A New Earth – Author Eckhart Tolle & Oprah – Ways to Say No and Types of Energy

During chapter 2 of the online course for his book A New Earth, Eckhart Tolle with Oprah answered a caller’s question about knowing when to let go and when to be assertive.

Michelle called from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, to join in the discussion and asked, “I’m a little confused about Chapter 2. I understand the quote, ‘If someone takes your shirt, leave your coat too.’ Where do you draw the line without Get trampled on? I don’t want to be a selfish person, but at the same time I don’t want to be taken advantage of. So I’m a bit confused about that.”

The passage Michelle was referring to came directly from the Bible just as Jesus originally said it. “Whoever strikes you on one cheek, offer him the other also; and whoever takes your shirt, give him your tunic as well.” (Luke 6:29)

Jesus sought to build a spiritual kingdom and build the inner man within humanity, so that they would not cling tightly to earthly things or get in the way of them. Jesus said, “For what will it profit a man, if he gains the whole world, and loses his soul? Or what will a man give in exchange for his soul?” (Matthew 16:26)

The rich young ruler approached Jesus and said, “Good Teacher, what good must I do to have eternal life?” (Matthew 19:16) Jesus sensing a little adulation from him, immediately made him redirect his attention to God the Father and keep the commandments to enter into life.

The young man said to Jesus: “All these things I have kept from my youth: what do I still lack?” (v. 20) Interestingly, the young man did not simply say that he had kept the commandments, but he went so far as to point out that he had done so throughout his youth until now. This could indicate a bit of self-righteousness and a tendency to try to earn salvation through good works. Note that the young man asked what he must “do” to have eternal life.

However, Christ and the kingdom of God are received and entered by faith, not by good works. Of course, from then on you can do good deeds, but by no means should you do good deeds. Good deeds should flow freely from the heart as you love God and your neighbor.

Jesus sensed the young man’s dilemma and problem, after which, without hesitation, he cut to the chase and gave him advice. “If you want to be perfect, go, sell what you have, and give it to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come and follow me” (Matthew 19:21).

He had great possessions, but more importantly, his answer revealed the condition of his heart. The young man’s answer says it all. “But when the young man heard these words, he went away sad, because he had many possessions.” (verse 22)

This showed that he was possessed by his possessions, or that his possessions possessed him. Jesus, seeing the young man walk away, said, “How hard it will be for a rich man to enter the kingdom of heaven” (v. 23).

Keep in mind that Jesus didn’t say it was impossible, just harder and harder. Because when you have the material goods of this world in your possession, you become more and more self-sufficient. Therefore, the tendency is to turn away from God and become a god to oneself.

However, Joseph of Arimathea was a wealthy disciple who followed Jesus wholeheartedly (Matthew 27:57), proving that success can be achieved. Zacchaeus, who was the chief publican, was also rich. Zacchaeus was so hungry for Christ that he climbed a sycamore tree to see Jesus as he passed by. Believing wholeheartedly in Christ the Lord, Zacchaeus immediately repented, made restitution, and experienced glorious salvation in his house (see Luke 19:2-9).

Eckhart, responding to Michelle’s question, replied, “All he’s saying is that sometimes you let go, there’s more power in letting go than holding on or holding on to something. So there are situations where you really get stronger when you let go.” , instead of when you hold on.” It doesn’t mean people walk all over you. In fact, there are situations where you have to say no very clearly to a situation or a person, but even that ‘no’ can be of two different kinds.”

Tolle continued, “Usually he’s not very negative. When you say ‘no’ to a person, a person says, ‘I’ll take you home.’ But you see the person is drunk. Of course you wouldn’t just say yes.” to be nice. You say no.”

“Now do you say no with negative energy and in a state of resistance or do you say it’s not positive? It just means a clear, direct, ‘No, I won’t do that.'”

“This is very different from non-resistant. I call it the non-negative no, a high-quality no.”

Oprah added some insight: “She’s also looking at why you’d hold on to the shirt… If the reason you’re holding on to the shirt makes you think the shirt will give you more value or you’re operating from your ego when you cling to it. So you’re saying…give what needs to be given.”

Oprah is correct in trying to assess the motivation of the heart and the “reason” for holding on to things. This is precisely why Jesus told the rich young man to sell his possessions and give them to the poor, because Jesus felt the young man’s unhealthy attachment and identification with his possessions.

Truly, the Word of God is like a two-edged sword that cuts, divides, and discerns the thoughts and intentions of the heart (see Hebrews 4:12). However, we know that it is quite possible to be both rich and spiritual, because all of Jesus’ apostles were once successful businessmen. By becoming disciples of Christ and traveling with him, they continued to support themselves and their families.

That’s why when Jesus said, “It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle, than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God” (Mark 10:25). Jesus’ disciples were immediately amazed beyond measure. Because? Because they knew their own financial position and were concerned about their own spiritual welfare.

The disciples, fearing for their own salvation, said among themselves, “Who then can be saved?” (Mark 10:26) Jesus responded by saying, “With men it is impossible, but with God it is not; for with God all things are possible” (Mark 10:27).

This comment and answer of Jesus is to say that men can buy almost everything, but not eternal salvation. Therefore, only this comes from God, which, if you keep your heart tender and sensitive to the Spirit of the Lord, you can have. The problem with things is that they tend to dull the heart and just like tares “choke the Word of God” making it fruitless in you.

“The cares of this world, and the deceitfulness of riches, and the lust for other things, come in and choke the Word of God, making it unfruitful in you” (see Mark 4:19).

Jesus, being fully committed to earthly prosperity as well as heavenly riches and glory, expounded saying, “There is not a man who has left home, brothers, sisters, father, mother, wife, children, or land for my sake.” and of the gospel, but he will receive a hundredfold now in this time, houses and brothers and sisters and mothers and children and lands, with persecutions, and in the age to come eternal life” (Mark 10:29-30).

Interestingly, Jesus said that along with the blessings that come when you first seek God’s kingdom and His righteousness (Matthew 6:31), along with them you will be persecuted. And most of the persecution comes from the zealous religious mob that wants what you have, but hasn’t paid the price you’ve paid with sacrifice and experience.

Many wanted (and still want and pursue) the revelation and divine insight of the apostle Paul. Yet very few are willing to endure the hardships, abuse, persecution, and hardships that Paul endured to obtain such inner revelation.

In response to Michelle’s question, no, we shouldn’t allow ourselves to be doormats for people to use and abuse. When the Pharisees and scribes tried to entangle Jesus in his speech, He wisely answered them and withdrew from their midst. Furthermore, when he was appropriate, Christ boldly confronted them to address his own hypocrisy.

We cannot correct what we refuse to face. Often what you tolerate will continue to dominate.

Therefore, we must bring order to our lives, homes and interactions on a professional and social level; so that we are not swept away by cunning people in the world of business and society.

God gave you a heart and spine, preserve them and use them when appropriate. As you do so, you will need to nurture and protect the positive life force energy that flows within and through you.