Oprah, Tolle, & A New Earth, Chapter 10

Let’s Discuss Chapter 10: "A New Earth"

Oprah & Tolle Discuss Chapter 10: "A New Earth"

Chapter 10 of A New Earth brings this web class with Oprah & Eckhart Tolle to a close as they discuss the culmination of our work over the last ten weeks and how to bring consciousness to every moment of our lives.

Awakening in Old Age

Tolle begins chapter 10 by discussing the expansion and contraction of everything in the universe. This can be seen in the contraction of our hearts, the inhalation and exhalation of our breath, and even our birth and eventually our death. Many moments of awakening happen in old age, as the physical form weakens and there becomes less to identify with. At this point, you begin to shift from doing to being, and being become increasingly more valuable. Tolle describes that in a new earth, old age will be “universally recognized and highly valued as a time for the flowering of consciousness.”

Awakened Doing

Tolle goes on to talk about “awakened doing,” which is the outer aspect of the next stage in the evolution of consciousness. In a new earth, it is not about what you do, but how you do what you. In each moment, ask yourself if you are present in that moment of doing, or if you are just doing as a means to an end; this will help continually bring you to a state of consciousness.

Three Modalities of Awakened Doing

Finally, Tolle explains how there are three modalities of awakened doing; three ways in which consciousness can flow into what you do and thus into this world. These are acceptance, enjoyment, and enthusiasm. Acceptance means being in the situation and doing what you must willingly. Enjoyment does not come from what you do, but it flows into what you do and thus into the world; you will enjoy any activity in which you are fully present and is not just a means to an end. Enthusiasm means there is a deep enjoyment in what you do plus a goal or a vision that you work toward.

Tolle closes A New Earth by quoting Jesus, who said, “Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth.” The meek are the egoless. We can become the meek by losing our ego by remaining conscious and using that to change all aspects of life on our planet – we can create a new earth!

Discussion of Chapter 10 in A New Earth:

Here are some thoughts to ponder (and share) regarding Chapter 10:

1. “Performing an action in the state of acceptance means you are at peace while you do it. … If you can neither enjoy nor bring acceptance to what you do—stop. Otherwise, you are not taking responsibility for the only thing you can really take responsibility for, which also happens to be one thing that really matters: your state of consciousness" (p. 296).

What things do you hate to do, why do you hate them, and do you think you can begin to accept them? Tell Us.

2. What have you learned from reading A New Earth? Has it changed you? Tell Us.

3. A New Earth ends with these words: "A new species is arising on the planet. It is arising now, and you are it!" (p. 309).

Do you recognize within yourself qualities that belong to this new species? What are they? How can you continue to nurture them? Tell Us.

It's Time to Go Out and Create A New Earth!

It’s been quite a journey! Hopefully Eckhart Tolle was able to awaken something in us all and bring us closer to consciousness. A new earth can emerge from our awakened selves, and we look forward to seeing that happen!

See More on A New Earth A New Earth Guide A New Earth, Chapter 7 A New Earth, Chapter 8 A New Earth, Chapter 9 See Also... Buy A New Earth Book Chat in our A New Earth Message Boards Eckhart Tolle Merchandise

Article Written by: Amy Taylor; Amy is a graduate of FIDM in Los Angeles and is always looking for ways to better herself and the world around her.