Fr. Richard Rohr comments on Eckhart Tolle

[Why Syzygy]

My long time friend who is a Christian told me she has been listening to CDs by Fr. Rohr. I investigated. If you recall the church I attended while at the Unfortunate house, it is the same church she attends. She heard the same anti-ET/Oprah sermon I did. I haven't sent her this information yet, and am not fully convinced I should. I am just thrilled that some Christians are learning how to approach life from a more spiritual perspective. I've just had experiences with too many of them who are completely carnal. "Beliefs" don't necessarily influence behaviors.

Fr. Rohr appears to be an enlightened teacher. She related an illustration he uses to show how we have to feel safe before we can feel our pain. That's an interesting concept when applied to ourselves and others with whom we attempt to relate. He also advises QUIET times. This was one of the most non-congruent situations at the Uhouse. While supposedly we were encouraged to develop our inner lives, the tv was allowed to be run non-stop from early morning to midnight. Makes me want to scream just thinking about it. It's OVER.

It's about Contemplation, something that is not emphasized enough in our spoon fed society. Lazy thinkers are a problem for all of us. They hinder progress. Could this movement be growing throughout faiths and beliefs no matter their origin?

I posted this on the Oprah site, but they don't allow external links or text quotes. So. pfft

Here it is for your consideration.
This is from an article Fr. Richard wrote >

http://www.cacradicalgrace.org/getconnected/tolle.php

What Tolle is doing:
1) Eckhart Tolle is teaching a form of natural mysticism or contemplative
practice.

2) He is teaching a morality and asceticism of recognizing and letting go of “the
self that has to die” (Matthew 16:25), which he calls ego and Jesus calls the
“grain of wheat” (John 12:24) ; so that another self can be born, which he
would call “consciousness” and we would call the person born again in Christ,
or something similar.

3) He is giving us some practices (Similar to how John Wesley gave “methods” or
Ignatius gave “exercises”) whereby we can be present to the grace of the
moment and stop the “passions,” the “egocentric mind,” or the “prideful
self” which keeps us from true goodness (or God, as we would call it). Each
tradition uses different language for what is to be overcome, but it is always
some form of “un-love” and selfishness (which he calls ego). TOLLE IS NOT
ASKING YOU TO BELIEVE ANYTHING. HE IS ASKING YOU TO TRY SOMETHING!
You will know if it is true, if you try it, and you will not know if it is true or
false, if you don’t try it. No point in arguing it theoretically or in the
abstract.

4) He does assume and imply a worldview that is foreign to many, if not most
Christians. For Tolle, Being, Consciousness, God, Reality are all the same
thing, which is not all bad, when you come to think of it. Of course, his very
point is that you cannot think of it at all, you can only realize it. I would not
call him pantheistic (all things are God) as much as panentheistic (God is IN
all things).

5) His brilliant understanding of the “pain body,” as he calls it, is actually very
close to the Catholic notion of Original Sin, and does give a corporate,
communitarian, mystical understanding to religion. We are all in this
together, and share one another’s pain. I’m not sure he makes clear how we
share one another’ joy, except that he tends to create very “low
maintenance” people who can relax and enjoy life.

[Dover]

1. That's wonderful. I like the summary and the way it's explained in a slightly

different way. It might be easier for some to understand his language or explanation.

I wouldn't worry about what others do or believe. I think as people learn this practice
and their inner life shift begins to become apparent on the outside, others will be more
and more drawn to this way. There is no denying the love and light that emanates from that
place. It has nothing to do with belief. Belief is inherently objectification of what is
actually experiential. In other words belief comes from a dualistic perspective rather than
a holistic knowing...gnosis.

At any rate, there are many paths, and all we need do is be true to our own.

[I Have A Dream]

2. Thanks, vsm. This article really made me think. nt