Eckhart Tolle begins his book, The Power of Now, with this premise statement: “You are here to enable the divine purpose of the universe to unfold. That is how important you are.” A study group at the Westport Unitarian Church every Wednesday from 7-8:15pm aims to support those who want to explore this understanding in their own lives.

Eckhart published The Power of Now in 1997, with only 3,000 copies printed. Subsequently, over three million copies have been sold. He has been influenced by Buddhism, Hinduism, Christianity, Ramana Maharshi, Jiddu Krishnamurthy, Rumi, Byron Katie, Marianne Williamson’s A Course in Miracles, as well as many of the wisdom teachers of the past. 

Tolle speaks a great deal about “being.” He uses many words to lead us to this realization: stillness, the now, the sacred, oneness, emptiness, no self, buddha nature, presence, consciousness and enlightenment. What is realization? Consciousness. We are here to enter a different state of consciousness, one where we are not waiting for the future to be better than the present. You are not going to get there; you are there already. Listen with every cell of your body, dwell in your own energy field, not in the fantasy land of tomorrow. 

A Course in Miracles states beautifully that it takes time to misguide you completely, but it takes no time to be who you are. All the above is from Tolle’s teachings. Consider reading the book, watch Tolle on YouTube, and consider attending the study group if you are intrigued by the concepts and would like to go deeper. 

For more information, email [email protected]  Location: Unitarian Church Meeting House, 10 Lyons Plains Rd, Westport.