A New Earth - Chapter 1

I finally had a couple of hours to watch Chapter 1 Podcast session with Oprah & Eckhart Tolle. What an inspiring, educational & exciting one & a half hours. I received so much insight into the most difficult conceptual chapter in this book. Luckily the remaining chapters are mostly practical (much more exciting).

I have so much to say - I took 9 pages of notes that I want to document for later lessons in my awakening. There was so much.... There were many quotes, some 'take home - to-do's' and some questions & comments for me to post on the Oprah website.

I will start by mentioning that despite the difficulties with the live session (on the night this podcast was aired) the format and delivery were extremely user friendly. KUDOS to Oprah & her team for taking on such a risky platform and a job very well done! It was simple to use, relaxing to listen to, the flow was easy to follow and the content was explained in a way that was simple to understand. They (meaning Oprah and Mr. Tolle) took the time to answer the questions in depth for the viewers, as well they chose questions that were relevant to many. By the time the 1.5 hour session concluded, I had all but a few questions answered and left finished with incredible insight and peace.

I'm going to 'throw out' there much of what I wrote - it may be 'mumble-jumble' to some but I just want document in order to continue on to the 2nd chapter (to get caught up before Monday night):

• Rather than asking yourself what you want to do in life ask WHAT DOES LIFE WANT FROM ME?
• Ask for moments of stillness and when you find them, these are potentially where the answers are
• What is my place within the WHOLE?
• Experience the world like a baby - for the first time
• Stop labelling, starting with nature (it's easier with nature than with people)
• When you have mental abstractions (lost in thought, listening to the voice in your head) you can't take in what's around you
  
• Religion is the open door to spirituality
• Christianity - the free thinking form has many paths to God
• Technology amplifies egoic function
• Awakening is not just about thinking or being positive, it's about putting our ego's in check
• The voice in my head is conditioned thinking (from your upbringing, your childhood, society, etc) - when you begin to awaken, these thoughts still come up....allow it, be aware of it and recognize that it is an old thought process
• To go beyond this - just be there as the witness and don't fight it
• Your thinking is only a small part of the totality of thinking
• Don't identify with the thought, just give it space
• Energy fields are formed when groups of people come together (even if not physically). Don't just live this way in your group only, don't become dependant on your group....your responsibility is to bring this new level of consciousness into your own life & your family.
• LIVE PRESENCE IN YOUR DAILY LIFE (even when you are surrounded by the old egoic consciousness).
• Bible quote: BE STILL & KNOW THAT i AM GOD.
• Get in touch with the deepest part within & invite the stillness in (book idea below).
• Go back to nature to feel it - sense the stillness around you, that is also within you.
  
• Find the stillness, presence in your daily life moments in everyday motions (ie. getting a cup out of the cupboard, walking down the stairs or washing your hands - feel the water flowing over your hands, smell the soap, etc) - do it consciously, be present
• Learning to do these simple things will retrain your mind
• Everything we do is a 'means to an end' - so you rarely think in the moment because your mind is always on the next step (ie. making a cup of coffee - your mind is on drinking the coffee)
• When you purchase things (forms) from your ego, they don't satisfy you for long however you can enjoy the world of FORM but don't let yourself be defined by your 'things'.
• Ask yourself: What is MY relationship with the present moment? (and be conscious of the answer)
• What you resist, persists.
• Make peace with the moment to get yourself out of it
• Experience the book, rather than explain it.
• Accept that this book is NOT for everyone, only worry or concern yourself with YOU!
  

BOOK IDEAS to further your understanding, mentioned by Oprah
Note: the Author's names may not be spelled correctly

The Power Within You
By: Erik Butterworth
In reference to finding out how to reconcile spirituality & religion

The Seekers Guide
By: Elizabeth Lesser

Stillness Speaks
By: Eckhart Tolle

Coming to Your Senses
By: John Cabit Zens

NOTE: A New Earth - thoughts each week will continue on this BLOG. Be sure to add any thoughts or comments if you too, are reading the book or following the online classes!