Disagree with Tolle's recommendation to not judge thoughts

[Bert]

In Eckhart Tolle's book The Power of Now, he advises against judging our unskillful thoughts as they arise. I can see how this would be beneficial when meditating. But when not meditating, of course, we shouldn't beat ourselves up, but shouldn't we at least acknowledge that the thought was unskillful? I would call this a minor form of judgment. And if we have a skillful thought, shouldn't we give ourselves a pat on the back? But that would be considered judgment as well.

And I would think that for chronic worriers that a stronger form of judgment is needed. In Dan Harris's 10 % Happier app, Joseph Goldstein even recommends telling ourselves:"Enough!" when the same unskillful thoughts arise over and over again. Hoping to get any input; thanks in advance.

[JonW]

Tolle occasionally alludes to mindfulness in his books but what he is teaching shouldn't be confused with mindfulness.
We can simply be discerning with our thoughts. Act on useful ones. Notice the others and let them pass.
Discernment is not the same as judgment.
Cheers,
Jon

[Bert]

Makes total sense. Thanks, Jon.

[JonW]

My pleasure.
Good books to deepen your mindfulness practice:
Jon Kabat Zinn: Coming To Our Senses
Ed Halliwell: all three of his books
Finding Peace In A Frantic World by Williams & Penman

Cheers,
JW

[Bert]

I am reading The Power of Now for the fifth time, so I am looking forward to reading another perspective. Thank you for the recommendations.

[mybubble]

I have just half read The Power of Now. The first few chapters I found quite useful, opened a view of "Now" however the rest I find quite vague, rambling, spiritual and conceptual, and not overly useful for me. I just can't finish the book. If I really struggle for alternative ways to spend my time I may watch his youtube video some day to see if there is a final point I am missing.

[Bert]

There is a lot of mumbo jumbo, so I highlight the most salient parts which decrease in number as the book goes on.Still, it is the most useful book I have ever read, and I learn many new things whenever I start reading it again.

[JonW]

Hi mybubble, it's a pretty straightforward book. Which bits did you hit the wall with?
Cheers,
Jon

[mybubble]

Hi Jon,
My words were quite harsh and I certainly didn't intend that towards Tolle, or Bert. I found the book highly motivating and covers a lot of topics. All really make sense except for some concepts eg emptiness, voids, the unmanifested but what really seemed to cause a reaction in me was sections about the creator, reinterpreting Jesus's quotes and God. To me, I found that a leap too far into spiritualism. I did watch some videos a few weeks ago and again I seemed to take exception.

Overall my reaction to Tolle is quite unmindful, judgemental, goes against many teachings. On the plus side, I have found it a good learning experience, whether it sticks or not is another matter.

[JonW]

Hi mybubble,
Assuredly, your words didn't sound harsh at all.
Nowhere does Tolle indicate belief in a God-like creator. When he talks about God, he uses the word 'god' in the same way that he would use the word 'universe'.
Tolle is a spiritual teacher, not a spiritualist teacher. They are very different things.
As for reinterpreting Jesus's quotes, Tolle's readings are mostly based on The Gospel Of Thomas, more or less a straight non-dualist text.
Please don't confuse non-duality with faith, religion etc.
All good things,
Jon