Spiritual Insight from Eckhart Tolle's Stillness Speaks

When you find you are aware of your world, but your mind is free of thought, you begin to appreciate each and every aspect of your everyday environment.

We’re not just talking about appreciating nature with all its wonders. We’re talking about what has been called the “whole shebang.”

Everything that’s part of your environment comes alive—the table you sit at, the chair you sit on, the pen you write with.

It was a beautiful day, so Bizah asked Leela if she wanted to walk into town and have a cup of tea with him. Leela agreed joyfully.

As they were sipping their tea in the market square, Bizah saw two beggars sitting side by side against a brick wall. One wore a ragged blue jacket, the other a brown one.

The beggar wearing the blue jacket held out a small tin for offerings; the beggar beside him sat with his hands cupped shut and resting on his lap.

It is a hot, muggy day, and because of this I am looking forward to my walk in the cooling woods even more than usual. As soon as I enter, I once again feel the weight of responsibility drop from my shoulders and the strength from Mother Earth seep into my body. 

On this particular route through the woods, I pass two benches, beautifully situated to take in the grandeur and stillness of the verdant surroundings. Usually I stop at one of them and sit in sacred silence until my body, just knowing it is time to move, gets up and moves.