Interesting thread.
Just wanted to check in to say that I agree that Tolle is perpetrating a huge con.
Here, below, is an article on Hinduism Today, which laments the fact that although Tolle has obviously gleaned most of his ideas from Advaita, he refuses to name his sources. I believe this is part of the con; while most Westerners are familiar with Buddhism and vaguely know that it has something to do with mindfulness and meditation, Advaita is still largely unknown, and so his "teachings" come across as new and original. In fact, whatever is true in his teachings is simply ancient stuff known by all Hindus, and the rest is his imagination and often does not even make sense. It's the Emperor's New Clothes all over again.
Most of all, Tolle would have us believe that one experience of "Enlightenmnet" was enough for a lifetime, and that he is there.
What I see is ego gone amuck.
The Hinduism Today article finally takes a basically kind view of Tolle's failure to name his true sources, believing that at least he is opening minds to the Advaitic way of thinking. I'm not so kind; I feel it is the blind leading the blind.
Here's the article