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.