How to Feel Gratitude for the Present Moment | Eckhart Tolle

Summary

The speaker emphasizes the importance of appreciating life's small moments and becoming comfortable with 'not knowing.' By letting go of constant thinking and future-orientation, one can find inner stillness and presence. This shift leads to a deeper sense of self, free from comparison and ego, where self-esteem no longer depends on external factors. The talk explores the power of attention to everyday details, likening it to gratitude, and highlights the beauty in simplicity. Ultimately, the speaker encourages embracing the present, valuing both stillness and movement as paths to deeper awareness.

Takeaways

• 🌟 Gratitude and appreciation can be found in the little things that make up our daily lives.
• 🧘‍♂️ Embracing a state of not knowing allows us to enter a state of non-conceptual knowing, which is a form of consciousness where we are present without the need for thought.
• 🤔 Becoming comfortable with not knowing is a form of trust that can lead to a reduction in ego and the unobserved mind.
• 🔍 Self-esteem issues dissolve in the state of no thought, as we stop seeking perceived value in a conceptual sense of self.
• 🌈 The true source of self-esteem comes from an inner stillness and the realization of our infinite value as part of the essence that underlies the universe.
• 🚶‍♂️ Paying attention to the present moment, even in seemingly mundane activities, can lead to a reduction in the generation of future-oriented thoughts and an increase in appreciation for the current experience.
• 🎨 The beauty and significance of everyday objects and scenes can be overlooked, but they hold a profound sense of presence and aliveness when truly observed.
• 👀 By giving attention to the little things, we can shift our perspective from viewing our environment as merely a means to an end to appreciating it for its beingness.
• 🌱 The practice of being present and attentive to the moment can transform even the most ordinary activities into significant and enjoyable experiences.
• 🌐 The concept of self-esteem as comparative is replaced by an understanding of our inherent value that is not relative to others but is a realization of our true nature.
• 💭 Dreams can reflect different levels of consciousness, with deep dreams often providing profound teachings, while surface dreams may reflect the mind's disconnection from source.

Q & A

What does the speaker suggest is the secret to dealing with the state of not knowing?

The speaker suggests that the secret to dealing with the state of not knowing is becoming comfortable with it, which involves trusting in the process and entering a state of non-conceptual knowing.

How does the speaker describe the relationship between self-esteem and the state of no thought?

The speaker describes that in the state of no thought, questions about self-esteem resolve themselves into nothingness because one is no longer looking for perceived value in a conceptual sense of self. Self-esteem comes from realizing the infinite value that one is, not possesses.

What is the role of stillness in developing self-esteem according to the speaker?

The speaker suggests that the power of inner stillness is the true seed of self-esteem. It allows one to feel neither inferior nor superior and to realize the infinite value that underlies the entire universe.

How does the speaker define the ego in the context of feeling superior or inferior?

The speaker defines the ego as the aspect of oneself that feels either superior or inferior. It is always comparative and is contrasted with the state of inner stillness where one feels neither.

What is the significance of the speaker's statement about being a 'small guy'?

The speaker uses the term 'small guy' to illustrate that physical size or ego does not determine one's sense of self-worth or power when one is connected to the present moment and the essence of being.

What is the danger of the spiritual ego according to the speaker?

The danger of the spiritual ego is that it can still hold onto a conceptual sense of self, even when one thinks they are spiritual. This can lead to a false sense of superiority over others, which is a trap some spiritual teachers fall into.

Why does the speaker recommend paying attention to the little things in life?

The speaker recommends paying attention to the little things in life because it helps one to appreciate the present moment and the ease and presence of things, rather than viewing everything as a means to an end.

What is the importance of being present when handling objects, as described by the speaker?

The importance of being present when handling objects is to appreciate their simple presence and to not regard them solely as means to an end. This practice helps in developing a deeper appreciation for the present moment.

How does the speaker relate the art of still life to the practice of being present?

The speaker relates the art of still life to the practice of being present by highlighting how artists began to appreciate and depict the beauty in seemingly insignificant things, which mirrors the practice of giving attention to the little things in life.

What is the significance of the journey to the shop according to the speaker?

The significance of the journey to the shop, according to the speaker, is to appreciate every step of the journey and look around, making the time spent traveling not just a means to an end but a moment of significance.

What are the two types of dreams the speaker mentions and what do they represent?

The speaker mentions deep dreams and surface dreams. Deep dreams represent a connection with the source where teachings arise naturally, while surface dreams represent a disconnection from the source and are filled with challenges and restlessness.