Personal Development for Smart People^TM Forums

BillyTheAdult · 05-30-2011, 12:51 AM

So I've read it before but I picked up Amazon.com: The Power of Now: A Guide to Spiritual Enlightenment (9781577311522): Eckhart Tolle: Books last night and read just one little section. Tolle was talking about waiting, small scale waiting such as waiting in line, or big waiting like waiting for some thing to happen in order to be happy, or fulfilled or whatever. How when you're doing this everything becomes a means to an end, I'm doing PD so I can be happy later, I want this car, because it will make me whole, instead of enjoying the present moment as it is.

This is all correct to be sure, but even to one who is enlightened or feels pretty complete, as long as you commit any kind of action (means) you get some kind of reaction (end.) It seems anytime you do anything it is a means to an end in some way. Is anything else possible?

VinceG · 05-30-2011, 01:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BillyTheAdult

It seems anytime you do anything it is a means to an end in some way. Is anything else possible?

Alignment to a higher purpose.

Criseyde · 05-30-2011, 01:12 AM

No, probably not, since we live in a world where causes have effects (or at least, they seem to)... I think the "life is a journey, not a destination" cliché is useful here, though.

Cado · 05-30-2011, 01:20 AM

Is it bad that it is? I don't think removing "means to an end" from the equation is necessary but rather the addition of a heightened appreciation for the process.

taylor · 05-30-2011, 02:12 AM

The Bhagavad-Gita talks about surrendering the fruit of action (the reward, result, end) to a Higher Power, and just making everything an offering or service. This will center you in the present because your will is surrendered which will keep your mind from projecting into the future to try to get something out of it.

Dulma · 06-06-2011, 09:51 AM

Tolle is emphasizing the importance of letting go of projecting your happiness into the future. "At __ o'clock, something more fulfilling will happen" or "Once I achieve ___ in ___ years, I'll be living my happy life" are the sorts of mental maladies that lack of presence can create, he says. But doing some action with the state of presence causes joy to arise within you in that very moment. Thus, you won't be sacrificing joyfulness now for an illusory joy that your mind is expecting in the future, when your means will have caused that end.

Hope that makes sense.

05-30-2011, 12:51 AM	#1 (permalink)
BillyTheAdult Family Member Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Funny location joke Posts: 2,056	A means to an end So I've read it before but I picked up Amazon.com: The Power of Now: A Guide to Spiritual Enlightenment (9781577311522): Eckhart Tolle: Books last night and read just one little section. Tolle was talking about waiting, small scale waiting such as waiting in line, or big waiting like waiting for some thing to happen in order to be happy, or fulfilled or whatever. How when you're doing this everything becomes a means to an end, I'm doing PD so I can be happy later, I want this car, because it will make me whole, instead of enjoying the present moment as it is. This is all correct to be sure, but even to one who is enlightened or feels pretty complete, as long as you commit any kind of action (means) you get some kind of reaction (end.) It seems anytime you do anything it is a means to an end in some way. Is anything else possible?

Thread Tools
Show Printable Version Email this Page
Display Modes
Linear Mode Switch to Hybrid Mode Switch to Threaded Mode

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
OMG! do you think that means something?	ktik93	Social & Relationships	18	02-03-2011 11:42 AM
I´m not sure what this means...	ssandra	Psychic & Paranormal	4	06-21-2009 07:49 PM
Who I think I am means nothing.	Dannyboy1	Spirituality, Consciousness, & Awareness	32	09-29-2008 08:14 PM
What it means to be a man	Alexjstrandberg	Social & Relationships	30	07-18-2008 01:55 AM

05-30-2011, 01:12 AM	#3 (permalink)
Criseyde Family Member Join Date: Nov 2009 Posts: 3,157	No, probably not, since we live in a world where causes have effects (or at least, they seem to)... I think the "life is a journey, not a destination" cliché is useful here, though.

05-30-2011, 01:20 AM	#4 (permalink)
Cado Banned Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: The Flames Which Temper Steel Posts: 2,017	Is it bad that it is? I don't think removing "means to an end" from the equation is necessary but rather the addition of a heightened appreciation for the process.

05-30-2011, 02:12 AM	#5 (permalink)
taylor Family Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Posts: 1,827	The Bhagavad-Gita talks about surrendering the fruit of action (the reward, result, end) to a Higher Power, and just making everything an offering or service. This will center you in the present because your will is surrendered which will keep your mind from projecting into the future to try to get something out of it.

06-06-2011, 09:51 AM	#6 (permalink)
Dulma Senior Member Join Date: May 2011 Location: Providence, Rhode Island Posts: 446	Tolle is emphasizing the importance of letting go of projecting your happiness into the future. "At __ o'clock, something more fulfilling will happen" or "Once I achieve ___ in ___ years, I'll be living my happy life" are the sorts of mental maladies that lack of presence can create, he says. But doing some action with the state of presence causes joy to arise within you in that very moment. Thus, you won't be sacrificing joyfulness now for an illusory joy that your mind is expecting in the future, when your means will have caused that end. Hope that makes sense.

Personal Development for Smart PeopleTM Forums

Personal Development for Smart People^TM Forums