The Limitations Of Eckhart Tolle

I am a big fan of Eckhart Tolle.  Often, if I’m feeling low or confused, I read his books or watch him on a video.  His ability to return my focus towards the spiritual realm and ultimate reality (the only thing that doesn’t change in life), always calms me down.  However, I do believe that the advice offered by Eckhart Tolle and other writers focused on spiritual reality leaves a gap in managing life for most people.

Eckhart Tolle - What About Making A Living?

Assuming you don’t have so much money that you don’t need a job or to manage your finances intelligently, and assuming you have responsibilities such as a family, there is another (probably lower) aspect of reality that we need to learn skills to negotiate effectively.  Namely, how to keep a roof over our head and structure a career that we enjoy in the process.

When I was a diplomat, I sometimes found myself in very stressful situations working with people who were not terribly enlightened or who were lazy or even dishonest.  Perhaps if I were as enlightened as the Buddha, the perspective of Eckhart Tolle would have been enough for me to know what to do in challenging situations.  However, I am not that wise.  I needed more practical techniques for how to deal with a non-performing employee.  For example, how do you fire someone for the sake of your organization while preserving that person’s dignity and avoiding getting sued?  This knowledge is not to be found in Eckhart Tolle.

While Working Your Way Towards God, Build Practical Skills As Well

I believe most of us need to learn practical skills to manage our careers, finances, investments, and more.  This is why I created MightyInvestor.com, a separate website that teaches more practical skills to help chart your path through the modern world.

This is not meant as a criticism of Eckhart Tolle.  I will continue to read, learn from, and enjoy the likes of Eckhart Tolle.  That said, it is important to remember that we also need practical knowledge.  Yes, follow the Dao.  Let the unseen hand guide you.  But, also, let's remember to also develop the down-to-earth skills needed to survive and flourish in life.