Make Money Like Eckhart Tolle

[Plato]

Here's how you do it:

1) Identify an ancient piece of wisdom that's been around for thousands of years.
2) Give it a new and mysterious name like "The Now"
3) Present a compelling story of personal transformation: from suicidial depression to ULTIMATE BLISS in a flash.... and you can have this too and never feel pain again.
4) Neglect to mention you're describing old ideas in a new way.
5) Explain it in words that people can understand and put it in a context that's socially acceptable; away from distasteful religious beliefs.
6) An attention grabbing, and succinct title "The Power Of Now"

The Exciting Bonus: Once you have established a reputation as a wise guru it's a cash cow. Continue to present the same idea in new ways e.g. "A New Earth", and "Practicing The Power Of Now"

Brilliant.

It's a good message though, don't get me wrong. Just saying, it's a funny old world, and nowhere more so than the field of info marketing.

[James81]

Hahaha, this thread made me laugh cause it's so true.

And usually by the time they explain it in a new way, it's so watered down that it's almost useless.

[mysticmadness]

good one buddy

[spirit4711]

Originally Posted by Plato

Here's how you do it:

1) Identify an ancient piece of wisdom that's been around for thousands of years.
2) Give it a new and mysterious name like "The Now"

...

1) OK! 'Love is all you need'
2) Sublime Oneness

Book title: will think about it. Plato, can I hire you to ghostwrite this thing for me? You'll get 25%, OK?



(great post BTW Plato!)

(I liked 'The Power of Now' BTW - kill your darlings )

[wolfgang]

Can't tell if you are bashing Tolle or not.

Why not try to keep the word alive? - especially if you've been there.

People are hungry for the truth and less dogma ways of spirituality. But also people would see through unauthentic writings that are even more dead.

Actually most writings are dead anyway. Even the Bible. The living word is never able to translate into static writings, imho.

[sirkinm]

Questions:

Aren't most prophetic people repeating the same messages throughout the ages? Does this make the teachings of the Buddha or other spiritual leaders any less profound?

Are you saying that Tolle is a calculating, conniving marketing genius?

In what ways does he "neglect to mention you're describing old ideas in a new way"? Does he credit the book's wisdom solely to his unique insight? Or does he sometimes mention other sources where the same wisdom can be found?

Does he convey it in a way that speaks to modern people, and in a package where millions of Oprah-loving housewives, for example, can understand what might otherwise be a bit out of their grasp?

I'm not a Tolle fanatic, but when I see you poo-poo is his success in such a reductive manner, it says more to me about your mindset while posting (perhaps frustrated or envious?) than anything meaninful about Tolle.

[Angela]

You can have the same kind of success with a novel by basing it on a shakespearean formula.

It's rare to come across a story that hasn't been told, in some form or other.

[Brutha]

You missed the most important part:
Be a person who radiates those values. Tolle's calmness isn't something that other people can easily copy.

Ideas are a dime a dozen anyway.

And usually by the time they explain it in a new way, it's so watered down that it's almost useless.

Ideas don't get always watered down with use.

That pure scarcity thinking. Ideas improve when they pass through multiple heads and new perspectives of changing times get integrated.

[runningbird]

It is the elaboration of the message; the delivery, that gives it power. That is what can't be faked.

[liamona]

Originally Posted by Brutha

You missed the most important part:
Be a person who radiates those values. Tolle's calmness isn't something that other people can easily copy.

So true! I love the audio version of The Power of Now because Tolle's voice radiates peace.

[Fullcrum]

Though you make an interesting point and illustrate a danger in listening to "new world gurus", I disagree with the premise on which this was written.

Tolle has acknowledged the sources that allowed him to put into words what he calls his transformation. Some of these include the Tao Te Ching, the Bible, Sufi proverbs, Zen Buddhist concepts and various spiritual teachers popular throughout the 60s, 70s and 80s.

It might seem easy to imitate a spiritual guru. "Just sit there and charge people $100 to do nothing and listen to me peacefully drone for three hours." Of course, "living the life" (and dealing with the pain body) is not as easy. From what I have seen, he has demonstrated the truth of his own ideas.

Remember that he used to be an academic who would have likely jumped into the realm of language and literature, fields Tolle likes to refer to as "mind dominated" positions trapped within the stifling world of the "academic". Academics have done many great things in this world, but they're often accused, and rightfully so, of resting their laurels in "ivory towers". Why is Tolle different, and why should you listen to him?

Because he's not an ivory tower theorist. Would you rather see his ideas die with him and his flower power generation? Would the world be better without gurus to tell us what we've all forgotten? Maybe you'd like to see more money in the hands of corrupt bankers, power-hungry politicians and world leaders or inflammatory Hitler-esque dictators. Maybe the world would be a better place without some guru charging money to thrive in a mind-and-money dominated world while others take advantage of the people in more insidious manners. Maybe he should GTFO and let us return to our corporate cubicles, the sheep we are, the better to be herded.

Some ideas need the backing of thousands of years of repetition, like democracy, which died with the Greeks for a "couple" centuries, and sexual liberation, which arose independently in less mind-dominated cultures at least dozens of times before being eradicated by the spread of organized religion. The Power of Now has within it one of those ideas. Ideas are perspectives, one of an infinite number of perspectives that all point beyond the idea. To what? To something real.

I say let him talk. I say let him rearrange the contents of his books and sell more stuff, so that more people can learn. Learn what it means to be free.

[liamona]

Originally Posted by Fullcrum

It might seem easy to imitate a spiritual guru. "Just sit there and charge people $100 to do nothing and listen to me peacefully drone for three hours." Of course, "living the life" (and dealing with the pain body) is not as easy. From what I have seen, he has demonstrated the truth of his own ideas.

He was able to be on Oprah without punching her! That takes a lot of spiritual enlightenment (more than I'd have, lol).

[Plato]

Originally Posted by Fullcrum

I disagree with the premise on which this was written.

There isn't a premise. I just wrote what I did because I thought it was beautiful.

Btw, I've been paying attention to our boy Eben. Fantastically informative on internet business.

[Fullcrum]

In that case, knock yourself out.

Eben is very intelligent about his business.

[magic1]

heres the thing...THE TRUTH WILL NEVER CHANGE...WE ARE SOURCE ENERGY AND WE CREATE.....

[MartinP]

I've really benefited from Tolle's work. I think he presents things in such an easy to understand manner that its brilliant.

Of course the charge thats always levelled at people like him is that he "dumbs it down" by making it so easy to understand.

But the way I see it, if its a choice between making it impenetrable so that only a few people understand it, or "Dumbing it down" so that millions can understand it, well I think that the choice is simple.

[Curtis2011]

Eckhart Tolle doesn't sell lots of books because he "re-vamped" some ancient wisdom.


He sells lots of books because he actually IS enlightened, and is experiencing the truths which he teaches. Just reading "love thy neighbor" or "be at peace" doesn't create love or peace within you. It is an act of your personal Will to literally become those truths. Eckhart Tolle has become the truth which he now teaches, which is why he is so successful.

And about the re-vamping of "ancient wisdom." The reason why his teachings are the same as ancient ones, is because truth is always true. Something cannot exist as truth 1000 years ago but not exist as truth today, because truth is timeless.

So it makes sense that an enlightened man today and an enlightened man 5000 years ago would teach the same thing. They are experiencing the same profound, timeless truths that have always and will always exist.

[Sivodna]

4 is incorrect

[Curtis2011]

Originally Posted by Plato

Here's how you do it:

1) Identify an ancient piece of wisdom that's been around for thousands of years.
2) Give it a new and mysterious name like "The Now"
3) Present a compelling story of personal transformation: from suicidial depression to ULTIMATE BLISS in a flash.... and you can have this too and never feel pain again.
4) Neglect to mention you're describing old ideas in a new way.
5) Explain it in words that people can understand and put it in a context that's socially acceptable; away from distasteful religious beliefs.
6) An attention grabbing, and succinct title "The Power Of Now"

The Exciting Bonus: Once you have established a reputation as a wise guru it's a cash cow. Continue to present the same idea in new ways e.g. "A New Earth", and "Practicing The Power Of Now"

Brilliant.

It's a good message though, don't get me wrong. Just saying, it's a funny old world, and nowhere more so than the field of info marketing.

1) It's an ancient piece of wisdom because Truth is always true. What was true 5,000 years ago is true today.

2) The Now isn't very mysterious or very new. He's just saying stop worrying about the past and future and be happy at this moment. Since the past and future technically do not actually exist, this moment really is all that exists anyways.

3) The problem with your criticism of his life story is that his life story is true. If it were made up, you would have a point. But he really was suicidal, really did get over it, and now really is teaching others how to do the same.

If you cured yourself of terminal cancer, then sold the cure to others, would that be evil? I think not. It's earning money by helping others; exactly what Steve is doing.

4) Again with #1. Truth is always true at all times, in all places. To say that one truth is "new" and one is "old" just doesn't make sense. He is telling people about his radical truth because 99.99% of human beings are not experiencing it.

5) Of course he would explain it in a way that's understandable. What is he supposed to do? Write it in a dead language and say that it's only applicable to people who believe in the Lord Bovine Master of the universe? He is trying to help as many people as possible.

6) You are criticizing him for giving his book a title. He wrote it, he can call it whatever he wants. Why don't you write a book, then see if you enjoy it when people make fun of the title?

Bonus) You are jealous of him being successful, so your egoistic response is to hate him. Meanwhile, you really wish you were as successful as him. Seems like you can't make up your mind, can you?

[Muzzinho]

The thing that you must remember is that while Eckhart Tolle's work is great, calming, and has some very profound truths in it, it doesn't do anything in terms of how to create true happiness, which is what we all seek in life. We are at our best when we move toward goals and achievements, when we have fulfilling careers and supportive people/relationships around us.

'Being in the Now' can greatly improve your level of inner peace, calmness and can give you a sense of fearlessness. Unfortunately, it falls short in desire aspect. We all want to have a great family looking after us, prosperity and happiness in worldly as well as spiritual form. I have to say though, that 'Being in the now' is just the beginning.

We cannot be in the 'now', while at the same time being jobless, having no one that loves you, feeling disconnected and lacking in passion. When you're in that state, it is not TRUE happiness because it doesn't incorporate all the aspects that a happy life entails.

That is my view on it.

[Gene]

Originally Posted by Muzzinho

We cannot be in the 'now', while at the same time being jobless, having no one that loves you, feeling disconnected and lacking in passion. When you're in that state, it is not TRUE happiness because it doesn't incorporate all the aspects that a happy life entails.

That is my view on it.

I have lived a life with some considerable traumatic events. I find that it is possible to be in the NOW through terrible events. I have even found happiness during some of these events. YMMV

[lifetimelearner]

"Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery."
— Charles Caleb Colton


and


"Imitation is not just the sincerest form of flattery - it's the sincerest form of learning."
— George Bernard Shaw

[cheesedip1]

Maybe I'm wrong, but I heard he dropped in consciousness, down to 285 or something, because his ego got involved in his teachings.

That's just what I heard though.

[mikethedrummer44]

Originally Posted by cheesedip1

Maybe I'm wrong, but I heard he dropped in consciousness, down to 285 or something, because his ego got involved in his teachings.

That's just what I heard though.

What does that even mean?

[AlexCD]

So you are saying you are about to make money? or just still wishing you did?

[Peterw]

I don't think Tolle has ever claimed that any of what he teaches is his own original ideas. He constantly quotes sources from different religions to illustrate the universal truth that is common ground ancient spiritual practices.

What he has done is to repackage it for the 21st century and make it applicable and doiable in today's world without any conformity or association to any specific religion. You can take it or leave it, he's not out to convert anyone.

However - on to the money thing. yes his books are bestsellers and quite rightly so. His website on the other hand is I think a bit too pricey and does not quite align with his purpose of saving humanity by raising the collective conciousness of the human race. I believe that $20/month is a bit of a barrier to achieving this. There is a lot of free content though but I think maybe the monthly meditation should be available to the masses for free and the extended 'meat' chargable for those who want to pay $20/month for it.

Still good luck to him. As far as info marketing is concerned he's cracked it without trying - he's got the info part down so well that the marketing bit looks after itself. And that's exactly how it should be.

[ginkgo]

Tolle is a failure compared to JK Rowling. His books cannot be made into movies. I can say the same thing as you but with JK. If you want to become extremely rich then write several books that many people love reading and that can be made into movies.

Saying it is easy. Doing it is not so easy. Wiki. says:

As of March 2011, when its latest world billionaires list was published, Forbes estimated Rowling's net worth to be US $1 billion.[9]

The Power of Now and A New Earth sold an estimated three million and five million copies respectively in North America by 2009.[5]

The Potter books have gained worldwide attention, won multiple awards, sold more than 400 million copies[6

About Rowling's 4th book:

In the US, the book sold three million copies in its first 48 hours, smashing all literary sales records.

The sixth book, Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince, was released on 16 July 2005. It too broke all sales records, selling nine million copies in its first 24 hours of release.[64

[Agota]

Originally Posted by Curtis2011

1) It's an ancient piece of wisdom because Truth is always true. What was true 5,000 years ago is true today.

2) The Now isn't very mysterious or very new. He's just saying stop worrying about the past and future and be happy at this moment. Since the past and future technically do not actually exist, this moment really is all that exists anyways.

3) The problem with your criticism of his life story is that his life story is true. If it were made up, you would have a point. But he really was suicidal, really did get over it, and now really is teaching others how to do the same.

If you cured yourself of terminal cancer, then sold the cure to others, would that be evil? I think not. It's earning money by helping others; exactly what Steve is doing.

4) Again with #1. Truth is always true at all times, in all places. To say that one truth is "new" and one is "old" just doesn't make sense. He is telling people about his radical truth because 99.99% of human beings are not experiencing it.

5) Of course he would explain it in a way that's understandable. What is he supposed to do? Write it in a dead language and say that it's only applicable to people who believe in the Lord Bovine Master of the universe? He is trying to help as many people as possible.

6) You are criticizing him for giving his book a title. He wrote it, he can call it whatever he wants. Why don't you write a book, then see if you enjoy it when people make fun of the title?

Bonus) You are jealous of him being successful, so your egoistic response is to hate him. Meanwhile, you really wish you were as successful as him. Seems like you can't make up your mind, can you?

The best answer

[cacheborn]

IMO, Tolle did not set out to make money from the book. It's just a by product. If you have an epiphany like that and you can provide value to people, you can do the same.

[danthony]

Sounds like a Don Lapre story, but I like it.