The Oracle at Delphi: Eckhart Tolle’s Take on Ancient Wisdom

Summary

In this thought-provoking discussion, the speaker explores the complexity of the concept of God, emphasizing that a conceptual understanding is impossible. Drawing from ancient Greek philosophy, particularly the notion of 'gnosis' and the dictum 'Know thyself,' the speaker advocates for a deeper, non-conceptual form of knowing. Rather than focusing on external searches for God, the speaker suggests that true understanding lies in inward exploration, transcending personal history and surface identity. The astronaut anecdote challenges traditional beliefs, illustrating the limitations of looking outward for answers to profound existential questions.

Takeaways

• 😀 The word 'God' has been avoided for years, but it's acknowledged as important for deeper exploration, despite being conceptually elusive.
• 😀 Understanding 'God' conceptually is impossible; however, a deeper, non-conceptual knowing or attunement is possible.
• 😀 'Gnosis' (knowledge) refers to a non-conceptual knowing that leads to deeper spiritual realization.
• 😀 The ancient Greek dictum 'Know thyself' points to a deeper self-awareness, not just understanding one's personality or past.
• 😀 The surface self is shaped by personal history, and it includes one's thoughts, emotions, and experiences.
• 😀 The deep self, or 'deep eye,' transcends the surface self and offers a more profound understanding of who you truly are.
• 😀 The exploration of past lives is an interesting idea but doesn't necessarily lead to true self-knowledge. It's like getting lost in a soap opera plot.
• 😀 True self-knowledge transcends past incarnations and focuses on a deeper essence beyond surface-level identities.
• 😀 God is not to be found through external exploration or looking 'up' into the sky; the true realization comes from going deep within.
• 😀 The idea of 'up' and 'down' is a limited perspective influenced by gravity and location, and even disappears in outer space, highlighting the relativity of perception.

Q & A

Why has the speaker avoided using the word 'God' in the past?

The speaker has avoided using the word 'God' for many years, likely because they believe that conceptualizing or trying to understand the concept of God is impossible. They stress that the word points to something deeper and non-conceptual, making it challenging to capture in words.

What does the speaker mean by 'deeper knowing' in relation to God?

The 'deeper knowing' refers to an intuitive, non-conceptual understanding of God or the reality it points to, rather than a rational or intellectual comprehension. This kind of knowing is about attunement to a deeper truth, not through concepts, but through a more experiential, spiritual realization.

How is the concept of 'gnosis' related to the speaker's discussion?

The speaker refers to 'gnosis' as an ancient Greek term meaning non-conceptual knowledge or knowing. This concept is closely related to the deeper understanding of reality that transcends intellectual thought, specifically regarding the true nature of oneself and the world.

What does the phrase 'Know thyself' really mean, according to the speaker?

'Know thyself' is not about understanding the surface level of one's personality or psychological makeup. Instead, it refers to a deeper realization of one's true nature beyond past experiences and personal history, something much deeper than the conditioned self or surface identity.

How does the speaker differentiate between the 'surface self' and the 'deep self'?

The 'surface self' refers to the personality shaped by personal history and experiences. In contrast, the 'deep self' refers to a deeper, more intrinsic aspect of one's being, a true self that is not defined by past events or identity but instead is tied to a deeper, spiritual truth.

What does the speaker say about exploring past lifetimes as a way to know oneself?

The speaker suggests that exploring past lifetimes through methods like hypnosis can keep one occupied but may lead to distraction. This approach may focus too much on surface-level experiences, preventing true self-knowledge, which requires going beyond the surface and into deeper dimensions of being.

What metaphor does the speaker use to explain the concept of exploring past lifetimes?

The speaker compares exploring past lifetimes to reading a soap opera, where the characters and stories are repetitive and superficial. They emphasize that such exploration does not lead to true self-knowledge, which must come from a deeper, more profound understanding.

Why does the speaker argue that 'knowing God' is not possible through external exploration?

The speaker believes that 'knowing God' cannot be achieved by looking outward or exploring external phenomena. Instead, it requires deep introspection and exploration of the inner self. External exploration, such as looking to the heavens, misses the point because true understanding of God comes from within.

What is the significance of the concept of 'up' in the context of understanding God?

The concept of 'up' is used to illustrate how perceptions of reality are limited by one's point of view. The idea that God is 'up' is a limited, Earth-bound perspective. In outer space, the concepts of up and down disappear, symbolizing that God is not confined to a specific direction or location, but transcends such human concepts.

How does the speaker use the example of a Russian astronaut to highlight misconceptions about the concept of God?

The speaker references a Russian astronaut who, upon returning from space, stated that he did not find God in outer space. This example is used to demonstrate the misconception that God can be found in a specific place or location, reinforcing the idea that God is not confined to a particular space but is beyond spatial limitations.