I’d like to pick up from where I last left off. In my previous post, I shared a quote from Sri Nisargadatta Maharaj’s I Am That: Talks with Sri Nisargadatta Maharaj. This book is nothing short of profound - a treasure trove of wisdom - but I’ll be the first to admit, it can be a challenging read. By contrast, Eckhart Tolle’s The Power of Now offers a simpler, more accessible entry point into the discussion and expansion of awareness. And what struck me most is how deeply aligned Tolle’s insights are with the timeless dialogues between Maharaj and the seekers who came to him.
I see Tolle as a modern-day Maharaj - a contemporary voice echoing the timeless truths that Sri Nisargadatta shared, bringing ancient wisdom into the present with clarity and grace. The name Maharaj is actually more of a title than a name, and in the spiritual context denotes someone with high spiritual realization, mastery, or wisdom. And although coming from different cultural and historical backgrounds Eckhart and Sri Nisargadatta share several significant philosophical and spiritual similarities:
1. Non-Dual Awareness
Both teachers emphasize the importance of transcending the ego and recognizing a deeper, universal consciousness beyond individual identity. I call this the oneness of all things. They tell us that our true nature is not the thinking mind, but a deeper awareness or presence that exists apart from mental constructs. A truth that can be realized simply by being present - awareness without judgment and accepting what is without resistance or trying to impose what “should” be. And Tolle points out this doesn’t mean being passive but acting from a place of peace and clarity.
Here are some easy steps to follow:
Breathing: Focus on your breath to ground yourself in the now.
Body Awareness: Shift attention to the sensations in your body, which anchors you in the present.
Mindful Observation: Observe your surroundings or inner experiences without trying to change them.
Letting Go: Release attachments to thoughts about the past or future as they arise.
Tolle's The Power of Now and Maharaj's teachings both stress that true spiritual awakening happens when one is fully present, free from the mental narratives of past and future.
2. Critique of Ego
They both view the ego as a fundamental source of human suffering. Maharaj and Tolle describe the ego as a false self-construct that creates unnecessary psychological pain through identification with thoughts, emotions, and mental stories.
3. Consciousness as Primary
This was mentioned before - unified consciousness or oneness I like to say. Both teachers propose that consciousness or awareness is the fundamental reality, and that individual human experiences are ultimately expressions of a more profound, unified consciousness.
4. Spiritual Liberation through Self-Inquiry
While their specific methods differ, both encourage a form of self-inquiry or introspection that allows individuals to step back from habitual thought patterns and recognize their essential nature beyond the mind.
5. Rejection of Complex Spiritual Techniques
Both are relatively direct in their approach, criticizing overly complex spiritual practices and instead advocating for a simple, direct recognition of one's true nature.
In Closing
The Power of Now is a book will worth reading. Some would say it’s a spiritual classical written from a place of presence. Conversations with Maharaj in the form of the book I Am That can be a challenging read and at times acts more as a reference manual. However, don’t let this deter you from exploring it.
Really, the key difference is in their cultural and personal expression: Eckhart speaks from a contemporary, somewhat westernized perspective, while Sri Nisargadatta emerged from the traditional Advaita Vedanta philosophy of India. However, their core spiritual insights are remarkably aligned.
Expanding our awareness only happens in the present moment. It is here, in the now, that you connect with your soul - the divine essence of who you are. It is here that your heart speaks, offering guidance that transforms you, leading you not only to the dreams you’ve envisioned but to realms beyond what you ever imagined.