatiently,

"What's the next thing I have to do?

And I have to do that,"

and you're pulled in all kinds of directions.

"What's now?

Oh, now I have to do that, and that, and that."

And there's always the pull to what's the next thing.

I call that sometimes you lose yourself in doing.

Doing is necessary, obviously. You need to do.

But to lose yourself in continuous doing

is a serious dysfunction,

but it's so normal that nobody realizes it.

So if you lose yourself in the doing,

there's always another, and this is how stress arises.

But stress is in the gap between now and later,

the projected then, now and then,

in that gap the stress arises.

So the mental projection towards future creates

the stresses between, "I'm here, but I want to be there."

And for many humans, that is their predominant state.

They're always, they're here,

but they really want to be there.

Either there in space or time.

It's amazing.

And even you awakening beings

may still sometimes or often

find yourself in that state

where you'd suddenly realize that the whole day

you've been stressed about this, that, and that, and that

because the world makes so many demands upon you,

you need to deal with this, and this, and this.

Amplified by the gadgets that we now use,

which is an amplification of the dysfunction through this.

And you lose yourself in the doing.

You become completely uncentered and basically lost.

It happens even to children already

at an early age these days.

And many children are suffering from

attention deficit disorder and so on,

which means their mind is being pulled

always away from the present moment.

So lost in doing

really comes back to lost in thinking.

Thinking underlies doing.

So you are lost in your thoughts about the world.

And then, you engage in all kinds of activities

propelled by thought that, "Now I need to do this.

Now I need to do that."

So the basic condition still for most humans on the planet.

So fundamentally, yes, they are lost in doing.

They lose that (indistinct).

But basically it means they are lost in their mind,

in the movement of thought.

Now, they identify with every thought that arises.

And the many thoughts are about future or the past.

Not that many thoughts are about the present moment.

And if they are about the present moment,

then it is an interpretation of the present moment

that is completely determined and colored

by your past conditioning.

So very interesting to observe in oneself

this tendency to deny,

devalue, disregard,

reduce the present moment to a means to an end.

It's always a means to an end,

but it's never recognized for what it is in itself.

And often it is more than a means to an end.

This is a very dysfunctional way of being.

For many humans,

the present moment is actually regarded unconsciously

as an obstacle that they need to get beyond.

There's a continuous underlying unease.

"And what's the next thing that's going to go wrong?

I know it's going to happen."

Lost in the mind, lost in thought.

There was an Indian teacher who described

the essential human condition as lost in thought,

and of course, that's how it is.

This is then this movement of thought gives you

your sense of identity.

The unease, the uneasy narrative,

the problematic narrative of me and my life.

"I have to think about this

when I wake up in the middle of the night.

And I carry this heavy burden of my problematic life."

For many humans, their identity is unconsciously regarded

as a problem to be solved.

"I am a problem.

I'm looking for a solution to this problem that I am."

(chuckles)

And of course, then you go to a therapist.

Now if the therapist is good,

he might be able to take you beyond that.

Depends.

If he or she's not good, then you get more deeply entrenched

and 15 years later you are still undergoing psychoanalysis

and find ever deeper layers of complexity in your past

and there's no end to it.

So the present moment is devalue,

not recognized,

or regarded either as a means to an end or an obstacle.

For many humans, that is their predominant state

of mental/emotional state.

As I said, their identity is arrived from that.

So the error lies in identification with thought.

Now, the question arises,

who or what is it that identifies with thought?

If I am not the story that I tell myself about who I am,

if I am not ultimately that, then who or what am I?

And what is it in me that identifies with the story?

What is it that creates this sense of identity

that exists mostly in a state of unease

or very often discontent

because it cannot acknowledge the present moment.

That is the ego, by the way.

That's what we call it. The egoic sense of self.

There's a very simple spiritual practice

to get you to the realization

of who or what it is that identifies.

I suggest at this moment

observe yourself internally right now

to see if there's any lingering emotion in you

perhaps from earlier today or an hour ago

or yesterday or the past two years

or the past 10 years.

Can you feel, for example, if there an irritation somewhere?

Is there some kind of anxiety?

Is there kind of heaviness,

a certain heavy mood, a despondent mood perhaps?

Is it lingering there?

Is there anger?

A big thing.

Some residue of anger from what happened earlier,

is that in you?

And then normally humans would say, "I am angry."

Or they would say, "I am anxious. I'm fearful.

I am in a bad mood."

Now, there's already a delusion when the moment you say,

"I am angry or I am anxious,"

that indicates already that you have identified

with the emotion of anger

or the emotion of sadness

or the emotion of fear.

You have identified, you equate I with what arises

in your field of consciousness.

So you say, "I'm angry."

It would be more correct to say,

"There is anger in me right now."

Now, it may sound a trivial difference

between saying, "I am angry," and, "There's anger in me,"

but there's a significant difference

which goes beyond mere syntax, how you put words together,

'cause when you say I am

you equate I with whatever condition is there in you.

This applies to emotion and it also applies to thought.

Because anger is often not just the anger as emotion,

the anger also exists as angry thoughts.

And then they reinforce each other.

It's a vicious circle.

When you are trapped in irritation or anger,

the emotion feeds the thought

and the thought feeds more energy to the emotion.

It's a vicious circle. And you don't want to get out of it.

You might notice when you observe an angry person

or a despondent person or an anxious person,

they don't really want to be free of the anger.

If you suggested it to an angry person you can be free,

you will not get a pleasant answer.

(audience laughs)

And you've seen angry people,

they are in the grip of anger or irritation,

they cannot help it, then they shout at you,

and then they leave the room.

And a minute later, the door opens and they come back

because they thought of something else to insult you with.

(audience laughs)

They are in the grip of it.

There is complete identification with thought and emotion.

They are lost in thought. They are lost in emotion.

But who or what is it that is lost?

If I'm not the thoughts and the emotion, who or what am I?

Okay.

I just asked you to just have a look inside yourself,

and if there's anything there that's jarring

and doesn't feel good, but it's there.

And I'm not saying try to get rid of it. No.

Acknowledge the present moment.

The present moment is what is.

Externally or internally, that's what is.

But there's a huge difference now.

By recognizing that there is, let's say,

irritation, anger, or anxiety in you,

an additional element or dimension has come in.

And that dimension we could call awareness,

or we could call it presence.

And the moment awareness comes in,

you are no longer completely identified with it.

I sometimes describe it as, let's say,

there's the anger, and as your awareness

of the anger comes in,

there's a little bit of space around it.

That's the awareness.

The awareness knows that there's anger.

The anger may still be there.

It may not immediately disappear,

but the awareness knows it's there,

or whatever else it may be.

The arising of awareness is spiritual awakening.

The disidentification that happens when awareness arises,

that is the spiritual awakening or the arising

of the transcendent dimension of consciousness.

Transcendent because it transcends

who or what you are as a person.

(waterfall burbles)