Sustaining Presence in the Face of Catastrophe: Teachings on Awakening to Our Essential Nature

by Eckhart Tolle

Compassionate Guidance for Realizing Presence Amidst Suffering and Loss If the world around you seems to be falling apart, how do you stay connected to virtues like trust, hope, and love? When someone or something you hold dear is lost, where do you find solace? Sustaining Presence in the Face of Catastrophe shares Eckhart Tolle’s compassionate perspective for those dealing with intense suffering or loss. Recorded within a week of 9/11 at the Omega Institute in New York, these moving sessions bring you Eckhart’s guidance for responding in the face of tragedy, staying rooted in presence when the unexpected happens, and discovering the gifts hidden in apparent calamity. The Master Discovering Your "Formless" Identity What leads to the incomprehensible events that continue to dominate the news? Eckhart teaches that the majority of the population remains trapped in mental conditioning. We are identified completely with the egoic or "form" identity that includes our thoughts, emotions, and interpretations along with cultural influences. Over the course of nine CDs, you will immerse yourself in Eckhart’s practical teachings for "returning to sanity in the face of catastrophe." How? By discovering your formless identity―consciousness itself―allowing an intelligence far greater than the mind to operate through you in the world. "The urgency for a radical change in consciousness seems to grow every day," explains Eckhart. Here is an invitation to initiate this crucial change in your own life, and become yourself a source of harmony and healing for all.

Audio CD

Published November 1, 2016

About the author

Eckhart Tolle is a German-born spiritual teacher and internationally bestselling author whose work has profoundly influenced the contemporary spiritual landscape. Born Ulrich Leonard Tölle in 1948 in Lünen, Germany, he experienced a transformative spiritual awakening at the age of 29 after years of depression and anxiety. This profound shift in consciousness marked the beginning of his journey as a spiritual guide and thinker. Tolle abandoned his doctoral studies at the University of Cambridge to explore and embody the stillness and presence he had discovered, eventually becoming a spiritual teacher based in London and later in Vancouver, Canada.
Tolle rose to prominence with the publication of The Power of Now: A Guide to Spiritual Enlightenment in 1997. The book, which emphasizes mindfulness and present-moment awareness, resonated with a global audience and was later championed by Oprah Winfrey, catapulting it to international bestseller status. In 2005, Tolle released A New Earth: Awakening to Your Life's Purpose, which expanded on his earlier teachings and explored the role of ego in personal and societal dysfunction. The book also achieved massive commercial success, further solidifying Tolle’s reputation as one of the most influential spiritual authors of his time.
His teachings draw from a variety of traditions, including Zen Buddhism, Christian mysticism, Sufism, and Hindu philosophy, though he remains unaffiliated with any formal religion. Tolle emphasizes a non-dualistic approach to spirituality, focusing on the importance of presence, inner stillness, and the disidentification from ego-based thinking. His accessible language and calm demeanor have helped millions integrate spiritual practice into daily life.
In addition to writing, Tolle has delivered talks, retreats, and webinars to audiences around the world. In 2008, he partnered with Oprah Winfrey to produce a groundbreaking webinar series based on A New Earth, attracting millions of viewers. He also co-authored the illustrated book Guardians of Being in 2009, further exploring his core themes through the lens of animals and nature.
Tolle currently lives in Vancouver with his partner, spiritual teacher Kim Eng. Together, they continue to teach and support global audiences through online content, publications, and events. Widely regarded as one of the most spiritually influential figures of the 21st century, Tolle’s message of inner peace and awakening remains as timely as ever.

Reviews

[Blaise · Rating 4 out of 5]

“Especially important for people who are watching screens, to sense the inner body so that their attention remains here, otherwise it flows out continuously. 

Trying always means you need to get to some point in the future. 

Right action arises out of surrender to what is. You don’t need some abstract principles to guide you anymore. You need those when you’re not connected with who you are. 

The right thing will always emerge out of the state of Presence. Right action emerges out of the state of Presence. And that is “yes” to the suchness of this moment, and then perhaps action is required. It comes out of the “yes”, not out of the contracted state of “no”, which is the “little me”. That’s the secret of life. 

All the questions if they are vital, you will know the answers from within. If they are not vital, they’ll dissolve. 

[Marcos Fuerte · Rating 5 out of 5]

This a great talk about the power of the now. Highly recommend to listen to this is in the morning to get a better understanding of the present moment.

[Diane · Rating 5 out of 5]

How to move through the pain beyond the pain.

[DianeK Klu · Rating 5 out of 5]

Listening to Eckhart always brings me back to living in the "now". I am so thankful for his wisdom.

[Alison · Rating 5 out of 5]

In 1999 I would purchase an audio tape entitled _The Power of Now_ that would reveal to me something I always knew but didn't realize I'd known.

Since then I have gobbled up every book Eckhart Tolle has written and video recording of every retreat I could lay my hands upon.

Consistently I have found ET's teachings to contain the pointers I need to find Presence. Whether you read or listen to Eckhart's teachings you can feel the Presence that surrounds his words and the wisdom that emanates from them.

Eckhart himself is lovely, gentle and quite self-effacing. He never takes himself seriously but always demonstrates his brilliant sense of humor.

Eckhart's teachings are a gift - or a Present, if you will - that just keeps on giving.

[Peaceful Warrior · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ekhart at his best

[Levente Nagy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Enlightened & inspiring as always.

[Howard Altschuler · Rating 4 out of 5]

I very much enjoy listening to Tolle though he often says much the same thing. This presentation was particularly interesting because the retreat took place a few days after 9/11.

[Rachel Teferet · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really fabulous Audiobook. I loved going down to the lake and listening to it. I learned a lot! And I hope to revisit this one again in the future.