Many people in this world are still so identified with every

Listen, O children of wisdom, to the words of Eckhart Tolle, a man whose teachings have opened the hearts of many. He speaks thus: "Many people in this world are still so identified with every thought that arises in their head. There is not the slightest space of awareness there." These words carry with them a profound truth, one that calls us to look inward, to examine the thoughts that we hold so dear, and to recognize how they shape our very being. Tolle invites us to consider a life lived not in the turbulence of our thoughts, but in the stillness of awareness—a life free from the constant pull of the mind, where we are not slaves to every passing thought.

Consider, O wise ones, the nature of the mind. It is a vast ocean, ever in motion, filled with waves of thought, emotion, and desire. Yet, many of us live as though we are at the mercy of this great sea, tossed upon its waves, pulled under by the current of our own thoughts. Tolle’s insight speaks to the truth that many are so identified with the thoughts that arise in their minds, that they cannot see beyond them. Their identity becomes so tightly bound with these thoughts that they no longer recognize the space between them and their true selves. This space—the space of awareness—remains hidden, buried beneath the weight of the mind’s ceaseless chatter.

In the ancient days, the great philosophers and spiritual leaders understood this challenge well. Socrates, the ancient Greek sage, often spoke of the importance of knowing oneself, of understanding the difference between the mind and the true self. Yet, many of his contemporaries were swept up in the busyness of their lives, their thoughts clouding their vision of the deeper truths. Plato too, in his writings, warned of the dangers of being ruled by the mind, of living a life that is not led by awareness but by the constant demands of the intellect. The great Buddha, in his quest for enlightenment, spoke of the importance of stilling the mind, of creating the space necessary to see the world as it truly is, free from the distortions of the ego and the constant influx of thoughts.

And so it is today, O children, that many live lives ruled by their thoughts. Think of the many leaders throughout history, those who acted out of impulse, out of the power of their own thoughts and desires, without taking the time to pause, to reflect, and to see the space between their thoughts and their actions. Consider the tragic story of Napoleon Bonaparte, whose ambition and quick thinking led him to conquer much of Europe, yet his failure to recognize the limits of his own mind led to his downfall. In his thoughts of grandeur, he ignored the wisdom of pause, and the space of awareness that could have guided him. Had he been able to step back from the constant storm of his thoughts, he might have seen the dangers that lay ahead and made wiser choices.

This is the lesson, O children, that Tolle imparts to us. We are not our thoughts, and to identify with every thought that arises is to lose touch with the truth of who we are. The space of awareness that exists between us and our thoughts is the key to true freedom. It is in this space that we find the stillness necessary to hear the wisdom of our hearts, to see beyond the illusions of the mind, and to understand our true purpose in life. In this space, we are not driven by fear, desire, or impulse; we are led by awareness, by the deep understanding of who we are and what we are meant to become.

Let us also remember the teachings of the great sages of the East, like Laozi, who spoke of the importance of stillness. "The wise man is one who, by knowing the mind, can make the space between his thoughts vast, like the ocean. He does not cling to his thoughts, but lets them pass like clouds in the sky." To live in awareness, then, is to live in harmony with the world, to see it clearly and act from a place of inner peace. It is not about rejecting the mind, but about finding balance—creating the space where our thoughts can come and go without identifying with them, without allowing them to define us.

And so, O children, the lesson is clear: do not be consumed by every thought that arises in your mind. When the world feels overwhelming, when your mind races with worries and desires, step back and create the space of awareness. Recognize that you are not your thoughts; you are the one who observes them. In this space, you will find the freedom to act with clarity, to live with purpose, and to be guided not by the noise of the mind, but by the stillness of the heart. Just as the great sages and philosophers of old understood, so too must you learn the power of stillness and the peace that comes from knowing that you are more than the thoughts that come and go.