Breaking the Habit of Negative Thinking and Self-Talk

by Eckhart Tolle

Through the Veil of Thoughts and Beliefs and into Spacious Presence

Imagine carrying around a radio that constantly complains, criticizes, brings up past regrets, and frets about the future. Does this sound familiar?

"When the thinking mind never stops speaking," teaches Eckhart Tolle, "we can come to believe that this egoic self is who we are." But we are not our thoughts. And beneath them lies our true self: a vast consciousness reachable through simple awareness.

With Breaking the Habit of Negative Thinking and Self-Talk, this renowned teacher and author helps guide us out of this illusory landscape. In four immersive audio sessions, he shares insights, stories, illustrations, and practices to gently navigate us to our natural state of Presence, free of the mental labels and judgments that create suffering.

Join Eckhart Tolle to explore: why the ego craves unhappy states, how to free ourselves from its endless chatter, ways to bring ourselves to the liberated spaciousness of unveiled Presence, and more.

"There is only one universal consciousness that emanates from the source of all life," Eckhart Tolle reflects, "and our true state of being arises out of it." Here, he points us, moment-by-moment, back to our deeper, limitless self.

Genres: Nonfiction, Audiobook

Audio CD

Published February 15, 2022

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

[Tommy · Rating 4 out of 5]

A talk by Tolle (audiobook edition), reinforcing the notion that our ego and habitual patterns cause us to create a false reality for ourselves. Who we perceive we are is not who we are, but we're so caught up in thinking, a mind in a state of endless chatter, that we can't find the happiness (and self-contentment) we crave, because it exists in the present moment (and only the present moment).

This isn't a new revelation, and Tolle acknowledges as much. He's just another teacher reminding us of what The Buddha himself (and others) have taught through the ages. But I never tire of being taught this, because I apparently never fully escape the shackles of regret of the past and worry for the future. So, the gentle tug, in many voices (Tolle, Pema Chodron, Alan Watts, Ram Dass, et al) is tonic for a spirit ravaged by what I perceive to be my shortcomings, mistakes, and mental trappings.

For those who found The Power of Now or A New Earth a bit inaccessible, this is a more down to earth, less esoteric presentation. I recommend it for anyone feeling stuck in their patterns of thought and habitual hangups.

[Hlyan · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you’re familiar with Eckhart’s books and teachings, you’ll recognize that regardless of the talk’s title, he always centers on one fundamental theme: the realization of unconditioned consciousness. He uses various pointers—thoughts, ego, relationships, and so on—to guide us toward this realisation. While many of us have had glimpses of this realisation, we often lose ourselves in our minds and our external circumstances.

We often identify ourselves with the content of our mind. We tend to believe that we’re thinking our thoughts. But in reality, we are being thought by our thoughts. There is no separate “self” doing the thinking. It takes immense awareness to realise this. Meditation can help to cultivate this awareness. Reading and listening to spiritual teachings can serve as powerful reminders. This collection of talks is one of them.

[Gerry Grenfell-Walford · Rating 3 out of 5]

As others have noted, there's nothing really new here, but it is always rewarding listening to Tolle's thoughts and experiences. Sometimes he describes things in a different way from elsewhere. There's Q&As in some of the sections, and some of these may be tangentially useful to readers.
I wouldn't start here if I were exploring Tolle for the first time, but I repeat, I always find listening to Tolle helpful in some way!

[Jan Irons · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thoroughly enjoyed this audiobook! The author/lecturer resonated with his explanation of how the chaotic ever-thinking mind is the enemy and the spaces of consciousness in between are worth cultivating.

[Lorelei · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is more a mindfulness meditation session in writing. It echoes his others works but less succinctly. I enjoyed it but he didn't tackle negative self-talk directly, more just returning our focus to the present.

[J Williams · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a read! It started me down the path of my healing journey.

[Margaret Kelly · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great audio. All his stuff is inspirational

[John Harris · Rating 4 out of 5]

putting being back into human beings