We're about to "Oh!" our way into the now faster than you can say "power of wow."
The Pain-Body Meets Its Match: "Oh!"
Remember Tolle's concept of the pain-body, that fun little bundle of accumulated emotional pain? Well, meet its nemesis: "Oh!"
Tolle's Advice: Observe the pain-body without judgment. "Oh!" Version: When you feel that emotional baggage creeping in, just say "Oh!" It's like putting your pain-body on mute.
Example: Pain-body: "You're not good enough!" You: "Oh!" Pain-body: confused silence
Congratulations! You just "Oh!"-ed your way out of an emotional crisis.
The Power of "Oh!" Now
Tolle emphasizes the importance of being in the Now. But for those of us with the attention span of a caffeinated squirrel, here's the "Oh!" shortcut:
Tolle's Advice: Focus on the present moment. "Oh!" Version: Whenever you catch your mind time-traveling, "Oh!" it back to the present.
Example: Mind: Worrying about the future You: "Oh!" Mind: Instantly back in the present
Look at you, time-traveling without a DeLorean!
"Oh!"-serving the Thinker
Tolle talks about separating yourself from the incessant voice in your head. Here's how to do it, "Oh!" style:
Tolle's Advice: Observe your thoughts without identifying with them. "Oh!" Version: When you catch yourself overthinking, "Oh!" your way to observer status.
Example: Thoughts: Blah blah blah You: "Oh!" Thoughts: Suddenly less convincing
Congrats! You're now the "Oh!"-server, not the thinker.
The "Oh!" of Acceptance
Tolle preaches acceptance of the present moment. Here's how to do it without all that pesky inner peace work:
Tolle's Advice: Accept the present moment as if you had chosen it. "Oh!" Version: When life throws you lemons, just "Oh!" them.
Example: Life: Throws lemons You: "Oh!" Life: Confused why you're not making lemonade
You've just "Oh!"-ed your way to acceptance. Enlightenment level: Slightly improved.
Ego: The "Oh!"-nemy
Tolle talks a lot about transcending the ego. Here's how to do it, lazy style:
Tolle's Advice: Recognize the ego's voice and separate from it.
"Oh!" Version: When you catch your ego throwing a tantrum, "Oh!" it into submission.
Example: Ego: "But I'm special and important!" You: "Oh!" Ego: Deflates like a sad balloon
Look at you, transcending your ego without even getting off the couch!
The "Oh!"-lightenment Challenge
For one week, try to "Oh!" your way through Tolle's concepts:
- "Oh!" your pain-body
- "Oh!" yourself into the present moment
- "Oh!"-serve your thoughts
- "Oh!"-ccept whatever life throws at you
- "Oh!" your ego into silence
Will it make you as enlightened as Eckhart Tolle? Probably not. Will it make you slightly more present and a lot more amused? Oh! You bet.
The power of now is just an "Oh!" away. Or maybe several "Oh!"s, if you're particularly attached to your emotional drama.