Eckhart Tolle Is Dangerous???

I *love* Eckhart Tolle. I discovered him years ago when I rented The Power of Now on audiobook. I bought the reprise, A New Earth, when it came out. Then, in 2007, I was thrilled to see Oprah share Eckhart and his ideas with millions of people around the world.

So, I'm a fan. A BIG fan. Thanks to Kathy Dannel Vitcak's blog post, I found out that ABC's "Nightline" did a profile piece about him last week (15Feb09). The video is available online here.

On the whole, I think it was a good interview, representing him well in the time allotted.

The part that has me surprised, bemused, confused, and even a bit angry, is Nightline's assertion that "some Christians say Tolle is dangerous."

This is the first I've heard that Eckhart Tolle is a threat to anyone. And I can't fathom how someone could truly feel threatened.

In the profile, the journalist claims, "Some Christians say his teachings are not compatible with the Bible. That he, aided and abetted by Oprah, is promoting the doctrines of demons." Huh???

Maybe this is just today's media trying to create a buzz for their story. Who are the "some Christians"; nobody specific was named or interviewed. And how many is "some"-- is it 3, 100, 1000, what? An image of a newspaper column with a demon-related headline was flashed on the screen, but what paper and who's claim is not clear.

See, Eckhart promotes no particular doctrines, those of demons or of any religion. He recognizes the truth at the core of all religions.

And, his teachings are not compatible with the Bible? With which passages of the Bible? People eating shellfish or pork are not compatible with the Bible either, but it's a generally accepted practice, even among Christians.

It's not true that Eckhart's ideas are incompatible with any of Christ's teachings, and to imply such with a broad comment about the Bible is simply sensationalism. Statements about "some Christians," "incompatible with the Bible," and "doctrines of demons" are attention-grabbing but journalistically very thin. I'm disappointed that Eckhart's profile included them.

If there really are people who believe his teachings are dangerous, I can imagine only that it has to do with keeping members of congregations in darkness and fear so that they will stay in the pews and keep feeding the church coffers.

Nothing else makes sense.

The Joy of a Daffodil

It catches me by surprise every year. All of a sudden, bright green leaves stand tall above the surrounding groundcover. Soon thereafter, but just as suddenly, cheerful yellow flowers appear atop the leaves.

Every year I see the leaves as though with peripheral vision. I notice the bright green as a sign of spring, and my heart smiles. But I don't remember that they are daffodil leaves, with flowers on the way. The day I notice the flowers, my heart not only smiles but dances.

It's not even a dance for joy in anticipation of the arrival of spring, with its warmer temperatures and longer days. Rather, it's a dance for joy in celebration and appreciation of the beautiful gifts that Nature bestows upon us.

I write today about this, as I realize that I am not alone in my daffodil joy. On two occasions this week, I have heard people sharing their excitement about the arrival of daffodils. I couldn't help but to smile with them.

And, apparently, the joy is not restricted to humankind. Mikasi, when let out into a whole yard full of sunshine, finds a napping space among the daffodils, time after time.


May the joy of a daffodil touch you and invite your heart to dance!