Quotes on Self-Observation
These images come from an article series comparing how Nicoll and Tolle present the practice of self-observation.
They describe self-observation as a process of directing attention inwards, to observe one’s thoughts, emotions and inner states in a detached way.
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Both authors refer to the “power of self-observation” and indicate this capacity can be developed with practice.
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They emphasise the importance of watching many aspects of one’s behaviour and inner states in the present moment.
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Nicoll and Tolle both state, in very similar terms, that those things we greatly criticise or resent in others are also present within us.
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Nicoll, who was close to Jung, brought the idea of psychological projection into self-observation practice. Tolle continues in this vein.
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They reiterate the idea that the faults we dislike most in others may exist unrecognized in us.
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The act of self-observation is said to cast a “ray” or “beam” of light into the psyche. Both Nicoll and Tolle identify this light as consciousness.
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They describe how a person brings the light or flame of consciousness into their inner darkness through self-observation.
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Both Nicoll and Tolle write of bringing what is unconscious into the light of consciousness through self-observation.
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Directing “the light of consciousness” inwards through self-observation is the means for self-transformation in the work of Maurice Nicoll and Eckhart Tolle.
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Nicoll and Tolle describe how thoughts and emotions can “become you” through a process called identification.
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Compulsive thoughts are similarly described as old “gramophone records” playing in one’s head that sound like the monologues of people “muttering to themselves” in the street, only not expressed outwardly. This negative thinking is said to drain energy, according to Nicoll and Tolle, and they encourage readers to observe it in order to stop identifying with it.
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By becoming identified with emotional reactions to life, people “become” their reactions, they explain.
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Nicoll and Tolle often describe the transformative effects “the light of consciousness” has on unconscious reactions/patterns. This “light” must be directed within via self-observation.
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Any unconscious factors are said to lose their power when brought into the light of consciousnesses.
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Nicoll and Tolle both state that the fire, flame, or light of consciousness is said to grow brighter as it burns up psychological pain and suffering.
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Bringing negative states into the light of consciousness by observation/attention is said to change or transform them.
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The phrase “make it conscious” is used in connection with the self-observation process in the work of both Nicoll and Tolle.
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Nicoll and Tolle both encourage readers to make what is unconscious conscious through self-observation.
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They emphasise that it’s up to you to observe your own inner states and no one else can do it for you.
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To prompt us to practice self-observation, Nicoll and Tolle suggest that we should pose questions to ourselves about our current psychological state.
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We’re advised to observe what is within us without any criticism, analysis, or judgement toward ourselves or what we see.
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Both Nicoll and Tolle use the phrase “silent witness” to describe the inner sense of observation.
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The light of consciousness/presence is often designated as the agent of inner change.
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Both Nicoll and Tolle explain that the inner reality of the psyche is more “real” or primary for an individual than the outer, physical reality.
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Both write that our inner life or state attracts the circumstances of our outer life.
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Nicoll and Tolle both emphasize a distinction between the external events of life and a person’s internal reaction to that event.
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Using the example of bad weather, both authors explain how people fail to distinguish between external situations (which are neutral / impersonal) and the subjective internal reactions to those situations.
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They emphasize that by criticizing other people, we strengthen faults and inner obstacles to spiritual progress.
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Both Nicoll and Tolle refer to the parable of Jesus about seeing a mote in your brother’s eye but not the beam in your own eye as an example of the importance of observing yourself instead of criticizing others.
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Both authors suggest that observing or seeing within brings the “power of choice.”
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They indicate being more conscious of our inner state gives us a choice in the moment.
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Nicoll and Tolle both emphasize the need to observe the mechanical nature of the psyche in order to achieve inner freedom from external circumstances / conditions.
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Nicoll and Tolle emphasise taking responsibility for your inner psychological world / inner space.
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Both indicate the importance of taking responsibility for your inner state at any moment.
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They maintain that a lack of inner responsibility creates unhappiness in the world.
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They both describe how an immediate physical threat can trigger an instinctive fear reaction – something humans and animals have in common. Both also describe the fear producing physical sensations, such as muscle contraction, and a fight-or-flight response.
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Nicoll and Tolle both direct readers to observe how negativity drains one’s force / vital energy.
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Nicoll and Tolle both describe how grievances are often expressed inwardly as inner talking / compulsive thinking.
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Persistent negative trains of thought can be fueled by feeling unfairly treated by others or even God, they tell us.
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It takes sincerity or honesty to recognise any negativity directed towards others in our thoughts and feelings, they tell us.
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Both authors describe how negativity accumulates over time beneath the surface, which can cause disproportionate emotional responses to external irritants or challenges.
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They describe how, after observing themselves, a person might laugh at the thoughts and emotions they see and how ridiculous they are.
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Nicoll and Tolle both explain that a person can discover the truth of who they are only by gradually identifying what they are not.
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The illusory or imaginary “I” or identity we cling to, and its fictitious self-image/pictures, will start to dissolve or collapse when brought into the light of consciousness, the authors say.
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We mistake the false self for who we are, the authors say, but when we observe or recognize what’s in us clearly, our illusory/imaginary self begins to dissolve.
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Quotes on Spiritual Psychology
These images come from articles comparing how Tolle and earlier authors discuss aspects of the psyche, such as the personality and essence.
Our “essence” is our deepest self, the real/true aspect of who we are, Nicoll and Tolle convey.
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Essence remains untouched or unspoiled by what happens externally, they suggest.
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People identify more with their personality/psychological form and neglect essence, they say.
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What we consider our personality or refer to as “I” is not who we really are, they explain.
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Our personality, shaped by exterior customs or conditioning, isn’t really us, the authors say.
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People typically mistake their personality for who they really are, Nicoll and Tolle suggest.
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Nicoll and Tolle both characterise the personality as time-limited.
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They describe our “essence” as eternal/timeless and “indestructible.”
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Our essence or true nature continues after death, the authors say, but the personality perishes.
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Essence isn’t bound to the body; it departs it at death and continues on, they suggest.
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Unlike the personality, one’s essence or true nature cannot be lost or stripped away, they say.
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Psychologically we’re typically trapped or imprisoned in the personality with all its fixed ways and prejudices, the authors convey.
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Both describe “your personality” as a “prison” as Gurdjieff did (although, unlike Nicoll, Tolle never directly mentions Gurdjieff or the Fourth Way in his writing).
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In a higher state of consciousness we feel something beyond time and the personality, Nicoll and Tolle convey.
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This state is found by being more conscious in the now, the authors insist. One momentarily transcends time and the personality and experiences their true self, which is eternal or timeless.
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It’s in the now, the state of being conscious in the present, where our real self is found, they maintain.
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The cross can represent the meeting of a “vertical” and a “horizontal” dimension, Nicoll and Tolle both say. Tolle acknowledges others have used this interpretation before, but gives no names.
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The vertical, the authors suggest, exists beyond the horizontal line of the cross depicting time. It’s only encountered in the present moment or now.
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The vertical pertains to our state of being, they convey, while the horizontal pertains to the events of our life in time.
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We only feel or enter the vertical by being conscious in the now, Nicoll and Tolle convey.
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The present moment is the entry point for the vertical dimension that’s beyond time, the authors tell us.
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We can consciously perceive eternity/the vertical dimension coming into the horizontal flow of time, we are told.
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We must consciously feel/focus on the now to experience the vertical dimension of eternity, they suggest.
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Our false self comes about through identifying with the mind or imagination, and gives us a false feeling/sense of who we are, Nicoll and Tolle convey.
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The false self/personality acts as a psychological substitute for our true or essential self, the authors say.
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The false self/personality is formed by the environmental/cultural influences/conditioning of our upbringing and the imaginary idea or image we form of ourselves, the authors convey.
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The egoic or imaginary self that rules us is a “mental construct” or “composed of imagination” Tolle and Nicoll respectively tell us.
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Our imaginary or illusory “I” or “self” is the cause of many misunderstandings or misinterpretations, creating confusion inwardly and externally.
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The false self is the source of much of the dysfunction or misunderstandings occurring in human relationships, the authors say.
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Because the false self is only a fiction/mind-made, we constantly feel compelled to do things to maintain it, we’re told.
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Living through the False Personality/ego creates underlying fear, the authors say, even if it’s hidden. Striving to maintain something unreal brings ongoing anxiety/insecurity about losing it.
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The desire to sustain the ego or false personality creates an unending psychological struggle or expense because one is essentially striving to maintain a fabrication, the authors suggest.
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The illusory or imaginary “I” or identity we cling to, and its fictitious self-image/pictures, will start to dissolve or collapse when brought into the light of consciousness, the authors say.
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We mistake the false self for who we are, the authors say, but when we observe or recognize what’s in us clearly, our illusory/imaginary self begins to dissolve.
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To release oneself or withdraw—psychologically—from one’s identification with the false self is a great relief, the authors suggest.
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The pseudo self or phantom self wants to fortify itself—the idea or image of who we think we are, Nicoll and Tolle say.
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The imaginary/illusory I or identity is at least partly sustained, Nicoll and Tolle suggest, by the erroneous importance or perception we give to “the word ‘I'”
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Nicoll and Tolle both explain that a person can discover the truth of who they are only by gradually identifying what they are not.
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Allowing one’s false sense of self to diminish—and thus become less or nothing in relation to what we thought we were—draws real “I” or Being to us, the authors suggest.
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Quotes on Negativity Within
These images come from articles comparing how Tolle and earlier authors discuss how negativity operates in the psyche and its detrimental effects.
Nicoll and Tolle both emphasize that each person is responsible for their own negative inner states, regardless of external situations or the actions of others.
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Emotional negativity is unnecessary / unnatural, they suggest, and detrimental to humanity.
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Both authors describe how people take enjoyment / pleasure out of negative states and being miserable.
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Our inner negativity is infectious or contagious, even more so than physical disease, Nicoll and Tolle both say.
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Both authors emphasise that negativity is infectious or contagious and can spread from person to person.
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Both Nicoll and Tolle state that violent films can “feed” the negative part of the Emotional Center (Nicoll) or pain-body (Tolle).
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Nicoll and Tolle describe how negative or painful emotions are used as “food” or “energy” for the negative part of the emotional center or pain-body respectively.
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The negative emotions of parents will cause their child to accumulate negative emotions too. This then fosters the growth and development of a negative emotional part or pain-body in the child, according to Nicoll and Tolle.
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Both Barry Long and Tolle state that people have a parasitic entity living within, called the emotional body / pigmy (Long) or emotional pain-body (Tolle). Their description of this entity has numerous similarities, such as that it is made of energy, is cunning, does not want to be found out, has dormant and active periods, and can cause aches and pains in the body.
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Nicoll, Long, and Tolle all state how past emotional pain or suffering continues to exist in people within the Time-body (Nicoll), pigmy (Long), or pain-body (Tolle). They all suggest this body is alive and carries the “living past” in us.
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When two people marry, they’re also said to marry each-other’s Time-bodies (Nicoll) or pain-bodies (Tolle).
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They both explain how the expression of negative emotions / negative energy triggers latent negativity in others as well.
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Nicoll and Tolle describe negativity as an inner poison or pollutant affecting ourselves and others.
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Nicoll and Tolle both direct readers to observe how negativity drains one’s force / vital energy.
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Nicoll and Tolle suggest that negative emotions disturb energy circulation within us, potentially leading to illness.
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They describe how negative thoughts or emotions drain energy from the body, which can cause illness / disease.
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Negativity can worsen a disease and cause it to persist or become chronic, the authors maintain. (“If you complain, feel self-pity, or resent being ill, your ego becomes stronger,” writes Tolle)
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Both indicate negative emotions can harm health and lower one’s resistance to illness.
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Both Nicoll and Tolle describe negativity as toxic to a person. They state it has effects not just on the psyche but also on the physical body.
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Nicoll and Tolle suggest negativity can express or manifest physically as a disorder or illness.
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Both state that psychological pain and suffering can give rise to physical disease.
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Nicoll and Tolle both describe how grievances are often expressed inwardly as inner talking / compulsive thinking.
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Persistent negative trains of thought can be fueled by feeling unfairly treated by others or even God, they tell us.
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They highlight the importance of inner forgiveness for spiritual growth and connect this to Jesus’ teaching to forgive or make peace with your enemies.
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Nicoll and Tolle both state that a person’s smiling exterior can be a lie / façade hiding inner pain.
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Both authors describe how negativity accumulates over time beneath the surface, which can cause disproportionate emotional responses to external irritants or challenges.
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Quotes on the Law of Opposites
These images come from articles comparing how Nicoll and Tolle discuss the Law of Opposites.
You cannot have one emotion without experiencing its opposite, the authors explain, as emotions are subject to the law of opposites.
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Everything in the universe has an opposite it cannot exist without, according to the law of the pendulum/polarities.
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The opposites of birth and death are fundamental to the manifest universe, and there are cycles between them, according the law of opposites.
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Cycles between opposite conditions occur on large and small scales: in the ascent and decline of nations, and in our own lives, Nicoll and Tolle say.
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The two opposite movements of expansion and contraction, occurring throughout life in various ways, is present in the beating of our heats, the authors tell us.
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Due to the law of opposites, there will be times when things go right and times when they go wrong for us, or cycles of gain and loss in our lives, Nicoll and Tolle suggest.
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We should not become despondent during the negative swing or cycles of this law upon us, but learn to use such times for inner growth, the authors suggest.
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Our ordinary thoughts and emotions function in opposites, according to this law.
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Opposite emotional states are really two sides of the same coin or penny, Nicoll and Tolle convey.
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When it comes to opposite states or emotions, “you cannot have one without the other,” the authors tell us, as they are inseparable.
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All our ordinary emotional states, like everything else in existence, will eventually turn into their opposite “in time” due to the action of the law of opposites, we are told.
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What we consider to be “positive emotions” can turn rapidly in their opposite, Nicoll and Tolle tell us.
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The emotion often called “love” is not true love, and can turn into hate in a moment/second, the authors convey. *Note: Nicoll is paraphrasing Ouspensky here.
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What we often regard as love can turn into its opposite “in a flash” or “at the flick of a switch” Nicoll and Tolle respectively say. *Note: Nicoll is paraphrasing Ouspensky here.
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Pleasant emotions or pseudo “love” can turn into something negative “in a flash” or “flick of a switch,” the authors respectively suggest.
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Praise or flattery can make us feel good, but the lack of it can make us feel bad, the authors say. This is an example of how ordinary emotions work in opposites.
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Because the unconscious emotional polarities are connected, so-called “love” is linked to hate, so love and hate often go together for many people.
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We stay psychologically trapped in swings or cycles between opposite mental-emotional states by identifying with our emotions, Nicoll and Tolle convey.
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If you identify with one polarity, or side of the pendulum, you will unconsciously perpetuate both it and the opposite side or polarity, the authors suggest.
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We can experience deeper or higher emotional states, different from the usual kind. These may disappear or be obscured, we are told, but exist beyond all typical opposites.
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Because higher or deeper emotions or states have no opposite, they can never become an opposite. Real love, unlike the pseudo kind, cannot turn into hate, Nicoll and Tolle say.
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Real love “has no opposite,” write Tolle and Nicoll, and brings a sense of “oneness” or being “as one.”
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We identify with changing emotions and moods that swing between opposites, but our “Real I” or “Being” is not found in these cycles, the authors suggest.
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Our real self or Being cannot be reached or revealed in either emotional opposite, Nicoll and Tolle convey. It is beyond the opposites.
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Our real self or Being has no opposites, Nicoll and Tolle tell us.
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The happiness derived from attaining things isn’t deep, but the peace from one’s inner being is independent of anything else, and remains whatever happens—if you stay awake or present within, the authors convey.
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