Eckhart Tolle facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Eckhart Tolle
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Tolle in 2003
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| Born | Ulrich Leonard Tölle 16 February 1948 Lünen, Germany |
| Occupation | Writer |
| Language | English, German, Spanish |
| Alma mater | University of London |
| Genre | Spirituality, metaphysics, self-help |
| Notable works | The Power of Now (1997) A New Earth (2005) |
Eckhart Tolle (born Ulrich Leonard Tölle on February 16, 1948) is a spiritual teacher and author from Germany. He is known for his books like The Power of Now: A Guide to Spiritual Enlightenment (1997) and A New Earth: Awakening to Your Life's Purpose (2005). He also wrote a picture book called Guardians of Being (2009).
Tolle became well-known as a self-help author in the 2000s. Famous TV host Oprah Winfrey helped share his work. His teachings combine ideas from different traditions. These include Zen Buddhism, Christianity, Sufism, and Hinduism. However, he does not belong to any specific religion.
Contents
Early Life and Education
Ulrich Leonard Tölle was born in 1948 in Lünen, a small town in Germany. When he was 13, in 1961, he moved to Spain to live with his father. He chose not to go to regular school between ages 13 and 22. Instead, he explored his own interests in writing and thinking. At 15, he was greatly inspired by spiritual books. These books were a gift from a German mystic named Joseph Anton Schneiderfranken.
When Tolle was 19, he moved to England. He taught German and Spanish at a language school in London for three years. Later, he studied at the University of London. In 1977, he started a special program at the University of Cambridge.
A Big Change in His Life
In 1977, when he was 29, Tolle experienced a major inner change. He had been feeling very down for a long time. One night, he woke up feeling extremely unhappy. Then, something amazing happened. He felt like his old self, full of problems and worries, simply disappeared.
He described waking up the next morning feeling very peaceful. This peace was there because his mind felt clear and calm. He went for a walk in London and saw everything as wonderful and deeply peaceful. This feeling of peace stayed with him.
After this experience, he stopped his studies at Cambridge. For about two years, he spent much of his time sitting peacefully in parks in London. He stayed with friends or sometimes had to sleep outdoors. His family worried about him. He later changed his first name to Eckhart. Some say this was to honor the German philosopher Meister Eckhart. He once shared that he saw the name Eckhart in a dream.
Becoming a Spiritual Teacher
After his big change, former university friends and others started asking Tolle about his ideas. He began to work as a counselor and spiritual teacher. People continued to seek his guidance over the next five years. He moved to Glastonbury, a place known for alternative lifestyles. In 1995, he moved to Vancouver, Canada.
Sharing His Message with the World
Tolle's first book, The Power of Now, was published in 1997. A larger company, New World Library, republished it in 1999. In 2000, Oprah Winfrey suggested The Power of Now in her magazine. By August 2000, it was on The New York Times Best Seller list. Two years later, it reached number one. By 2008, the book was available in 33 languages.
His second book, Stillness Speaks, came out in 2003. Tolle said he did not want to create a large, formal organization. He believed his work should grow naturally. However, his website sells his books and other materials for spiritual guidance. Another website offers videos of group meditations and courses.
In 2005, Tolle published A New Earth. In January, Oprah Winfrey chose it for her book club. This led to very high sales. In just four weeks, 3.5 million copies were sent out. It was number one on The New York Times Best Seller list 46 times by the end of 2008.
In 2008, Tolle worked with Oprah Winfrey on a series of online discussions. Each discussion focused on a chapter from A New Earth. They included talks, quiet meditations, and questions from viewers. One of these online events had over 11 million viewers. By October 2009, these discussions had been watched 35 million times.
In September 2009, Tolle met with the Dalai Lama at the Vancouver Peace Summit. That same year, he released Guardians of Being. This was a picture book with drawings by Patrick McDonnell.
In 2016, Tolle started the Eckhart Tolle Foundation. Its goal is to bring spiritual awareness to communities that need it most. Besides his books and recordings, Tolle also appears in online podcasts and interviews. He speaks in German during his public appearances in Germany.
Eckhart Tolle Teachings Inc. runs Eckhart Tolle Now. This is an English-language online platform. It offers videos and other content by Tolle through a paid membership. He also has official YouTube channels in English and German. His content is also on audio platforms like Spotify.
Tolle regularly leads spiritual retreats around the world. These are both in person and online. He often works with his partner, Kim Eng. He also gives talks called "An Evening with Eckhart Tolle."
Personal Life
After visiting the West Coast of North America many times, Tolle settled in Vancouver, British Columbia, in 1995. There, he met his partner, Kim Eng.
See also
In Spanish: Eckhart Tolle para niños
