In Defense of an Illusion
A New Earth by Eckhart Tolle, Chapter 3, Section 5
Am I right when I talk about facts? We live in a time of Fake News, Alternative Facts, (guess what, we always have) and I have to defend the facts, right?
Here’s where things start getting tricky (wait, maybe they already did?🤔)
If you say: “Light travels faster than sound,” and someone else says the opposite is the case, you are obviously right, and he is wrong.
Is there any ego involved? Possibly…
Eckhart Tolle - A New Earth
If you are simply stating it as a fact, then you aren’t identifying with being right. But if you start to feel annoyed that the other person, who is obviously sooo wrong and you want them to shut up, well then you know that’s your ego.
If you find yourself feeling offended or diminished because someone doesn’t agree with you, (regardless of who, if anyone, is right) then yup, ego has entered the scene.
The especially challenging part is noticing the difference between facts and opinions or viewpoints.
Every ego is a master of selective perception and distorted interpretation.
Eckhart Tolle - A New Earth
So how do we begin to sift between the two? Awareness. Only through awareness can we notice that we have drifted into defending our position, and are really attached to feeling right and getting the other person to feel we are right as well.
In awareness we can pause and come into the moment, step back from the situation, and allow for differing opinions, and even begin to step into the other’s shoes. We begin to treat the other with respect. This doesn’t mean we need agree, but does allow us meaningful perspective. And by the way people are usually much more open when we do that, when we actually listen and try to look at the situation from their perspective as well as ours. So if the goal really is to get them to consider a different perspective maybe we should begin by showing them that it is possible. シ
I think it’s important to clarify here that we are welcome to have our opinions, our views, but we don’t have to push against other opinions and viewpoints in the process. Recently I attended an Abraham Hicks workshop and heard these powerful words.
You can choose sides. Just don’t push against that which you don’t choose.
Abraham Hicks
So stand up for what you believe in. And, notice if you begin making someone else the enemy, even in a small way. When you do that you are actually in the ego and are cutting off your wise, creative inner self, your listening self. Instead, try the practice of letting go, even for just one moment. And see how you feel.
(Can someone put this post in my ear next time I get into an argument with my husband???)
I notice that I feel better when I let go.
Students have been doing positive protesting recently in Serbia, standing up for what matters to them without making it a fight - here’s a link to an article about it. Take a peek if you like. シ
https://www.nytimes.com/2025/05/12/opinion/serbia-protests-students-vucic.html?unlocked_article_code=1.G08.zEw2.NOkrgbsCOcnb&smid=nytcore-ios-share&referringSource=articleShare
So, I need lots of practice. Oh well, that’s why I am here. All good.
Glad to walk the planet and practice this awareness stuff together. Thanks for being here with me.