Spirituality can be a religious term or be used to define practices in opposition to codified religious beliefs. Tolle's work fits the latter definition. Tolle does not feed my emotional needs. I'm not a follower of Tolle, but have been a member of a Gnostic Christian organization for more than 15 years. I recognized in his books parts of the Universal Doctrine and a very good explan
Forum: Recovery from Destructive Cults and Groups

Franklin Albert Jones (Adi Da), Richard Alpert (Ram Dass), Jan Leena (Jan van Rijckenborgh), etc. The reason many of these spiritual teachers change their name is not for marketing purposes, but they see themselves as having two lives: one before their spiritual awakening and one after to which their new name applies. By "stillness" I mean absolute silence within with no thoughts. Th
Forum: Recovery from Destructive Cults and Groups

Quote: Someone that is a "spiritual teacher" is promoting a religious belief system. Response: Not so. This is a confusion between "spirituality in religion" v. "spirituality as opposed to religion." Adherents of the latter (e.g. Tolle) believe in the existence of many "spiritual paths" and deny any objective truth about the best path to follow. The emp
Forum: Recovery from Destructive Cults and Groups

Quoterrmoderatorcsp: "Flaming" is not pointing out what you have claimed through previous posts to support your apologies and/or arguments. Oprah is supposedly a talk-show host, not a televangelist. Dr. Phil is a Ph.D. psychologist. Promoting personal religious beliefs through an entertainment talk show format may be what Oprah does now, but that was not the original intent
Forum: Recovery from Destructive Cults and Groups

Tolle stated on Oprah that he once took LSD. He said that it was nothing like the experience(s) he is talking about in his books or talks and that it was, in his opinion, a very violent experience and not recommended. Mr. Tolle is in a relationship and living with a woman. His comments on the subject of relationships, I have gathered, are from a lot discussions he has had with people who have
Forum: Recovery from Destructive Cults and Groups

Quoterrmoderatorcsp: Previously you have claimed to be a "researcher," "mental health professional" and "scientist," never offering specifics to back up your claims. Apparently you felt such unsubstantiated claims might somehow convince others on the board that you were somehow more credible and that your opinions about Tolle would thus carry more weight. No
Forum: Recovery from Destructive Cults and Groups

QuoteThe AnticultIsn't that kind of Egotistical for Tolle to take the name of a FAMOUS MYSTIC as his own? As far as Tolle not talking about his "story" so as to not distract from "his teachings" that is complete bunkum. 1) I was a crazy, miserable, suicidal, messed up mentally ill dropout. (with no proof) 2) I attained enlightenment one day by magic. (with no pro
Forum: Recovery from Destructive Cults and Groups

Eckhart Tolle's was born Ulrich Tolle in 1948 in Germany. He changed his first name to Eckhart after the German mystic Meister Eckhart. No string of aliases. Tolle doesn't talk about his past in detail because he doesn't want people to identify the "teaching" with his personal "story."
Forum: Recovery from Destructive Cults and Groups

By "scientist" I am referring to both my position as a Director of Research for a large health care company .. and that my studies have been published in peer reviewed scientific journals. My books are also sold via a science publisher. As for flaming ... I don't recall personally attacking anyone in the forum, but if I did I apologize. But back to the topic ... Two more p
Forum: Recovery from Destructive Cults and Groups

QuoteHugh Manatee"An integrative paradigm should be consistent with and able to incorporate and use the findings of science.Science is the essential reference point for the rational Western mind and while an integrative paradigm has a higher point of reference, it must honor the achievements and comprehend the working language of science if it is to gain any meaningful degree of acceptance i
Forum: Recovery from Destructive Cults and Groups

According to the Herald Tribune ... "Tolle says his family left Germany when he was 13 and he subsequently studied at the University of London. (The spokesman for the university could not divulge information without Tolle's permission.)" So ... the University of London talked with an entertainment writer with Fox News and not the Herald Tribune? If you look at the University&
Forum: Recovery from Destructive Cults and Groups

...Tolle's background, and in particular educational background, are thoroughly checkable. He has even openly stated that he didn't go to school after the age of 13 and had to make up all his courses after moving to England so that he could get into college. He did graduate from London University and later attended Cambridge or Oxford (I can't remember which) and nobody has found a
Forum: Recovery from Destructive Cults and Groups

A true believer might be too strong a word, because like Krishnamurti, I'm not sure if people are going to be able to get from A-B with his methodology. His personal authenticity is (in my opinion) undeniable (like that of Krishnamurti), but that doesn't mean he is able to create a situation or method to get people to the level of consciousness about which he is speaking and living from
Forum: Recovery from Destructive Cults and Groups

Quote: No, he doesn't "walk the walk", as a Tolle seminar, in my opinion should NOW be free. Response: So who pays for the auditorium and travel expenses? I'm sure that venues in LA, SF and NYC are not cheap. Is he supposed to pay for these out of his pocket or should people coming to listen help? Quote: Free not only of financial gain but free of words as well. Just pur
Forum: Recovery from Destructive Cults and Groups

You keep asking me questions about myself, but I'm not answering until you answer the questions I posed regarding evidence or case examples that Tolle's teachings are dangerous to the mental health of people. Why can't you answer this simple question? Tolle is innocent until proven guilty.
Forum: Recovery from Destructive Cults and Groups

I'm not being evasive. I said that I was a mental health professional and that "no" I have not submitted a peer reviewed research paper on Tolle. However (for whatever it is worth) I've published many peer reviewed papers in scientific journals in the field of traumatic brain injury and in particular behavioral medicine. Again ... you and others in this forum are making ver
Forum: Recovery from Destructive Cults and Groups

I'm curious. What motivated you to read all his books and watch numerous CDs? I can't say much about Oprah, but I've seen, read and listened to enough of Tolle and others that have been around him that he does "walk the walk." Should he be a full-time hermit? I'm really not sure what people expect him to do or not do in terms of writing and/or public appearances.
Forum: Recovery from Destructive Cults and Groups

Yes and no to your questions, but how/why are you setting the criteria? How are my statements misleading? Give us one example of Tolle's teachings leading to ANY form of mental illness with ANY person. Are there any documented cases? The burden is on you to prove that there is ANY evidence whatsoever that Tolle's teachings are harmful to people. Scientology? Maybe. Handling snakes? Yes.
Forum: Recovery from Destructive Cults and Groups

I've been involved in spiritual pursuits for decades (both eastern and western) and have read all of Mr. Tolle's books and watched many hours of his videos looking for any sign of insincerity or fraud. I've found none whatsoever. Believe me I've been witness to many, many frauds over the years, but Mr. Tolle is not one of them. I'm also a researcher in the field of brain
Forum: Recovery from Destructive Cults and Groups

Everyone seems to be very confused about Tolle's phrase "evolution of consciousness". Also, about how this relates to the current and historical world evils. Tolle states that consciousness "wants" to evolve ... not that it necessarily "is" evolving. Our current problems in the world (war, environment, and all the others described in the above posts) are full
Forum: Recovery from Destructive Cults and Groups

Tolle, and others promoting mindfulness, are not advocating killing the ego. It is our identification as "being" our ego that he and others are speaking about. Identifying only with the ego and not the ground of being behind the ego. As he would put it ... identifying with the "form" or "dream". Identifying too strongly (or at all) with the form means that we are alw
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

I do agree with you about the "dangers" of television. Read "Culture Jam" or "Four Arguments Against the Use of Television" which are both classics on this subject. However, I couldn't disagree more about your assessment regarding Tolle. As a matter of fact, I think he would firmly support your position regarding television. I've seen him speak on the su
Forum: Recovery from Destructive Cults and Groups

First, lets not confuse Oprah with Tolle. Two very different people operating from very different places. Secondly, I don't think Tolle is addressing people with serious mental health issues. He's talking to the average person on the street who is realizing that there is something seriously wrong with the world and experiencing an inner tension, nagging and gnawing that something isn
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

QuoteThe Shadowunfortunately "America", and in large part Canada too, don't realize that not only will they lose their egos, they will also lose their minds... we are already in a mental health crisis, and it is going to get worse, with all these poor trusting souls detaching from their egos, and turning into a bunch of sniveling lunatics! Actually, it is quite the opposite. Isn&
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"