Who Are You? Oprah Knows!

First of all, what Tolle is talking about is NOT a system of belief, which is the whole point of what he is talking about. I realize that for most people religion is all about belief, and beliefs are thoughts. But all religions in their core point to that which is outside of or beyond thought, which is the mystical part of all religions that gets ignored when people get caught up in their beliefs. The root of the word "mysticism" is connected to the word "mute". Tolle is pointing to that which cannot ultimately be talked about, which is what Jesus and Buddha also talked about. Until you are willing to do the exercises which he suggests, that is to meditate, and all religions have meditative traditions, you will continue to spin around in your thoughts, which are all based on your previous conditioning.

Lose yourself to find yourself. You can't be free without knowing what it is like to be downtrodden. And yadda yadda. In 200 years our bones will have turned to dust and no one will have cared that you put your pictures of the trip to Ireland on your facebook site or drove a Hummer. Have a nice life, zombies.

I think this a wonderful development, simply because it is popularizing the idea of enlightenment and bringing the possibility of being free from suffering to many people. Whether it is Oprah, Tolle, David Lynch, or some other person talking, you'll hear a lot more about enlightenment and higher states of consciousness in the years to come. This is just the tip of the iceberg.

...you know...meditate...don't meditate...argue about Oprah's next big impact...but for the love of intelligence, education and the English language...Washington Post, please get someone who know how to use the language.

The second paragraph could just as well read "...millions around the world are riveted and me are riveted." What wrong with this picture -- or don't you see anything wrong with it?

Oprah's web seminars on "A New Earth" continue on this week to the seventh chapter, and ME millions around the world are riveted. This week? Finding out who you are!

"Me" Is riveted? This is ok in the Washington Post?

Besides voting for bamaracist, oprah's church & words are the 2nd stupidest thing in this country.

I already know who I am, & I like the person I turned out to be (even my enemies respect me for what I am).. God is the person I listen to!

NO GOD...NO SIN.. is this country so messed up that you listen to this C*AP??? Why do you need someone else to tell you who & what you are & what you should believe in?.....that's insulting to the individual, & shows lack of intelligence & self-worth. It seems that the more "educated" a person gets the stupider they are in what life's really about....

Tim wrote:What wrong with this picture -- or don't you see anything wrong with it? *******
All I see is someone who has nothing to comment on the article itself. Oprah knows what's she's doing all right......BSing people like she always does & making millions off of it!......

Yonkers, New York
19 April 2008

My wife, an Oprah fan, watches her show regularly.

She has learned a lot about physiology and medicine from Dr. Oz who appears quite often on Oprah's show.

She has also learned a lot about how to bring order and system out of clutter.

Plus a few more things from Oprah.

But I think my wife already knows exactly who she is, and can no longer learn anything new on this subject from Oprah's new detour into Zen Buddhism.

MarPatalinjug@aol.com

It is not "me and millions around the world are riveted." It be your grade school grammar teacher what be riveted directly to her blackboard.
Evan

I cannot understand how people all over the world are taken in by people like Oprah. It is like being hypnotized, I think. It seems that people need something or someone to tell them what to do and what to think. Thankfully I can think for myself and make decisions on my own without being led one way or another.

Quotes from original posting and one comment: "Oprah represents the noisiest and most self-centered face of the American mainstream." "I cannot understand how people all over the world are taken in by people like Oprah." Well, I'm an admirer and fan of Oprah because she ISN'T the noisiest and most self-centered. She has used her celebrity to encourage reading of serious fiction; to promote nutritional and health knowledge and practice; to encourage charity; to address painful psychological and social issues and offer hope to sufferers. Who else but Oprah COULD get all of these ordinary (i.e., . . . well, you know what I mean . . .) Americans actually thinking and meditating about their/our spiritual identity and place in the universe. I'm not participating in the Tolle Web sessions, but a friend of mine is, and she is finding it mind-expanding, having never before given much attention to Buddhist ideas. I never feel "taken in" by Oprah, and instead when I do watch I am usually glad she is using her influence for essentially Good Things. I don't get why some people seem so angry at her. If you don't like her, don't watch her show.

Your faith hates my face. Mixing of the seed is prohibited in the Good Book. Oprah showcased what the hell a pregnant man might plausibly look like. Hapa or Flip, America sets her pervs on such; believing us to be the embodiment of sexual immorality.

Quotes from original posting and one comment: "Oprah represents the noisiest and most self-centered face of the American mainstream." "I cannot understand how people all over the world are taken in by people like Oprah." Well, I'm an admirer and fan of Oprah because she ISN'T the noisiest and most self-centered. She has used her celebrity to encourage reading of serious fiction; to promote nutritional and health knowledge and practice; to encourage charity; to address painful psychological and social issues and offer hope to sufferers. Who else but Oprah COULD get all of these ordinary (i.e., . . . well, you know what I mean . . .) Americans actually thinking and meditating about their/our spiritual identity and place in the universe. I'm not participating in the Tolle Web sessions, but a friend of mine is, and she is finding it mind-expanding, having never before given much attention to Buddhist ideas. I never feel "taken in" by Oprah, and instead when I do watch I am usually glad she is using her influence for essentially Good Things. I don't get why some people seem so angry at her. If you don't like her, don't watch her show.

i would like to say to everyone who views the oprah show and are currently participating in the weekly classes, that jesus christ is the only way to god, their isn't any other way at all. all of what we are seeing today around our world is a direct fulfillment of biblical prophecy and to think that somehow we can imagine ourselves out of reality and into some new world where all we need is ourselves and that we actually become gods is nothing more but deception. and i'm asking you as a man of god, to flee from this and turn to the true living god and his son jesus christ. one day everyone alive will stand before god and he will want to know what we did with his only son jesus christ, make the right choice today

Buddhism is imminent!

Question for the author...are you this gullible? Operah losing her ego with a snap of a finger? LOL

Like every other fortunate person with money in the world who has come from poverty, Oprah is willing to share her wealth with the world. Should you have any doubts about this, are cynical about her wealth, or just plain envious, just ask her accountant how much she MUST give away or the IRS man will be just out of camera range.

After all is said, and done, on Oprah's show, you MUST make up your OWN mind. NOT because Oprah or Tolle or whomever said it, but because it is RIGHT for you. And you had better make a GOOD decision, because YOU will have to live with its consequences. Jesus, and Buddha, and most of the gurus and saints all said the same thing. If you want to see God, your heart BETTER be pure, because if it is not, you don't stand a chance. God has ALWAYS been where God ALWAYS is -
at the very center of you. Are you ready to take the journey inward??

TO DARRYL ESPECIALLY, FOR MENTIONING JESUS' NAME,
I HAVE THIS TO SAY TO YOU-

You will NOT be able to shove Jesus down anyone's throat, for ANY reason you may imagine.
Jesus comes to those who ACCEPT him -and to no one else. I should think that you would have learned this about Him already. No matter that Benedict XVI says that Christianity is the TRUE faith, that does not make it so. As long as Jesus' words LIVE in you, though you may have to die for it, you are His true disciple. It is Jesus who said, "If you lose yourself, for My sake, you will find yourself." Just letting go of your ego is not sufficient. And if everyone that you see on Oprah's show is deceiving - you or anyone else, there is always the channel selector - or a good book - like Matthew, or John!!

Oprah gets my vote for most sanctimonious American of the past 10 years and likely the next 10. (closely followed by Dr. Phil and Dr. Laura, who are tied for 2nd).

Apparently in their worlds wealth, power, and entitlement = self-centered privileged bossy busy bodies who are too foolish to understand their appalling lack of critical consciousness and paucity of wisdom.

Most of the comments are VERY American. Who are they? People who are controlled by their THOUGHTS. Instead of reacting, criticizing, defending yourself and your rightness on everything, try to leave your thoughts aside, quiet your minds for one minute, and you will understand what this is all about.

Funniest article all day.

Oprah is a daytime entertainer. People who think they're going to get some wisdom or secret knowledge are probably those kinds of people who swim in the shallow end of the gene pool, if you see my point.

She's probably the most self-absorbed character on TV, and that's saying something.

I read Tolle's book, but have not watched the shows. What I find offensive about it is not the Buddhist/New Age stuff (and I am a Christian) so much as the re-packaging of ancient philosophies as some new wisdom. There really is nothing new under the sun. If you read with an eye to philosophical history, you will see Plato, the Gnostics, every dualist (body evil; spirit good)AND some wisdom from ancient Christiandom, mystics, and monks. It's practically a History of Spirituality for Dummies. If we are truly 'evolving' due to these ideas, it must be one heck of a slow process!

Now, as a Christian, I find it to be 'salvation lite' just the same as The Secret and all the other prosperity gospel new age stuff - yes, there is some truth in getting outside yourself... but ultimately, what is your goal? Self improvement? Self actualization? Or a deeper and truer love for others and creation...and yes, from my perspective - God. But even if you are not a believer, think about the goals here. Are you led to greater action on behalf of the poor and neglected, or do you just feel refreshed and empowered to go about your usual routine? Spiritual change shows in true life change, not in your thoughts or intentions.

I give you the sound...

In the darkness,
and when a soft
wind arrives near
a magic lantern,
you call me
like a glittering eye
in the skill of
a wisdom, you touch
a desire, and then,
in my heart, a delicate
voice discovers a
fate: you claim
the atmosphere, I
give the sound.....

Francesco Sinibaldi

If religion stands for anything there is one central thought: Do unto others or love your neighbor as much as you love yourself. And, since the first law of nature is, "Preservation is the firt law of nature," of necessity loving anyone (oh, alright, let's make children an exception)is almost an impossible thing to do. I think it takes peeling after peeling of selfishness to even remotely approach this state of willingness to shed our selfish skins.

But to believe that we'll be judged by any other measures is a downright rejection of Christ's words: when I was hungry you fed me, when I was naked you clothed me, when I was homeless you took me in, and now abideth faith, hope, and charity and the greatest of these is charity (MEANING LOVE.)

That's why I believe it is almost impossible to treat others as we treat ourselves. So let us stop foolling around.

I found this book to be just a lot of words. It is a joke and Oprah needs to do better. What a farce..I threw the book away, sorry that I wasted the money. The author is making money and that is about it. Fooled me once, next time no way.

Obviously there is no one at the Post who proofreads.

INCORRECT:
continue on this week to the seventh chapter, and me and millions around the world are riveted.

CORRECT:
and I and millions around the world...blah, blah, blah

I find this more shocking than the concept of the life changes that Oprah is promising!!

We are switching from a left-brain, ego based operating system to a whole-brain, Soul directed operating system. Oprah and Eckhart are the metaphor/archetype of this occurrence on the Planet at this time. Currently only about 1% of the world's population is aware of this switch over. Once resonance is reached ... the Hundredth Monkey's 'whole-brain' has been activated and the switch to the Soul as director of the life-stream has been accomplished, all of humanity will 'switch over' all at once. The collapse of the world economy is a result/indication of this move away from an abstract, left-brain (only) measurement of value. As 'whole-brain' awareness becomes predominant on the Planet there will be no 'left-brain' (only) thought process to sustain an economic system based on an abstract measurement of value.

I'm a 58 year old man who has watched Oprah regularly, that is up until recently. The Tolle business, and that's what it is 'folks' (Obamaesque)n'est-ce pas, is Christianity without Christ. Oh yeah, there's lots of talk about Christ conciousness. It all goes back to that transforming experience Tolle writes about in the first book. Who knows? Maybe Ekhart Tolle moved out and a host of demons moved right in.? Sounds primitive I know, but just listen to the guy on the first set of CD's. I couldn't. reminisent of Linda Blair in the Exorcist.
As far as Ms. Winfrey goes, she's all about creating 'content', for the network, for HER NETWORK. Winfrey should retire, and start by removing those 5 pound diamonds attached to each earlobe.
America we are all growing very tired of you.
If I want to ratchet up my cynicism I can turn on 'Dr. Phill', YECH! You'll find the 'booty' on Mrs. Phil's appropriate finger.
Things are movin fast folks, we're in the area now that bad things can really hppen very quickly to a lot of 'folks'. Cheney and the criminals in that cabal they call Washington are no doubt working overtime to erase it all.
Oprah and Ekhart can talk about god and 'conciousness' all they want, we may be crossing the threshold of the deeply numinous!
That'd be hillarious, oprah winfrey interviews god.

wow, so many pain bodies so little time.

Hi Claire, I just stumbled upon your blog today in my Sunday best Search for Self. All I can say is, after failing so abysmally at map-reading along today’s journey in life whilst mis-clicking the soft touch pad on my laptop trying to get to David Ignatius’ article, my soul cannot infuse any energy into reading this latest DIY self-help manual. Nor am I inspired by a whole-brain moment to even cast a gaze on the publically enraptured face of Miz O.

Rather, I think it would be more rejuvenating to review Rip Torn’s lecture to Albert Brooks on the subject of Little Brains in ‘Defending Your Life’. If we Earth Beings will just use more than 3-5 percent of our brains then the probability of us getting recycled once we hit the can will be nil. If Rip Torn’s Bob Diamond can use over 65 percent of his brain then so can I. Little Brains, indeed!

Butter with the popcorn, anyone?

First - the Tolle book is great.

Second - Oprah is one of the most self centered people on the world stage today. Whether it's her regular show - all abot what Oprah loves, thinks she loves, wants you to love, on and on ad infinitum) - or the Tolle webcast, Oprah is all about Oprah. She started the webcast talking about how she had "discovered" Tolle and his book. he's been around for some time and so has the book.

Oprah's only discovered another way to make people think she's ahead of the pack. It's actually pathetic to watch her, her constant need to let everyone know how she's looking out for them, how she hopes everyone wants to be like her... puke puke puke!

Oprah needs to take her billions and go far away. Years ago she was a decent journalist - now she's your typical rich star/celeb - neurotically dying for our attention and willing to do or say anything to make sure we love her.

get a life Oprah.... better yet, get sincere.

You're in it for the bucks and the power and the adualtion of millions of sheep who can't fend for themselves. You're just as bad as most tele-evangelists.

All Flash - no substance.

What do you think of kindness? I like it. Oprah's gives millions of people inspiration to be kinder to themselves and others. People are reading good books they might not have read otherwise; participating in thoughtful conversations; finding healthier ways to live; giving to charity; and learning about ways to reduce suffering in their lives. I think it's great that so many people are taking up the challenge to learn about a spiritual path that may be a bit different from what they've learned before. There's so much meanness in the world. I'm glad there is a show like Oprah's with a focus on the positive. What goes around, comes around. We could all be kinder.

I'm not so much an Oprah fan (though I do believe she is being genuine on her webcasts). I am an Eckhart fan and am very appreciative that he is bringing this into such a level that mainstream media is finally picking this up. I agree he is probably repackaging Zen Budhism as well as a few other ideas. But I don't care, it helps to have things repeated for learning purposes. And what he is proposing really isn't a belief system. It is more like talking about reality itself, i.e. you can't judge an apple for being an apple, it is an apple and it will always be an apple. It seems silly to be pissed, angry, upset, etc over such things. But we all do it in our daily lives (the person that cuts you off in traffic, someone being rude to you in some way, etc). Imagine how much more relaxed we could all live life if we just took a breath and said: That's just happening, it just is, that's not me, that's not happening to me. Hence his title: A New Earth is in reference to us all learning to chill and live life and the Earth being a much better place for it.

I cannot understand why people have to look here or look there for someone to lead them or guide them when it is Jesus we should be looking at and talking to. I don't go to church because Jesus jives in my heart and I have fellowship everytime I talk about him----like right now. Jesus said "trust no man"---I don't, because I have a one on one relationship with The man Himself. Too many of these so-called preachers, shepards, leaders---call them what you will---have let the people down and betrayed our trust. I "trust the Lord, from whom my strength cometh". If Oprah is being insincere, she will have to answer to her maker. It is not for any of us to make any sort of judgement. We should pray for her and for ourselves.

Did anyone never notice that most poor third world countries have either an Catholic or Muslin population, corruption as a way of life, and high breeding rates. Of course, the Catholic church realizes many of the children will starve or die from childhood disease but as long as they are Catholic that is OK, enough will survive to make more Catholics. In the USA the Catholic church is making a come back. Its an ideal plan let the good Catholics Latinos pour across our open borders and Breed like Rabbits while forcing American tax payers to provide for them, that is why the Pope spoke about taking care of Immigrants and all Catholic Churches are for breaking the law and encourage Illegal Aliens and open Borders! When the next president gives the 20 to 30 million mostly uneducated Illegal Aliens citizenship alone with chain migration there will be 100,s of millions of new fast breeding, educating hating, criminally inclined , welfare loving citizens and the Nation will soon join the Third World as they breed us into poverty. But the Democrat Politicians will have the welfare votes and further their Socialist Agenda, the Republican Politicians an unlimited supply of cheap labor and the Church more millions of good docile Catholics to preach their dogma to, past the collection plate, and lots of children for the priests to play with. The only losers are current American Citizens and either Party or the Catholic church gives a damn about them!

Re: Tolle

The Holy Bible

1 John 2

18 Dear children, this is the last hour; and as you have heard that the antichrist is coming, even now many antichrists have come. This is how we know it is the last hour. 19 They went out from us, but they did not really belong to us. For if they had belonged to us, they would have remained with us; but their going showed that none of them belonged to us. 20 But you have an anointing from the Holy One, and all of you know the truth. 21 I do not write to you because you do not know the truth, but because you do know it and because no lie comes from the truth. 22 Who is the liar? It is the man who denies that Jesus is the Christ. Such a man is the antichrist-he denies the Father and the Son. 23 No one who denies the Son has the Father; whoever acknowledges the Son has the Father also.

1 John 4

1 Dear friends, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, because many false prophets have gone out into the world. 2 This is how you can recognize the Spirit of God: Every spirit that acknowledges that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is from God, 3 but every spirit that does not acknowledge Jesus is not from God. This is the spirit of the antichrist, which you have heard is coming and even now is already in the world. 4 You, dear children, are from God and have overcome them, because the one who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world. 5 They are from the world and therefore speak from the viewpoint of the world, and the world listens to them. 6 We are from God, and whoever knows God listens to us; but whoever is not from God does not listen to us. This is how we recognize the Spirit of truth and the spirit of falsehood.

2 John 1

7 Many deceivers, who do not acknowledge Jesus Christ as coming in the flesh, have gone out into the world. Any such person is the deceiver and the antichrist. 8 Watch out that you do not lose what you have worked for, but that you may be rewarded fully. 9 Anyone who runs ahead and does not continue in the teaching of Christ does not have God; whoever continues in the teaching has both the Father and the Son. 10 If anyone comes to you and does not bring this teaching, do not take him into your house or welcome him. 11 Anyone who welcomes him shares in his wicked work.

2 Timothy 3

Godlessness in the Last Days
1But mark this: There will be terrible times in the last days. 2 People will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boastful, proud, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, 3 without love, unforgiving, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not lovers of the good, 4 treacherous, rash, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God- 5 having a form of godliness but denying its power. Have nothing to do with them.
6 They are the kind who worm their way into homes and gain control over weak-willed women, who are loaded down with sins and are swayed by all kinds of evil desires, 7 always learning but never able to acknowledge the truth. 8 Just as Jannes and Jambres opposed Moses, so also these men oppose the truth-men of depraved minds, who, as far as the faith is concerned, are rejected. 9 But they will not get very far because, as in the case of those men, their folly will be clear to everyone.
10 You, however, know all about my teaching, my way of life, my purpose, faith, patience, love, endurance, 11 persecutions, sufferings-what kinds of things happened to me in Antioch, Iconium and Lystra, the persecutions I endured. Yet the Lord rescued me from all of them. 12 In fact, everyone who wants to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted, 13while evil men and impostors will go from bad to worse, deceiving and being deceived. 14 But as for you, continue in what you have learned and have become convinced of, because you know those from whom you learned it, 15and how from infancy you have known the holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus. 16 All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, 17 so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.

Oprah dresses like a $10.00 hussy, and then professes to be spiritual and people are willing to follow like a bunch of sheep. What fools they are. I have no problems with her being wealthy, but the way she has gotten it is quite hypocritical. Out of one side of her mouth she speaks of spirituality on the other side she tells women how to do pole dancing and become swingers and then says "marriage is finely opening up people!"

The way she has inflicted her values or lack there of in society is quite appalling. She could have taken her billions and quietly been in the background, but she appears to be on some kind of power ego trip. It is sad to see people blindly following their high priestess, but I am forever optimistic in my belief that God has a plan and is in control of everything and everyone. I do BELIEVE!