Lately I've had several people ask me

If I have read any of Eckhart Tolle's books. Usually this question comes after I have confessed to feeling badly, or sad, about something going on in my life. Each friend enthusiastically tells me that if I just listen to what Eckhart Tolle says that I would realize I have nothing to be upset about, that I could just "be here now" and not be affected by the worries of what has been and what may be. I truly appreciate these words of wisdom, and the enthusiasm of the friend sharing them with me. I love that Eckhart Tolle and his books have become so popularized. He is sharing an amazing and wonderful truth. The fact that the message he is sending is being received by the masses is a defininte sign that the level of human consciousness is ready to and indeed IS expanding. This is a great sign for all humanity!
The thing is, though, that Eckhart Tolle is not the first person to discover and share these teachings. These teachings are similar to the practices of the Taoists, Buddhists, Yogis, Tibetans, and many other ancient traditions. You can find many words of wisdom in ancient texts such as The Yoga Sutras if Patanjali, the Indian "Vedas" including the Upanishads and Bhagavad Gita, as well as many current books such as written by the Dalai Lama, Thich Nhat Hahn and many others.
Many have been practicing mindfulness and being present way before Eckhart Tolle. And THAT is the important thing to note... that it is a PRACTICE. It does take effort on the part of the practitioner. And to quote Pattabi Jois "practice practice all is coming". I don't like the saying "practice makes perfect", because what exactly is perfection?
I am happy for all who are just learning the message of being present, and appreciate Eckhart Tolle (and OPRAH) for being the catalyst to help expand the human consciousness. With any new found thing comes much excitement and zeal, much enthusiasm.
As life and also the same texts that teach us how to overcome our human suffering tell us, there are many causes of human suffering and it is difficult to overcome them. So, as someone who has been practicing for awhile, I still at times fall prey to my "pain body" though I do not relate to the pain as much as I would have in the past.
I smile when my friends share with me how easy it is for me to overcome my issues, as I remember feeling a same sense of enthusiasm as they at one time. It does help to bring me back to the simplicicty of it all.
And I hope that after some time of incorporating practices of mindfulness into their lives, when they are confronted with challenges they have a friend nearby that will ask them if they have read anything by Eckhart Tolle lately.