"The conditions of your life are not here to please you." This line in particular struck me. I often forget that life has tough times built in. It's not a mistake or my fault if something isn't going the way I think it should. It's by design!
That's a wise insight, Parker. In our culture, which eulogizes never-ending happiness, it's easy to mistake difficulty for personal shortcomings. I know I did and still do at times.
You remind me of a quote from Jack Kornfield: 'We must be willing to let go of the way things were supposed to be and open anew to the mystery.'
Thank you Ryan. Eckhart Tolle has been a midwife (his term not mine) for so many of us on the journey. I too am grateful to him for his persistence and simple messages, that eventually get through..... "Maybe life was just being life". I often link that sentiment with the Star Trek idea..."resistance is futile". Surrendering resistance is a constant practice worth doing...I have been at it for a few years now, and I think I am getting better at it. 🙂. Thank you for your beautiful straight forward writing.🙏🏼
"That eventually get through" has been my experience, too. Some messages have taken dozens of listens and years to "get through."
It's funny. I just said, "Resistance is futile," to my daughter a few days ago. We both laughed. I have no doubt you are getting better at surrendering resistance. :o)
Yes! You know what it's like to hear something profound that you must remember and contemplate. And I'm confident they helped you be freer. I appreciate you reading and sharing this.
Here are the names of the two talks and one audio CD (set) by Eckhart Tolle that I have. Unfortunately, I don’t know which one contains the quote I mentioned in my article. Regardless, all three are excellent.
Living a Deeper Level of Consciousness
Touching the Eternal (India Retreat)
Self Realization (I think the full title is The Secret of Self Realization)
I relate to this so strongly, his book changed my life profoundly. I’ve recently started listening to his talks on his podcast and he is still inspiring
One of my absolute most favorite parts of the creator retreat curriculum is the part where we get to explore the concept of LETTING GO. It always amazes me what people admit to holding onto, and the things I discover I’m holding onto, and all the ways holding on holds us back. In the creator retreat, we as a community will share with each other all the strategies we use to let go. The one I use is a simple 10-second action that makes me giggle every time I do it. I’ve had other clients teach me theirs that make them cry. And others teach me their tricks that make them scream. Letting go comes in so many forms, and when it happens, especially collectively in the safe container of community, the results and after effects are fantastical.
I can attest to the fantastical results of learning to let go. Letting go is comparable to awareness's ability to transform our lives, and I can't wait to teach it in The Creator Retreat 🌳. It's truly a life-changing skill.
Great read that resonates with me a lot, thank you. Other drivers are my barometer for how I’m doing generally. If I’m getting annoyed at them I know I’m slipping back into an outside in way of processing thoughts.
Such a self aware and wonderful post Ryan! Thank you for sharing its so so important to get reminded. I love Eckhart Tolle, a really wise, calm and healing man.
'The conditions of your life are not here to please you. They're here to challenge you, to frustrate you, and to wake you up.'
It's so easy to fall into the trap of believing that life should be easy, that we deserve to be happy all the time. But as you so eloquently pointed out, life is full of challenges, and it's through those challenges that we grow and learn. Accepting this truth is the first step towards true freedom.
I'm glad you appreciate it, too, Ben. @Kelly Flanagan asked the same, and here’s my response to his query:
Here are the names of the two talks and one audio CD (set) by Eckhart Tolle that I have. Unfortunately, I don’t know which one contains the quote I mentioned in my article. Regardless, all three are excellent.
Living a Deeper Level of Consciousness
Touching the Eternal (India Retreat)
Self Realization (I think the full title is The Secret of Self Realization)
Thank you for this, Ryan. I hold on way too tightly all the time. This week has been extra tough on my spirit as two of the Seniors I care for are in their final days of this earthly life. And I am holding on tight knowing that resistance is futile. And as you said, examining why is so helpful to loosening my want/need for control. Which video are you referencing?
I appreciate your vulnerability here, Nancy. It makes sense to want to hold on to what is dear to us, yet we know that grasping causes suffering. It's a delicate dance, isn't it?
Two others inquired, and here was my response:
Here are the names of the two talks and one audio CD (set) by Eckhart Tolle that I have. Unfortunately, I don’t know which one contains the quote I mentioned in my article. Regardless, all three are excellent.
Living a Deeper Level of Consciousness
Touching the Eternal (India Retreat)
Self Realization (I think the full title is The Secret of Self Realization)
Great insights Ryan! As always, thanks for your thought-provoking work. Your journey resonates with me. Although we have come at this equation from different angles I have experienced similar revelations. I recall at one point in my life, just being so frustrated with God. I remember saying if I was God and someone worked as hard as I did to get things right I would certainly treat him differently! As you say, could it be that it’s not about getting it right, but allowing the experience of life to lead us to where it is, we are meant to be? I am kind of in another round of testing of that truth in my life currently. So thanks for a great reminder and helping me get re-grounded. Many blessings.
It's fun to hear and unsurprising that we've had similar questions, thoughts, and revelations yet came from different paths, Wayne. I figure all trails lead to the same ultimate truths. I'll be curious to hear about your current round of testing. :)
Tolle’s teachings is what saved me during the longest and most intense panic attack I had when still suffering from depression and anxiety. It lasted hours and I thought I was losing my mind. Unable to get myself out of this state and after all the tools I knew failed, I simple let go, and let myself slip into “right here right now”. What unfolded there was an absolutely transformative experience that opened my mind and heart to non duality.
Thank you for this wonderful writing, Ryan :) always enjoy the clarity of your reflections!
Wow, what a profoundly painful experience and powerful gateway into nonduality. You will never forget this. It sounds like you lost your mind in the end. :o)
Interestingly, your experience sounds similar (yet different) from Tolle's "all is lost" moment, which led to his awakening, which he describes in the introduction to The Power of Now.
And here you are, sharing your wisdom, insights and love on Substack. Your words hold meaning for me. Thank you. 🤗
Beautiful recount of your spiritual journey, Ryan. Taking full responsibility for ourselves, our thoughts, and how we create our own suffering, is a game changer!👌🏻👍🏻
You post such great wisdom, and amazing stuff about the Creator Retreat. Then you post a cute dog and I get totally distracted with what I want to say. Good thing others have said what I would have 😂
Thanks for sharing this piece Ryan.
"The conditions of your life are not here to please you." This line in particular struck me. I often forget that life has tough times built in. It's not a mistake or my fault if something isn't going the way I think it should. It's by design!
That's a wise insight, Parker. In our culture, which eulogizes never-ending happiness, it's easy to mistake difficulty for personal shortcomings. I know I did and still do at times.
You remind me of a quote from Jack Kornfield: 'We must be willing to let go of the way things were supposed to be and open anew to the mystery.'
I was struck by that line too. I have very similar thoughts as well that you articulated nicely.
I'm glad this line landed and triggered thoughts, Sam. It sure did for me - life-changing.
Thank you Ryan. Eckhart Tolle has been a midwife (his term not mine) for so many of us on the journey. I too am grateful to him for his persistence and simple messages, that eventually get through..... "Maybe life was just being life". I often link that sentiment with the Star Trek idea..."resistance is futile". Surrendering resistance is a constant practice worth doing...I have been at it for a few years now, and I think I am getting better at it. 🙂. Thank you for your beautiful straight forward writing.🙏🏼
"That eventually get through" has been my experience, too. Some messages have taken dozens of listens and years to "get through."
It's funny. I just said, "Resistance is futile," to my daughter a few days ago. We both laughed. I have no doubt you are getting better at surrendering resistance. :o)
Your feedback feels good, Ian. Thank you.
Yes! I have a note in my phone from like five years ago with two lines from an Eckhart Tolle podcast:
“Whatever you fight, you strengthen.
And what you resist persists.”
I reread those words all the time.
Yes! You know what it's like to hear something profound that you must remember and contemplate. And I'm confident they helped you be freer. I appreciate you reading and sharing this.
Wow - a paradigm shift for me I think ? Meditating on this and how it could change the way I view life too
I'm glad Tolle's message resonates for you, too, Kevan.
I hope it transforms your perception as much as it has mine.
I hope so too
Magnificent, Ryan! Do you by any chance have a link to that Tolle talk?
I missed your comment the other day, Kelly.
Here are the names of the two talks and one audio CD (set) by Eckhart Tolle that I have. Unfortunately, I don’t know which one contains the quote I mentioned in my article. Regardless, all three are excellent.
Living a Deeper Level of Consciousness
Touching the Eternal (India Retreat)
Self Realization (I think the full title is The Secret of Self Realization)
I hope this helps!
I relate to this so strongly, his book changed my life profoundly. I’ve recently started listening to his talks on his podcast and he is still inspiring
Ah, you, too, Elizabeth?
Sounds like we're both grateful he's here on this earth.
for sure
One of my absolute most favorite parts of the creator retreat curriculum is the part where we get to explore the concept of LETTING GO. It always amazes me what people admit to holding onto, and the things I discover I’m holding onto, and all the ways holding on holds us back. In the creator retreat, we as a community will share with each other all the strategies we use to let go. The one I use is a simple 10-second action that makes me giggle every time I do it. I’ve had other clients teach me theirs that make them cry. And others teach me their tricks that make them scream. Letting go comes in so many forms, and when it happens, especially collectively in the safe container of community, the results and after effects are fantastical.
I can attest to the fantastical results of learning to let go. Letting go is comparable to awareness's ability to transform our lives, and I can't wait to teach it in The Creator Retreat 🌳. It's truly a life-changing skill.
I’ve learned that engagement with water in its many shapes and forms is fundamental helping me LET GO.
Great read that resonates with me a lot, thank you. Other drivers are my barometer for how I’m doing generally. If I’m getting annoyed at them I know I’m slipping back into an outside in way of processing thoughts.
You, too? Drivers are one of my many barometers as well. Thank you for reading and sharing your practice here, Marc. 💛
Such a self aware and wonderful post Ryan! Thank you for sharing its so so important to get reminded. I love Eckhart Tolle, a really wise, calm and healing man.
He is exceptional and is from your land. :) Thank you for your kind comment.
'The conditions of your life are not here to please you. They're here to challenge you, to frustrate you, and to wake you up.'
It's so easy to fall into the trap of believing that life should be easy, that we deserve to be happy all the time. But as you so eloquently pointed out, life is full of challenges, and it's through those challenges that we grow and learn. Accepting this truth is the first step towards true freedom.
Especially in the West, right? I appreciate your reading and commenting, Alex. 🤗
Great quote Ryan. Definitely makes one stop to think. Do you happen to remember the talk it was from?
I'm glad you appreciate it, too, Ben. @Kelly Flanagan asked the same, and here’s my response to his query:
Here are the names of the two talks and one audio CD (set) by Eckhart Tolle that I have. Unfortunately, I don’t know which one contains the quote I mentioned in my article. Regardless, all three are excellent.
Living a Deeper Level of Consciousness
Touching the Eternal (India Retreat)
Self Realization (I think the full title is The Secret of Self Realization)
I hope this helps!
It does, thanks Ryan. I only ever read one of Eckart Tolles books so curious to discover more.
Thank you for this, Ryan. I hold on way too tightly all the time. This week has been extra tough on my spirit as two of the Seniors I care for are in their final days of this earthly life. And I am holding on tight knowing that resistance is futile. And as you said, examining why is so helpful to loosening my want/need for control. Which video are you referencing?
I appreciate your vulnerability here, Nancy. It makes sense to want to hold on to what is dear to us, yet we know that grasping causes suffering. It's a delicate dance, isn't it?
Two others inquired, and here was my response:
Here are the names of the two talks and one audio CD (set) by Eckhart Tolle that I have. Unfortunately, I don’t know which one contains the quote I mentioned in my article. Regardless, all three are excellent.
Living a Deeper Level of Consciousness
Touching the Eternal (India Retreat)
Self Realization (I think the full title is The Secret of Self Realization)
I hope this helps!
Great insights Ryan! As always, thanks for your thought-provoking work. Your journey resonates with me. Although we have come at this equation from different angles I have experienced similar revelations. I recall at one point in my life, just being so frustrated with God. I remember saying if I was God and someone worked as hard as I did to get things right I would certainly treat him differently! As you say, could it be that it’s not about getting it right, but allowing the experience of life to lead us to where it is, we are meant to be? I am kind of in another round of testing of that truth in my life currently. So thanks for a great reminder and helping me get re-grounded. Many blessings.
It's fun to hear and unsurprising that we've had similar questions, thoughts, and revelations yet came from different paths, Wayne. I figure all trails lead to the same ultimate truths. I'll be curious to hear about your current round of testing. :)
Tolle’s teachings is what saved me during the longest and most intense panic attack I had when still suffering from depression and anxiety. It lasted hours and I thought I was losing my mind. Unable to get myself out of this state and after all the tools I knew failed, I simple let go, and let myself slip into “right here right now”. What unfolded there was an absolutely transformative experience that opened my mind and heart to non duality.
Thank you for this wonderful writing, Ryan :) always enjoy the clarity of your reflections!
Wow, what a profoundly painful experience and powerful gateway into nonduality. You will never forget this. It sounds like you lost your mind in the end. :o)
Interestingly, your experience sounds similar (yet different) from Tolle's "all is lost" moment, which led to his awakening, which he describes in the introduction to The Power of Now.
And here you are, sharing your wisdom, insights and love on Substack. Your words hold meaning for me. Thank you. 🤗
Thank you so much for your kind words, Ryan 🙏
In a way, I surely did lose my mind :)
And it was actually The Power of Now I was reading at that time!
Beautiful recount of your spiritual journey, Ryan. Taking full responsibility for ourselves, our thoughts, and how we create our own suffering, is a game changer!👌🏻👍🏻
Thank you for your kind and affirming words, Tamy. 🙏🏻
You post such great wisdom, and amazing stuff about the Creator Retreat. Then you post a cute dog and I get totally distracted with what I want to say. Good thing others have said what I would have 😂
I'm glad I'm not the only one who gets distracted. Sounds like we both have ADHD tendencies.
Haha yep. I have animal ADHD big time. I get really distracted by my cats and dogs I see. Pretty much any animal lol
Great observations. Rings true for me too
I appreciate your comment, Gary. 💛☺️