Lessons and reflections from Eckhart Tolle’s Conscious Manifestation Course

The final module of Eckhart’s eight-week course offers guidance on incorporating conscious living and manifesting into our daily lives. The goal of conscious manifestation is to tap into the universal intelligence within us and allow that power to create through us. But how do we remain present and connected to our Inner Being when faced with life’s daily challenges?

Here are four challenges to watch out for and practices to help us stay conscious and manifest our life’s purpose.

1. Release control

Eckhart teaches that while we can intentionally guide our lives in a particular direction, we’re never in control.

 “Life is multidimensional,” says Eckhart, “and no matter what you achieve or do, the scriptwriter in the sky who is infinitely inventive will always surprise you.” 

Releasing our sense of control and surrendering our lives to universal intelligence takes awareness and practice. Become aware that it’s the ego that wants to control the outcome of our lives and those close to us. And realize that when we try to protect others from making mistakes, what we’re really doing is protecting ourselves from experiencing pain.

Releasing control has been one of my biggest challenges. I come from a long line of controlling women. I understood from a young age that if you weren’t involved in every decision of your kids’ lives and constantly worrying about them, then you weren’t doing your job. You weren’t being a good parent.

Now, I can see that my worrying and trying to control every outcome was really derived from fear. Fear that I would have to experience the pain of losing a child or watching them suffer. I placed the burden of my happiness and sense of peace on my children.

Good parenting begins with finding our own consciousness. It is where we find our own true strength, joy, and inner peace. From there, we can offer guidance and support to those we love without making them responsible for our own well-being.

Learning how to become a fully conscious parent is the greatest gift we can give our children. Dr. Shefali Tsabary’s The Conscious Parent: Transforming Ourselves and Empowering Our Children, is a guidebook for finding peace in parenting, awakening ourselves, and the next generation.

2. Practice gratitude

Eckhart says, “If gratitude were the only thing you were to practice, that would be enough to change your life.” This is so simple and effective yet so easily forgotten. Regardless of how dire a situation is, there is always something to be grateful for.

My sister said to me the other day how grateful she was for the presence of my infant son after her own teenage son had died. She said holding my son and witnessing the pure love and light within him gave her comfort in a time of immeasurable pain. God is always there. Even in the darkest of times. There is always something to be grateful for.

Begin your day with gratitude. Oprah says she keeps a gratitude journal by her bed and every morning when she wakes up she lists what she’s grateful for. Gratitude does more than make you feel good by appreciating what you already have, it also attracts positive energy and therefore, positive outcomes.

3. Would you rather be right or happy?

The ego loves to make other people wrong. Our sense of self-worth is increased when we’re right and someone else is wrong. We can easily fall into the trap of actually enjoying making other people wrong. Eckhart teaches that whenever we feel the need to adamantly defend our stance on a topic, that’s a tell-tale sign the ego has come in.

But what if the other person actually is wrong? If it’s factual and can be proven, then point it out. If it’s your opinion you’re defending, then ask yourself what you’re hoping to gain. Do you really believe you’re going to change the other person’s equally strong opinion? You’re simply trapped in a battle of egos where there are no winners.

Are there specific people that you repeatedly try to prove wrong? If so, it’s a direct pointer to an egoic tendency within yourself. It has nothing to do with the other person. It’s all about your desire to exert power over another.

Become aware when this tendency is triggered in you. If you do nothing but observe when the ego takes you over, you’ve grown in consciousness, says Eckhart.

4. Bring awareness to consuming the daily news

One of the quickest ways to trigger the ego is through the news media. Observe the thoughts and emotions that arise when watching, reading, or listening to the news. Practice deep listening and awareness of your reactions to world events. Can you remain neutral and non-reactive when absorbing negative material?

Eckhart says to limit the amount of time you spend each day consuming the news. And instead of only watching local or US news, broaden your intake to international news outlets for a different perspective on world events.

What I’ve learned and where to go from here

My intention during this eight-week course has been to deepen my level of consciousness. What does that mean, really? For me, it’s about deconstructing reactive patterns within me that still exist. Finding the space around negative people and situations so I can consciously listen and act rather than unconsciously react. Recognizing that everyone’s level of consciousness varies and responding with compassion rather than judgment when dealing with someone’s unconscious behavior. And most importantly, bringing renewed attention to my thoughts.

Our thoughts are the source of all suffering. It’s not what’s happened to us or what may happen in the future that causes all of our pain. It’s our thoughts about those situations. I know this to be true, but our minds are so cunning that it’s easy to forget.

Eckhart says, “Enlightenment means rising above thought. In the enlightened state, you still use your thinking mind when needed, but in a much more focused and effective way than before.” Rather than “thought” happening to us, we are consciously aware of what our minds are thinking.

I have found this to be true. Peace and joy are found in disidentifying with our thoughts. But for me, it is a daily practice. I need to be reminded by the teaching and surrounded by like-minded people who are also seeking solace. That’s the purpose of this blog. To offer support along the path of awakening to our highest Self.

With You on the Journey,

Jackie

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