The Realization of Being: A Guide to Experiencing Your True Identity

by Eckhart Tolle

With his first international bestseller, The Power of Now , Eckhart Tolle introduced a simple and profound view of enlightenment, inviting seekers of every faith, age, and culture to enjoy the fullness of life through living in the present moment. Now this unique voice in contemporary spirituality explores our highest purpose in life and how meditation can help us attain it with The Realization of Being .

Words are useful signposts, Eckhart begins, but our main spiritual teacher is stillness. This powerful energy field is always available to us through meditation. In simple language, he explains how to listen with your entire body while working with the body, mind, and attention in order to merge with this moment. As we go beyond the need for thought, he teaches, we achieve the meditative state of no mind or presence that is effortless, joyful, and natural. Through this timeless path we merge with the universal purpose, and become a divine presence.

A revolution in human consciousness has already started, teaches Eckhart Tolle. We can advance this revolution now with the help of The Realization of Being .

Genres: Nonfiction, Self Help, Spirituality, Audiobook, Psychology

Audio CD

First published October 1, 2001

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

[Heidi Wiechert · Rating 3 out of 5]

I didn't connect with this teaching as much as I have with his others. I especially struggled with "The Silence as Teacher" portion but I guess that was his point. I always learn something fresh and new listening to Tolle though. Certainly worth experiencing if you haven't listened to it, but I would start with his "Power of Now."

[Ala · Rating 3 out of 5]

Eckhart Tolle’s The Realization of Being is like a spa day for your soul—relaxing, rejuvenating, and you don’t even have to leave your couch! His wisdom is so profound, I half-expected my cat to start meditating with me. If you’re looking for inner peace and a few chuckles along the way, this book is your new best friend.

[Clayton Chase · Rating 5 out of 5]

Being > Doing > Having

[Bhakta Kishor]

Let the temple of your being be utterly empty. That is the state of “not to be.” And you will be surprised… here you are trying “not to be,” and from the back door comes a new realization of being, of “to be.” But your effort should not be based in this order – first to be and then not to be. That is against the natural process of enlightenment. You have to attain nothingness first, nobodiness first. This is the price you have to pay for attaining to the experience of authentic being. This is the sacrifice you have to make.

This is what Jesus means when he says, “Unless you are born again, you will not enter into the kingdom of God.” What does he mean when he says, “Unless you are born again. ” He means, first you have to die, and after death is resurrection.

[Vanessa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Shift your consciousness easily with this audiobook. Tolle counsels that Silence is a great teacher and as change is ceaseless, our power is in the Now.

[Pheonyx Roldan Smith (theOCGproject.com) · Rating 5 out of 5]

great reminders. have read it a couple of times. the art of letting go and being in the Now... paying attention to the process of how the Ego LOVES to attach itself just about to any thought that moves. grateful for Eckhart and the inherent wisdom he imparts. highly recommend this to anyone interested in freeing themselves from the confines of the thinking mind!

[Barbara Luxford · Rating 5 out of 5]

A book that brings you into a higher consciousness of words and shifting you to that very space of consciousness. Everything inside shifts when reading this book. It's language transcends language into sheer spaciousness of being.

[Norena McMeel · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amazing and life changing