Sync! A number of vectors have come through my life recently which I wanted to share with you. I can’t say definitively that “this is the answer,” although I strongly suspect that it is, and I strongly recommend that you consider what Eckhart Tolle is teaching and other people are amplifying.

I’m going to link to some resources below, but let me report first the sequence of my own discovery.

Those of you who have seen the video of Dr. Jill Bolte Taylor’s talk at the TED Conference know of her first-hand report of her experiences and insights as a result of a stroke which paralyzed her left hemisphere. If you haven’t seen it, here it is (and be sure to watch it before going further):

Jill Bolte Taylor got a research opportunity few brain scientists would wish for.  She had a massive stroke … and watched as her brain functions — motion, speech, self-awareness — shut down one by one.   An astonishing story.

Okay. You have her report. Hold that thought. There’s more:

The next piece of the puzzle is Eckhart Tolle’s A New Earth, which I downloaded as an audiobook. I had been given his earlier book, The Power of Now, but I simply couldn’t get into it — it was too abstract. Perhaps I wasn’t ready.

But LISTENING to Tolle read the audiobook version of A New Earth really made it come alive for me — for a number of reasons. First, I was in nature, walking the dog — a setting more conducive to spiritual considerations. Second, much of the meaning of his written work is better conveyed by the pauses, the inflections and the almost meditational quality of his voice. Third, I simply learn better aurally these days. And fourth, there was no hurry … the words were going to come at the pace of the recording … there was no possibility of reading ahead or skimming.  Anyway, I strongly recommend the audiobook version, even though it takes 9 hours. It’s worth it.

Eckhart Tolle and Oprah Winfrey

As I was listening to the audiobook, I became aware of an innovative program Oprah Winfrey was conducting with Eckhart Tolle. It was a 10-week “class” held on the web.  Each week she would discuss one chapter and take questions (over video Skype!) from “students” from all over the world. I added the audio recordings of these to my iPod and listened to them.

You can easily watch or listen to them online on Oprah.com.Just click on the link for the episode (chapter) you want.

The second time I went through the material, this time with Oprah and Tolle taking questions from the audience, it made even more sense. I found myself looking forward to walks with the dog, or drives, so I could hear more.

The teaching focuses on staying in the present moment — of being aware and available. Integrating that with my “to do list” workaholism was hard to do, but on occasion, I got a glimpse of what they were talking about. It was joyful and “beautiful,” . . . as Jill Bolte Taylor said.  I definitely want to increase my attention and awareness in this way.

Because I had subscribed to Oprah’s “Spirit Channel” series of podcasts, there were other shows that had downloaded in the background. When I finished the 10 shows with Eckhart Tolle, the next interview (actually, the next 4 interviews) were with … Dr. Jill Bolte Taylor! Serendipity or fate? You decide.

I remembered Jill from the TED talk (above) and was fascinated as she described to Oprah the details of her stroke, her recovery and her life now. She specifically correlates her experiences and insights with Tolle’s work. And, as a scientist, she is able to speak clearly to the”mind / body” duality — better than Tolle does, IMHO.

I recommend you listen to all 4 here — they are about 25 minutes apiece.