Bring awareness to the many subtle sounds of nature - The rustling of leaves in the wind, Raindrops falling, The humming of an insect, The first birdsong at dawn.
Eckhart TolleRead
Throughout history humans have inflicted countless violent, cruel, and hurtful acts on each other, and continue to do so. Are they all to be condemned; are they all guilty? Or are those acts simply expressions of unconsciousness, an evolutionary stage that we are now growing out of? Jesus’ words, “Forgive them for they do not know what they do,” also apply to yourself.
Interpretation
What this quote means
The quote suggests that humanity's past violence may stem from a lack of awareness, urging forgiveness for both others and oneself.
Eckhart Tolle reflects on the violent history of humanity, questioning whether these actions should lead to universal condemnation or if they are a result of unconsciousness. He emphasizes the importance of forgiveness, not just towards others who have committed harmful acts, but also towards ourselves for our own shortcomings, suggesting that these behaviors may be part of an evolving awareness in human consciousness.
Themes
ForgivenessUnconsciousnessViolenceAwarenessHumanity
In practice
Example use cases
In a discussion about the importance of forgiving others during community mediation.
More from Eckhart Tolle
All quotes →Body awareness not only anchors you in the present moment, it is a doorway out of the prison that is the ego. It also strengthens the immune system and the body’s ability to heal itself.
Eckhart TolleRead
Whenever you become anxious or stressed, outer purpose has taken over, and you lost sight of your inner purpose. You have forgotten that your state of consciousness is primary, all else secondary.
Eckhart TolleRead
Nothing that was real ever died, only names, forms, and illusions.
Eckhart TolleRead
Suffering has a noble purpose: the evolution of consciousness and the burning up of the ego.
Eckhart TolleRead
Sometimes surrender means giving up trying to understand and becoming comfortable with not knowing.
Eckhart TolleRead
Similar quotes
The world is what it is; men who are nothing, who allow themselves to become nothing, have no place in it.
V. S. NaipaulRead
For me, peace is a fundamental human right of every child; it is inevitable and divine.
Kailash SatyarthiRead
After a crisis we tell ourselves we understand why it happened and maintain the illusion that the world is understandable. In fact, we should accept the world is incomprehensible much of the time.
Daniel KahnemanRead
The universe, the solar system, and planet earth in themselves and in their evolutionary emergence constitute for the human community the primary revelation of that ultimate mystery whence all things emerge into being.
Thomas BerryRead
Once you see that everything is unreal, you can't see why you should bother to prove it.
Emile M. CioranRead
Man must reconcile himself to his natural greatness.... he must not forget that he is a person.
Pope John Paul IiRead